Theories; Problem Solving; *Theory Practice Relationship

This paper offers a process for organizational decision making that will assist educators involved in school restructuring. The first part, which focuses on the nature of theory and the relationship of theory to practice, concludes that current organizational theory on decision making is inadequate. The next section outlines four stages of a process theory for organizational decision making: sensing a problem and developing a plan; generating interactions; negotiating; and examining outcomes and consequences. The cycle is ongoing. The theory is also one of organizational behavior, in that it is a process theory that focuses on the patterns of interaction involved in producing and developing. Finally, several examples illustrating the theory's practical applications are described. One figure is included. (Contains 34 references.) (LMI) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document