A Comparative Study of Data-Driven and Intuition-Based Decision Making Among Management Students in Patna

Abstract

Decision-making plays a crucial role in shaping academic, professional, and organizational outcomes. In today’s data-driven business environment, managers are expected to rely on analytical insights, yet intuition continues to influence decision-making, especially in uncertain situations. This study examines the comparative role of data-driven and intuition-based decision-making among management students in Patna. A quantitative research approach was adopted using a structured questionnaire administered to 104 management students from programs such as BBA, MBA, BMS, and PGDM. The study employed a descriptive and comparative research design, with data analysed using percentage analysis, graphical representation, and correlation analysis. The findings reveal that most students prefer a hybrid decision-making approach, combining both data and intuition. Data-driven decision-making is strongly associated with higher confidence, better justification, and reduced perceived risk. At the same time, intuition is considered useful in situations where data is limited. A moderate positive correlation was observed between reliance on data and decision confidence. The study concludes that future managers are inclined toward a balanced decision-making approach rather than relying solely on one method. The findings highlight the importance of integrating analytical and intuitive thinking in management education to prepare students for real-world decision-making challenges.