Bierderlack has a policy that states that more than three absences in a six-month period will result in a suspension. Chloe, the manager, has just decided to suspend one of her shift employees for violating this policy. This is an example of
a. a nonprogrammed decision.
b. an insignificant decision.
c. a personal grudge.
d. poor management.
e. a programmed decision.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: e. a programmed decision.
Explanation:
In management and organizational behavior, decisions can be classified into two main categories: programmed and nonprogrammed decisions. Understanding the difference between these two is essential to correctly identifying the type of decision Chloe made in this scenario.
A programmed decision refers to a decision that is routine, repetitive, and follows established guidelines or rules. These decisions are typically made in response to structured problems that occur frequently within an organization. Because of their repetitive nature, organizations often develop policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), or rules to address them systematically.
In the scenario, Bierderlack has a policy stating that more than three absences in a six-month period will result in a suspension. This policy provides a clear and structured guideline for managerial action. Chloe, the manager, is simply following this established policy when she decides to suspend an employee for violating the absence rule. Since her action adheres to a predefined rule, it is not based on personal judgment or creativity—hallmarks of a nonprogrammed decision—but rather, on an already established protocol.
By contrast, a nonprogrammed decision (choice a) would involve complex, unique, or unstructured problems that lack a clear solution and require the manager to rely on judgment, intuition, or creativity. An example of that would be deciding whether to enter a new market or to implement a major strategic change.
The other options do not apply:
- (b) an insignificant decision is incorrect because employment suspensions affect workforce morale and productivity.
- (c) a personal grudge implies bias or emotion, which is not evident here.
- (d) poor management would indicate mismanagement or unfairness, but Chloe is simply enforcing a fair, known policy.
Therefore, this is a clear example of a programmed decision.