Managing Human Behavior in Public and Nonprofit Organizations | 4th edition
Robert B. Denhardt • Janet V. Denhardt • Maria P. Aristigueta
Sage 2015
Test Bank | Chapter 5
Decision Making
Multiple Choice
1. Which of the following is not in sequence?
A) Regeneration of alternatives; selection of solution; implementation of a solution
B) Implementation of solution; regeneration of alternatives; selection of a solution
C) Direction setting; regeneration of alternatives; selection of a solution
D) Intelligence gathering; direction setting; selection of a solution
2. Non-programmed decisions are those that are:
A) Programmed by authority
B) Not programmed by authority
C) Repetitive and routine
D) Infrequent
3. Strategic decisions do not involve:
A) Gathering intelligence
B) Setting directions
C) A high degree of delegation
D) Uncovering alternatives
4. In terms of ensuring quality in a decision:
A) We should engage only a few select individuals
B) We should engage a wide variety of individuals
C) We should only engage the primary decision maker
D) None of the above
5. Which of the following is a phase in the rational model of decision making?
A) Data collection phase
B) Data analysis phase
C) Design phase
D Pre-implementation phase
6. Which of the following is not a phase in the rational model of decision making?
A) Pre-analysis phase
B) Analysis phase
C) Post-analysis phase
D) Design phase
7. The rational model approaches decision making:
A) With a complete regard for the holistic picture of human nature
B) With a complete disregard for the holistic picture of human nature
C) Neither regarding nor disregarding the holistic picture of human nature
D) None of the above
8. The “economic man” argument suggests that:
A) People consider all available alternatives and then make choices that maximize the values
they receive
B) People pick the cheapest options wherever available
C) People pick the most expensive option provided it offers added value
D) People rarely consider the benefits of picking a more expensive option before selecting the
most economic one
9. The modern rational choice models introduce the element of:
A) Self-interest
B) Public-interest
C) Private-public interest
D) None of the above
10. Under the organizational model of decision-making:
A) Decision makers are not constrained by standard operating procedures
B) Decision makers are constrained to be somewhat predictable but create unpredictable
outcomes
C) Decision makers are constrained by standard operating procedures that tend to make decision
outcomes somewhat predictable
D) Decision makers are constrained to be somewhat predictable and create predictable outcomes
11. In the organizational process model, decision makers are:
A) Encouraged to forecast the future
B) Not acting on the basis of a predetermined vision
C) Are neither encouraged to forecast the future, nor acting on the basis of a predetermined
vision
D) Prevented from forecasting the future and acting on the basis of a predetermined vision
12. The Vroom-Yetton model focuses on how many levels of participation?
A) Two
B) Three
C) Four
D) Five
13. Which of the following is one of the premises of political explanation?
A) Important decisions are thought to stem from compromises made by a coalition
B) Decisions are formally ratified by more than one individual before execution
C) Decisions are suggested as options by many and then finally selected by one leader
D) Decisions are considered unilateral exercises
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14. “Organizations could be viewed as having a collection of choice opportunities, solutions
looking for problems, and participants looking for work”. Which model best represents this
statement?
A) The rational model
B) The organizational model
C) The geopolitical model
D) The garbage can model
15. In terms of who should be involved in the decision making process, which of the following is
not one of the methods?
A) Authoritative
B) Constructive
C) Group
D) Consultative
16. “Groupthink,” a mode of thinking, occurs when:
A) People are deeply involved in an otherwise non-cohesive group
B) People get a chance to express their ideas
C) People form a group and think through the steps involved in the decision making process
D) The desire for unanimity offsets people’s motivation to appraise alternative courses of action
17. Which of the following is not part of the RAPID model?
A) Recommend
B) Arrange
C) Input
D) Decide
18. Focus groups are one method of identifying problems and assessing programs. Focus groups:
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A) Are a large, homogenous group of 25-30 participants
B) Require planning, recruiting, and a moderator
C) Are able to discuss multiple topics
D) None of the above
19. Which of the following is not a part of the focus group process?
A) Planning
B) Recruiting
C) Training
D) Moderating
20. Brainstorming is a method to:
A) Collect cohesive information from a large number of people
B) Collect focused ideas from a non-cohesive group
C) Collect a large number of ideas in a short period of time
D) Collect feedback on a previously implemented solution
21. Which of the following is not a common element found in failed decisions?
A) Faulty decision practices
B) Misallocation of resources
C) Encouraging innovation
D) Premature commitments
22. The involvement of citizens and stakeholders is of great importance in public decision
making. Which of these democratic ideals are required in the decision making process?
A) Openness, transparency, and majority rule
B) Inclusiveness, transparency, and unanimity
C) Transparency, inclusiveness, and openness
D) Equality, transparency, and inclusiveness
23. Diversity provides several challenges for decision making. Which of the following are
differences in culture that can affect this process?
A) Importance of rationality
B) Time orientation
C) Believe on individual problem solving
D) All of the above
True/False
24. Time is always available for decision making to undergo a calculated process.
25. Decision making is not a random process.
26. Non-programmed decisions involve difficult problem solving.
27. Decisions entail opportunity costs for paths not taken.
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28. The decision roles should be determined by organization chart.
29. The people that will need to live with the new decisions should be involved in the decision
making.
30. Assuming consistency, intentionality, purposefulness, and rationality on the part of
individuals invariably leads to misunderstanding and possibly false assumptions.
31. The organizational process model of decision making sees government as composed of a few
seamlessly allied organizations, each controlled by individual leaders.
32. The governmental-political model is a model with a single unitary decision maker.
33. Organizations create their own institutionalized rationality.
34. The “experienced blind spot” phenomenon affects only tenured managers facing an
unexpected crisis.
35. Street-level bureaucrats make no policy choices themselves in the exercise of their
responsibility.
Essay
36. Describe the implication of ethics in decision making in a public service setting.
37. Compare and contrast programmed decisions and non-programmed decisions.
38. Explain the RAPID technique of decision making.
39. Describe the rational model of decision making. Discuss, providing relevant examples where
appropriate.
40. Compare and contrast the organizational process model and the governmental politics model
of decision making.
41. What is managerial discretion?