Decision Making in Eurocentric and Afrocentric Organizations

Abstract

This article lays the foundation for how Eurocentric and Afrocentric organizations employ decision-making models differently. An investigation of the archetypes for each organization and its cultural dimensions develops the bases from which to draw conclusions about their decision-making preference. For the purposes here, decision-making includes rational, emotional, political-coalitional, and garbage-can models. This paper also reviews how emotions impact those processes. Findings show that Eurocentric organizations tend toward more rational and political models with strategic use of emotions. Afrocentric organizations deploy more garbage-can or holistic models. When members from Eurocentric organizations employ political models, they aim to please leadership. Members in predominately Afrocentric organizations frown on such behavior. Members from Afrocentric organizations express emotions more freely and with less strategic intent than their counterparts. When members from these cultures encounter each other, having an understanding of these decision-making models may help unpack the negative connotation associated with the concept of cultural baggage.