Relativism as a Cultural Influence on Twentieth Century Decision Making

Abstract

Culturally determined norms are seen as guides to the subjective components in the decision process. An understanding of normative elements in choicemaking must therefore begin with an analysis of the culture relevant to the decision. Ways in which the Western twentieth-century intellectual and cultural climate have influenced the ability of modern managers to make value-laden decisions are examined. Implications of relativism for management decision making along with the influences of relativistic decision making on organizational health also are discussed.