Aspects of Rational Choice in Decisions Following The Selection of Pratama's High Leadership Positions

This research aims to formulate participants' rational choices for taking part in the Pratama’s High Leadership Potitions (PHLP) selection at the macro level. The research focuses on the resources that selection participants have, competition and the norms that regulate it, and the presence of corporate actors. This type of research is interpretive with a qualitative approach. The research subjects were Natuna Regency Government PHLP participants, in 2021 and 2022. Data collection was carried out using in-depth interviews and participant observation. The research results show that PHLP selection participants are rational actors who have internal and external resources to compete for limited resources in the form of positions. In competing for this position, selection participants compete with each other which is regulated by formal and informal norms. The struggle for positions through PHLP selection in the regional government bureaucracy cannot be separated from the interference of corporate actors. In conclusion, the outcome of the selection participants' rational choices is not solely determined by the resources they have but is also determined by the decisions of corporate actors. The norms governing competition and the presence of corporate actors show that rational choice is not just a micro issue, but more than that, macro in nature. Suggestions for future research could be to use a quantitative approach to test the validity of these findings. Or, looking at the rationality of PHLP participants from a micro level.

Keywords:- Rational Choice, Job Selection, Resources, Competition, Corporate Actors.