Karen Martyn

Citation

Thesis Title
Decision Making on a Corporate Board: Inside the Black Box

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Ms Martyn researched how boards make decisions, the factors that contribute to effective board decision-making and what tools and techniques improve board decision-making. There were three main aims: first, to investigate those factors that directors thought contributed to their board''ssuccessful and unsuccessful decision-making; second, to observe how a board actuallymakes decisions; and third, to determine whether training and usage of a decision-making method might improve a board''sdecision-making process. Ms Martyn observed a successful, publicly listed corporate board in action, interviewed and surveyed the directors and senior management team, and administered an emotional intelligence test to all board members. Results showed the decision making method contributed to better decision-making. Emotional intelligence testing revealed levels sufficient to assist in positive board dynamics. Findings support the application of small group decision making research for board research.

Supervisors
Mr Ralph Stablein
Dr James Lockhart