1.

Explain the difference between a logic of consequences and a logic of

appropriateness. Find examples of decision-making processes in a public-sector
organization that are based on such logics.

Decision-making is a crucial skill that has a central role in everyday life and is
necessary for adaptation to the environment and autonomy.
(Morelli,Casagranda&Forte,2021) The moment an individual woke up, decision-making is in
operation already. In every aspect of life, decision-making stands a vital role furthermore, in
an organization where the community’s well-being is important. A theoretical perspective of
Logic of appropriateness and Logic of consequences explain the human’s way of decision
making. Upon further reading, we will tackle these logics, their differences, and the
examples that we may or may have seen in public-sector organization’s decision making.

The logic of appropriateness is a perspective that sees human action as driven by

rules of appropriate or exemplary behavior, organized into institutions. ( March and Olsen,
2004) Rules enable an individual to decide as it perceived to be right and natural. They act
according to their responsibility and the outcome which is also in favor to them. The logic of
consequences brings forth the interest of the actor according to their preference as well as
their characteristics. Results are expected based on the calculations of alternative choices.
(Balsiger,J. 2016) The said logics were stated to be different in this manner. The actor may
act upon a situation based how they where shape in organization or as an individual.

Public-sector organizations could make decision based on the logics that we

discussed. The public-sectors workers use both logics depends on a circumstance. One
example I can sight is the experience I had in one of the Land Transportation Offices. I
applied for a non-professional driver’s license and fully aware of the process by our
instructor. We prepared and made sure that we won’t fail any of the steps. Some of my
classmates got their driver’s license before me and shared some tips per stages so I can
successfully claim one. I prepared well before I went there but unfortunately, I forgot my
medical result. I chose to go back to our house and since it’s kind of far, I was able to
comeback around 2 PM. I followed their instruction diligently, I did as what I was instructed
but got very surprised when I received my driver’s license ID immediately. I didn’t go
through the normal process of drive testing. I got curious as to why they didn’t ask me to go
through it. According to the accessor, it’s almost 5 pm by that time, also I brought my vehicle
so they believe that I can really drive it well. I think the two logics are being observed based
on the circumstance. In some instances, public-sector workers act according to the logic of
appropriateness thus logic of consequences may also be applied depending on a situation.
Some researchers and scholars are skeptical with the difference of logic of appropriateness
and logic of consequences as the logics, far from being mutually excluding, overlap very
considerably. (Goldmann, 2014) Therefore, the connection between these two logics based
on Goldmann’s view is hereby being considered.
 2. What is meant by ‘bounded rationality’, and how can decision-making processes in
public sector organizations be affected by it?
Simon (1991) believes that theories that incorporate constraints on the information-
processing capacities of the actor may be called theories of bounded rationality. (p.162)
Jones mentioned the bounded rationality asserts that decision makers are intendedly
rational; that is, they are goal-oriented and adaptive, but because of human cognitive and
emotional architecture, they sometimes fail, occasionally in important decisions (1999).
Therefore, the actor decides upon certain situation based on given information. Thus, it is
not limited to those things that needs to be learned but more so the time and cognitive
ability and the emotion of the actor in order to make a decision can get affected.
According to the Tropical Medical Health researchers, COVID-19 illustrate a wide
spectrum of disease as the first two confirmed cases showed different clinical courses.
February 1 when the first COVID-19 death outside China happened in the Philippines. The
suspected case went up to 633 on March 1, 2020. Metro Manila and Luzon were put on
lockdown on March 16, 2020 under ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) which I believe
was kind of late already since the number of case on March 1 was already high. The
information with regard the virus by that time kept on changing as the virus’ name was
changed numerous times. Furthermore, it has many variants. The confusion and lack of
information with regard to what the president refer to as unseen enemy held him to make a
decision for the well-being of everyone including the ability of the Filipinos to live based on
the precautionary measure that other countries have immediately imposed. Being in a third-
world country and lacking resources.
The response of the government in this matter was inadequate as the resources
were poorly distributed. Failure to deliver basic need and health services resulted in disease
outbreaks (Amit,Pepito&Dayrit,2021) . Decision-making is one of the crucial tasks of those in
authorities and it’s important that those who lead are prepared and able to make a rational
and quick decision however, the receiver of the decision must also be considered and
thought of. During the Pandemic, The Philippine government has decided to make an act
called BAYANIHAN which will help those people in need but, did it really help those in need
or gave more to other already?
References:

Amit A., Pepito V. & Dayrit M. (2021) “Early Response to Covid-19 in the Philippines”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8143926

Edrada, E.M., Lopez, E.B., Villarama, J.B. et al. (2020) First COVID-19 infections in the
Philippines: a case report. Trop Med Health 48, 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-020-
00203-0

Goldmann, 2014‘’ Appropriateness and Consequences: The Logic of Neo- Institutionalism.

Appropriateness and Consequences: The Logic of Neo‐Institutionalism - GOLDMANN - 2005 -
Governance - Wiley Online Library
Jones, B. (1999) Bounded Rationality.
https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev.polisci.2.1.297

March, James G., and Johan P. Olsen, ' The Logic of Appropriateness', in Robert Goodin,
Michael Moran, and Martin Rein (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Public Policy (2008; online
edn, Oxford Academic, 2 Sept. 2009),
https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199548453.003.0034

Morelli, M., Casagrande, M. & Forte, G. Decision Making: a Theoretical Review. Integr. psych.
behav. 56, 609–629 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12124-021-09669-x

Simon,H. (1991, p.162) "Decision and Organization"

https://iiif.library.cmu.edu/file/Simon_box00065
_fld05032_bdl0001_doc0001/Simon_box00065_fld05032_bdl0001_doc0001.pdf