Module 1 Flashcards
(18 cards)
How would you define evidence-based management?
Evidence-based management is about making decisions using critically appraised evidence from multiple sources to increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome.
Why do we need evidence-based practice? Check all that apply.
Most practitioners prefer to base their decisions solely on personal experience, which is not a very strong/reliable source of evidence.
Through benchmarking and so-called best practices, practitioners sometimes copy what other organizations are doing without critically evaluating whether these practices actually work and, if they do, whether they also are likely to work in a different context.
What practitioners think is effective and what the current scientific research shows really differ.
Imagine you are an executive of an international IT firm. You are thinking about introducing virtual teams. Would you regard the experience of software engineers with virtual teams as evidence?
Yes
Imagine you are a manager at an educational institution. Would you regard the following statement from a consultant as evidence about trust and information sharing?
“In the fifteen years I have worked as a consultant, I have noticed knowledge workers are more likely to share information when they trust each other.”
Yes
According to a famous Harvard Business School professor, 70 percent of all organizational change interventions fail. Would you regard this as evidence?
No
Imagine you are the CEO of a large financial firm. You are thinking about introducing performance bonuses for executives and senior-level employees. Would you consider as evidence the outcome of a national survey that indicates that most people disapprove of awarding financial bonuses to executives?
Yes
True or false? Practitioners rarely use evidence in their decisions.
False
True or false? Experience doesn’t count as evidence.
False
True or false? Most experts are not a very reliable source of evidence.
True
True or false? Evidence-based practice tells you what works and what doesn’t.
False
True or false? Not all evidence is of the same quality/strength
True
True or false? Evidence from scientific research is the strongest (most trustworthy) evidence.
False
True or false? Research conducted by a top university professor published in a top academic journal does not need to be critically evaluated.
False
True or false? You cannot use evidence-based practice for completely new problems because there is no evidence on which to draw.
False
Read the following case and determine which source(s) of evidence was consulted. Check all that apply.
To lower costs and increase revenues, the boards of two academic medical centers have decided to merge. Together they account for 16 percent of the market for medical care. According to a well-known consulting firm, each percentage increase in market share would bring the new organization an additional $50 million of revenue. Both CEOs agree that the new organization would reduce administrative overhead by 20 percent. They also argue that it is common knowledge that large medical centers tend to have better patient outcomes than do small medical centers. A survey of the patients, however, indicates for various reasons, a large majority is opposed to the merger.
Evidence from the organization
Read the following case and determine which source of evidence was NOT consulted.
An international hotel chain conducted a job satisfaction survey among its 6,500 employees. The outcome showed that 63 percent of employees were dissatisfied with their supervisor. In addition, it was found that hotels with the lowest score on supervisory support also had the highest number of complaints and the lowest profit margins. Focus group discussions with employees indicated that they felt their supervisors lacked general management skills (e.g., goal setting, performance feedback, running a meeting) and interpersonal skills (e.g., listening, coaching). When managing directors were asked about their view, most of them stated that, in their experience, supervisors who lack skills to support their employees also tend to generate high complaint rates and low profit margins. Based on these findings, the board decides to provide management training for all supervisors.
Scientific Evidence
How strong/trustworthy would you consider the following evidence?
Findings from a survey of 100 CEOs, conducted by an international consulting firm, regarding the best way to reduce expenses and improve profitability.
Very Low
How strong/trustworthy would you consider the following evidence?
Findings from a survey that assessed the experience of sales managers with a new customer management system implemented a year ago. The survey was completed by 85 percent of the sales managers; more than 90 percent of them responded that the new system helped increase sales.
High
