Question 1

In order to be an effective collaborator, one should refrain from airing unpopular and different viewpoints.

Accepted Answer

Effective collaboration involves a diversity of ideas and perspectives. Encouraging the expression of unpopular or different viewpoints helps to generate new ideas and promotes critical thinking. It also allows for constructive debate and helps to find the best solution to a problem. Avoiding disagreement or dissent can lead to groupthink and hinder progress.

Question 2

Determining the best mix of products that a company should sell is an example of an unstructured decision.

Accepted Answer

The best mix of products is not a straightforward decision as it involves multiple variables such as market demand, production costs, and competition. Hence, it is an example of an unstructured decision.

Question 3

Being an experienced businessperson is the most important characteristic of an effective collaborator.

Accepted Answer

Being experienced in business is certainly a valuable trait for collaborating effectively, but it is not the most important characteristic. Effective collaboration also requires strong communication skills, openness to diverse perspectives, flexibility, and the ability to work well in a team.

Question 4

The fundamental purpose of the starting phase of project management is to set the ground rules for the project and the team.

Accepted Answer

The starting phase of project management is also known as the initiation phase. Its purpose is to define the project's objectives and clarify its requirements, scope, budget, timeline, and stakeholders. It also involves selecting the project team, identifying risks and constraints, and obtaining approval or authorization to begin the next phase of the project. Setting the ground rules is a critical aspect of this phase as it sets expectations, defines roles and responsibilities, and establishes communication channels and protocols.

Question 5

Feedback and iteration enable a group to produce something greater than any single person could accomplish by working independently.

Accepted Answer

Feedback and iteration allow for multiple perspectives and the ability to refine and improve a product or idea through collaboration. This can lead to a final product that is more polished and innovative than what one person could have created alone.

Question 6

Finding the best location for building a new plant is an example of a structured decision.

Accepted Answer

Structured decisions are routine and repetitive, often with clear procedures. Finding a plant location involves complex, non-routine analysis, making it an unstructured decision.

Question 7

Moving a factory from Detroit to Mexico is an example of a strategic decision.

Accepted Answer

A strategic decision involves making a long-term decision that will have a significant impact on the organization. Moving a factory from one location to another, particularly to another country, is a significant decision that would require thorough planning and assessment of potential benefits and drawbacks. Therefore, it can be considered a strategic decision.

Question 8

Richard Hackman's studies revealed that successful outcome is a major criterion for judging team success.

Accepted Answer

Richard Hackman, a leading expert in the field of team effectiveness, identified five key criteria for judging team success, one of which includes successful outcome.

Question 9

Being a skilled and persuasive presenter is the most important characteristic for an effective collaborator.

Accepted Answer

While being a skilled and persuasive presenter can certainly be helpful in collaborative situations, it is not the most important characteristic for effective collaboration. Effective collaboration requires a range of skills and qualities, such as active listening, empathy, adaptability, and the ability to work well with others towards a shared goal.

Question 10

Operational decisions concern the allocation and utilization of resources.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Operational decisions concern the allocation and utilization...

Question 11

A group of four painters, each painting a different wall in the same room, are not working cooperatively.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A group of four painters, each painting...

Question 12

Determining the reorder quantity of an item in inventory by using a formula is an example of an unstructured decision.

Accepted Answer

Determining the reorder quantity of an item in inventory is an example of a structured decision, as it involves using a formula or mathematical model to analyze and predict inventory levels based on factors such as demand, lead time, and safety stock. Structured decisions are those that can be made using established procedures, rules, or algorithms, whereas unstructured decisions are those that involve higher levels of ambiguity, uncertainty, or complexity and require human judgment, intuition, or creativity.

Question 13

A group of checkers at the grocery store or clerks at the post office are working separately to serve customers. This is an example of collaboration.

Accepted Answer

Collaboration means working together towards a common goal or purpose. In this case, the checkers/clerks are working separately and not actively collaborating with each other, so the statement is false.

Question 14

The facility manager of an insurance company makes decisions on the monthly purchase of office supplies. This is an example of an operational decision.

Accepted Answer

The decision about the monthly purchase of office supplies is a routine decision that falls under the realm of operational decision-making. Operational decisions deal with day-to-day activities and are usually made by lower-level managers.

Question 15

An unstructured decision process is one for which there is no agreed-on decision-making method.

Accepted Answer

An unstructured decision process is characterized by ambiguity, complexity, and a lack of clearly defined criteria, making it difficult to develop a standardized decision-making method.

Question 16

Being a perceptive listener is more important for a collaborator than being gregarious and dynamic.

Accepted Answer

A collaborator needs to focus on understanding the views and ideas of their team members to form effective collaborations. Being perceptive and attentive when listening to their colleagues is necessary for developing a successful collaboration, whereas being gregarious and dynamic may not necessarily contribute to the collaboration's effectiveness.

Question 17

Informing is the first and most fundamental collaboration purpose.

Accepted Answer

Informing is indeed the first and most fundamental purpose of collaboration. It involves sharing information that is relevant and necessary for achieving a shared goal or objective. Without informing, collaboration cannot take place effectively.

Question 18

Operational decisions require a high degree of collaboration.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Operational decisions require a high degree of...

Question 19

Project scope and initial budget is set during the starting phase of a project.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Project scope and initial budget is set...

Question 20

Need for collaboration increases as the decisions become more structured.

Accepted Answer

Need for collaboration increases as the decisions become less structured and more complex, requiring input and expertise from multiple individuals.

Quiz 2: Collaboration Information Systems