Chapter 06

One characteristic of a structured problem is that _____. a. it is straightforward, requiring known facts and relationships c. the data might be difficult to manipulate or obtain b. the relationships among the pieces of data are not always clear d. the decision maker might not know the information requirements of the decision in advance

The two phases of problem solving that were added by Huber to Simon's original three-sate model were _____ a. intelligence and design c. choice and implementation b. implementation and monitoring d. design and choice

The second stage in the problem solving process during which you develop alternative solutions to the problem and evaluate their feasibility. a. design c. intelligence b. choice d. monitoring

During the _____ stage of the problem solving process, you select a course of action. a. intelligence c. choice b. implementation d. design

The performance of decision support systems is typically a function of decision quality and _____. a. hardware c. problem complexity b. cost d. software

The most significant internal data sources for an MIS are the organization's _____ . a. data from customers, suppliers, competitors, and stockholders c. Internet Web sites b. various TPS and ERP systems and related databases d. various DSS and GSS systems and users

The _____ reports are reports that are automatically produced when a situation is unusual or requires management action. a. exception c. scheduled b. drill-down d. demand

The _____ report summarizes the previous day's critical activities and is typically available at the start of each workday. a. exception c. key-indicator b. drill-down d. demand

The focus of a DSS is on decision-making _____ when faced with unstructured or semistructured business problems. a. accuracy c. effectiveness b. efficiency d. timeliness

Decision support systems _____. a. are used for operational, tactical, and strategic decision making c. support optimization, satisficing, and heuristic approaches b. might support a decision maker in only one or two of the problem-solving phases d. all of the above

The ability to _____ is a characteristic of a MIS system. a. provide reports with fixed and standard formats c. Produce hard-copy and soft-copy reports b. allow users to develop custom reports d. all of the above

The ability to _____ is a characteristic of a financial MIS. a. enable analysis of financial data along multiple dimensions c. integrate financial and operational information from multiple sources, including the Internet b. provide easy access to financial data through use of a corporate intranet to access corporate Web pages d. all of the above

A department within an organization that focuses on generating profits is called a(n) ______. a. cost center c. profit center b. revenue center d. sales center

The _____ MIS subsystems and outputs are used to monitor and control the flow of materials, products, and services through the organization. a. human resources c. financial b. marketing d. manufacturing

The goal of a(n) _____ system is to tie together all aspects of production, including order processing, product design, manufacturing, inspection and quality control, and shipping. a. computer-assisted manufacturing c. flexible manufacturing system b. computer integrated manufacturing d. computer-assisted design

A(n) _____ MIS supports managerial activities in product development, distribution, pricing, promotions, and sales forecasting. a. human resources c. marketing b. financial d. manufacturing

Subsystems for the marketing MIS and their outputs help marketing managers and executives to _____. a. accelerate product development c. reduce marketing expenses b. lower inventory levels and expenses d. all of the above

An effective _____ MIS enables an organization to keep personnel costs at a minimum while serving the required business processes needed to achieve corporate goals. a. financial c. HR b. manufacturing d. sales

A typical DSS includes many components including the _____ which allows decision makers to easily access and manipulate the DSS and to use common business terms and phrases. a. model base c. database b. dialogue manager d. external database access

The _____ is not a component of the typical DSS? a. database c. model base b. user interface d. inference engine

Developers of ______ systems try to build on the advantages of individual support systems while adding new approaches unique to group decision making. a. DSS c. GSS b. MIS d. GIS

The ______ approach forces members of a decision making group to reach a unanimous decision. a. Delphi c. group consensus b. brainstorming d. nominal group technique

Group support system alternatives include ______. a. decision rooms c. teleconferencing b. local area networks d. all of the above

An executive support system _____. a. is designed for use strictly by executives at a very senior level c. includes only internally generated data and information about the organization b. is very similar to a DSS, except it is targeted for use by executives d. can present structured information about aspects of the organization that executives consider important

_____ is a common characteristic of an executive support system. a. Tailored for use by individual executives c. Can be used in situations with a high degree of uncertainty b. Provides drill-down capabilities d. Designed for use in a group setting