Deck 9: Organizational Decision Making

Question 1

Routine problems with clear procedures for determining the correct course of action are known as _______________ decisions.

A) informal
B) non-programmed
C) programmed
D) rational

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Which theoretical model involves reactive decision-making and successive but limited comparisons of alternatives?

A) bounded rationality model
B) garbage can model
C) participation model
D) political model

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Which of the following is a central theme of each of the organizational decision making models discussed by the textbook authors?

A) organizational decision making involves careful consideration of all relevant information
B) organizational decision making can lead to less than optimal decisions being made
C) organizational decision making is driven by the goal of consensus
D) organizational decision making is primarily a group or social process

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Which of the following occurs because of group members being overly concerned about protecting one's turf and keep colleagues happy?

A) the Abilene paradox
B) groupthink
C) social facilitation
D) social loafing

Question 5

What idea generation technique attempts to combat members' dominance, conformity, and social loafing by regulating the entry of members over time?

A) brainstorming
B) electronic brainstorming
C) nominal group technique
D) the stepladder technique

Question 6

Brianne wishes to have all necessary information to make the optimal choice among the various alternatives in selecting the new Chief Operating Officer for her company. However, she realizes that she cannot have full information for all candidates but she still wishes to use logical reasoning rather than relying on emotions. Brianne's approach to decision making fits the ________________.

A) bounded rationality model
B) garbage can model
C) participation model
D) rationality model

Question 7

Beatrix has found all the necessary information to make a choice between two candidates. She has listed the strengths and weaknesses of each as well as having examined how selecting one alternative rather than the other could impact her organization. She is using this information to look toward the future rather than relying on emotions or politics. Beatrix's decision making is consistent with the _______________.

A) bounded rationality model
B) participation model
C) political model
D) rationality model

Question 8

Tyrion realizes his employees each has some of the information needed to make a decision, but are also lacking important information. He calls a meeting to provide all employees with as complete a set of information as possible. Tyrion's actions most closely align with the _______________ of decision making.

A) garbage can model
B) participation model
C) political model
D) participation model

Question 9

While no member of the city council wishes to vote to allow public funds to pay for a private investment. However, each member censors him- or herself during the deliberation and ignoring their contradictory thoughts as the consensus toward supporting the funding builds. What decision making problem is at work here?

A) biased information search
B) groupthink
C) the self-fulfilling prophecy
D) social loafing

Question 10

Dorothea examines the research literature to identify the best method for generating ideas. After reviewing the literature, she has identified four approaches that are typically used. Of these four, which is she most likely to note generates the fewest ideas and fewest creative ideas?

A) brainstorming
B) electronic brainstorming
C) the nominal group technique
D) the stepladder technique

Question 11

Robb and Jon are getting ready to go play paintball with their friends. They work to generate the best strategy for their side. Thirty minutes later their friend, Brandon, joins them and presents his suggestions. Then they are joined by Peter who offers his comments. This strategy session most closely parallels _______________.

A) brainstorming
B) electronic brainstorming
C) the nominal group technique
D) the stepladder technique

Question 12

A local civic group gets together and each member in attendance is asked to answer the following question, "What service activities should be involved in this year?" Everyone writes down three alternatives, reads their choices to the group, and the clarification is sought. After this all members vote privately to identify the top five choices. This approach is called _______________.

A) brainstorming
B) electronic brainstorming
C) the nominal group technique
D) the stepladder technique

Question 13

Danielle wishes to encourage her employees to always act in an ethical manner. She asks an intern to review the literature to identify organizational factors that encourage unethical behaviors. What is a key point the intern is likely to see in his review?

A) organizations that encourage perspective taking tend to experience higher levels of unethical behavior
B) organizational members who score highly in Machiavellianism typically act the most ethically
C) organizational culture has no impact on individual's ethical behavior
D) organizations encouraging "everyone for oneself" tend to produce more unethical choices

Question 14

Imagine that you are an executive in an organization that has a high degree of interdependence among its departments and employees within the same department. What interpersonal factor will be extremely important in helping to ensure effective decision making?

A) communication
B) individual goal-setting
C) motivation
D) stress management

Question 15

Jolene has noted the importance of effective communication in helping to manage and direct organizational decision making. Which of the following is a piece of advice she might give her employees as they engage in the decision making process?

A) choose any communication channel to deliver your message; they are equally effective
B) the need for confidentiality is the only influence on one's choice of communication channels
C) negative impact has twice the impact of positive feedback
D) systems theory does not apply to organizational communication

Question 16

Analyze how the Rationality and Bounded Rationality models of decision making differ.

Question 17

Explain the dangers of the Abilene paradox.

Question 18

Why are face-to-face brainstorming groups less productive in idea generation than nominal groups?

Question 19

Explain how an organization can work to encourage its members to make ethical decisions when faced with workplace ethical dilemmas.

Question 20

Demonstrate the importance of communication channels within an organization.