Question 1

Which characteristic is not cited as an advantage of group-aided decision making?

Accepted Answer

Logrolling is not cited as an advantage of group-aided decision making. Logrolling refers to the practice of exchanging favors or support for each other's proposals or opinions, which can actually be a disadvantage as it can lead to decisions that are not based on merit or logic. The other options (B, C, D, E) are commonly cited benefits of group decision making.

Question 2

Caroline has been a management consultant for five years. Her boss describes her as having a tremendous "feel" for the job, and as someone who is "in the zone" when timing is most crucial. Caroline possesses what kind of knowledge?

Accepted Answer

Caroline's ability to have a "feel" for the job and timing suggests that she possesses tacit knowledge, which is knowledge that is difficult to articulate but is developed through experience and intuition.

Question 3

Determining probabilities, feasibilities, time estimates, and payoffs refers to which aspect of decision typically assigned to groups?

Accepted Answer

Determining probabilities, feasibilities, time estimates, and payoffs refers to estimating components of the decision situation which is typically assigned to groups.

Question 4

Step 3 in the four-step problem-solving process calls for

Accepted Answer

Step 3 in the four-step problem-solving process involves selecting a solution from the alternatives generated in the previous step.

Question 5

What kind of knowledge is found in verbal, textual, visual, or numerical form?

Accepted Answer

Explicit knowledge refers to knowledge that is formalized, codified, and can be easily communicated and shared through language, symbols, or numbers. This type of knowledge can be found in verbal, textual, visual, or numerical form.

Question 6

Which of these statements is true about creative ability?

Accepted Answer

Creative ability can be learned and developed through practice, exposure to new ideas and experiences, and training. It is not solely an inborn trait and can be cultivated in individuals who may not initially possess strong creative skills.

Question 7

Creativity has three overlapping domains: art, humor, and

Accepted Answer

Discovery is often considered a domain of creativity as it involves exploring new ideas and concepts, similar to art and humor.

Question 8

____ is not among the disadvantages of group-aided decision making.

Accepted Answer

Different perspectives are actually an advantage of group-aided decision making, as they can lead to more creative and thorough solutions. The other options listed are all considered disadvantages of group decision making.

Question 9

Jay Brown is the training director at a successful biotech company. He would like to implement a strategy that will foster unconventional thinking through analogies and symbols. Which technique for stimulating individual and group creativity would you suggest?

Accepted Answer

Free association is a technique that encourages unconventional thinking by allowing individuals to make connections between seemingly unrelated ideas, often using analogies and symbols.

Question 10

Which term is closely associated with collaborative computing?

Accepted Answer

Collaborative computing refers to the use of technology to facilitate collaboration and communication among team members. Groupware is a type of collaborative software designed to support group activities and enable individuals to work together towards a common goal. The other options listed may be used as part of collaborative computing, but are not as closely associated with it as groupware.

Question 11

Which of these is a disadvantage of group-aided decision making?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of these is a disadvantage of...

Question 12

According to research conclusions on individual versus group performance,

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that exceptional individuals tend to outperform groups on complex, non-routine tasks that require creativity or innovative problem-solving. However, on routine tasks or those requiring simple decision-making, groups tend to perform better than individuals. Overall, it is difficult to make a definitive statement on whether individuals or groups perform better as it largely depends on the specific task and context. However, research has consistently shown that diversity and cooperation within groups can lead to better outcomes.

Question 13

____ can release tensions and unlock creative energies.

Accepted Answer

Humor has been shown to release tension and increase creativity by shifting a person's perspective and encouraging playful thinking.

Question 14

____ is involved in the first step of managerial problem solving.

Accepted Answer

Identifying the problem is the first step of managerial problem solving. Without identifying the problem, it is impossible to move on to the next steps of the problem-solving process.

Question 15

To avoid the problem of dispersed accountability, rather than group decision making, what type of decision making is recommended by the author?

Accepted Answer

The answer of To avoid the problem of dispersed accountability,...

Question 16

Matt told his boss recently that he didn't want to take on a particular project because he was new and he thought that Barb could do a better job. Which mental lock to creativity does this represent?

Accepted Answer

This represents the mental lock of fearing and avoiding failure, as Matt may be hesitant to take on the project because he is afraid of failing or making mistakes as a new employee.

Question 17

A chef at an Italian restaurant says, "we have to pay our people more" when discussing the restaurant's high absenteeism rate. He has tripped over which stumbling block for problem finders?

Accepted Answer

The chef is defining the problem as a lack of pay for employees, rather than identifying the root cause of the high absenteeism rate. This is an example of defining the problem according to a possible solution.

Question 18

Which factor guarantees broader participation in decision making in the years ahead?

Accepted Answer

Collaborative computing, which includes tools such as video conferencing, instant messaging, and shared document editing, allows individuals in different locations and roles to collaborate and contribute to decision making. This ensures broader participation and diversity of perspectives in the decision-making process.

Question 19

When groups make decisions, a major difficulty that managers face is

Accepted Answer

When groups make decisions, a major difficulty that managers face is the loss of personal accountability. This occurs because individuals in a group may feel less personally responsible for the outcome, leading to a diffusion of responsibility.

Question 20

The manager of a microprocessor manufacturer has formed a group that is in charge of making the final decision for development of a new product. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

The scenario describes the formation of a group that will collectively make a decision, therefore this is an example of group decision making.

Quiz 8: Decision Making and Creative Problem Solving