Final Examination in EDUC 313

Test I

1. Identify the steps use in managerial decision-making. Explain each comprehensively.

There are steps in effective managerial decision-making such as (1) identify the decision,
(2) gather information, (3) identify alternatives, (4) weigh the evidence, (5) choose among
alternatives, (6) take action, and (7) review you decision.

The first step in managerial decision-making is to identify the decision. This is the very
first thing a manager should make and consider. Problems and issues are already there, what
you need to do is to identify the possible decisions that have potentials in solving such things.
You have to solicit the ideas of your members.
Second, gather information. You have to gather information to support the decisions to
be made. You have already identify the decisions to be made. All you need to do is to gather
supporting information and details.
The third step is to identify alternatives. After gathering information about the decisions
you have made, you have also to identify potential alternatives that would probably beneficial
to solving the problems or issues at hand.
Fourth, as a manager you have to weigh the evidence that you have gathered based
from the information at hand. You have to assess the reliability and probative vale of evidence
that has already been determined to be relevant.
Fifth, choose among the alternatives. Among the alternatives, you have to choose one
which you think has a unique and potential effectiveness in decision-making.
After choosing the alternatives, proceed to step 6 which is take action. You have to try
out the alternative that you have chosen and find out if it is effective or not.
Lastly, as a manager you have to review your decision. It is very important to review the
decisions made be it individual or shared. Is the decision made an impact to the problem? Is it
effective? If not, repeat the same process.
2. Explain group creativity as a social process.

Group creativity is always a social process because shared decision-making has

always the best result. Creativity is innately associated with individuals who stand out as
something special which is contributory to the success of a decision-making and problem-
solving. Sharing and brainstorming of creative solutions to the problems is better than relying to
sole individual’s creativity. In decision-making, everybody should participate and voice out
his/ideas. If everybody already shared their unique and creative ideas, the manager will put
these into account and consideration. Everybody should be heard because everybody has
potential creativity. Group creativity is well structured and not chaotic. Thus, group creativity
has a greater and better results.
3. Explain the axiom, “Decision-making is the heart of the organizational effectiveness, climate
and health.
 Problems, issues, and risks are inevitable to every organization. That’s why every
organization needs an effective manager who will lead the members to the things to be done in
order to effectively solve and resolve those problems at hand and future problems. Decision-
making is very essential and it is indeed the heart of organizational effectiveness. Decisions are
the atoms while decision-making is the heart of every organization through building high levels
of trust, teamwork, and innovation and effective managers focusing on decision-making
responsibilities. Every process made more efficient and reliable is a result of hundreds of
decisions. Decision-making is continuous like a heart which continuously performing its function
to give life to every living things. Same is through with decision-making. If you stop formulating
decisions, the organization will probably be paralyzed.

4. Single out the different forms of creativity and explain each briefly? Be sure to give examples
of each?

Creativity is the key to organizational effectiveness. In connection to this, there are

different forms of creativity. The expressive creativity and innovative creativity.
Expressive creativity is something that is evident from an individual in the group but has
nothing to do to achieve the goal of the group or organization. The creativity is just expressed
but not necessarily contributory to the success of the group’s decision. While Innovative
creativity happens when group members examine an issue from an alternative viewpoint. This
means that all the members have agreed to have the same innovation. Teamwork and
collaboration are the spices to have an innovative creativity.
5. Explain the topic about systematic approach to creativity.

Systematic Approach to creativity tells us that too much creativity can lead to turmoil. It
can possibly ruin the decision making process instead of solving the problem effectively. This
approach tells us also that if we keep on changing our decisions and there is no consistency may
lead to lack of direction, confusion, frustration and reduced productivity. So the best thing to do
is to be consistent in decision-making and in order to accomplish a creative task is to break the
task down into smaller component parts. Furthermore, too much stability leads to inflexibility.
6. Identify the roadblocks in group creativity. Explain

Being creative and innovative of individuals are evident in every organization but
because of differences, group creativity would not possible. Barriers are already part of group
creativity because it composed of diverse members who have different perspectives, cultural
norms, values and beliefs. These will serve as roadblock towards achieving group creativity. We
cannot avoid the things that limit creativity at work. Some people always live in the culture they
have which is different from the others that may block creativity. They always stick in what they
believe in.

7. Determine the advantages and disadvantages of group decision-making. Explain.

Two heads are better than one. This adage is absolutely true and it is applicable to
decision-making. Here are the advantages of group decision-making. Group decision-making can
 elicit more information from the members because group is better equipped as far as
information is concerned. An individual cannot have all the information but a group which
consists of several individuals have all the information needed. Group decision-making has its
diversity of views. This is because a group has many members who have multitude and varied
ideas which is beneficial to decision-making process. Group members provide better insights for
decision-making. Group decision-making has a greater acceptability. If many of the members
have synonymous ideas, acceptance is higher than those views from an individual.

On the other hand, not all times group decision making is advantageous, there are also
disadvantages. Time consuming is also observed in group decision-making. It requires time to
get those ideas organized, planned and coordinated. The time loss involved in group dynamics
cannot be ignored. Sometimes, members have different ideas that will consume much of their
time coming up with an effective decision. Irrelevant opinions and ideas are also part of the
decision-making which may ruin the process. Some people refuse to share their perspectives
during group decision making may be because of pressures.

Test II

1. You are assigned to a school where tardiness of teachers is a problem. As a principal how will
you approach and solve the situation?

As the principal of school where tardiness of teachers is rampant, the strategies and
approaches that I am going to apply to solve the situation are as follows:
Teachers are like student thus they need motivation. As a school head I have to
motivate them. Motivation is usually the most important step to stopping lateness and
tardiness. I am going to convince my teachers that on time behavior and punctuality is an
essential skill, often generates more change than any other approach. Being a role model for the
behavior you require from your teachers should be seen first from you as the school head. You
have to identify also the root causes of tardiness may be because of distractions, cultural
differences, skills deficiencies and poor motivation. Train teachers to submit reports promptly
and perform tasks on time. Lastly, always reinforce positive behavior.

2. If a mother complains to the principal that her son should be getting higher grades, how could
he/she deals with the problems brought by the mother?

As a parent, you are the primary advocate for your child thus you are the voice for your
child when she is needing assistance. You are free to go to school to state your side about the
complaint you have raised.
As the school head, I have to entertain the parent with utmost respect even when the
parents is rude. Always exercise professionalism whatever happens in the dialogue. The first
thing that I have to do is to listen to the side of the parents then after listening to the parent’s
statement, I will call the attention of the concerned teacher to listen also to her side. I will ask
for the record of the teacher about quizzes and performance of the child from the previous up
to this time to see to it if there is really changes in the performance of the child. As a school I
have to listen also to the child, have a conversation to see what happened and if the child has a
problem. After all the dialogues, I have to weigh the evidences and statement heard. Then,
come up with a decision. Then do not let the day pass that the parent and teacher do not
reconcile.