Deck 5: Decision Making

Question 1

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

Answer 1

B

Question 2

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 acting on the basis of a predetermined vision
D) Prevented from forecasting the future and acting on the basis of a predetermined vision

Answer 2

D

Question 3

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

Answer 3

B

Question 4

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 5

Which of the following is a phase in the rational model of decision making?

A) Data collection phase
B) Data analysis phase
C) Design phase D Pre-implementation phase

Question 6

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 7

Focus groups are one method of identifying problems and assessing programs.Focus groups:

A) Are a large, homogenous group of 25?30 participants
B) Require planning, recruiting, and a moderator
C) Are able to discuss multiple topics
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

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 10

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

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

Question 11

The Vroom-Yetton model focuses on how many levels of participation?

A) Two
B) Three
C) Four
D) Five

Question 12

Non-programmed decisions are those that are:

A) Programmed by authority
B) Not programmed by authority
C) Repetitive and routine
D) Infrequent

Question 13

Strategic decisions do not involve:

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

Question 14

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 15

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 16

"Groupthink," a mode of thinking,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

Question 17

The rational model approaches decision making:

A) With a complete regard for the holistic picture of human nature
B) With a complete disregard for the holistic picture of human nature
C) Neither regarding nor disregarding the holistic picture of human nature
D) None of the above

Question 18

"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 geopolitical model
D) The garbage can model

Question 19

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

Question 20

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 21

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

Question 22

The decision roles should be determined by organization chart.

Question 23

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

Question 24

The "experienced blind spot" phenomenon affects only tenured managers facing an unexpected crisis.

Question 25

Street-level bureaucrats make no policy choices themselves in the exercise of their responsibility.

Question 26

Diversity provides several challenges for decision making.Which of the following are differences in culture that can affect this process?

A) Importance of rationality
B) Time orientation
C) Believe on individual problem solving
D) All of the above

Question 27

Organizations create their own institutionalized rationality.

Question 28

Explain the RAPID technique of decision making.

Question 29

The involvement of citizens and stakeholders is of great importance in public decision making.Which of these democratic ideals are required in the decision making process?

A) Openness, transparency, and majority rule
B) Inclusiveness, transparency, and unanimity
C) Transparency, inclusiveness, and openness
D) Equality, transparency, and inclusiveness

Question 30

Compare and contrast programmed decisions and non-programmed decisions.

Question 31

Compare and contrast the organizational process model and the governmental politics model of decision making.

Question 32

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

Question 33

Decisions entail opportunity costs for paths not taken.

Question 34

Decision making is not a random process.

Question 35

Which of the following is not a common element found in failed decisions?

A) Faulty decision practices
B) Misallocation of resources
C) Encouraging innovation
D) Premature commitments

Question 36

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

Question 37

The governmental?political model is a model with a single unitary decision maker.

Question 38

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

Question 39

Non-programmed decisions involve difficult problem solving.

Question 40

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

Question 41

What is managerial discretion?