Deck 4: The Fabric of Organizations: Forces

Question 1

Henry defines data as

A) a meaningless point in time, when considered without context
B) data that becomes meaningful
C) an understanding of one's place
D) material that changes an individual's perspective

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Organizational decisions made with little or no internal debate about values and made on the basis of shared technical perceptions are be an example of

A) judgmental decision making
B) inspirational decision making
C) bargaining decision making
D) analytical decision making

Answer 2

D

Question 3

The ___________________ represents the values and viewpoints held by various members of an organization as they make decisions about the organization.

A) teleological ethics
B) institutional perspective
C) decision premise
D) ideal variable

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Decision makers are limited because their reasoning abilities are small in comparison to the scope of the problems they need to solve. This phenomenon is referred to as

A) satisficing
B) bounded rationality
C) wisdom
D) data

Question 5

In 2002, the United States created the _______________________, which represents the largest reorganization of the federal government in fifty years.

A) 9/11 Commission
B) Total Information Project
C) Patriot Act
D) Department of Homeland Security

Question 6

The addition of thick and multiple layers of administrative hierarchy within public agencies is referred to as

A) red tape
B) group think
C) bureaucratization
D) organizational development

Question 7

The proliferation of rigid rules, complex procedures, and convoluted processes within an organization is known as

A) group think
B) red tape
C) accountability
D) due process

Question 8

____________________ permit "notice and comment" by the public about proposed agency rules.

A) Sunshine laws
B) Social tests
C) Administrative procedure acts
D) Thinking dispositions

Question 9

Within the broad context of coalition management, managers generally focus on four tactics to implement decisions and policies. Of the four, which has the best success rate?

A) edict
B) intervention
C) participation
D) persuasion

Question 10

Within the broad context of coalition management, managers generally focus on four tactics to implement decisions and policies. Of the four, which is the least frequently used?

A) edict
B) intervention
C) participation
D) persuasion

Question 11

Dysrationalia is the ability to think and behavior rationally because one has adequate information.

Question 12

The knowledge used by organizations is limited.

Question 13

Your author argues that the U.S. decision to invade Iraq is an example of satisficing.

Question 14

Red tape can enhance an organization's impartiality, fairness, equality, and ability to make a just decision.

Question 15

Nonprofit organizations often respond to environmental stress by becoming more negative, bureaucratic, and irrational.

Question 16

Governments produce products more than processes.

Question 17

Identify and explain the three tests that society uses to evaluate organizations. Which one is most appropriate for evaluating public organizations?

Question 18

What is "uncertainty absorption"? What is its relevance to the use and misuse of information in the organization?

Question 19

The process of decision making in organizations has been described as
"minimally rational." What is meant by this?

Question 20

How does decision making in public organizations differ from decision making in private, for-profit organizations?

Question 21

What is unique about the way change occurs in public organizations?

Question 22

Why do nonprofit organizations have greater flexibility than public- or private-sector organizations?

Question 23

List and discuss six practical lessons about how to administer well in the public sector.