Question 1

When making __________ decisions under near certain conditions, individuals don't need to follow all of the phases in the rational decision making model.

Accepted Answer

Routine decisions often involve situations that have occurred before and thus do not require the detailed analysis and evaluation of all possible alternatives that the rational decision-making model prescribes.

Question 2

When making adaptive or innovative decisions, individuals __________ follow the seven phases of rational decision making sequentially.

Accepted Answer

When making adaptive or innovative decisions, individuals rarely follow the seven phases of rational decision making sequentially. These types of decisions often require flexibility and creativity, making the strict adherence to a sequential process less common.

Question 3

Problem definition and diagnosis involves the skills of noticing, interpreting and incorporating, which are part of the manager's __________ competency.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Problem definition and diagnosis involves the skills...

Question 4

The first phase in the rational decision-making model is __________.

Accepted Answer

The first phase in the rational decision-making model is to define and diagnose the problem. This step involves identifying the issue that needs to be addressed, which is crucial for making informed and effective decisions.

Question 5

In phase 1 in the rational decision-making model, the skill of __________ involves identifying and monitoring numerous external and internal environmental factors and deciding which ones are contributing to the problem.

Accepted Answer

Noticing is the skill involved in identifying and monitoring various external and internal environmental factors to determine which ones are contributing to a problem. This step is crucial in the initial phase of the rational decision-making model, as it sets the stage for defining the problem accurately.

Question 6

In phase 1 in the rational decision-making model, the skill of __________ involves assessing the environmental factors noticed and determining which are causes, not merely symptoms, of the real problem.

Accepted Answer

Interpreting involves assessing the environmental factors noticed and determining which are causes, not merely symptoms, of the real problem. This skill is crucial in the initial phase of the rational decision-making model to ensure that the real issues are addressed.

Question 7

In phase 1 in the rational decision-making model, the skill of __________ involves relating those interpretations to the current or desired goals of the department or organization.

Accepted Answer

Incorporating involves relating interpretations to the current or desired goals of the department or organization, making it the correct choice for this phase of the rational decision-making model.

Question 8

In the rational decision-making model, the phase that immediately follows "define and diagnose the problem" calls for the manager to ___________.

Accepted Answer

After defining and diagnosing the problem, the next step in the rational decision-making model is to set goals. This involves determining what outcomes are desirable before moving on to generating and evaluating potential solutions.

Question 9

___________ are results to be attained and thus indicate the direction that decisions and actions should be aimed.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ___________ are results to be attained and...

Question 10

Goals may be stated in either __________ or __________ terms.

Accepted Answer

Goals can be expressed in terms of quality (qualitative) or quantity (quantitative), reflecting the nature of the goal in terms of its characteristics or its measurable outcomes.

Question 11

__________ goals are stated in qualitative terms while __________ goals are stated in quantitative terms.

Accepted Answer

The answer of __________ goals are stated in qualitative terms...

Question 12

Ball Corporation has the goal to achieve 10 to 15 percent annual growth in earnings per share. This is an example of a(n) __________ goal.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Ball Corporation has the goal to achieve...

Question 13

The Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., has a goal to serve as an educational resource for the people of the United States and the rest of the world. This is an example of a(n) _________ goal.

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is B) general because the goal of serving as an educational resource for the people of the United States and the rest of the world is broad and overarching, aligning with the definition of a general goal.

Question 14

Carrie Kent wants to get a job as an international currency trader. Kent begins to think creatively about the ways in which she could obtain this job. She is at the __________ step of the rational decision-making model.

Accepted Answer

Kent is at the stage where she is thinking creatively about how to achieve her goal, which aligns with the "search for alternative solutions" step in the rational decision-making model. This step involves generating a range of possible options to achieve the desired outcome before evaluating and choosing among them.

Question 15

In the rational decision-making model, the phase that immediately follows goal setting is __________.

Accepted Answer

After setting goals, the next step in the rational decision-making model is to search for alternative solutions. This involves identifying different ways to achieve the set goals before evaluating and choosing the best option.

Question 16

In the rational decision-making model, during the "search for alternative solutions" phase, individuals or teams might engage in all of the following except _____________.

Accepted Answer

Developing imitability is not a part of the search for alternative solutions phase in the rational decision-making model. This phase focuses on identifying different ways to solve the problem, including seeking information, thinking creatively, and consulting experts, rather than on making the solutions themselves imitable.

Question 17

In the rational decision-making model, the phase that immediately follows the search for alternative solutions is __________.

Accepted Answer

In the rational decision-making model, after searching for alternative solutions, the next step is to compare and evaluate these alternatives to determine which one is the most effective and feasible solution to implement.

Question 18

Managers often complain that recent college graduates present and discuss only one solution when they receive project assignments. The college graduates are doing a poor job of __________.

Accepted Answer

Discussing only one solution indicates a lack of comparison and evaluation of alternative solutions, which is crucial for effective problem-solving and decision-making.

Question 19

After individuals or teams have searched for alternative solutions, they must then __________.

Accepted Answer

After searching for alternative solutions, the next step is to compare and evaluate these alternatives to determine their feasibility and potential effectiveness before making a choice.

Question 20

Choosing among alternative solutions may prove to be difficult when the problem is __________.

Accepted Answer

Choosing among alternative solutions becomes difficult when the problem is complex, ambiguous, or involves a high level of risk, as all these factors add layers of uncertainty and challenge to decision-making.

Quiz 8: Fundamentals of Decision Making