Deck 5: Decision Making

Question 1

"Organizations could be viewed as having a collection of choice opportunities, solutions looking for problems, and participants looking for work". Which model best represents this statement?

A) The rational model
B) The organizational model
C) The geo-political model
D) The garbage can model

Answer 1

D

Question 2

"Groupthink," a mode of thinking that occurs when:

A) People are deeply involved in an otherwise non-cohesive group
B) People get a chance to express their ideas
C) People form a group and think through the steps involved in the decision making process
D) The desire for unanimity offsets people's motivation to appraise alternative courses of action

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Brainstorming is a method to:

A) Collect cohesive information from a large number of people
B) Collect focused ideas from a non-cohesive group
C) Collect a large number of ideas in a short period of time
D) Collect feedback on a previously implemented solution

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which of the following is not a model on decision making?

A) The rational model
B) Organizational process model
C) Governmental politics model
D) Geo-political economics model

Question 5

The governmental politics model acknowledges that decisions are made:

A) Through a collaborative process
B) Through the executive branch personnel
C) By a single executive
D) As a result of governmental political pressures

Question 6

The modern rational choice models introduce the element of:

A) Self-interest
B) Public-interest
C) Private-public interest
D) None of the above

Question 7

Focus groups are a popular method for receiving input:

A) From a large number of participants
B) From a focused group of participants
C) From both large and small group of participants
D) None of the above

Question 8

Which of the following is not a part of the focus group process?

A) Planning
B) Recruiting
C) Training
D) Moderating

Question 9

In the organizational process model, decision makers are:

A) Encouraged to forecast the future
B) Not acting on the basis of a predetermined vision
C) Are neither encouraged to forecast the future, nor are acting on the basis of a predetermined vision
D) Prevented from forecasting the future and acting on the basis of a predetermined vision

Question 10

Which of the following is not a phase in the rational model of decision making?

A) Pre-Analysis Phase
B) Analysis Phase
C) Post-Analysis Phase
D) Design Phase

Question 11

In terms of ensuring quality in a decision:

A) We should engage only a few select individuals
B) We should engage a wide variety of individuals
C) We should only engage the primary decision maker
D) None of the above

Question 12

Which of the following is not part of the RAPID model?

A) Recommend
B) Arrange
C) Input
D) Decide

Question 13

Strategic decisions do not involve:

A) Gathering intelligence
B) Setting directions
C) A high degree of delegation
D) Uncovering alternatives

Question 14

In the rational model of decision making, the phases in the decision making are performed:

A) Consciously with justified intuition
B) Deliberately but as part of the unconscious thought process
C) Intuitively with regular conscious feedback mechanism
D) Deliberately and consciously

Question 15

Which of the following is one of the premises of political explanation?

A) Important decisions are thought to stem from compromises made by a coalition B Decisions are formally ratified by more than one individual before execution
C Decisions are suggested as options by many and then finally selected by one leader
D Decisions are considered unilateral exercises

Question 16

Programmed decisions are those that are:

A) Infrequent
B) Poorly structured
C) Programmed by authority
D) Repetitive and routine

Question 17

Under the organizational model of decision-making:

A) Decision makers are not constrained by standard operating procedures
B) Decision makers are constrained to be somewhat predictable but create unpredictable outcomes
C) Decision makers are constrained by standard operating procedures that tend to make decision outcomes somewhat predictable
D) Decision makers are constrained to be somewhat predictable and create predictable outcomes

Question 18

In terms of who should be involved in the decision making process, which of the following is not one of the methods?

A) Authoritative
B) Constructive
C) Group
D) Consultative

Question 19

The "economic man" argument suggests that:

A) People consider all available alternatives and then make choices that maximize the values they receive
B) People pick the cheapest options wherever available
C) People pick the most expensive option provided it offers added value
D) People rarely consider the benefits of picking a more expensive option before selecting the most economic one

Question 20

Which of the following is not in sequence?

A) Regeneration of Alternatives; Selection of Solution; Implementation of a Solution
B) Implementation of Solution; Regeneration of Alternatives; Selection of a Solution
C) Direction Setting; Regeneration of Alternatives; Selection of a Solution
D) Intelligence Gathering; Direction Setting; Selection of a Solution

Question 21

True or False. Time is always available for decision making to undergo a calculated process.

Question 22

True or False. Organizations create their own institutionalized rationality.

Question 23

True or False. The people that will need to live with the new decisions should be involved in the decision making.

Question 24

Compare and contrast the Organizational Process model and the Governmental Politics model of decision making.

Question 25

True or False. Assuming consistency, intentionality, purposefulness, and rationality on the part of individuals invariably leads to misunderstanding and possibly false assumptions.

Question 26

Compare and contrast programmed decisions and non-programmed decisions.

Question 27

Explain the RAPID technique of decision making.

Question 28

True or False. The decision roles should be determined by organization chart.

Question 29

Describe the rational model of decision making. Discuss, providing relevant examples where appropriate.

Question 30

True or False. Decisions entail opportunity costs for paths not taken.

Question 31

True or False. Non-programmed decisions involve difficult problem solving.

Question 32

True or False. Decision making is not a random process.

Question 33

True or False. Incrementalism is not a real alternative to the rational model and is not a key concept in the organizational process model.

Question 34

True or False. The organizational process model of decision making sees government as composed of a few seamlessly allied organizations, each controlled by individual leaders.

Question 35

Describe the implication of ethics in decision making in a public service setting.