International Journal of Human Capital in Urban Management
Quarterly Publication

Structural equation modeling of collective decision-making's impact on group cohesion

https://doi.org/10.22034/IJHCUM.2025.01.03
Volume 10, Issue 1 - Serial Number 37
Winter 2025
Pages 39-56
International Journal of Human Capital in Urban Management

Document Type : ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Authors

S. M. Mirbagheri 1
A. Rafiei Atani 1
M. R. Parsanejad 1
R. Jafari 2

1 Department of Management, Economics and Progress Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST), Tehran, Iran

2 Department of English Language, Shahid Rajaie Teacher Training University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cohesion is one of the most important factors in the sustainability of social relationships and organizational success. Evidence shows that many companies and organizations have failed or disappeared due to a lack of cohesion among their employees. For this reason, it is important to identify the factors that affect the convergence of individuals and strengthen the cohesion among them. The primary focus of this study revolves around the question of whether group cohesion can be enhanced through the utilization of a collective decision-making approach. Collective decision-making is about reaching a single decision by the group members. This research assesses the correlation between common rationality (as a basis for decision-making), collective decision-making, and cohesion.
METHODS: To achieve the research purpose, a conceptual model is designed using the research background and interviews with experts, and then the structural equation method is used to achieve the research objectives, and Smart PLS 2.0 software is used to analyze the data. In this study, the concept of common rationality is examined as an exogenous factor, while cohesion is viewed as an endogenous factor, and collective decision-making is regarded as a mediating factor. To analyze the interplay among these factors, it is essential to assess the P-value, T-value, and regression coefficient, which are determined using structural equation modeling.
FINDINGS:  The goodness of fit is employed to assess the overall model fit, which is obtained as 0.469, and this criterion indicates that the overall model fit of the research model is appropriate.
The regression coefficient between the variables “common rationality → collective decision-making” is 0.668, and between the variables, “collective decision-making → cohesion” is 0.550, which shows a significant positive relationship between these variables. However, the regression coefficient between the variables “common rationality → cohesion” is 0.234, which indicates a weak relationship between these two variables. The findings suggest that common rationality has an impact on group cohesion by way of the intermediary factor of collective decision-making.
CONCLUSION: Although common rationality is a significant asset for an organization and society, managers and governors who want to use it to increase cohesion must activate it through collective decision-making. By engaging diverse perspectives, enhancing communication, and developing collective skills, they can create environments where shared understanding and cohesive action thrive. This study can encourage managers and governors to use the collective decision-making method in their choices.

Keywords

Common rationality
Group Cohesion
Consultation
Collective decision-making
Coordination
Subjects
Abri, M.; Vosughi, S.; Abolghasemi, J.; Rahimi, J.; and Ebrahimi, H., (2021). The effect of job security on safety behavior with the moderating role of salary: a structural equation model (SEM). Int. J. Occup. Saf. Ergon., 28(3): 1732-1737 (6 pages).
Adla, A.; Zarate, P.; Soubie, J.L., (2011). A proposal of toolkit for GDSS facilitators. Group Desic. Negot., 20: 57–77 (21 pages).
Akram, M.; Ali, G.; Alcantud, J. C. R., (2023). A novel group decision-making framework under Pythagorean fuzzy N-soft expert knowledge. Engin. App. Artif. Intel., 120: 105879
Assuad, C.S.A., (2020). Understanding rationality in sustainable development decision-making: Unfolding the motivations for action. J. Knowl. Econ, 11: 1086–1119 (34 pages).
Birkeland, S.; Linkhorst, T.; Haakonsson, A.; Barry, M. J.; Moller, S., (2020). Representativeness of personality and involvement preferences in a web-based survey on healthcare decision-making. BMC. HLTH., 20(1): 1–8 (8 pages).
Bisset, C.N.; Dames, N.; Oliphant, R.; Alasadi, A.; Anderson, D.; Parson, S.; Cleland, J.; Moug, S.J., (2020). Exploring shared surgical decision-making from the patient’s perspective: is the personality of the surgeon important? COL. DIS., 22(12): 2214–2221 (8 pages).
Bosel, T.; Reinal, A.; Marshall, J.A.R., (2017). Collective decision-making. Current Opin. Behv. Sci., 16: 30–34 (5 pages).
Bui, T.X., (1987). A group decision support system for cooperative multiple criteria group decision making. Lect. Notes Comput. Sci., Berlin Heidelberg, Germany, Springer-Verlag.
Burgoyne, A.P.; Mashburn, C.A.; Tsukahara, J.S.; Hambrick, D.Z.; Engle, R.W., (2023). Understanding the relationship between rationality and intelligence: a latent-variable approach. Thinking Reasoning, 29(1): 1–42 (42 pages).
Carbone, G.; Giannoccaro, I., (2015). Model of human collective decision-making in complex environments. Eur. Phys. J. B, 88(12): 338-347 (10 pages). 
Chen, C.; Ishfaq, M.; Ashraf, F.; Sarfaraz, A.; Wang, K., (2022). Mediating Role of Optimism Bias and Risk Perception Between Emotional Intelligence and Decision-Making: A Serial Mediation Model. Front. Psychol., 13: 914649-914658 (10 pages)
Chegini, Z.; Islam, S.M.S., (2021). Shared-decision-making Behavior in Hospitalized Patients: Investigating the Impact of Patient’s Trust in Physicians, Emotional Support, Informational Support, and Tendency to Excuse Using a Structural Equation Modeling Approach. J. Patient Expert., 8: P. 23743735211049660.
Cina, G.; Endriss, U., (2016). Proving classical theorems of social choice theory in modal logic. Auton. Agents Multi-Agent Syst., 30(5): 963–989 (27 pages).
Clough, B.; Spriggens, L.; Stainer, M.; Casey, L., (2022). Working together: An investigation of the impact of working alliance and cohesion on group psychotherapy attendance. Psychol. Behav.: Theory, RRS. PRAC., 95(1): 79–97 (19 pages).
Colman, A.M., (2003). Cooperation, psychological game theory, and limitations of rationality in social interaction. Behav. Brain Sci., 26(2): 139–153 (15 pages).
Damghanian, H.; Ghanbari Ghaleroudkhani, F., (2022). Discretionary Workplace Behaviors: The Effect of Communication Satisfaction on Workplace Deviance and OCB with the Mediation Role of Justice Sensitivity. IRI J. Manage. Stud., 15(1): 155–168 (14 pages).
Davis, G.H.; Crofoot, M.C.; Farine, D.R., (2022). Using optimal foraging theory to infer how groups make collective decisions. Trends Ecol. Evol., 37(11): 942-952 (11pages).
De Oca, M.A.; Ferrante, E.; Scheidler, A.; Pinciroli, C.; Birattari, M.; Dorigo, M., (2011). Majority-rule opinion dynamics with differential latency: a mechanism for self-organized collective decision-making. Swarm Intell., 5(3–4, 1, SI): 305–327 (23 pages).
Devika, R.; Harikrishna, M.; and Anjaneyulu, M., (2020). Influence of psychological factors in mode choice decision making: a structural equation modeling approach. Transp. Res. Procedia., 48: 2821–2830 (10 pages).
Dionne, S D.; Sayama, H.; Yammarino, F.J., (2019). Diversity and Social Network Structure in Collective Decision Making: Evolutionary Perspectives with Agent-Based Simulations. Complexity.
Durkheim, E., (2019). The division of labor in society. In Social stratification, Routledge., 178–183 (6 pages).
Ekwoaba, J.; Ufodiama, N.; Enyinnaya, E.I., (2019). Participative Decision Making and Organisational Performance: A Snapshot Survey of Nigerian Oil and Gas Sector. Ilorin. J. HUM. RESOU. MANAG., 3(1): 13–28 (16 pages).
Elio, R., (2002). Common Sense, Reasoning, and Rationality. Oxford University Press on Demand.
Elster, J., (2021). Enthusiasm and anger in history. Inq., 64(3): 308-320 (13 pages).
Fonseca, X.; Lukosch, S.; Brazier, F., (2019). Social cohesion revisited: a new definition and how to characterize it. Innovation: EUR. J. SOC. SCI. RES., 32(2): 231–253 (23 pages).
Frank, E. T.; Linsenmair, K. E., (2017). Individual versus collective decision making: optimal foraging in the group-hunting termite specialist Megaponera analis. ANIMAL BEHAV., 130: 27–35 (9 pages).
Fu, Y.; Sui, Y.; Luo, H.; Han, B., (2020). Application of Social Choice Theory to Modify the Value Measure of Health Systems. Social Indic. Res., 148(3): 1005–1019 (15 pages).  
Gerrits, L.; Marks, P., (2017). Understanding collective decision making: a fitness landscape model approach. Edward Elgar. Pub.
*Hair, J.F.; Ringle, C.M.; Sarstedt, M., (2013). Partial least squares structural equation modeling: Rigorous applications, better results and higher acceptance. LON. RAN. PLAN., 46(1–2): 1–12 (12 pages).
Havard, C.T.; Wann, D.L.; Grieve, F.G.; Hutchinson, M.; Ryan, T.D., (2023). Shared Perspectives: Can Common Interests Help Decrease Out-Group Derogation? In Intense Group Behavior and Brand Negativity: Comparing Rivalry in Politics, Religion, and Sport, Springer, 97–112 (16 pages).
Hearld, L.R.; Alexander, J.A.; Bodenschatz, L.; Louis, C.J.; O’Hora, J., (2013). Decision-making fairness and consensus building in multisector community health alliances: a mixed-methods analysis. NON. MANAG. LEAD., 24(2): 139–161 (12 pages).
Herrera, Y.M.; Kydd, A.H., (2022). Take a chance: Trust-building across identity groups. J. PEACE. RES., 59(5): 727–741 (15 pages).
Holtug, N., (2017). Identity, causality and social cohesion. J. Ethnic Migration Stu., 43(7): 1084–1100 (17 pages).
Hsieh, C.-J.; Fifić, M.; Yang, C.-T., (2020). A new measure of group decision-making efficiency. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 5(45): 1-23 (23 pages)
Iaryczower, M.; Shi, X.; Shum, M., (2018). Can Words Get in the Way? The Effect of Deliberation in Collective Decision Making. J. POLIT. ECON., 126(2): 688–734 (47 pages).
Jagau, S.; Perea, A., (2022). Common belief in rationality in psychological games: Belief-dependent utility and the limits of strategic reasoning. J. MATH. ECON., 100 (102635): 1- 16 (16 pages).
Karimi, N.; Emami, A., (2021). Women’s fear of crime in residential open spaces: a structural equation model. J. Hous. Built Environ., 1–24 (24 pages).
Khaluf, Y.; Ferrante, E.; Simoens, P.; Huepe, C., (2017). Scale invariance in natural and artificial collective systems: a review. J. Royal Soc. Interface, 14(136), 20170662: 1-20 (20 pages).
Khaluf, Y.; Simoens, P.; Hamann, H., (2019). The Neglected Pieces of Designing Collective Decision-making Processes. FRONT. ROB. AI., 6: P. 16 (1 page).
Kiani, Z.; Simbar, M.; Dolatian, M.; Zayeri, F., (2020). Structural equation modeling of psychosocial determinants of health for the empowerment of Iranian women in reproductive decision making. BMC. WOM. HEALTH, 20(1): 1–9 (9 pages).
King, E.L.; Snowden, D.L., (2020). Serving on multiple fronts: A grounded theory model of complex decision-making in military mental health care. SOC. SCI. MEDIC., 250: 1-10 (10 pages).  
Klein, L.B.; Moschella-Smith, E.A.; Lopez, E., (2022). Introduction to the special issue on common goals, different needs: improving communication and collaboration between researchers and practitioners to end interpersonal violence. J. INTER. VIOLEN., 37, NP14907-NP14913: 17–18 (2 pages).
Krejcie, R.V; Morgan, D.W., (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. EDUC. PSYCHOL. MEASURE., 30(3): 607–610 (4 pages).
Lanzi, D., (2011). Capabilities and social cohesion. CAM. J. ECON., 35(6): 1087–1101 (15 pages).
Liang, F.; Tan, Q.; Zhan, Y.; Wu, X.; Li, J., (2021). Selfish or altruistic? The influence of thinking styles and stereotypes on moral decision-making. PERSONAL. INDIV. DIFFER., 171) 110465(: 1-6 (6 pages).
Lloyd, A.; Joseph-Williams, N.; Edwards, A.; Rix, A.; Elwyn, G., (2013). Patchy `coherence’: using normalization process theory to evaluate a multi-faceted shared decision-making implementation program (MAGIC). Implementation Sci., 8: 1-9 (9 pages).  
Lukes, S., (1969). Durkheim’s ‘individualism and the intellectuals.’ POLI. STU., 17(1): 14–30 (17 pages).
Makinson, J.C.; Schaerf, T.M.; Wagner, N.; Oldroyd, B.P.; Beekman, M., (2017). Collective decision making in the red dwarf honeybee Apis florea: do the bees simply follow the flowers? Insectes Soc., 64(4): 557–566 (10 pages).
Mann, R.P., (2018). Collective decision making by rational individuals. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 115(44): E10387–E10396 (10 pages).
Marchini, P.L.; Tibiletti, V.; Fellegara, A.M.; Mazza, T., (2022). Pursuing a strategy of ‘common benefit’in business: The adoption of the benefit corporation model in Italy. BUSIN. STR. ENVIR., 1481-1503 (23 pages).
Marks, P.; Gerrits, L.; Marx, J., (2019). How to use fitness landscape models for the analysis of collective decision-making: a case of theory-transfer and its limitations. BIOLO. PHILOS., 34(7): 1-15 (15 page).  
McHugh, K.A.; Yammarino, F.J.; Dionne, S.D.; Serban, A.; Sayama, H.; Chatterjee, S., (2016). Collective decision making, leadership; collective intelligence: Tests with agent-based simulations and a Field study. LEAD. Q., 27(2, SI): 218–241 (24 pages).
Mirbagheri, S. M.; Atani, A. R.; Parsanejad, M. R., (2024). Conceptualizing collective decision-making in organizations: A grounded theory. Int. J. Hum. Capital Urban Manage., 9(1): 61-74 (13 pages).
Mirbagheri, S. M.; Rafiei Atani; A. O.; Parsanejad, M., (2023). The Effect of Collective Decision-Making on Productivity: A Structural Equation Modeling. SAGE Open., 13(4): 21582440231219050.
Miceli, S.; De Palo, V.; Monacis, L.; Di Nuovo, S.; Sinatra, M., (2018). Do personality traits and self-regulatory processes affect decision-making tendencies? AUS. J. Psychol., 70(3): 284–293 (10 pages).Moayerian, N.; McGehee, N.G.; Stephenson Jr, M.O., (2022). Community cultural development: Exploring the connections between collective art making, capacity building and sustainable community-based tourism. Ann. Tour. Res., 93: 103355.
Mounir, A.; Perea, A.; Tsakas, E., (2018). Common belief in approximate rationality. Math. Social Sci., 91: 6–16 (11 pages).
Nazari, M.; Riahi, L.; Tabibi, S.J.; Farahani, M.M.M., (2019). FACTORS AFFECTING DECISION-MAKING IN OUTSOURCING HEALTH SERVICES USING A STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING APPROACH. J. EVO. MEDICAL DENTAL SCI., 8(27): 2137–2144 (8 pages).
Neef, R.; Busscher, T.; Verweij, S.; Arts, J., (2022). How rule directions influence actors to achieve collective action: an analysis of Dutch collective infrastructure decision-making. Eur. Plan. Stud., 1–22 (22 pages).
Oliver, D.P.; Washington, K.; Popejoy, L.; White, P.; Demiris, G., (2022). Examining Shared Decision Making in Hospice Interdisciplinary Team Meetings (RP302). Pain Symptom Manage., 63(6): 1068 (1 pages).
Palmiero, M.; Nori, R.; Piccardi, L.; D’Amico, S., (2020). Divergent Thinking: The Role of Decision-Making Styles. CREATIVITY RES. J., 32(4): 323–332 (10 pages).
Parsons, T., (1985). Talcott Parsons on institutions and social evolution: selected writings. University of Chicago Press.
Parsons, T.; Smelser, N.J., (1956). Economy and Society. New York: Free Press.
Perea, A., (2022). Common belief in rationality in games with unawareness. Math. Social Sci., 119: 11–30 (20 pages).
Planas-Sitja, I.; Deneubourg, J.L.; Gibon, C.; Sempo, G., (2015). Group personality during collective decision-making: a multi-level approach. PROCEEDINGS ROYAL SOCI. B-BIO. SCI., 282(1802): p.20142515 (1 page).
Prigozhin, A.I., (1991). Game Methods of Collective Decision-making in Management Consulting. SOVIET EDU., 33(12): 25–45 (21 pages).
Quaschning, K.; Körner, M.; Wirtz, M., (2013). Analyzing the effects of shared decision-making, empathy and team interaction on patient satisfaction and treatment acceptance in medical rehabilitation using a structural equation modeling approach. PATIENT EDU. COUNSELING, 91(2): 167–175 (9 pages).
Rossi, F., (2014). Collective decision making: a great opportunity for constraint reasoning. CONSTR., 19(2): 186–194 (9 pages).
Rusu, M.S., (2013). Hermeneutics of reason: the principle of common rationality as premise of understanding the Other (s). J. COMPAR. RES. ANTHROPOLOGY SOC., 4(01): 63–83 (21 pages).
Sarstedt, M.; Ringle, C.M.; Cheah, J.H.; Ting, H.; Moisescu, O.I.; Radomir, L., (2020). Structural model robustness checks in PLS-SEM. TOURISM ECONO., 26(4): 531–554 (24 pages).
Sarstedt, M.; Ringle, C.M.; Hair, J.F., (2021). Partial least squares structural equation modeling. In Handbook of market research, Springer., 587–632 (46 pages).
Sasaki, T.; Pratt, S. C., (2018). The Psychology of Superorganisms: Collective Decision Making by Insect Societies. In Berenbaum, MR (Ed.), ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY, 63: 259–275 (16 pages).
Sinnaiah, T.; Adam, S.; Mahadi, B., (2023). A strategic management process: the role of decision-making style and organisational performance. J. Work-Applied Manag., 15(1): 37-50 (13 pages).
Song, J.X.; Wassell, J.T., (2003). Sample size for K 2×2 tables in equivalence studies using Cochran's statistic. Contro. Clinical Trials., 24(4): 378–389 (12 pages).
Stuttard, J. P.; Gottlieb, D.; Franks, N. R., (2016). Ants incommunicado: collective decision-making over new nest sites by ants with reduced communication. BEHAV. ECO. SOCIO., 70(1): 145–155 (10 pages).
Stroeymeyt, N.; Jordan, C.; Mayer, G.; Hovsepian, S.; Giurfa, M.; Franks, N. R., (2014). Seasonality in communication and collective decision-making in ants., Proc. R. Soc. B. 281(1780) : 20133108.
Sueur, C.; King, A.J.; Conradt, L.; Kerth, G.; Lusseau, D.; Mettke-Hofmann, C.; Schaffner, C.M.; Williams, L.; Zinner, D.; Aureli, F., (2011). Collective decision-making and fission-fusion dynamics: a conceptual framework. OIKOS., 120(11): 1608–1617 (10 pages).
Szapiro, T.; Kacprzyk, J., (2022). Collective Decisions: Theory, Algorithms Dec. Sup. Sys. Springer.
Telem, M., (1988). Information requirements specification I: Brainstorming collective decision-making approach. Inf. Process. Manag., 24(5): 549–557 (9 pages).  
Thagard, P., (2000). Coherence in thought and action. MIT press.
Tongo, C., (2015). Collective work motivation in knowledge-based organizations. TEAM PERFO. MANAG., 21(7–8): 386-397 (12 pages).
Tropman, J.E., (2003). Making meetings work: Achieving high quality group decisions. Sage.
Tropman, J.E., (1995). Effective meetings: Improving group decision making, Vol. 17, Sage Publications.
Tyagi, S.; Sibal, R.; Suri, B., (2022). Empirically developed framework for building trust in distributed agile teams. Inf. Software Technol., 145: p. 106828 (1 pages).
Van Deemen, A.; Rusinowska, A., (2010). Collective decision making: Views from social choice and game theory, (43): Springer Sci. Bus. Media.
Ward, A.J.W.; Herbert-Read, J.E.; Sumpter, D.J.T.; Krause, J., (2011). Fast and accurate decisions through collective vigilance in fish shoals. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 108(6): 2312–2315 (4 pages).
Watanabel, N.; Yamauchi, S.; Sakawa, H., (2022). The Board Structure and Performance in IPO Firms: Evidence from Stakeholder-Oriented Corporate Governance. Sustainability., 14(13): p. 8078 (1 page).
Wu, B.; Zhou, X.; Jin, Q.; Lin, F.; Leung, H., (2017). Analyzing Social Roles Based on a Hierarchical Model and Data Mining for Collective Decision-making Support. IEEE Syst. J., 11(1): 356–365 (10 pages).
Xu, Y., (2019). Collective decision-making of voters with heterogeneous levels of rationality. PUB. CHOICE., 178(1–2): 267–287 (21 pages).
Xu, Z.; Peng, H.; Yang, M., (2022). Reliability analysis of a Collective Decision-making scheme by Cooperation of NPP operators and automatic diagnosis Sys. Prog. Nucl. Energy., 150: p.104289 (1 page).
Yan, X.; Wang, X.; Zhao, Y.; Zhu, Q.; Yang, L.; Li, Z., (2024). Collective decision-making and spatial patterns in orientation of an endemic ungulate on the Tibetan Plateau. Current Zoology., 70(1): 45-58 (13 pages).
Yilmaz, L.; Franco-Watkins, A.; Kroecker, T.S., (2017). Computational models of ethical decision-making: A coherence-driven reflective equilibrium model. Cognit. Syst. Res., 46(SI): 61–74 (14 pages).
Yilmaz, S.; Kafadar, H., (2020). Investigating the relationship between decision-making processes and cognitive processes, personality traits, and affect via the structural equation model in young adults. Applied Neuro.: Adult., 27(6): 558–569 (12 pages).
Zafeiris, A.; Koman, Z.; Mones, E.; Vicsek, T., (2017). Phenomenological theory of collective decision-making. PHYSICA A-STATIS. MECH. ITS APPLIC., 479: 287–298 (12 pages). Zellner, M.; Watkins, C.; Massey, D.; Westphal, L.; Brooks, J.; Ross, K., (2014). Advancing Collective Decision-making Theory with Integrated Agent-Based Modeling and Ethnographic Data Analysis: An Example in Ecological Restoration. J. Artif. Soc. Soc. Simul., 17(4):1-10 (11 pages).
Zeyda, M.; Stracke, S.; Knipfer, K.; Gloor, P.A., (2023). Your body tells more than words--predicting perceived meeting productivity through body signals. Eur. J. Work Organ. Psychol., 1–17 (17 pages).
Zha, Q.; Cai, J.; Gu, J.; Liu, G., (2022). Information learning-driven consensus reaching process in group decision-making with bounded rationality and imperfect information: China’s urban renewal negotiation. Appl. Intell., 1–15 (15 pages).
Zhang, W.; Jiang, Y.; Wang, C.; Zhu, L., (2022). Group decision-making on risky choice in adolescents and young adults. Current Psychol., 1–10 (10 pages).
  • Receive Date 06 May 2024
  • Revise Date 28 July 2024
  • Accept Date 31 August 2024

Home

Authorship

Submit Manuscript

Indexing and Abstracting

Editorial Board

Unrestricted Reuse in Compliance with BOAI

Open Access Policy

Self-Archiving Policy

Privacy Statement

Publisher Business Model

Publisher and Sponsor

Contact Us