E-02 Problem Solving & Decision Analysis

Front 1

__________ ____________ is a simple routine matter for which a manager has an established decision rule. The manager performs the decision activity on a daily basis.

Back 1

Programmed Decisions

Front 2

___ __________ ___________ are new complex decisions that require a creative solution. The decision is unique and unstructured and requires considerable judgment.

Back 2

Non Programmed Decisions

Front 3

_____________is a major part of input for non programmed decisions.

Back 3

Intuition

Front 4

Identification of the ______ ___________ is important-otherwise the manager may be reacting to symptoms.

Back 4

Real Problem

Front 5

What is the first step of the decision making process?

Back 5

Define the problem

Front 6

_______________ is the term used for selecting the “best” alternative.

Back 6

Optimizing

Front 7

_______________is the term used for selecting the alternative that minimally meets the decision criteria.

Back 7

Satisficing

Front 8

Step seven of the decision making process is to _________ ___________. Once the decision is made ___________ concerning the outcomes is vital to determine success or missed opportunity.

Back 8

Gather feedback; feedback

Front 9

Step eight of the decision making process is to conduct _______ ____. Decision making is not complete without some form of ________ ______ and appraisal of actions taken.

Back 9

Follow up

Front 10

With regard to effective decision making, a _______ decision that meets a _________ ___________ and is ___________ to those individuals affected by it.

Back 10

Timely, desired objective, acceptable

Front 11

In the rational model of decision making, the outcome will be completely rational and the decision maker is aware of ____ the possible alternatives.

Back 11

All

Front 12

True or False – In the rational model of decision making, the decision make can calculate the probability of success for each alternative.

Back 12

True

Front 13

In the rational model the decision maker strives to _______________, which is to select the best possible alternative.

Back 13

Optimize

Front 14

Given the assumptions of the rational model, it is ____________ because there are time constraints and limits to knowledge and information processing capabilities.

Back 14

Unrealistic

Front 15

Which theory, founded by Simon, is the most realistic in portraying the managerial decision process?

Back 15

Bounded Rationality Theory

Front 16

One assumption in the bounded rationality theory is that managers are comfortable making decisions without determining all of the _________.

Back 16

Alternatives

Front 17

True or False – One assumption in the bounded rationality theory is that managers make decisions by rules of thumb (gut decisions) or heuristics.

Back 17

True

Front 18

Bounded Rationality ______________ portrays the management decision process.

Back 18

realistically

Front 19

Who is more averse to risk taking, men or women?

Back 19

Women

Front 20

____________ __ _______________ is the tendency to continue to support a failing course of action.

Back 20

Escalation of commitment

Front 21

All of the following are methods of dealing with the escalation of commitment except:

a. Split responsibility for decisions
b. Provide a graceful exit for individuals so their image is not tarnished
c. Have groups rather than individuals make the initial investment decision
d. Assigning the responsibility of failure to the person with lowest seniority

Back 21

d. Assigning the responsibility of failure to the person with lowest seniority

Front 22

The Z-Model of decision making is composed of 4 steps. They are:

1. Examine the facts and details (Sensing)
2. Generate alternatives (Intuition)
3. Analyze the alternatives objectively (Thinking)
4. ______ ___ ________ (Feeling)

Back 22

Weigh the impact

Front 23

_____________ _______ is an individual’s preference for gathering information and evaluating alternatives. (Carl Jung)

Back 23

Cognitive style

Front 24

The ______side of your brain is the center for logic, detail and planning.

Back 24

Left

Front 25

The _______ side of your brain is the center for creative functions.

Back 25

Right

Front 26

There are ways to develop your brain. The _____ ________________, is developed by setting goals for completing tasks, and work to attain these goals while the _____ ____________, developed by asking “what if” questions and follow through with your intuition. The Ideal is Brain Lateralized.

Back 26

Left hemisphere; right hemisphere

Front 27

For a person that strategically crafts a vision plan, would that person be viewed as right brain or left brain dominant?

Back 27

Right

Front 28

Which of the following is not a factor in using intuition in the decision making process?

a. Speed of the decision
b. It is a programmed decision
c. The positive force used is below the level of consciousness
d. Involves learned patterns of behavior

Back 28

b. It is a programmed decision – intuition is a major part of a non-programmed decision

Front 29

The apparent positive force relating to intuition is that decision making is ________.

Back 29

Fast

Front 30

Mintzberg’s research found that ___________ do not appear to use a step by step approach to decision making.

Back 30

managers

Front 31

Name the four stages of the creative process.

Back 31

1. Preparation
2. Incubation
3. Illumination
4. Verification

Front 32

______________ is a process of reflective thought and is often conducted subconsciously. SLEEP ON IT.

Back 32

Incubation

Front 33

______________ occurs when you sense a resolution to the problem “a light bulb goes on”.

Back 33

Illumination

Front 34

People with a “Positive Mental Attitude” were _____ ___________ for creative problem solving.

Back 34

More successful

Front 35

______________ _____________can either support creativity or impede efforts. Creative organizations include supportive relationships with supervisors - flexible workplace and participative decision making.

Back 35

Organizational influences

Front 36

Managers of the future need to develop ______________ in the ability to promote creativity in organizations.

Back 36

competencies

Front 37

Name the four types of creativity

Back 37

1. Responsive
2. Expected
3. Contributory
4. Proactive

Front 38

True or False – A common assumption is that you either have creativity or you don’t – creativity cannot be learned.

Back 38

False – this is a mistaken assumption – creativity can be learned.

Front 39

A participative, supportive culture, is essential because of the uncertainty that empowerment can cause within the organization. Team oriented work design lead to broader task and responsibility. These concepts are the organizational foundation of ___________ _____________ _______.

Back 39

Participative decision making

Front 40

Name the three individual pre-requisites of participative decision making

Back 40

1. Capability to become psychologically involved in participative activities
2. Act autonomously
3. Ability to see personal benefit

Front 41

In group decision making, _______ __ ___________ is a positive force that occurs in groups when group members stimulate new solutions to problems through the process of mutual influence and encouragement within the group.

Back 41

Role of synergy

Front 42

One social decision scheme is the majority wins rule- The group supports whatever position is taken by the majority of its members. Studies show that it is most often used in __________ _____ (that is when a decision is a matter of preference or opinion).

Back 42

Judgment task

Front 43

Another social decision scheme is the truth wins rule, which predicts that the correct decision will emerge as an increasing number of members realize its appropriateness. Used best when the decision has a _________ ________.

Back 43

Correct answer

Front 44

What are the three disadvantages of group decision making.

Back 44

1. Pressure to conform
2. Domination of the group by an individual or clique.
3. Time

Front 45

____________________ is a deterioration of mental efficiency, reality testing and moral judgment resulting from pressure within the group.

Back 45

Groupthink

Front 46

_______ _________________is the tendency for group discussion to produce shifts toward more extreme attitudes among members.

Back 46

Group Polarization

Front 47

When a decision must be made quickly, there is more potential for ______________.

Back 47

Groupthink

Front 48

A recent review of the decision situation in the Challenger incident identified which two variables as being important to the groupthink phenomena, what are they?

Back 48

Leadership style and time constraints

Front 49

_______ __ ____________ is defined as the majority view and judgments are assumed to be unanimous.

Back 49

Illusion of Unanimity

Front 50

True or False – A remedy for groupthink is; The leader should avoid stating preferences and expectations at the outset.

Back 50

True

Front 51

True or False – A remedy for groupthink is; Once a consensus is reached, encourage the group to rethink its position by reexamining the alternatives, welcome dissent.

Back 51

True

Front 52

Electronic ___________________ reduces apprehension and overcomes two common problems that can produce group brainstorm failure.

Back 52

Brainstorming

Front 53

With regard to electronic brainstorming, the two considerations are ___________ _____________ which occurs when listening to others, individuals are distracted from their own ideas the other is___________ ______________ which is the fear that others might respond negatively to their ideas.

Back 53

Production blocking; evaluation apprehension

Front 54

According to the Nominal Group Technique, a structured approach to group decision making that focuses on generating alternatives and choosing one. What are the four components of this technique?

Back 54

1-Silently list ideas
2-Record on a chart
3-Discussion limited to clarify ideas only
4-A written vote is taken

Front 55

____ ________ ___________ is valuable in its ability to generate a number of independent judgments without the requirement of a face to face meeting.

Back 55

The Delphi Technique

Front 56

An antidote for groupthink in self-managed teams is__________ ______.

Back 56

Welcoming dissent