60.
Alex is the R&D manager with Digital Copier. The company is having a problem with one of its
most popular copiers jamming. The vice president of marketing told Alex that “we need to
quickly discover how to make this a desirable situation. You need to determine the underlying
cause of the problem and perhaps even make improvements to the copier.” This is an
example of ____.
61.
Leon is an investment portfolio manager. While sitting in a training workshop, the facilitator
mentioned that “your female investors make trades much less often than men because they
____.”
62.
In the third step of rational decision making (evaluating alternatives and select a solution), you
need to evaluate each alternative not only according to cost and quality but also according to
the following questions: _____
63.
Jose, the sales manager, is working on the problem of increasing sales by using the rational
model of decision making. In the first step he identified the problem of his employees needing
more training. In the second step he thought of alternative solutions; and in step three he
evaluated alternatives and selected a solution. In the fourth step, Jose needs to _____.
64.
The rational model of decision making is also called the ____ model.
65.
Doug is using rational decision making, and the chosen alternative that was implemented does
not appear to be working. To correct the situation, the possibilities Doug should consider
_____.
66.
Difficulties that inhibit the achievement of goals are known as _____.
67.
Patricia is the owner of a floral shop. A successful global candle company approached her
about selling its products in her shop. Patricia knows this product and company can help her
exceed her existing goals. This defines a(n) ____.
68.
With the community interested in eating healthy, Sue Ellen, a restaurant owner, is considering
adding more vegetarian dishes to her menu. This decision is uncertain and risky, and she
finally decides to goes with her gut feelings. This is an example of _______.
69.
The idea that proposes that the ability of decision makers to be rational is limited by numerous
constraints, such as complexity, time, cognitive capacity, values, skills, habits, and
unconscious reflexes, is known as _____.
70.
Susanne, the CEO of national IT manufacturer, was approached by Simple Phones, a new
company that is marketing a new type of phone, to partner with the company on a project. The
partnership is uncertain since the company and technology are new. Susanne is uncertain
what to do because she is limited by numerous constraints, such as the uncertainty and
complexity of the technology, the management success of Simple Phones, and time, since
other companies are interested in the partnership. This is an example of _____.
71.
Paula, the controller of Tasty Pizza, is purchasing several new delivery vehicles. Paula has
numerous work responsibilities, so she has limited time to shop for cars. Because of the time
constraints, she cannot make an extensive search for the best alternative but instead needs to
look for cars until she finds one that is satisfactory. Paula is following the _____ model.
72.
Chad and his partner, John, have decided to update their computer network, although they
have no expertise in this area. During a meeting with John, Chad commented that “Our
decision is limited by numerous constraints, such as our understanding of the complexity of
technology, time and money, imperfect information, and our conflicting goals.” These
limitations are hindrances to _____.
73.
Sal has been in the landscaping business for over 40 years, and when Donovan, his business
partner, suggested adding snow removal as an extra service, Sal responded with “My gut
feeling is to say yes because of my experience in the past and what I have seen other
companies do over the years, both successfully and not.” Sal’s response to Donovan is known
as _____.
74.
Olivia, the owner of a small city newspaper, started her business two years ago, believing that
there was still enough demand for her product. However, because people are busy and with
the availability of news online, she has seen the demand for her paper drop steadily. Olivia
made a decision to change the original direction of the company and focus more on an
Internet news service. By demonstrating that managers need to think and act as if their
company is an unfinished prototype, won’t be ruined by new ideas and focusing on facts,
Olivia is relying on _____.
75.
Despite your best intentions, it’s hard to bring the best evidence to bear on your decisions
because of such reasons as ____.
76.
Style Mart uses time-series forecasts, such as past holiday sales and the strength of store
sales this year to predict future sales based on patterns of historical data. This is an
application of ___.
77.
A data-mining technique used to predict future behavior and anticipate the consequences of
change is known as ___.
78.
ABC Medical Technology, a fast-growing global research firm, has accumulated so much
client information that conventional database management systems cannot handle its
customer needs. Therefore, it purchased very sophisticated analysis software and
supercomputing-level hardware. For the company’s work with hospitals and university medical
schools, ABC has been noted in publications as “real pioneers for innovation and productivity.”
This vast amount of data is known as ____.
79.
The combination of how an individual perceives and responds to information reflects his or her
____.
80.
The process of studying large amounts of data of a variety of types to uncover hidden
patterns, unknown correlations, and other useful information is known as ____.
81.
Debbie likes working in the banking industry because there is a lot of structure and certainty,
and the daily work is routine. Debbie probably _____.
82.
Dave is a salesperson who takes a long time to make decisions. He loves sales because he
responds well to the pressure he faces in the many new or uncertain situations as a
salesperson. Like most successful salespeople, he is high in his tolerance for ambiguity. Dave
represents a person with a(n) _____ style.
83.
Marie is a small-business owner who loves to take risks. She also enjoys going out and
meeting customers and potential clients—the social aspect of her job. Marie relies on intuition
and discussions with others to acquire information. As an interior decorator, Marie utilizes her
imaginative strengths, taking a broad perspective to problem solving, and she likes to consider
many options and future possibilities. Marie represents a person with a(n) _____ style.
84.
Mandy, a server in a popular family restaurant, is the most popular employee with both
customers and employees, and as a result, she usually receives the most tips. She is always
ready to lend a hand when asked, and with her warm personality and supportive nature,
people confide in her. Mandy does have a problem telling people no, and has a tendency to
avoid conflict, concerned about hurting others or getting people mad. Mandy represents a
person with a(n) _____ style.
85.
Sam is the production manager of a busy shoe factory. He was chosen because prior to his
promotion he had proven himself to be very efficient, and as a department manager he had a
logical and practical approach to solving problems. Sam has a reputation for being decisive
and getting things done. Most of the employees like Sam, but they feel his style is autocratic,
as he likes to do things by the book. Sam represents a person with a(n) ______ style.
86.
Scott has a bachelor’s degree in ethics and human resources, and has extensive experience
working with employees and managers regarding ethics, especially in the area of ethical
dilemmas. With his background of dealing with legal issues, he has assisted extensively in
determining if decisions are both ethical and lawful. With Scott’s background, he is a top
candidate for the company’s new _____.
7-59
87.
A decision tree is ____.
88.
Is the proposed action legal? If yes, does the proposed action maximize shareholder value? If
yes, is the proposed action ethical? If no, would it be ethical not to take the proposed action?
These are four questions that managers of all organizations should ask when confronted with
a decision on an action according to _____.
89.
Patty, the CEO of an oil drilling company, and her top management team recently discovered
that their facilities are damaging an Asian beach and the local wildlife. They understand that
they need to decide if temporarily closing or not closing the facility is unethical. They then
consider the four questions: Is not temporarily closing the facility legal? If yes, does this
proposed action maximize shareholder value? If yes, is not temporarily closing the facility
ethical? If no, would it be ethical not to take the proposed action? These are suggested
questions according to _____.
90.
The decision was made by BP and Halliburton executives regarding not taking action with the
oil well blowout preventer that experts believe would have prevented the Deepwater Horizon
oil rig explosion and fire off the coast of Louisiana, since company management believed that
there would be no great negative consequences as a result of their decision. This is an
example of ___.
91.
Dwight, a hotel general manager, is having serious problems—a substance abuse issue—with
one of his housekeeping employees. He knows that because of the seriousness of the issue
he needs to talk with the employee. However, his assistant manager asks Dwight if he would
like him to deal with it. Dwight knows this is not the best option, but agrees, knowing it is the
easy way out. This is an example of _____.
92.
With defensive avoidance, a manager can’t find a good solution and follows by ____.
93.
Ace Manufacturing has high turnover continually due to issues with the corporate office. Paul,
the plant manager, is frustrated and cannot find a solution to stop it. At first he offered raises to
many of the good employees who were leaving, but after a while, Paul started blaming those
who were leaving, saying, “they are poor-quality employees and they are to blame for leaving.”
Paul is engaged in ____.
94.
Orlando, the manager of a camera store, believes that his store may be closed by corporate in
the near future, so he cannot sleep well at night and he is dealing with severe anxiety,
irritability, and has been ill several times this month. Several times Orlando has missed
important details in his job, and he almost got in an automobile accident this morning. Orlando
is experiencing ____.
95.
How high priority is this situation? How believable is the information about the situation? How
quickly must I act on the information about the situation? These are three questions
concerning ways to evaluate _____.
96.
Gregory was talking with Tom, his assistant manager, saying, “When I make a decision on
which employee to pick to do a project, I use three simple factors, which I call my decision
making “rules of thumb.” I consider their attitude and knowledge, and how hard they work.”
Gregory’s rules of thumb, which he uses in decision making, are known as _____.