When the basic cause of a problem is unknown: Alternative solutions must first be carefully evaluated. The supervisor should take immediate corrective action anyway, even if this involves trial and error. A process of elimination must be used to find the cause. The supervisor can take no action until the situation gets bad enough to reveal the cause. Mathematical decision-making aids are generally most useful for: Recognizing that problems exist. Finding the causes of problems. Evaluating proposed solutions to problems. Planning specific actions for eliminating causes of problems. The greatest advantage of simple mathematical decision-making tools is that they: Arrange numerical information in such a way that it can be solved mathematically. Help decision makers focus on decisions rather than problems. Dramatically speed up the decision-making process. Reduce the number of decisions that supervisors must make. Each of the following factors must be present before you engage a group in decision making except: Their participation is not needed to generate commitment from the group to implement the decision. You have plenty of time. The group can contribute information you need but don't have. You are ready to respect the group opinion and prepared to act on their suggestions. ABC analysis leads supervisors to devote maximum attention to: All problems. Quality problems. The few most important problems. Problems with output volume. Wendy has noticed that her employees are nervous about the new computer program that the department has been using. To smooth the transition to the new system, she should consider: Acknowledging that it's normal to be fearful about the effect of the new system on job security. Trying to assign people to work they do best and like best. Allowing employees to bring their irritations into the open. All of the above. Decision trees and payoff tables are valuable in that they: Make the decision-making process automatic. Eliminate the need for making estimates of future outcomes. Force the decision maker to look realistically at possible outcomes. All of the above. Supervisors are involved in computer operations as: End users. Prime sources of input. Principal designers of data systems. Both a and b above. The day's production output for a bicycle factory is: MIS. Secondary data. Primary data. Information