Decision System Analysis of Advertising Agency Decisions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report the use of decision system analysis (DSA) mapping the streams of communications (i.e. interactions), thoughts, actions and decisions involved for advertising agencies as executives in these firms gain client approval, and design creative, promotional...

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Main Authors: Na, W., Marshall, R., Woodside, Arch
Format: Journal Article
Published: Emerald Group 2009
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/16165
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author Na, W.
Marshall, R.
Woodside, Arch
author_facet Na, W.
Marshall, R.
Woodside, Arch
author_sort Na, W.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report the use of decision system analysis (DSA) mapping the streams of communications (i.e. interactions), thoughts, actions and decisions involved for advertising agencies as executives in these firms gain client approval, and design creative, promotional and media strategies. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses DSA. This little-used technique requires protocol analysis, interviews and observation before transcription of the organizational decision processes into flow charts. Findings – The research first identifies four models, describing four specific decision types, then derives a general model from them. Executives from four agencies not in the original sample later confirms the models. The models generally confirm the existing knowledge base, with a few minor exceptions. Research limitations/implications – This qualitative technique suffers the common malady of the researchers losing objectivity because of their immersion in the case-companies. Wherever possible the research employs quantitative techniques to verify observational judgments. Practical implications – The “thick description” and the summary charts of the advertising agency decision processes have the potential to aid agency decision makers to better structure their decision processes. Originality/value – The findings themselves are of significance to those involved in the advertising industry, and there is an element of originality in the classification and the thick descriptions of advertising agency decision systems. The resurrection of DSA and the demonstration that the technique is viable and valuable is also a contribution of the study.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-161652017-09-13T15:04:06Z Decision System Analysis of Advertising Agency Decisions Na, W. Marshall, R. Woodside, Arch advertising agencies protocols systems analysis decision theory decision making Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report the use of decision system analysis (DSA) mapping the streams of communications (i.e. interactions), thoughts, actions and decisions involved for advertising agencies as executives in these firms gain client approval, and design creative, promotional and media strategies. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses DSA. This little-used technique requires protocol analysis, interviews and observation before transcription of the organizational decision processes into flow charts. Findings – The research first identifies four models, describing four specific decision types, then derives a general model from them. Executives from four agencies not in the original sample later confirms the models. The models generally confirm the existing knowledge base, with a few minor exceptions. Research limitations/implications – This qualitative technique suffers the common malady of the researchers losing objectivity because of their immersion in the case-companies. Wherever possible the research employs quantitative techniques to verify observational judgments. Practical implications – The “thick description” and the summary charts of the advertising agency decision processes have the potential to aid agency decision makers to better structure their decision processes. Originality/value – The findings themselves are of significance to those involved in the advertising industry, and there is an element of originality in the classification and the thick descriptions of advertising agency decision systems. The resurrection of DSA and the demonstration that the technique is viable and valuable is also a contribution of the study. 2009 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/16165 10.1108/13522750910948761 Emerald Group restricted
spellingShingle advertising agencies
protocols
systems analysis
decision theory
decision making
Na, W.
Marshall, R.
Woodside, Arch
Decision System Analysis of Advertising Agency Decisions
title Decision System Analysis of Advertising Agency Decisions
title_full Decision System Analysis of Advertising Agency Decisions
title_fullStr Decision System Analysis of Advertising Agency Decisions
title_full_unstemmed Decision System Analysis of Advertising Agency Decisions
title_short Decision System Analysis of Advertising Agency Decisions
title_sort decision system analysis of advertising agency decisions
topic advertising agencies
protocols
systems analysis
decision theory
decision making
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/16165