Effective decision making through nyaya-sutra inputs

This theoretical paper presents guidelines for more effective group decisionmaking through more realistic perception as elaborated in the Nyaya Sutra-a classical system of thought from India. Adopting a descriptive approach, it illustrates the principles enshrined in Nyaya Sutras as applied to modern organizational situation. Traditionally, Nyaya literature has been studied by the scholars of Sanskrit language and Indian philosophy, but so far it has not been examined for its applicability in the field of management despite a number of relevant insights it holds for managers. The basic approach of Nyaya is to help remove the perceptual errors and dysfunctions of decision making process through structured dialogue in the group setting. This knowledge can be valuable for managers who are searching for an effective combination of western management models and the traditional Indian models as well as a greater focus on team-based management in their organizations. The paper ends by considering possible use of these insights into more fields of practice such as team building through further research.