Strategic decisions: which characteristic below does NOT describe strategic decisions made by senior management?

Introduction / Context:
Strategic decisions set long-term direction under uncertainty. Unlike routine choices governed by clear rules, strategic choices require judgment, insight, and external scanning. Recognizing their properties helps design appropriate information and decision-support tools.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Strategic decisions are enterprise-wide and long-range.
• The environment (competition, regulation, technology) is uncertain.
• We seek the attribute that does not fit strategic decisions.

Concept / Approach:
Strategic decisions are typically unstructured or semistructured. They are future oriented, involve significant uncertainty, and address long-range plans (markets, products, capabilities). “Structured” decisions have clear procedures and rules—more typical of operational control.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Anthony’s hierarchy and Simon’s model of decision types (structured vs unstructured) support this classification.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
They correctly describe strategic decisions (long-term, future oriented, high uncertainty). “All are characteristics” is therefore false.

Common Pitfalls:
Believing that formal planning makes a decision structured; structure refers to decision procedures, not merely the existence of a plan.

Final Answer:
they are structured