Problem 3

Consider the following situations, can you explain what type of bias is occurring and what negative consequences it might have:

a. A manager tells you that his refusal to document his departments capital expenditure decisions are because all of his past successful decisions are from my gut and I just have a knack for making this company money.

b. A manager tells you: Look the pattern is right there in the data. It says rainfall in March leads to huge computer sales in April, so order as much inventory as they will send us!

c. A manager tells you, Look I know which choice I am going to make, I just need you to find us a good reason for picking this vendor over the other bids.

d. A manager tells you, I dont care what you think you know. Bobby has always been a great employee and all these accusations of slacking and harassment over the past 6 months are nonsense. He IS a good guy. I have liked him since the day I hired him.

e. A manager tells you after the company posts a bad quarter, Times have changed and we need to change fast. The last quarter has taught us that the things that once made this company successful are now going to lead us to disaster.