Exam 3: Managerial Decision Making

"We have 75 qualified candidates for the quarterly training program but only 25 slots," said Toby Spencer, production manager. "In that case, randomly select 25, and we will train the other candidates later this year during the next rounds of training," said Amelia Stone, division manager. By selecting 25 qualified candidates at random rather than determining the 25 most qualified candidates, the managers engaged in

Which of the following decisions is likely to be a programmed decision?

Ricardo is the lead on a new project at work, and it is essential that he make a good impression on top management. He recently had his first staff meeting to solve a fairly large problem with the project, and it did not go well. The whole staff of 10 was there, which he thought would lead to buy-in from the group. Instead the group did not get much done in that meeting. Ricardo decided to try another meeting because the project deadline was drawing closer, and he began to feel pressure to get something done with his group. He put the agenda out early and felt he was ready to lead the meeting. Shortly after the meeting began, one of his colleagues suggested a new process to use on the project. A second colleague commented favorably on the suggestion. Soon the group was in an animated discussion pointing out all the possible advantages of the process. Ricardo asked for critiques of the idea, but no one offered any. In this meeting, the group was engaged in

Alexis, the manager of Full Circle Fitness, has several decisions to make as the week begins. She always comes in early on Mondays to sift through the paperwork on her desk and decide what needs to be done for the week and in which order. The following are decisions facing Alexis this week:1. Giving two personal trainers raises based on the company's policy for wage increases2. Determining whether or not to open a facility in a new market to target more customers3. Interviewing applicants for two open part-time fitness instructor positions and hiring them4. Providing input to the owner on a possible upgrade to the elliptical machines currently in use Alexis's decision about interviewing applicants for two open part-time positions and hiring them is an example of a ________ decision.

According to some, the most fundamental unit of value is ideas.

Parker believes that as long as he pays good wages and treats his workers fairly, he can keep employee turnover to a minimum even though his store is located in a community that is known for having a transient population. Parker's belief is an example of which of the following psychological biases?

Sunrise Health Systems has hired a consultant to help with organizational decision making. The consultant's first meeting is set up to explain to the managers of Sunrise Health Systems various models of organizational decision processes. Each of the managers seems to prefer one of the models over the others. The vice president of production declares that her people disagree on goals and have now formed groups to advocate for their own interests. Her managers are using

Sunrise Health Systems has hired a consultant to help with organizational decision making. The consultant's first meeting is set up to explain to the managers of Sunrise Health Systems various models of organizational decision processes. Each of the managers seems to prefer one of the models over the others. The vice president of human resources believes that decision makers cannot be truly rational in their decisions. He tells the group that he sees many situations with managers who do not have enough time to process all the relevant information and who regularly face very complex problems. His observation illustrates

A condition that occurs when a decision-making group loses sight of its original goal and a new, possibly less important, goal emerges is known as

A phenomenon that occurs in decision making when group members avoid disagreement as they strive for consensus is known as

"My idea will make us a lot of money, and it's by far the best idea offered!" John exclaimed. His division manager replied, "I agree that your idea has promise. However, your idea has no supporting data or facts. Meanwhile, your two colleagues submitted business plans for their ideas that specified gains of 15 and 22 percent, respectively, and their plans were submitted last week before the deadline expired." John was using ________ to advance his position.

Discuss the phase of evaluating alternatives in a decision-making process.

Gemma, an administrative assistant in the print shop of a large company, orders office supplies biweekly; today, she needs copier paper and ink cartridges. She looks at the office supply catalog and, because the consequences are not huge, quickly picks a selection for each product that is priced acceptably. In this scenario, Gemma is using

The most constructive type of conflict is affective conflict.

In the decision-making process, ________ means achieving the best possible balance among several goals.

The executive management team of Regional Health Center has to determine whether the organization should expand to include more advanced (and substantially costlier)treatments and technologies. This is an example of a nonprogrammed decision, because the underlying problem

List and briefly explain the six phases of the decision-making process.

When choosing a phone plan, Felix decides on the first option that meets the company's requirements rather than investigating all available options. This is an example of

Alexis, the manager of Full Circle Fitness, has several decisions to make as the week begins. She always comes in early on Mondays to sift through the paperwork on her desk and decide what needs to be done for the week and in which order. The following are decisions facing Alexis this week:1. Giving two personal trainers raises based on the company's policy for wage increases2. Determining whether or not to open a facility in a new market to target more customers3. Interviewing applicants for two open part-time fitness instructor positions and hiring them4. Providing input to the owner on a possible upgrade to the elliptical machines currently in use Decisions 2 and 4 in the list are examples of ________ decisions.

Zorah, the manager of a gift shop, needs a fast solution when an employee asks for a day off during the busiest shopping week of the year. A ________ solution will be most helpful to Zorah in this situation.