The Origins and Consequences of Consensus Decision Making: A Test of the Social Consensus Model

Sager, Kevin L.; Gastil, John

doi:10.1080/10417940500503464

Cited by 26 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…However, consensus is closely related to the process under consideration in this article. Research on decision making in the United States indicated that the most common types of decision rules practiced are consensus and majority rule (Sager & Gastil, 2006). Although there is great variety in how these two processes are enacted, decision by consensus generally takes longer since members can choose to continue discussion if they oppose a particular item, while in decision by majority rule, a majority vote can end discussion (Gastil, 1993(Gastil, , 2010Snyder et al, 2001).…”

Section: Decision Making Small Groups and Communitymentioning

confidence: 97%

Finding the “Sense of the Meeting”: Decision Making Through Silence Among Quakers

Molina-Markham

2013

Western Journal of Communication

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Decision making through silence may seem counterintuitive. However, many unprogrammed Quakers believe that their deliberative process of finding the ''sense of the meeting'' in monthly administrative meetings is based in silence. Drawing on the ethnography of communication and cultural discourse theory, this article analyzes recordings of naturally occurring interaction during Quaker meetings for business. Building on research on silence as generative, it argues that, in this context, communal silence plays an active role in decision making through a process understood to take precedence over its outcome. This article contributes to an understanding of the functions of silence in different cultural contexts. The analysis suggests that in the context of Quaker meetings for business, silences serve to prepare participants to take part in decision making and also structure the unfolding of the decision-making process, as participants wait and listen for guidance. The article also explores the situated processes of community formation embodied in these meetings.

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Section: Decision Making Small Groups and Communitymentioning

confidence: 97%

Finding the “Sense of the Meeting”: Decision Making Through Silence Among Quakers

Molina-Markham

2013

Western Journal of Communication

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“…Inevitably, consensus building or collaborative decision-making takes time, but the involved stakeholders can establish a common understanding on how to find the best possible solution which is less likely to face problems in the implementation phase. Sager and Gastil [43] placed emphasis on the fact that consensus building differs from majority rule decision-making in that everyone involved must agree, sometimes reluctantly, with the final decision. In some cases, these will be difficult decisions which will not make everyone happy, but opposition is nullified because an agreement is reached after all interests are taken into account, all alternatives are discussed, the cost and benefits of the alternatives are analyzed, and the barriers to implementation are evaluated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wind Power Deployment: The Role of Public Participation in the Decision-Making Process in Ontario, Canada

Jami

Walsh

2016

Sustainability

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Abstract:A wider use of renewable energy is emerging as a viable solution to meet the increasing demand for global energy while contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. However, current literature on renewable energy, particularly on wind power, highlights the social barriers and public opposition to renewable energy investment. One solution to overcome the public opposition, which is recommended by scholars, is to deploy a collaborative approach. Relatively little research has specifically focused on the role of effective communication and the use of a knowledge-broker in collaborative decision-making. This study attempts to fill this gap through the proposition of a participatory framework that highlights the role of the knowledge-broker in a wind project decision-making process. In this paper, five illustrative wind projects in Ontario are used to highlight the current situation with public participation and to address how the proposed framework could have improved the process. Based on the recommended collaborative framework, perception must shift from the dominant view of the public as "a risk to be managed" towards "a resource that can be tapped". The developers need to improve sharing what they know and foster co-learning around questions and concerns.

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“…4 Meade (2005) documents that FOMC members tend to take consensus decisions even if the preceding policy discussion has revealed differences in view. Sager and Gastil (2006) discuss the advantages of consensus over majority decisions from a psychological perspective.…”

Section: Article In Pressmentioning

confidence: 99%

Taking two steps at a time: On the optimal pattern of policy interest rates

Gerlach-Kristen

2008

Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control

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The Origins and Consequences of Consensus Decision Making: A Test of the Social Consensus Model

Cited by 26 publications

References 47 publications

Finding the “Sense of the Meeting”: Decision Making Through Silence Among Quakers

Finding the “Sense of the Meeting”: Decision Making Through Silence Among Quakers

Wind Power Deployment: The Role of Public Participation in the Decision-Making Process in Ontario, Canada

Taking two steps at a time: On the optimal pattern of policy interest rates

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