Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a constraint on the attainment of rationality if it is present in the decision-making process?

Accepted Answer

A)  Information cost problems
B)  Accurate cost-benefit analysis
C)  Time constraints
D)  Lingering uncertainty B

Question 2

Of the following types of officials, which is most likely to base a pollution-control decision on substantive grounds?

Accepted Answer

A)  The administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EP
A)  
B)  The technician who conducted the pollution tests
C)  The chief of the Air Quality Division of the EPA
D)  The president B

Question 3

An organizational goal related primarily to activities that impact an organization's survival and maintenance is called

Accepted Answer

A)  substantive.
B)  transitive.
C)  reflexive.
D)  programmatic. C

Question 4

Which of the following is not present in nearly all decision processes?

Accepted Answer

A)  Some uncertainty
B)  Financial criteria for measuring gains or losses
C)  An element of risk
D)  Some expenditure of resources

Question 5

According to Downs, the type of bureaucrat who is least motivated by personal self-interest is the "statesman."

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

All of the following are reasons for enforcing ethics in public organizations except

Accepted Answer

A)  enhancing employee effectiveness.
B)  improving morale.
C)  better community relations.
D)  increased profit.

Question 7

An organizational goal related primarily to activities that impact the external environment is called

Accepted Answer

A)  transitive.
B)  reflexive.
C)  symbolic.
D)  none of the above.

Question 8

Incrementalism has been criticized on two grounds: first, that it fails to take into account fundamental needs and problems in decision-making systems; and second, that it encourages those who resist change in organizations.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

The "garbage can" or "organized anarchy" model was formulated to assist decision makers in

Accepted Answer

A)  waste management policies.
B)  pursuing purely economic rationality.
C)  dealing with ambiguity in decision environments.
D)  seeking to reorganize.

Question 10

Which of the following individuals criticized incrementalism for promoting the status quo?

Accepted Answer

A)  Dror
B)  Simon
C)  Etzioni
D)  Downs

Question 11

In some instances, agencies seek to continue making progress in certain directions but do not expect to actually accomplish all of their goals.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Because there are multiple values competing in the public arena, there is no use in developing ethical standards for decision making.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

The Obama administration's health care reform is a goal rather that an objective.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Efforts have been made by government employees and their associations to set ethical standards and enforce ethical behavior.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Conceptually, the costs and complications involved in an organization's reversing a policy direction are part of

Accepted Answer

A)  information scarcity.
B)  unanticipated consequences.
C)  mixed scanning.
D)  sunk costs.

Question 16

Goal congruence among members of an organization is the exception, not the rule.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

According to Anthony Downs, the term "mixed-motive bureaucrat" describes which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  Conserver
B)  Zealot
C)  Advocate
D)  Both A and C
E)  Both B and C

Question 18

One of the most important factors in decision making is human judgment.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

The modification of agency goals virtually always occurs at the initiative of those inside the agency, not those outside.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Limitations on information in decision making have the greatest impact on the assumptions and values of the rational decision-making approach.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 5: Decision Making in Administration

Which of the following is NOT a constraint on the attainment of rationality if it is present in the decision-making process?

Of the following types of officials, which is most likely to base a pollution-control decision on substantive grounds?

An organizational goal related primarily to activities that impact an organization's survival and maintenance is called

Which of the following is not present in nearly all decision processes?

According to Downs, the type of bureaucrat who is least motivated by personal self-interest is the "statesman."

All of the following are reasons for enforcing ethics in public organizations except

An organizational goal related primarily to activities that impact the external environment is called

Incrementalism has been criticized on two grounds: first, that it fails to take into account fundamental needs and problems in decision-making systems; and second, that it encourages those who resist change in organizations.

The "garbage can" or "organized anarchy" model was formulated to assist decision makers in

Which of the following individuals criticized incrementalism for promoting the status quo?

In some instances, agencies seek to continue making progress in certain directions but do not expect to actually accomplish all of their goals.

Because there are multiple values competing in the public arena, there is no use in developing ethical standards for decision making.

The Obama administration's health care reform is a goal rather that an objective.

Efforts have been made by government employees and their associations to set ethical standards and enforce ethical behavior.

Conceptually, the costs and complications involved in an organization's reversing a policy direction are part of

Goal congruence among members of an organization is the exception, not the rule.

According to Anthony Downs, the term "mixed-motive bureaucrat" describes which of the following?

One of the most important factors in decision making is human judgment.

The modification of agency goals virtually always occurs at the initiative of those inside the agency, not those outside.

Limitations on information in decision making have the greatest impact on the assumptions and values of the rational decision-making approach.