1. We make decisions daily.

Describe in detail one programmed decision that you make each

2. Describe a recent non-programmed decision you believe you made and explain why you
consider it to be non-programmed.

3. Why do companies continue to invest in training when they reduce expenses in other ways
such as through downsizing?

4. How might individual creativity contribute to the effectiveness of group problem solving?

5. Give a specific example of how having good emotional intelligence could help you make
better decisions?
6. Why should managers study ethics and social responsibility?

7. Why do large companies want many of their employees to “think like entrepreneurs”?

They encourage their employees to think like entrepreneurs this is because it can lead to greater
innovation, creativity, and results. When employees think like entrepreneurs, they are more
likely to take ownership of their work, be proactive in identifying problems and opportunities,
and come up with new and innovative solutions. This can help companies stay competitive in a
rapidly changing business environment.
In addition, employees who think like entrepreneurs are more likely to be engaged and
motivated, which can lead to higher levels of job satisfaction and retention. By fostering an
entrepreneurial mindset, companies also can create a culture of innovation and continuous
improvement that benefits the entire organization.

For instance, according to the information that I found Google is known for its "20% time"
policy, which allows employees to spend 20% of their work time on projects that they are
passionate about. This policy has led to the development of many successful products such as
Gmail, Google Maps, and AdSense. Similarly, Apple encourages its employees to think like
entrepreneurs by giving them the freedom to experiment with new ideas and technologies. This
has led to the development of many innovative products such as the iPhone, iPad, and Apple
Watch.
In summary, large companies want their employees to think like entrepreneurs because it can
lead to greater innovation, creativity, and results. By fostering an entrepreneurial mindset,
companies can create a culture of innovation and continuous improvement that benefits the entire
organization.

8. Why should executives place more emphasis on monitoring the external environment than do
first-level managers?

Executives should place more emphasis on monitoring the external environment than do first-
level managers because they are responsible for making strategic decisions that affect the entire
organization. Executives need to be aware of the external environment in order to identify
potential opportunities and threats, and to develop strategies that will help the organization stay
competitive. They need to monitor trends in the industry, changes in consumer behavior, and
shifts in the political and economic landscape. By doing so, they can anticipate changes and
respond proactively to them.

First-level managers, on the other hand, are responsible for implementing the strategies
developed by executives and for managing day-to-day operations. They are more focused on
internal operations and are less likely to have a broad perspective on the external environment.
However, they still need to be aware of changes in the external environment that could affect
their operations. For instance, if there is a change in consumer demand for a particular product,
first-level managers need to be aware of this change and adjust their operations accordingly.

In summary, executives should place more emphasis on monitoring the external environment
than do first-level managers because they are responsible for making strategic decisions that
affect the entire organization. However, both executives and first-level managers need to be
aware of changes in the external environment and adjust their operations accordingly.

9. Discuss a situation in your personal or professional life where group decision-making was
employed. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of this approach.

10. How can fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace positively impact organizational
performance and innovation? Provide examples to support your response.

Certainly! Fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace can have a positive impact on
organizational performance and innovation in several ways. First, it can lead to a more creative
and innovative work environment. When employees come from diverse backgrounds and have
different perspectives, they are more likely to generate new ideas and approaches to problem-
solving.

This can help organizations stay competitive and adapt to changing market conditions. For
instance, a study by McKinsey & Company found that companies in the top quartile for gender
diversity were 15% more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry
medians.

Second, a diverse and inclusive workplace can help organizations attract and retain top talent.
When employees feel valued and respected, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to
their work. This can lead to higher levels of job satisfaction and retention. For example, a study
by Glassdoor found that 67% of job seekers said that a diverse workforce was an important
factor when considering job offers.

Third, a diverse and inclusive workplace can help organizations better understand and serve their
customers. When employees come from diverse backgrounds, they are more likely to understand
the needs and preferences of a diverse customer base. This can help organizations develop
products and services that are more relevant and appealing to their customers. For instance, a
study by Deloitte found that companies with inclusive cultures were 1.7 times more likely to be
innovative leaders in their market.

In summary, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace can have a positive impact on
organizational performance and innovation by promoting creativity and innovation, attracting
and retaining top talent, and better understanding and serving customers.

Programmed decisions are those that are repeated over time and for which an existing set of rules
can be developed to guide the process. These decisions might be simple, or they could be fairly
complex, but the criteria that go into making the decision are all known or can at least be
estimated with a reasonable degree of accuracy ¹. Here are some examples of programmed
decisions that campus students can make daily:

What to wear: Students can decide what to wear based on the weather forecast for the day. For
instance, if it's going to be sunny, they can wear light-colored clothes that are comfortable and
breathable. If it's going to rain, they can wear waterproof jackets and boots to stay dry.

What to study: Students can decide what to study based on their academic goals and interests.
They can choose from a variety of courses offered by the university and decide which ones to
take based on their career aspirations.

What to do in free time: Students can decide what to do in their free time based on their hobbies
and interests. They can choose to participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, or
drama. They can also decide to spend time with friends or family, or engage in community
service activities.

These are just a few examples of programmed decisions that campus students can make daily.

Non-programmed decisions are those that are novel, unstructured decisions that are generally
based on criteria that are not well-defined ¹. Here are some examples of non-programmed
decisions that campus students can make:
- Choosing a major: Students can decide which major to pursue based on their interests, career
aspirations, and academic strengths. This decision is not structured and requires thoughtful
judgment and creative thinking.

- Deciding on a career path: Students can decide on a career path based on their interests, skills,
and values. This decision is not structured and requires a lot of research and exploration.

- Choosing a study abroad program: Students can decide on a study abroad program based on
their academic goals, language proficiency, and cultural interests. This decision is not structured
and requires a lot of research and planning.

- Deciding on a research topic: Students can decide on a research topic based on their interests,
academic goals, and the availability of resources. This decision is not structured and requires a
lot of creativity and critical thinking.

These are just a few examples of non-programmed decisions that campus students can make.

Certainly! "What to study" is an example of a programmed decision because it is a decision that

Certainly! A student named John was trying to decide what to study in college. He had always
been interested in science and technology, but he wasn't sure which major would be the best fit
for him. After doing some research and talking to his academic advisor, John decided to pursue a
degree in computer science. He chose this major because it aligned with his interests and career
aspirations. This decision is an example of a programmed decision because it is a decision that is
made repeatedly over time and for which an existing set of rules can be developed to guide the
process ¹. The criteria that go into making this decision are all known or can at least be estimated
with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Therefore, structure can be applied to the process. For
programmed decisions, managers often develop heuristics, or mental shortcuts, to help reach a
decision. In John's case, he used his past academic performance, interests, and career goals to
guide his decision-making process. Programmed decisions are also sometimes referred to as
routine or low-involvement decisions because they don’t require in-depth mental processing to reach a
decision.