Question 1

Nikki is a teacher at the local high school and often has students coming to her asking for advice on a multitude of things.When this happens, she is careful to take sufficient time to think of the best response but makes sure to act as soon as she has enough information to do so.This ensures that she is not acting too hastily or wasting time thinking in circles.What would her decision-making style best fit under?
A)Reflexive style
B)Reflective style
C)Consistent style
D)Reactive style

Accepted Answer

Nikki's decision-making style is consistent because she balances taking time to think and acting promptly, ensuring she neither rushes nor delays unnecessarily.

Question 2

Mary, the director of human resources, frequently receives e-mails from colleagues seeking advice about problems they are facing.Because Mary receives so many of these e-mails, in order to save time, she typically responds with the first solution that comes to mind.Mary is most likely a ________ decision maker.
A)reflexive
B)reflective
C)consistent
D)reactive

Accepted Answer

Mary's approach of responding with the first solution that comes to mind without taking time to consider multiple options or reflect on the best course of action is characteristic of a reflexive decision maker. Reflexive decision makers tend to make quick decisions based on their initial reaction or instinct.

Question 3

Most management decisions are made between the conditions of __________.
A)certainty and uncertainty
B)risk and certainty
C)risk and uncertainty
D)decisions tend to be equally distributed between the different conditions

Accepted Answer

Most management decisions are made under conditions of risk and uncertainty, as these are the most common scenarios in business where managers have to take decisions. In situations of certainty, the decision-making process is straightforward, as managers have complete information and can easily predict outcomes. On the other hand, in situations of uncertainty, there is insufficient information, and outcomes are unpredictable. In such cases, decision-makers must take risks and make judgments based on incomplete or ambiguous data. Hence, the most suitable answer is C), which describes management decisions made between the conditions of risk and uncertainty.

Question 4

__________ of the decisions made by managers fail to solve the problems they are aimed at solving.
A)75%
B)15%
C)85%
D)50%

Accepted Answer

The answer of __________ of the decisions made by managers...

Question 5

The first decision you face when confronted with a problem is __________.
A)whether you should use reflexive or reflective tactics
B)to analyze alternatives
C)whether or not to take corrective action
D)whether or not to use brainstorming

Accepted Answer

The answer of The first decision you face when confronted...

Question 6

Problems may be classified in terms of all the following, except __________.
A)the decision structure involved
B)the conditions under which the decision will be made
C)the type of decision made using the decision-making model
D)the personality type of the decision maker

Accepted Answer

The classification of problems does not consider the personality type of the decision maker.

Question 7

Decision making is __________.
A)taking corrective action to meet objectives
B)the process of selecting a course of action that will solve a problem
C)only evaluating the certainty, risk, and uncertainty of a situation
D)the situation that exists whenever objectives are not being met

Accepted Answer

Decision making involves selecting a course of action that will solve a problem or achieve objectives. A, C, and D are not accurate definitions of decision making.

Question 8

Kimberly is a sales associate at Justice, and a customer has come to her with an item that needs to be returned.The customer said that the stitching was coming undone.Kimberly followed the company's policy on returns of defective merchandise and completed the return transaction for the customer.What kind of a decision did Kimberly have to make in this situation?
A)Non-programmed decision
B)Programmed decision
C)Policy decision
D)Non-policy decision

Accepted Answer

Kimberly followed the company's policy on returns of defective merchandise, which means it was a programmed decision.

Question 9

The decision-making model includes all the following steps, except __________.
A)classifying and defining the problem
B)controlling the decision
C)discussing the decision with relevant stakeholders
D)planning and implementing the decision

Accepted Answer

Discussing the decision with relevant stakeholders is not typically listed as a formal step in the decision-making model. The model usually focuses on identifying the problem, developing and evaluating options, making the decision, and implementing and controlling the decision.

Question 10

What decision-making style is used when meeting only the minimum requirements of the situation?
A)Satisficing
B)Rationalizing
C)Maximizing
D)Minimizing

Accepted Answer

Satisficing is a decision-making style where an individual chooses the best option that meets the minimum requirements to achieve the desired goal or outcome. This style is often used when time, resources, or information is limited, and the focus is on achieving a satisfactory result rather than an optimal one.

Question 11

Problem solving is ________.
A)taking corrective action to meet objectives
B)the process of selecting a course of action that will solve a problem
C)only evaluating the certainty, risk, and uncertainty of a situation
D)the situation that exists whenever objectives are not being met

Accepted Answer

The answer of Problem solving is ________.
A)taking corrective action to...

Question 12

A problem is __________.
A)taking corrective action to meet objectives
B)the process of selecting a course of action that will solve a problem
C)only evaluating the certainty, risk, and uncertainty of a situation
D)the situation that exists whenever objectives are not being met

Accepted Answer

A problem is the situation that exists whenever objectives are not being met. While corrective action may be taken to solve a problem, it is not the definition of the problem itself. Similarly, selecting a course of action to solve a problem is a step in problem-solving but does not define the problem itself. Evaluating certainty, risk, and uncertainty are factors that may be considered when assessing a problem, but do not define the problem itself.

Question 13

Which of the following is representative of reflective decision making?
A)The individual makes decisions quickly.
B)The individual is sometimes viewed as indecisive.
C)There is often waste and duplication.
D)The first possible method of problem solving is often chosen.

Accepted Answer

Reflective decision making involves taking the time to consider multiple options and potential outcomes before making a decision. This process can sometimes appear indecisive to others, but it ultimately leads to more thoughtful and informed choices.

Question 14

Under conditions of _________, lack of information or knowledge makes the outcome of each alternative unpredictable.
A)risk
B)uncertainty
C)security
D)certainty

Accepted Answer

Under conditions of uncertainty, lack of information or knowledge makes the outcome of each alternative unpredictable. This is different from risk, where potential outcomes and probabilities are known. Security and certainty imply a low degree of risk or uncertainty.

Question 15

Which of the following is representative of reflexive decision making?
A)The individual takes lots of time to make a decision.
B)It is possible to lose out on opportunities from procrastination.
C)There is often waste and duplication.
D)Individuals tend to follow the steps in the decision making model.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is representative of...

Question 16

Bryon, the accounting manager, has recently had to meet with his supervisor because there have been several issues with the budget he constructed regarding duplication; this led to a lack of efficiency and extra waste.His supervisor feels Bryon might have been making some hasty decisions while working on the budget.What should Bryon do at this point?
A)Continue to make decisions in the same manner.
B)Double-check the budget several times to ensure accuracy.
C)Start implementing the decision-making model when evaluating problems.
D)Request additional training.

Accepted Answer

Bryon should start implementing the decision-making model when evaluating problems to avoid making hasty decisions and ensure accuracy in his work.

Question 17

Which of the following is representative of consistent decision maker?
A)They are often viewed as wishy-washy.
B)They tend to have the worst record for making good decisions.
C)There is often waste and duplication.
D)They tend to follow the steps in the decision-making model.

Accepted Answer

A consistent decision maker is one who follows a systematic approach to decision-making and tends to follow the steps in the decision-making model. This increases the likelihood of making informed, rational decisions based on relevant information, leading to better outcomes. Options A, B, and C are not representative of consistent decision makers.

Question 18

Mary, the director of human resources, frequently receives e-mails from colleagues seeking advice about problems they are facing.Because Mary receives so many of these e-mails, she quickly e-mails the colleagues back to let the individual know she has received the e-mail and that she will respond to them within a few weeks with her recommended solution.Mary is most likely a ________ decision maker.
A)reflexive
B)reflective
C)consistent
D)reactive

Accepted Answer

Reflective decision-makers take their time to analyze a situation and consider various solutions before responding. Mary's approach of acknowledging the emails and taking a few weeks to respond with a recommended solution indicates she is thoughtful and deliberate in her decision-making process, characteristics of a reflective decision maker.

Question 19

Which of these decisions is least likely to be a programmed decision?
A)Scheduling employees
B)Opening a new facility
C)Reordering inventory
D)Handling customer complaints

Accepted Answer

Opening a new facility is a strategic decision that involves a high degree of uncertainty and requires human judgment, analysis, and creativity. It is a non-programmed decision because the organization has not faced such a decision before, and there is no established routine or standard operating procedure to follow. In contrast, scheduling employees, reordering inventory, and handling customer complaints are routine and repetitive activities that can be easily automated or guided by a set of rules or criteria. They are programmed decisions that can be made by using algorithms, software, or decision rules.

Question 20

What is the most effective way to prevent future problems?
A)React as quickly as possible to each problem.
B)Think about each problem thoroughly when it happens.
C)Develop plans to prevent problems before they occur.
D)Evaluate all problems at the end of each week.

Accepted Answer

Developing prevention plans before problems occur is the most effective way to prevent future problems. This allows for proactive measures to be in place instead of simply reacting to each problem as it arises.

Quiz 4: Creative Problem Solving and Decision Making

Most management decisions are made between the conditions of __________.

__________ of the decisions made by managers fail to solve the problems they are aimed at solving.

The first decision you face when confronted with a problem is __________.

Problems may be classified in terms of all the following, except __________.

Decision making is __________.

The decision-making model includes all the following steps, except __________.

What decision-making style is used when meeting only the minimum requirements of the situation?

Problem solving is ________.

A problem is __________.

Which of the following is representative of reflective decision making?

Under conditions of _________, lack of information or knowledge makes the outcome of each alternative unpredictable.

Which of the following is representative of reflexive decision making?

Which of the following is representative of consistent decision maker?

Which of these decisions is least likely to be a programmed decision?

What is the most effective way to prevent future problems?