| Author(s) | Waheed A. Al-Hindi* and Rashid M. Al-Hamali** |
| Affiliation | *Department. of Public Administration and** Department of Quantitative Methods, College of Administrative Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Title | Current Status for Using Quantitative Methods in Decision Making by Managers in Public Agencies in Riyadh City |
| Source | Journal of King Saud University. Administrative Sciences. Volume 15, No 1. (2003/1423) |
| Abstract | The main objective of this study is to explore the current status of using quantitative methods (QM) by managers in the public agencies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This objective is achieved through several factors such as, the managers’ knowledge of quantitative methods, and the extent of need for using such quantitative methods. The study explores as well, the most important quantitative methods used in decision making, its knowledge resources, and the degree of managers desire to use such quantitative methods in decision making in public sectors. This study covers all governmental sectors, ministries, public enterprises, and other governmental offices. A questionnaire was designed for this purpose and was answered by random sample of public managers. The data was analyzed using both analytical and descriptive statistics. Several observations and indices were reached. The study presents some results regarding the use of QM in the public sector. It was found that large proportion of the sample have the desire to use QM to support their decisions; in the same time fair proportion of the public managers have the knowledge of QM techniques. The study presented some recommendations to enhance the utilization of the QM in the public sector. It is recommended that more attention is directed towards training and teaching in QM techniques. In addition, support centers need to be established to provide help and support in making better decisions, and to organize symposiums to address the role of QM in increasing the productivity and accomplishing the mission efficiently. |
