The garbage can model is an illogical way of finding a solution for problems in which staffs are not actively involved with seriousness. Therefore, none or few problems are solved. There is a vast difference between the garbage can model and traditional decision-making models. In this process of decision-making, organizations operate without rules and objectives. The garbage can model states that no organizational process of finding solutions to the problem exists because participants are not connected to the problem and solutions.
Since unnecessary solutions are presented, this is, referred to as organizational garbage. Sometimes problems arise where a solution already exists. This is why decision-making opportunities are referred to as garbage cans. Some people have only one idea, while others have more structure and skills. Some organizations will end up with unrelated problems and solutions discussed at the same meeting. On the other hand, some organizations will have more structure to their problem solutions (Michael, 1972).
According to Cohen et al., the garbage can theory says that an organization is a collection of alternative ways looking for problems situations, issues that might be solved to get answers and solutions looking for issues. That means the staff, issues, and solutions flow in and out of the garbage can. They fear for the worst if leaders are attractive in these situations. They note that leaders can help in the garbage can by timing issue creation, responding to shifting interest and involvement of decision-makers, and focusing on status and powers of results of alternative situations (Cohen, 1972).
It does not seem right for business decisions to be compared to dumpster diving, but that is the result of the garbage can model. Organizations discuss all their problems and solutions and put them in one trash can. When they want to solve an issue, they come together around the can and give a solution randomly.
A century ago, managers were assumed to be skilled in solving problems logically. When they had problems: they gathered all ideas and solved problems beautifully. In real life, that is not the case. The managers may not have all the information and time to make the decisions. Garbage can discussion does not involve solving the problem, but it increases the various ideas put into the can. The discussions for finding out the problem. Opinions and issues for finding out decisions to be taken, solutions finding out problems to be solved, and participants looking for something to do.
The original 1972 theory was focused on academic institutions, but later expanded to discussions on business. For instance, in the garbage can theory a business person when encounters a challenge, his first thought is to refer to the experience from the garbage can to solve issues he used in similar situations before. The creators of the garbage can model were not in agreement with this decision-making approach. Problem-solving in this model is not suitable, since managers focus on the first solution out of the trash can. Because that solution worked once, it might not be a precise solution again. Critics of this model may not recommend it because we do not get solutions randomly, even when under pressure. Another opinion is that we may not find what causes them (Fraser, 2019).
The garbage can theory of organization choice is one of the greatest transformations in modern organization theory. Despite that, it has not to be regarded as it deserves. The argument is that it does not create a firm setup for scientific progress. When we analyze Cohen, et al.'s computer model, we find that its ideas are not marching to the spirit of the theory (Jonathan, 2001).
Organizational decision-making as playing soccer inside garbage cans. An institution is a collection of options looking for difficulties, issues, and thoughts looking for an assessment of the situation in which they might be questioned. Solutions for which might be the answer, and decision-makers looking for jobs (March 1972).
References
Michael, D. (1972). The garbage can model. Retrieved from: https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-garbage-can-model-of-decision-making.html#:~:text=The%20garbage%20can%20model%20is%20an%20irrational%20model%20of%20decision,and%20then%20only%20by%20chance
Cohen, (1972). Garbage can theory: Retrieved from: https://faculty.babson.edu/krollag/org_site/encyclop/garbage_can.html
Fraser, S. (2019). What is the garbage can model approach? Retrieved from: https://bizfluent.com/facts-7741400-garbage-can-model-approach.html
Jonathan, B. (2001). The garbage can theory of organization. Retrieved from:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235616360_A_Garbage_Can_Model_of_Organization_Choice
March, (1972). Garbage can metaphors. Retrieved from: http://choo.fis.utoronto.ca/FIS/courses/lis2149/GarbageQuotes.html
