Investigation of the relationship between decision-making styles and problem-solving skills of employees in public institutions

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between decision-making styles and problem solving skills of public institution employees. From this point of view, it is aimed to examine the decision-making styles and problem solving skill levels of the employees of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in terms of some demographic variables. Decision making can be defined as the process of reducing uncertainty while choosing the most appropriate one among alternatives. Problem solving skills, on the other hand, include the skills necessary for the individual to cope effectively with the difficulties encountered. This study was conducted within the framework of the relational survey model. The research sample consisted of 439 personnel working within the Ministry of Youth and Sports in 2025. Personal information form, Melbourne Decision Making Scale and Problem Solving Inventory were used as data collection tools. The data were analyzed through SPSS 25 program. In addition to descriptive statistics, correlation analysis was applied. The findings show that decision-making styles have significant effects on individuals' problem solving skills. Decision-making styles and problem solving skills were found to have significant relationships with the variables of place of work, educational status, service class, tenure status, and income level, but no significant relationship was found with the variables of gender, age, marital status, and length of service in the profession.