5.0.Definition of Decision Theory The success or failure of an individual or organization experiences, depends upon the ability to make appropriate decision. Decision theory is the combination of descriptive and prescriptive business modelling approach. The knowledge of degree is divided into four categories which are given below:- A. Decision alternatives: called courses of action which are under control and known to decision maker. B. States of nature:known as consequences, events, or scenarios C. Pay off: called decision horizon D. Pay off table:profit or loss values
A. Decision alternatives : numbers of alternatives are available with the decision maker These alternatives may depend on the previous decisions made. Thesealternatives are also called courses of action which are under control and known to decision maker. B. States of nature: These are the future conditions ( also known as consequences, events, or scenarios ) which are not under the control of decision maker . A state of nature can be inflation, a weather condition, a political development etc. it usually is not determined by an action of an individual or an organization. But it may identify through some technique such as scenario analysis. Ex- stakeholders, long-time managers.
C. Pay off : A numerical outcome resulting from each possible combination of alternatives and states of natureis called payoff. The payoff values are always conditional values because of unknown states of nature. The payoff is measured within a specified period (e.g. after one year). This period is sometimes called decision horizon. Payoff can be measured in terms of money market share , or other measures. D. Pay off table: A tabular arrangement of these conditional outcomes ( profit or loss values ) To construct a payoff matrix , the decision alternatives (courses of action or strategies) and states of nature are represented in the tabular form
Steps in Decision Theory Approach Identify and define the problem Listing of all possible future events, called states of nature. Identification of all the courses of action Evaluating the alternatives such as, cost effectiveness, performance, quality, output, profit. Expressing the payoffs resulting from each pair of course of action and state of nature. Choosing an appropriate course of action from the given list in the optimal pay-off. vii. The next step is to implement the decision.