Bounded Rationality and Selective Perception in R&D Decision-Making Process

Abstract

The objectivity that should guide the decision-making process in the organizational environment, as understand authors with a more positivist orientation, did not withstand a deeper analysis carried out in recent decades by empirical studies that originated new approaches. Studies have pointed out the relevance of variables of a subjective characteristics, such as power relations and political factors, on the decision-making process conducted at different levels of the organizational structure. From this context, this study aims to analyze the characteristics of decision markers in the Research and Development (R&D) area from the limited rationality perspective. The research method used was the descriptive one using as technique the analysis of narratives, with a qualitative approach, based on two case studies carried out in industry organizations technologically oriented, located in southern region of Brazil.  The analysis pointed out the link between selective perception and limited rationality in the decision-making process. This result can help in the development of management processes in the R&D area and foster reflections on the influences that a decision maker receives, even though it is acting in an organizational area considered technical, more rational and objective.