keputusan

Keputusan is a noun in Indonesian and Malay that denotes a decision, verdict, or decree. It can refer to a personal choice as well as a formal ruling or resolution issued by an authority. In everyday language, a decision is referred to as keputusan, while formally, a decision may take the form of a ruling or order.

Etymology: The word derives from the root putus meaning to decide or determine, with the nominal prefix ke-, forming keputusan as an abstract noun. The term is used across Indonesia and Malaysia.

Common usages: In law, a court's decision is called a putusan pengadilan or simply keputusan. Government or organizational bodies issue surat keputusan (decree or decision letter) such as Surat Keputusan Menteri or Keputusan Direksi. In everyday language, phrases such as keputusan rapat (meeting decision) or keputusan pribadi (personal decision) are common.

Process and theories: Decision-making involves identifying a problem, gathering information, evaluating alternatives, choosing an option, and implementing it. The study of keputusan spans fields such as public administration, organizational behavior, and cognitive psychology, with models including rational choice, bounded rationality, and participative decision-making.

Cultural and legal importance: The formality and source of a decision influence its enforceability and consequences, ranging from individual choices to binding court rulings and government directives.