Which of the following decision-making style takes longer time?

The answer is A) Analytical style. This question draws on Harrison's four-style model of managerial decision-making: directive, analytical, conceptual and behavioural.

• Analytical (correct): These decision-makers have a high tolerance for ambiguity. They want more information, weigh more alternatives and test options carefully before committing, so the decision takes longer.
• Behavioural (wrong): The focus is on people, relationships and consensus. It involves group participation, but its main concern is acceptance by others, not the volume of analysis.
• Directive (wrong): This is the fastest style. It uses little information, considers few alternatives and prefers quick, efficient decisions.
• D) None of the above (wrong): Incorrect, since the analytical style clearly fits the description.

Connection to the syllabus: this sits within the Public Administration and Management topics on decision-making, and it links to Mains answers on administrative efficiency versus thoroughness in governance.

Trap: Aspirants often pick Behavioural because group consultation looks slow. The question asks about the style whose defining feature is extensive information-gathering, which is Analytical.