Stay or Switch: An Organizational Behavior and Management Science Joint Classroom Exercise

Daphne Gottlieb Taras - daphne.taras@haskayne.ucalgary.ca
Thomas A. Grossman, Jr. - Grossman@UCalgary.ca
Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary

Abstract

We use a simple probabilistic decision problem as the basis for a three-hour exercise taught jointly by faculty from organizational behavior and management science. The exercise require students to commit to a decision, and then defend their decision to other students. The problem is counter-intuitive, hence the bulk of students make an incorrect decision. This provides insight regarding irrational decision making behaviors, experiential learning of important organizational behavior topics, and an enhanced perspective on the value of analytical techniques. We use a simple probabilistic decision problem as the basis for a three-hour exercise taught jointly by faculty from organizational behavior and management science. The exercise requires students to commit to a decision, and then defend their decision to other students. The problem is counter-intuitive, hence the bulk of students make an incorrect decision. This provides insight regarding irrational decision making behaviors, experiential learning of important organizational behavior topics, and an enhanced perspective on the value of analytical techniques.

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10.1287/ited.3.2.42

Citation Information
Taras, D. G., Grossman, Jr., T. A. 2003. Stay or Switch: An Organizational Behavior and Management Science Joint Classroom Exercise. INFORMS Trans. Ed. 3(2) 42-54. Available online at http://ite.pubs.informs.org/.

DOI: 10.1287/ited.3.2.42