Question 1

Which of the following is the most constructive type of conflict?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive conflict involves a disagreement or difference of opinion that is based on facts or data. It can lead to creative problem-solving and improved decision-making, making it the most constructive type of conflict. Emotional conflict is typically unproductive and can escalate quickly, affective conflict is based on personal differences rather than objective facts, unstructured conflict lacks clear goals or rules, and framing conflict is a disagreement over how to interpret information.

Question 2

Jamila works in the marketing department at Intelligentsia,a cutting-edge startup in the process of launching Xanadu,a smart-home/smart-garden technology system.After a very successful crowdfunding campaign and an influx of new angel investors,the company's future is looking bright.The startup's founders,Han and Martine,are very rational decision-makers,balancing optimism with the understanding that most startups,and tech startups in particular,face many risks at every stage of development.Their partner Gerard,however,makes decisions more subjectively and believes he is in control of all situations,even if he is not.Based on the psychological bias Gerard exhibits,which of the following most likely describes his actions?

Accepted Answer

Gerard exhibits the psychological bias of overconfidence and the belief that he is immune to failure, which is described in option A.

Question 3

In order to be creative,a brainstorming session must

Accepted Answer

A brainstorming session is meant to generate as many ideas as possible without criticism. This allows individuals to freely express their thoughts without fear of judgment or disapproval, which in turn can lead to more innovative and unique ideas. Top management, speed, number of people, and industry experts are not necessarily crucial factors for a successful brainstorming session.

Question 4

Xia leads a research team of engineers.She found herself in the midst of a battle between coalitions,each with its own solution to a challenge the team faced.Which of the following actions is best suited for the given scenario?

Accepted Answer

Using a collaborative method is the best option in this scenario. Instead of choosing one solution over another, Xia should encourage the two groups to come together to establish a goal that everyone can work towards. This will help create a positive environment where both groups can use their expertise to create a solution that works for everyone. This approach also promotes teamwork and cooperation, which will be beneficial for the team in the long run.

Question 5

Dario and Jordan,assistant managers at Lakeside Steakhouse,constantly disagree with each other.Lately,the arguments have become personal,leading to anger and bitterness,and this has begun to impact everyone at the restaurant.Which of the following best describes the given scenario?

Accepted Answer

The scenario describes a situation of personal arguments and bitterness between two assistant managers, which is affecting everyone at the workplace. This is an example of affective conflict, which is a type of conflict that results from a clash of personalities, values, emotions or attitudes. The conflict in this scenario is beyond a simple disagreement, and has become personal and emotional in nature, making it difficult to resolve.

Question 6

The ________ model of decision making occurs when decision makers make small decisions and move in piecemeal fashion toward a bigger solution.

Accepted Answer

The incremental model of decision making involves making small decisions that move toward a larger solution. This approach allows decision makers to test and adjust their decisions as they go, which can lead to more effective and efficient outcomes. Groupthink refers to the tendency of group members to conform to a consensus view without critically evaluating alternatives. Coalition models involve building alliances among groups or individuals to gain support for a particular decision. The garbage can model of decision making suggests that decisions are made in a complex and unpredictable environment where various problems, solutions, and decision makers are constantly interacting. Framing effects refer to how decision makers interpret and evaluate options based on the way they are presented.

Question 7

________ is the concept that decision makers cannot be truly rational because decisions are complex and complete information is unavailable.

Accepted Answer

Bounded rationality is the idea that decision makers are limited by factors such as time, information, and cognitive abilities, and therefore cannot make fully rational decisions. This concept was first introduced by Herbert Simon in the 1950s.

Question 8

Scenario A: Alexis,the manager of Full Circle Fitness,has several decisions to make as the week begins.She always comes in early on Mondays to sift through the paperwork on her desk and decide what needs to be done for the week and in which order.The following are decisions facing Alexis this week:
Giving two personal trainers raises based on the company's policy for wage increases
Determining whether or not to open a facility in a new market to target more customers
Interviewing applicants for two open part-time fitness instructor positions and hiring them
Providing input to the owner on a possible upgrade to the elliptical machines currently in use
-In Scenario A,Alexis's decision regarding the raises for two personal trainers can best be classified as a ________ decision.

Accepted Answer

Giving wage increases to employees based on company policy is a programmed decision, meaning it is a routine and repetitive decision that can be made using established guidelines or rules.

Question 9

The ________ model of organizational decision making depicts a chaotic process and seemingly random decisions.

Accepted Answer

The garbage can model of organizational decision making suggests that decisions are made in a non-linear and chaotic manner, with solutions being chosen based on the mix of problems, solutions, and participants involved at the time. It is known for being a seemingly random process rather than one that is carefully thought-out and deliberative.

Question 10

Goshawk Investments discovers that their company software was hacked and that their clients' sensitive financial information may have been compromised.Jason,the head programmer,was able to quickly detect and shut down the malware that had infected their computer network.The media has already reported the story.However,Fawzia,the CEO,decides to delay making a public statement until the company has had a chance to run diagnostic tests and conduct interviews with senior IT staff about their security protocols.Several other members of the executive management team disagree with this decision.What is wrong with Fawzia's decision,as it relates to the crisis management process?

Accepted Answer

Delaying a public statement in a crisis situation, especially one involving sensitive financial information, can lead to greater damage to the company's reputation. It is important to assure clients immediately that the situation is being handled and steps are being taken to protect their information.

Question 11

Eva and Brendan disagree sharply about a proposed solution because their backgrounds have given them radically different perspectives.This is an example of

Accepted Answer

Eva and Brendan are experiencing cognitive conflict as they are disagreeing due to their different perspectives and potentially conflicting assumptions, beliefs, or values. Affective conflict is based on personal feelings and emotions rather than differing perspectives. Goal displacement refers to when an organization replaces its original goals with new ones. Bounded rationality is the idea that decision-makers have limited ability to gather and process information. The framing effect is the way in which information is presented or "framed" influencing the perception and decision-making of individuals.

Question 12

The ________ model of decision making arises when two or more groups form,each representing a different preference,and each tries to use power and negotiation to sway the decision.

Accepted Answer

The coalition model of decision making arises when two or more groups form, each representing a different preference, and each tries to use power and negotiation to sway the decision. The other listed models do not involve multiple groups with conflicting preferences.

Question 13

Emotional disagreement directed toward other people is known as

Accepted Answer

Affective conflict is a type of conflict that involves emotional disagreement or negative feelings directed towards other people. It can arise from interpersonal or intergroup differences, and can lead to negative outcomes such as decreased trust and cooperation.

Question 14

Which of the following is an element of an effective plan for crisis management?

Accepted Answer

Psychological and cultural actions are essential for crisis management as crises are often emotionally charged situations that can impact the mental health and behavior of employees, stakeholders, and customers. A crisis management plan should include strategies for addressing and supporting people's emotional and mental well-being. The other options mentioned in the question are not effective elements of a crisis management plan. Constraints on transparency can harm the company's reputation, aggressively competitive actions may create further conflict, incremental actions may delay resolution, and evasive actions may indicate a lack of accountability.

Question 15

In trying to make a conflict between two employees less personal and emotional,their manager asks each of them to approach the problem from a different viewpoint than their original one.This is an example of encouraging the use of

Accepted Answer

Encouraging the use of cognitive conflict means seeking to create a situation where each person approaches a problem from a different perspective or viewpoint, allowing for a deeper analysis of the issue and the development of more creative solutions. This is different from affective conflict, which involves emotional and personal disagreements, psychological conflict, which involves underlying psychological issues, custom-made solutions which are individual solutions and groupthink, which is a problem-solving approach where the group aims to achieve consensus rather than challenge assumptions or alternative viewpoints.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the dialectic method of managing group decision making?

Accepted Answer

The dialectic method involves holding a structured debate between two conflicting courses of action to explore different perspectives and reach a more informed decision.

Question 17

Which of the following statements about decision making in a crisis is true?

Accepted Answer

An effective plan for crisis management should include communication actions, as communication is crucial during a crisis to ensure that all stakeholders are informed and receive accurate information in a timely manner. Option A is not always feasible as crises often require quick decisions, while option C is not recommended as managers should make decisions even under pressure but balancing by considering all the relevant information. Option D is incorrect as companies should prioritize crisis management on their agenda to minimize risks, while option E is not always true, as some crises may provide opportunities to improve and strengthen a company's reputation.

Question 18

Which of the following statements about creativity is true?

Accepted Answer

Creativity is not limited to artistic ability. Using something in a new or improved way, as well as generating innovative ideas, are also considered creative traits. Academic excellence and creativity are not necessarily linked. While tight deadlines may increase productivity, they can also lead to stress and a decrease in creativity. Finally, while some people may be naturally more creative, creativity can also be developed and nurtured through various techniques and practices.

Question 19

A process in which group members generate as many ideas about a problem as they can is called

Accepted Answer

The process described is brainstorming, where members of a group are encouraged to generate multiple ideas and solutions to a problem in a non-judgmental and free-flowing manner. This technique is often used in business and creative settings to stimulate innovation and creativity.

Question 20

Taryn,the manager of a graphic design firm,realizes that during meetings people feel strong inhibitions about disagreeing,but when conflicts arise,they become personal and emotional.Taryn has therefore assigned Boris,a colleague,the task of pointing out problems and criticizing ideas to ensure that their downsides are fully explored.Which of the following best describes the procedure used in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

The procedure used in this scenario is devil's advocacy, where a designated individual is tasked with pointing out flaws and criticizing ideas to ensure that all potential downsides are explored. This helps to avoid groupthink and encourages a more thorough analysis of ideas.

Quiz 3: Managerial Decision Making