The new science of management decision

by Herbert A. Simon

The Ford Distinguished Lectures at New York University, Volume III. The New Science of Management Decision by Herbert A Simon. --- This eminent social scientist delivered the lectures iin 1960, while a visiting professor at the University. --- Dr Simon had been engaged in fundamental research on the processes of decision making over the previous five years, using computeres to simulate human thinking. In these lectures he discusses some of the results of this research and the future consequences for American business. --- Foreward by Thomas L. Norton, Dean of NYU School of COmmerce, Accounts and Finance -- the Executive as Decision Maker -- Traditional Decision Making Methods -- New Techniques for Programmed Decisioni Making -- Heuristic Problem Solving -- Organizational Man-Machine Systems for Decision Making.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

175 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Lucille Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful and scholarly work on the impacts of computers on administrative management, delivered in the mid-20th century. Simon is, as always, terribly positivist and an adherent to the physical symbol system hypothesis. Yet much is commendable about his insights over 60 years later: computers did not cause widespread unemployment, are capable of processing numerical and non-numerical data, and have changed in multifaceted ways the way that office work functions. The insight Simon showed in his time ought to be an example for today's forecasters and technologists about how to manage a world defined by generative AI and the persistence of "big data."