Chapter 8- Administrative Decision Making

Question 1

decision making in public administration (6)

Answer 1

1. defining the issue or problem
2. establishing the objective
3. identifying and analyzing the alternative solutions
4. making a decision
5. implementing the decision
6. monitoring and evaluating the decision

Question 2

rational decision making model

Answer 2

the preferred model that follows a rational thought process and includes limited politics, personal benefit, and public/ media emotion

Question 3

clear goals- clear alternatives- analysis of alternatives- decision

Answer 3

rational decision making model

Question 4

three types of decision making models

Answer 4

rational, incremental, and benefit/ cost analysis (a type of rational)

Question 5

incremental decision making model

Answer 5

used when rational decision model is not possible and the ability to achieve goals is uncertain. There is a lack of information and varying public opinions are involved.

Question 6

administrative resources =

Answer 6

people-money-time

Question 7

strategic planning

Answer 7

visionary- significant goals requiring long term effort, implementation, and commitment of resources and will power. Difficult to sustain within government due to changed to elected officials and political parties

Question 8

groupthink

Answer 8

a decision making process where the goal of reaching full consensus within a group becomes more important than realistically analyzing alternative courses of action and making the correct decision

Question 9

when does groupthink tend to occur?

Answer 9

when the group is dominated by one powerful person or philosophy and there is strong peer pressure to conform