From mechanical to cognitive view: the changes of decision making in business environment

Management can be considered the science of decisions. Different researchers and practitioners have analysed the contents and boundaries of this vibrant domain, proposing multiple contributions and several perspectives. After a short overview of the principles of scientific management and their contribution to the definition of the modern idea of business management, this chapter briefly introduces the topics of subjectivity, complexity and uncertainty as relevant challenges to face in decision-making processes. The aim is to identify the key dimensions of the decision-making process over time. Lastly, systems thinking, and specifically the Viable Systems Approach (VSA), is proposed as a relevant interpretative lens to overcome the limitations of a traditional reductionist view and better understand the challenges and dynamics of postmodern social and economic dynamics.