INTRODUCTI ON

Decision making is a crucial activity of every type of social work at every level of a social service organization. On the administrative level, critical decisions are made regarding the goals of the agency, its relationship to the community, the maintenance of the organization, and initiation of organizational change. At the direct service level, decisions are made regarding client assessment and selection of service technologies (Neugeboren, 1985). Decision making by the various staff of social service organizations bears consequences not only for the continued existence and efficiency of the agency and its programs, but the well being of the people that are served. However, despite its importance to the delivery of social services, decision making is a complex process that is difficult to understand and subject to ineffectiveness. Drucker (1974) believes that many organizations, be they business or service organizations, suffer from ineffective decision makin