Question 1 (1 point)

Amanda, a single parent, is looking for a new job. Considering that she has two school-age children, she is particularly keen on finding an employer who can provide her with alternative work arrangements such as flexible work hours and telecommuting. In terms of the decision-making process, these represent Amanda's ________.

Question 1 options:

	guidelines
	criteria
	problems
	alternatives

Question 2 (1 point)

Management Decisions: Declining Income (Scenario)

Net income has fallen for the second consecutive quarter, and Amanda is understandably worried. She knows there will be a lot of questions for her at the board of directors meeting Wednesday, and she will be expected to reveal her plan to avoid any third-quarter losses. Amanda begins to analyze the company's financial reports to try to determine the cause of the loss. After much consideration, it appears that expenses have risen dramatically over the last few months. Amanda wonders why. She decides a meeting of the department heads is in order first thing tomorrow morning. At the meeting, Amanda would like to generate several possible solutions to the increased expenses. She wonders how to effectively explore all the options. Next morning, the first option presented at the meeting is to downsize the research and development department, since it is not essential to current operations. Several managers believe the plan will help stem the losses and immediately move to approve it. However, Amanda suggests that they need to look further at the issue and explore other potential solutions. Several suggestions are made, many of which appear to be viable. Amanda wonders what to do next.

What is the first step in the decision-making process facing Amanda?

Question 2 options:

	evaluate decision effectiveness
	analyze alternatives
	identify decision criteria
	identify the problem

Question 3 (1 point)

The final step in the decision-making process is to ________.

Question 3 options:

	select the best alternative
	reevaluate the weightings of the criteria until they indicate the correct outcome
	evaluate the outcome of the decision
	implement the alternative to solve the problem

Question 4 (1 point)

Management Decisions: Declining Income (Scenario)

Net income has fallen for the second consecutive quarter, and Amanda is understandably worried. She knows there will be a lot of questions for her at the board of directors meeting Wednesday, and she will be expected to reveal her plan to avoid any third-quarter losses. Amanda begins to analyze the company's financial reports to try to determine the cause of the loss. After much consideration, it appears that expenses have risen dramatically over the last few months. Amanda wonders why. She decides a meeting of the department heads is in order first thing tomorrow morning. At the meeting, Amanda would like to generate several possible solutions to the increased expenses. She wonders how to effectively explore all the options. Next morning, the first option presented at the meeting is to downsize the research and development department, since it is not essential to current operations. Several managers believe the plan will help stem the losses and immediately move to approve it. However, Amanda suggests that they need to look further at the issue and explore other potential solutions. Several suggestions are made, many of which appear to be viable. Amanda wonders what to do next.

According to the decision-making process, the second step Amanda should take is to ________.

Question 4 options:

	analyze alternatives
	allocate weights to criteria
	develop alternatives
	identify decision criteria

Question 5 (1 point)

After identifying a problem, the next step in the decision-making process is ________.

Question 5 options:

	analyzing alternatives
	identifying decision criteria
	implementing alternatives
	developing alternatives

Question 6 (1 point)

Which of the following is an assumption of rationality?

Question 6 options:

	All alternatives and consequences are known.
	The problem is ambiguous.
	Multiple goals are to be achieved.
	Time and cost constraints are known.

Question 7 (1 point)

The Loaned Car (Scenario)

Colleen is a student, and her older brother has loaned her an old car. The car is in need of several repairs before she will feel comfortable driving it.

Colleen needs a vehicle, but she has to decide if the loaned car is worth repairing. She is facing a(n) ________, a discrepancy between an existing and a desired state of affairs.

Question 7 options:

	crisis
	alternative
	decision
	problem

Question 8 (1 point)

Decision making in organizations is something that ________.

Question 8 options:

	is done by all organization members
	can only be carried out by managers
	is a delegated responsibility from manager to subordinate
	is the responsibility of upper management

Question 9 (1 point)

The Loaned Car (Scenario)

Colleen is a student, and her older brother has loaned her an old car. The car is in need of several repairs before she will feel comfortable driving it.

Before talking with an automotive repair person, Colleen needs to assess which factors are relevant to her decision. The car needs new brakes, tires, a muffler, a tune-up, and could also use some bodywork to repair dents and scratches. After consideration, Colleen decides that safety and reliability are relevant. This is which step in the decision-making process?

Question 9 options:

	analyze alternatives
	identify decision criteria
	select an alternative
	develop alternatives

Question 10 (1 point)

Decision making is considered a process rather than an act of choosing among alternatives.

Question 10 options:

	True
	False

Question 11 (1 point)

A decision criterion defines what is important or relevant to resolving a problem.

Question 11 options:

	True
	False

Question 12 (1 point)

When a manager finds a disparity between their current situation and a desired situation, they are at which step of the decision-making process?

Question 12 options:

	analyze alternatives
	identify decision criteria
	develop alternatives
	identify a problem

Question 13 (1 point)

It is possible that at the end of the decision-making process you may be required to start the decision process over again before making the final decision.

Question 13 options:

	True
	False

Question 14 (1 point)

The process of selecting decision criteria is accomplished by ________.

Question 14 options:

	massaging the data that will support a given decision
	examining the differences between potential opportunities
	determining what is relevant in making the decision
	identifying a discrepancy between an existing and a desired state of affairs

Question 15 (1 point)

Max is planning on going away to college next year and is currently trying to figure out which colleges he should apply to. He would like to major in English Literature at an accredited community college but is also looking for a university that offers financial aid and student housing. In terms of the decision-making process, these represent Max's ________.

Question 15 options:

	problems
	criteria
	alternatives
	guidelines