MN5652 Leadership Decision Making

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students enrolled on the MSc Leadership programme.

Planned timetable

To be arranged.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr C Akinci

Dr C Akinci
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Cinla Akinci

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Leadership Decision Making provides a critical examination of the nature of human judgement and the rationality of choice with a particular focus on leaders. The module explores factors that affect decision making in individual and organisational contexts, and introduces key concepts from decision making research drawing on theories and evidence from cognitive psychology, behavioural economics, neuroscience, and management. The module examines the problem of determining ‘better judgement’, rationality and its limits, the role of emotion in judgements and decisions, and explores the nature and effectiveness of intuitive inclinations. Essentially, the module tackles the question of how leaders can make better decisions, and introduces decision making tools and frameworks applied in a variety of organisational settings.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

The module will be delivered in 8x3 hour face to face sessions in residential 2. After the residential students have the option to attend 4 x 1 hour online assignment clinics for assignment support from staff and peers. These sessions will take place in module weeks 2,4,6 and 8 as students work through their assessment tasks.

Scheduled learning hours

40

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

110

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate the ability to apply contemporary theories of judgement and decision making in organisational life
  • Develop an informed understanding of processes that may lead to faulty choice or cognitive bias in decision making
  • Critically evaluate individual characteristics and environmental factors that influence choice and impact on leadership behaviour
  • Recognise and reflect on common decision traps and devise approaches that help leaders make better decisions