Deck 6: Managers As Decision Makers

Question 1

Which of the following is the step in the decision-making process that follows identifying a problem and decision criteria?

A)allocating weights to the criteria
B)analysing the alternatives
C)selecting the best alternative
D)implementing the alternative
E)evaluating the decision's effectiveness

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Decision making is (simplistically)typically described as which of the following?

A)deciding what is correct
B)putting preference on paper
C)choosing among alternatives
D)processing information to completion
E)the end result of data collection

Answer 2

C

Question 3

In allocating weights to the decision criteria, which of the following is helpful to remember?

A)All weights must be the same.
B)The total of the weights should sum to 1.0.
C)Every factor criterion considered, regardless of its importance, must receive some weighting.
D)Assign the most important criterion a score, and then assign weights against that standard.
E)The most important and least important criteria should receive the inverse weighting standard.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The start-up costs of a franchise purchase is a possible decision criterion.

Question 5

It is possible at the end of the decision-making process that you may be required to start the process over again.

Question 6

In step five of the decision-making process, each alternative is evaluated by appraising it against the ________.

A)subjective goals of the decision maker
B)decision criteria
C)assessed values
D)implementation strategy
E)discrepancy status

Question 7

The final step in the decision-making process is implementing the chosen alternative.

Question 8

The decision-making process is a simple process of choosing among alternatives.

Question 9

Managers are likely to characterise something as a problem if they perceive ________.

A)a discrepancy between a state of affairs
B)several alternatives
C)a discrepancy
D)they have sufficient resources
E)they have budgetary authority

Question 10

Selecting an alternative in the decision-making process is accomplished by ________.

A)choosing the alternative with the highest score
B)choosing the one you like best
C)selecting the alternative that has the lowest price
D)selecting the alternative that is the most reliable
E)choosing the alternative you think your boss would prefer

Question 11

The first step in the decision-making process is which of the following?

A)developing decision criteria
B)allocating weights to the criteria
C)analysing alternatives
D)identifying a problem
E)implementing the decision's effectiveness

Question 12

The step in the decision-making process that involves choosing a best alternative is termed 'implementation'.

Question 13

A series of eight steps that begins with identifying a problem and decision criteria and allocating weights to those criteria; moves to developing, analysing and selecting an alternative that can resolve the problem; implements the alternative; and concludes with evaluating the decision's effectiveness is the ________.

A)decision-making process
B)managerial process
C)maximin style
D)bounded rationality approach
E)legalistic opportunism process

Question 14

A decision criterion defines what is relevant in a decision.

Question 15

If a manager was purchasing a computer system, issues such as price and model are examples of which part of the decision-making process?

A)problem identification
B)criteria weight allocation
C)identifying decision criteria
D)evaluating decision effectiveness
E)implementing the alternative

Question 16

The first step in the decision-making process is identifying a problem.

Question 17

A discrepancy between an existing and a desired state of affairs is an opportunity.

Question 18

'A discrepancy between an existing and a desired state of affairs' describes which of the steps in the decision-making process?

A)criteria weight allocation
B)analysis of alternatives
C)problem identification
D)decision effectiveness evaluation
E)decision criteria identification

Question 19

Decision making is more than 'choosing among alternatives' because decision making ________.

A)requires that steps be followed
B)is more complicated
C)requires a lot of time
D)both A and B
E)all the above

Question 20

In identifying a problem, a manager ________.

A)expects problems to be very obvious
B)looks for discrepancies that can be postponed
C)avoids acting under pressure or stress
D)compares the current state of affairs with where they want to be
E)both A and D

Question 21

Scenario-based questions: Decisions, Decisions
Sandra needed help.Her insurance company's rapid growth required making some changes, but what changes? Should they add to the existing system? Buy a new system? She was given the responsibility of analysing the company's information system and deciding what the company should do that would give them plenty of room.She was confused and needed help in making the correct decision.
Refer to Decisions, Decisions (Scenario).The very last step Sandra should take, according to the decision-making process, would be to ________.

A)analyse alternative solutions
B)select alternatives
C)implement the alternative
D)identify the problem
E)evaluate the decision's effectiveness

Question 22

Decision making is synonymous with managing.

Question 23

Which of the following is important in effectively implementing the chosen alternative in the decision-making process?

A)getting upper-management support
B)double-checking your analysis for potential errors
C)allowing those impacted by the outcome to participate in the process
D)ignoring criticism concerning your chosen alternative
E)implementing your chosen alternative quickly

Question 24

One assumption of rationality is that we cannot know all of the alternatives.

Question 25

Which of the following is important to remember in evaluating the effectiveness of the decision-making process?

A)Ignore criticism concerning the decision making.
B)You may have to start the whole decision process over.
C)Restart the decision-making process if the decision is less than 50 per cent effective.
D)Ninety per cent of problems with decision making occur in the implementation step.
E)Keep track of problems with the chosen alternative, but only change those issues that upper management demand.

Question 26

Only managers make organisational decisions.

Question 27

Which of the following does NOT contribute towards a 'planning' decision?

A)What are the organisation's long-term objectives?
B)What strategies will best achieve those objectives?
C)How many employees should I have report directly to me?
D)What should the organisation's short-term objectives be?
E)How difficult should individual goals be?

Question 28

Scenario-based questions: Decisions, Decisions
Sandra needed help.Her insurance company's rapid growth required making some changes, but what changes? Should they add to the existing system? Buy a new system? She was given the responsibility of analysing the company's information system and deciding what the company should do that would give them plenty of room.She was confused and needed help in making the correct decision.
Refer to Decisions, Decisions (Scenario).Allocating weights to the criteria is the step in the decision-making process that occurs between identifying the decision criteria and ________.

A)developing the alternatives
B)selecting alternatives
C)implementing the alternative
D)identifying the problem
E)evaluating the decision's effectiveness

Question 29

Managers tend to operate under assumptions of bounded rationality.

Question 30

Managers regularly use their intuition in decision making.

Question 31

Scenario-based questions: Decisions, Decisions
Sandra needed help.Her insurance company's rapid growth required making some changes, but what changes? Should they add to the existing system? Buy a new system? She was given the responsibility of analysing the company's information system and deciding what the company should do that would give them plenty of room.She was confused and needed help in making the correct decision.
Refer to Decisions, Decisions (Scenario).According to the decision-making process, the first step Sandra should take would be to ________.

A)analyse alternative solutions
B)identify decision criteria
C)evaluate her decision's effectiveness
D)implement the chosen alternative
E)identify the problem

Question 32

Accepting solutions that are 'good enough' is termed satisfice.

Question 33

Managerial decision making is assumed to be rational.

Question 34

Decision making is synonymous with ________.

A)managing
B)leading
C)controlling
D)planning
E)organising

Question 35

________ includes conveying a decision to those affected and getting their commitment to it.

A)Selecting an alternative
B)Evaluation of decision effectiveness
C)Implementation of the alternatives
D)Analysing alternatives
E)Developing alternatives

Question 36

Rational analysis and intuitive decision making are complementary.

Question 37

Scenario-based questions: Decisions, Decisions
Sandra needed help.Her insurance company's rapid growth required making some changes, but what changes? Should they add to the existing system? Buy a new system? She was given the responsibility of analysing the company's information system and deciding what the company should do that would give them plenty of room.She was confused and needed help in making the correct decision.
Refer to Decisions, Decisions (Scenario).When Sandra is conveying her decision to those affected and getting their commitment to it, she is performing which step in the decision-making process?

A)analysing alternative solutions
B)selecting alternatives
C)implementing the alternative
D)identifying the problem
E)evaluating the decision's effectiveness

Question 38

Which of the following is the final step in the decision-making process?

A)identifying the problem
B)evaluating the decision's effectiveness
C)identifying decision criteria
D)selecting an alternative that can resolve the problem
E)allocating weights to alternatives

Question 39

In a short essay, list and discuss the eight steps in the decision-making process.

Question 40

Scenario-based questions: Decisions, Decisions
Sandra needed help.Her insurance company's rapid growth required making some changes, but what changes? Should they add to the existing system? Buy a new system? She was given the responsibility of analysing the company's information system and deciding what the company should do that would give them plenty of room.She was confused and needed help in making the correct decision.
Refer to Decisions, Decisions (Scenario).According to the decision-making process, the second step Sandra should take would be to ________.

A)analyse alternative solutions
B)identify decision criteria
C)evaluate her decision's effectiveness
D)allocate weights to the criteria
E)identify the problem

Question 41

A process of making decisions on the basis of experience and accumulated judgment is ________ decision making.

A)rational
B)intuitive
C)bounded
D)satisficing
E)programmed

Question 42

According to the textbook, because managers can't possibly analyse all information on all alternatives, managers ________, rather than ________.

A)maximise; satisfice
B)maximise; minimise
C)satisfice; minimise
D)satisfice; maximise
E)minimise; satisfice

Question 43

When a decision maker chooses an alternative under perfect rationality, she chooses a ________ decision, whereas under bounded rationality, she chooses a ________ decision.

A)minimising; satisfying
B)satisficing; maximising
C)maximising; satisficing
D)maximising; minimising
E)minimising; maximising

Question 44

An increased commitment to a previous decision despite evidence that it may have been wrong is referred to as ________.

A)economies of commitment
B)escalation of commitment
C)dimensional commitment
D)expansion of commitment
E)incremental commitment

Question 45

According to the textbook, all of the following are aspects of intuition EXCEPT ________.

A)experienced-based decisions
B)affect-initiated decisions
C)cognitive-based decisions
D)values or ethics-based decisions
E)programmed decisions

Question 46

Scenario-based questions: The Car
Colleen is a student and her older brother has loaned her an old car.The car is in need of several repairs before she will feel comfortable driving it.
Refer to The Car (Scenario).Colleen's brother feels the car is worth repairing, because he has owned several cars made by the same manufacturer as this car and he has driven this car for several years.He is using ________ to determine that the car has value despite its need of repair.

A)intuitive decision making
B)selective coordination of thought processes
C)sunk costs
D)return on investment
E)anchoring effect

Question 47

Scenario-based questions: The Car
Colleen is a student and her older brother has loaned her an old car.The car is in need of several repairs before she will feel comfortable driving it.
Refer to The Car (Scenario).Colleen's brother has a different view of the repairs.He assumes that the repair person is using the best information available, but there may be other unexpected repairs that might surface and that a higher budget might be more reasonable.He is using ________.

A)rational decision making
B)risk avoidance
C)bounded rationality
D)intuition
E)Stage 4 decision making

Question 48

Scenario-based questions: The First Job
Upon graduation, you search for a job with the university's job placement centre.Although you have studied and prepared to work in an advertising agency, the first job that you are offered is a supervisor in a manufacturing company working the afternoon shift from 3:00 pm until 11:00 pm.
Refer to The First Job (Scenario).Under bounded rationality, you would be expected to search for a job by ________.

A)looking at all the opportunities that can be analysed in the time available
B)looking at all the opportunities available
C)going with a gut feeling resulting from previous experience
D)looking 'outside the box' in your search
E)analysing all the opportunities until you find the perfect job

Question 49

Which of the following is NOT a valid assumption about rationality?

A)The problem is clear and unambiguous.
B)A single, well-defined goal is to be achieved.
C)Preferences are clear.
D)Preferences are constantly changing.
E)No time or cost constraints exist.

Question 50

Which of the following is NOT a 'leading' decision?

A)How do I handle employees that appear to be unmotivated?
B)What is the most effective leadership style in a given situation?
C)How will a specific change affect worker productivity?
D)When is the right time to stimulate conflict?
E)How should jobs be designed?

Question 51

Scenario-based questions: The First Job
Upon graduation, you search for a job with the university's job placement centre.Although you have studied and prepared to work in an advertising agency, the first job that you are offered is a supervisor in a manufacturing company working the afternoon shift from 3:00 pm until 11:00 pm.
Refer to The First Job (Scenario).If you had made a larger search using the internet and other employment search processes, you might have been able to find more employment opportunities.This would have been a more ________ decision-making process.

A)non-programmable
B)uncertain
C)risky
D)perfectly rational
E)cognitive based

Question 52

The type of decision making in which the solution is considered 'good enough' is known as which of the following?

A)intuition
B)rational
C)maximising
D)satisficing
E)'gut feeling'

Question 53

If you used a shortened process of searching for a job, it is likely you ________ rather than maximised in your decision process.

A)minimised
B)rationalised
C)satisficed
D)agreed
E)mini-searched

Question 54

Which of the following is true about managerial rational decision making?

A)Most decisions managers face allow for rational decision making.
B)Managers can make rational decisions if the manager is faced with a simple problem in which the goals are clear and the alternatives limited.
C)Rational decision making is always possible if the goals are clear and straightforward.
D)Time pressure forces managers into rational decision making.
E)Rational decision making is generally possible when the decision involves 'things' but not people.

Question 55

Managers are assumed to be ________; they make consistent, value-maximising choices within specified constraints.

A)rational
B)leaders
C)organised
D)satisficers
E)programmed

Question 56

In 'bounded rationality', managers make decisions that are rational within the parameters of a ________ decision making process.

A)multiple
B)binding
C)interactive
D)simplified
E)past

Question 57

Which of the following is NOT an 'organising' decision?

A)What are the organisation's long-term objectives?
B)How many employees should I have report directly to me?
C)How should jobs be designed?
D)How much centralisation should there be in an organisation?
E)When should the organisation implement a different structure?

Question 58

Which of the following is NOT a decision made during the 'controlling' process?

A)What activities in the organisation need to be controlled?
B)How should those activities be controlled?
C)When is a performance deviation significant?
D)When is the right time to stimulate conflict?
E)What type of management information system should the organisation have?

Question 59

Rational managerial decision-making includes choices that maximise value based on ________.

A)logic and consistency
B)payoff
C)statistics
D)revenue
E)budgets

Question 60

Scenario-based questions: The Car
Colleen is a student and her older brother has loaned her an old car.The car is in need of several repairs before she will feel comfortable driving it.
Refer to The Car (Scenario).Colleen decides to have all of the problems fixed on the car.She believes that the repair person has found all the problems and that there will be no problem correcting the imperfections within a specified budget.If she is correct, this is an example of a ________ decision.

A)parochial
B)irrational
C)ethical
D)rational
E)escalating commitment

Question 61

In a short essay, list and discuss five different aspects of 'intuition'.

Question 62

The ideal situation for making decisions is low risk.

Question 63

Non-programmed decisions are unique and non-recurring.

Question 64

Which of the following describes the 'systematic use of the best available evidence to improve management practice'?

A)evidence-based management
B)rational decision making
C)programmed decision making
D)integration
E)heuristics

Question 65

Programmed decision making tends to rely on which of the following?

A)the problem solver's ability to think on his/her feet
B)the development of a clear set of alternative solutions
C)previous solutions
D)identification of the actual problem
E)accurate weighting of the decision criteria

Question 66

Scenario-based questions: The First Job
Upon graduation, you search for a job with the university's job placement centre.Although you have studied and prepared to work in an advertising agency, the first job that you are offered is a supervisor in a manufacturing company working the afternoon shift from 3:00 pm until 11:00 pm.
Refer to The First Job (Scenario).If you use a shortened process of searching for a job, it is likely that you ________ rather than maximised in your decision process.

A)minimised
B)rationalised
C)emotionalised
D)satisficed
E)agreed

Question 67

Structured problems align well with which type of decision making?

A)programmed
B)satisficing
C)intuition
D)'gut feeling'
E)'garbage can' approach

Question 68

'Risk' is a situation in which a decision maker has neither certainty nor reasonable probability estimates.

Question 69

An optimistic manager will follow a maximin approach.

Question 70

Programmed decisions tend to be repetitive and routine.

Question 71

Rules and policies are basically the same.

Question 72

The simplest way to handle structured problems is through ________ decision making.

A)linear
B)unique
C)focused
D)hit-and-miss
E)programmed

Question 73

A policy is an explicit statement that tells a manager what he or she ought or ought not to do.

Question 74

Scenario-based questions: The First Job
Upon graduation, you search for a job with the university's job placement centre.Although you have studied and prepared to work in an advertising agency, the first job that you are offered is a supervisor in a manufacturing company working the afternoon shift from 3:00 pm until 11:00 pm.
Refer to The First Job (Scenario).During your job search, you depend on ________ decision making by making your decision based on accumulated judgment and experience.

A)experiential
B)legal
C)intuitive
D)maximax
E)formidable

Question 75

________ decision making is relatively simple and tends to rely heavily on previous solutions.

A)Non-programmed
B)Linear
C)Satisficing
D)Integrative
E)Programmed

Question 76

The use of programmed decision making is based on readily available information.

Question 77

In a short essay, list three related questions that can apply to decisions for each of the following management functions: planning, organising, leading and control.(Each of the management functions should each have at least three questions listed.)

Question 78

According to the textbook, ________ are straightforward, familiar and easily defined problems.

A)unstructured problems
B)structured problems
C)unique problems
D)non-programmed problems
E)programmed problems

Question 79

In a short essay, discuss bounded rationality and satisficing.

Question 80

In a short essay, discuss the assumptions of rationality and the validity of those assumptions.