Deck 7: Data and Decision Making

Question 1

Big data can be mined using basic mathematical and analytical techniques.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Problem solvers actively process information and constantly look for problems to solve.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

A risk environment is a decision situation in which factual information is available about the possible alternative courses of action and their outcomes.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Data visualization and executive dashboards help explain business intelligence through easy-to-understand graphs, charts, and scorecards.

Question 5

Uncertain environments force managers to rely heavily on intuition, judgment, informed guessing, and hunches.

Question 6

A performance threat occurs when the actual performance is less than desired or is moving in an unfavorable direction.

Question 7

The raw facts and observations made useful and meaningful for decision making is called information.

Question 8

Problem avoiders deal reasonably well with performance threats but miss many performance opportunities.

Question 9

Sensation thinkers are comfortable with abstraction and unstructured situations.

Question 10

Intuitive feelers prefer broad and global issues, and they value flexibility and human relations.

Question 11

A performance opportunity offers a chance for a better future if the right steps are taken.

Question 12

Decision making in a certain environment requires the use of probabilities to estimate the likelihood that a particular outcome will occur.

Question 13

Analytical competency is the ability to understand new technologies and to use them to their best advantage.

Question 14

Public information is the information gathered from stakeholders and the external environment.

Question 15

Intuitive thinking tends to work best in situations where facts are limited and few decision precedents exist.

Question 16

A manager who is choosing the first acceptable alternative that comes to his or her attention while solving a problem is making an optimizing decision.

Question 17

A classical decision model describes decision making within the constraints of limited information and alternatives.

Question 18

Data mining is the process of collecting data to produce useful information for customers.

Question 19

Structured problems can be dealt with through programmed decisions as they are routine and occur over and over again.

Question 20

Management information systems serve a critical function because organizations use them to collect, organize, and distribute data for use in decision-making.

Question 21

The availability bias bases a decision on similarity to other situations.

Question 22

The decision-making process is not complete until results are evaluated.

Question 23

Team creativity skills are most likely to blossom when buoyed by management support and the right organizational culture.

Question 24

The first step in design thinking is visualizing and brainstorming potential solutions in collaboration with others.

Question 25

A person decides that a group is aggressive after finding out that some members of that group are aggressive. This is an example of representativeness bias.

Question 26

The confirmation error is also known as the sunk-cost fallacy.

Question 27

When a problem is evaluated and resolved in the positive or negative context in which it is perceived, it is likely to result in a framing error.

Question 28

A spotlight question tests the ethics of a decision by exposing it to scrutiny through the eyes of family and community members.

Question 29

The ability to evaluate and examine information to make actual decisions and solve real problems is known as _____ competency.

A) innovation
B) analytical
C) technological
D) interpersonal
E) information

Question 30

Big-C creativity occurs when average people come up with unique ways to deal with daily events and situations.

Question 31

Availability bias occurs when decisions are influenced by inappropriate allegiance to a previously existing value or starting point.

Question 32

Creative people are good at making connections among seemingly unrelated facts or events.

Question 33

_____ competency is the ability to locate, gather, and organize meaningful data for use in decision making.

A) Technological
B) Interpersonal
C) Information
D) Innovation
E) Analytical

Question 34

The term _____ describes the systematic evaluation and analysis of information to make decisions.

A) tactics
B) assay
C) heuristics
D) analytics
E) strategy

Question 35

Heuristics are strategies that help in dealing with complex and ambiguous situations.

Question 36

Organizations can collect data from social media, stories on the local news, global industrial manufacturing data, and government statistics. This satisfies the ____ of Big Data.

A) Value
B) Variety
C) Velocity
D) Veracity
E) Volume

Question 37

A satisficing decision chooses the alternative that gives the best possible solution to a problem.

Question 38

A confirmation error occurs when focusing only on information that is consistent with a decision already made.

Question 39

_____ serve a critical function in organizations to collect, organize, and distribute data.

A) Classical Decision Models
B) Executive Dashboards
C) Management Information Systems
D) Organizational Cultures
E) Problem Solvers

Question 40

Which of the following is NOT a goal of data mining?

A) Collect and organize data
B) Offer insights to decision-makers
C) Reveal patterns
D) Support predictions

Question 41

A medical officer in a multispecialty hospital proactively finds customer service deficiencies and takes remedial measures in advance. This trait of the medical officer shows that he is a _____.

A) problem defender
B) problem avoider
C) problem claimer
D) problem seeker
E) problem solver

Question 42

_____ tend to emphasize the impersonal rather than the personal and take a realistic approach to problem solving.

A) Intuitive feelers
B) Intuitive thinkers
C) Sensation feelers
D) Intuitive seekers
E) Sensation thinkers

Question 43

Dr. Morales initially conducts basic medical tests for her patients. Once she examines the reports of these tests, she suggests more specific tests to the patients. She also examines all the reports in detail before suggesting any treatment. This type of problem solving in a step-by-step fashion is known as _____ thinking.

A) heuristic
B) systematic
C) intuitive
D) spontaneous
E) flexible

Question 44

Maria, a manager at a mining firm, is good at handling crisis situations. She is spontaneous in problem solving, has a flexible approach, and provides quick alternative courses of action. This type of problem-solving approach by Maria shows that she is a(n) _____ thinker.

A) systematic
B) analytical
C) intuitive
D) systemic
E) lateral

Question 45

_____ thinking is an ability to address many problems at once.

A) Lateral
B) Intuitive
C) Systematic
D) Critical
E) Multidimensional

Question 46

The marketing manager of a firm receives a lot of complaints from customers regarding late delivery of products. After he receives the complaints, he takes appropriate measures to rectify the issues in the supply chain. He is most likely a _____.

A) problem defender
B) problem avoider
C) problem claimer
D) problem seeker
E) problem solver

Question 47

Which of the following traits is associated with problem seekers?

A) They are passive in information gathering, not wanting to make decisions or deal with problems.
B) They are willing to make decisions and try to solve problems, but only when forced by the situation.
C) They ignore information that would otherwise signal the presence of a performance opportunity or threat.
D) They are reactive in gathering information to solve problems after, but not before, they occur.
E) They anticipate performance threats and opportunities and take action to gain an advantage.

Question 48

Managers who are _____ make a plan before taking action and carefully search for information to facilitate problem solving in a step-by-step fashion.

A) flexible
B) systematic
C) intuitive
D) spontaneous
E) instinctive

Question 49

Which of the following is true about systematic thinking?

A) It is often imaginative and works best in situations where facts are limited and few decision precedents exist.
B) It uses a quick and broad evaluation of the situation and the possible alternative courses of action.
C) It makes managers deal with many aspects of a problem at once and consider hunches based on past experience.
D) It makes a person approach a problem in a rational, step-by-step, analytical fashion.
E) It is always possible for the firm's top managers to make systematic fact-based decisions.

Question 50

A manager using _____ thinking is flexible and spontaneous in problem fixing.

A) systemic
B) lateral
C) systematic
D) design
E) intuitive

Question 51

Problem solvers differ from problem seekers as problem solvers:

A) actively process information and constantly look for problems to solve.
B) are willing to make decisions and try to solve problems, but only when forced by the situation.
C) anticipate performance threats and opportunities and take action to gain advantage.
D) are passive in information gathering, making decisions or dealing with problems.
E) ignore information that would otherwise signal the presence of a performance opportunity threat.

Question 52

Which of the following skills refers to the ability to remain focused on long-term objectives while being flexible enough to resolve short-term problems and opportunities in a timely manner?

A) Information competency
B) Strategic opportunism
C) Systematic thinking
D) Management analytics
E) Performance planning

Question 53

An IT program manager realizes that there are certain defects in a product delivered. However, he assumes that the users will not use the application that is defective but does not make efforts to rectify it. This manager is most likely a problem _____.

A) seeker
B) creator
C) defender
D) avoider
E) claimer

Question 54

_____ is the process of identifying a discrepancy between an actual and a desired state of affairs, and then taking action to resolve it.

A) Error mapping
B) Scenario planning
C) Problem solving
D) Risk taking
E) Opportunity seeking

Question 55

The managers who are regarded as problem solvers:

A) try to solve problems only when they are forced by the situation.
B) unwillingly gather information, not wanting to make decisions or deal with problems.
C) anticipate performance threats and opportunities and take action to gain an advantage.
D) ignore information that would otherwise signal the presence of a performance threat.
E) actively process information and constantly look for problems to solve.

Question 56

Managers who are passive in gathering information and are unwilling to make decisions and deal with problems are referred to as problem _____.

A) seekers
B) creators
C) defenders
D) avoiders
E) claimers

Question 57

Martha has succeeded as a manager due to her ability to remain focused on long-term objectives. She is flexible in her approach and provides effective and timely solutions for most of the problems, maintaining focus on the long-term goals. This skill of Martha is known as _____.

A) technological competency
B) strategic opportunism
C) systematic thinking
D) information competency
E) intuitive thinking

Question 58

Suppose you want to buy a hammock from Wayfair.com. Before purchasing, you read the numerous reviews on the product. The reviews are so exceptional that you question whether real customers wrote them. This refers to the ____ of Big Data.

A) Value
B) Variety
C) Velocity
D) Veracity
E) Volume

Question 59

Yousuf, a manager at a restaurant, has the ability to deal with numerous problems at once and provide effective solutions. He has the ability to map many problems into one network, and he makes decisions that benefit the organization in the short and the long run. Yousuf's effectiveness reveals that he most likely uses _____ thinking.

A) critical
B) multidimensional
C) lateral
D) intuitive
E) heuristic

Question 60

_____ is the process of tapping information systems to extract and report data in organized ways that are helpful to decision makers.

A) Analytics
B) Strategic opportunism
C) Satisficing
D) Heuristics
E) Business intelligence

Question 61

A(n) _____ environment offers complete information on possible action alternatives and their consequences.

A) uncertain
B) speculative
C) risk
D) certain
E) unanticipated

Question 62

Melissa, a manager in the customer service division of a company, usually makes decisions to resolve customer complaints based on her previous experiences and the standard procedures set by the company. The type of decision being made by Melissa is known as a _____ decision.

A) unstructured
B) tactical
C) nonrecurring
D) programmed
E) unique

Question 63

The problems that are familiar, straight forward, and clear with respect to information needs are called _____ problems.

A) ambiguous
B) undefined
C) structured
D) framing
E) uncertain

Question 64

Sumaira has been asked to prepare a report on the best advertising campaign for the new product her company is launching in a new market. The type of problem being faced by Sumaira in the above situation is a(n) _____ problem.

A) integrated
B) anticipated
C) computational
D) certain
E) unstructured

Question 65

A _____ decision applies a solution from past experience to a routine problem.

A) unique
B) nonprogrammed
C) tactical
D) nonrecurring
E) programmed

Question 66

Julio is devising a marketing plan for introducing his company's products into a new market. Julio comes up with customized marketing strategies that cater to the unique needs of the new market. All his decisions involve risk and uncertainty as he is unaware of the conditions in the new market. The type of decision being made by Julio in the above situation is called a _____ decision.

A) repetitive
B) programmed
C) standard
D) nonprogrammed
E) satisficing

Question 67

_____ are open communicators, tend to be realistic, and emphasize both analysis and human relations.

A) Intuitive feelers
B) Intuitive thinkers
C) Sensation feelers
D) Intuitive seekers
E) Sensation thinkers

Question 68

Judith has been asked to prepare a report comparing the profits the company earned in the current financial year in its domestic market and compare it with the previous year's report for the same market. The type of problem faced by Judith in the above scenario is a(n) _____ problem.

A) unstructured
B) structured
C) ambiguous
D) framing
E) uncertain

Question 69

The _____ are comfortable with unstructured situations, and they tend to be idealistic and prone toward intellectual and theoretical positions.

A) intuitive feelers
B) intuitive thinkers
C) sensation feelers
D) sensation seekers
E) sensation thinkers

Question 70

Deepak tends to emphasize the impersonal and takes a logical approach to problem solving, but he usually avoids details. He is prone to intellectual and theoretical positions and is comfortable with unstructured situations. These traits show that Deepak is a(n) _____.

A) sensation feeler
B) idealistic thinker
C) sensation thinker
D) intuitive feeler
E) intuitive thinker

Question 71

A(n) _____ environment lacks complete information but offers "probabilities" of the likely outcomes for possible action alternatives.

A) uncertain
B) secure
C) risk
D) certain
E) definite

Question 72

To assist in their promotions and appraisals, Ho Sook analyzed and graded the performance of her team members in the previous year. She is sure of her decisions and its possible outcomes as she had all the factual information. This type of environment that is ideal for decision making is known as a(n) _____.

A) uncertain environment
B) risk environment
C) certain environment
D) threat environment
E) unanticipated environment

Question 73

Dmitri values flexibility and human relations while making decisions. He prefers broad and global issues, tends to avoid details during problem solving, and is comfortable with intangibles. Dmitri is most likely a(n) _____.

A) sensation feeler
B) idealistic thinker
C) sensation thinker
D) intuitive feeler
E) intuitive thinker

Question 74

A _____ decision occurs when an unexpected problem arises that can lead to disaster if not resolved quickly and appropriately.

A) nonprogrammed
B) strategic
C) crisis
D) programmed
E) standard

Question 75

Bao focuses on facts and tends to take a realistic approach to problem solving. She emphasizes analysis. She is an open communicator, is responsive to feelings, and values human relations. These characteristics show that Bao is a(n) _____.

A) sensation thinker
B) intuitive feeler
C) intuitive thinker
D) sensation feeler
E) idealistic thinker

Question 76

Sensation thinkers differ from intuitive thinkers as intuitive thinkers:

A) are insightful and prefer broad and global issues.
B) are comfortable with abstraction and unstructured situations.
C) like hard facts, clear goals, certainty, and situations of high control.
D) tend to emphasize the impersonal rather than the personal and take a realistic approach to problem solving.
E) are open communicators and sensitive to feelings and values.

Question 77

_____ are insightful, comfortable with intangibles, and value flexibility and human relationships.

A) Sensation feelers
B) Intuitive thinkers
C) Sensation seekers
D) Sensation thinkers
E) Intuitive feelers

Question 78

A decision that applies a specific solution crafted for a unique problem is referred to as a _____ decision.

A) repetitive
B) nonprogrammed
C) satisficing
D) programmed
E) standard

Question 79

Salma emphasizes the impersonal, tends to take a realistic approach to problem solving, and prefers facts and clear goals. She likes to be in situations of high control and prefers problem solving in a certain environment. Salma can be regarded as a(n) _____.

A) sensation feeler
B) idealistic thinker
C) sensation thinker
D) intuitive feeler
E) intuitive thinker

Question 80

Which of the following is true of unstructured problems?

A) They are clear with respect to information needs.
B) They can be resolved using readily available solutions from past experiences.
C) They can be resolved with a high degree of certainty.
D) They are ambiguous and contain information deficiencies.
E) They are routine and occur over and over again.