Question

The majority of successful senior managers do not closely follow the classical rational (理性的) model of first clarifying goals, assessing the problem, formulating options, estimating likelihoods of success, making a decision, and only then taking action to carry out the decision. Rather, in their day-by-day tactical maneuvers(战术动作), these senior executives rely on what is vaguely termed intuition(直觉) to manage a network of interrelated problems that require them to deal with ambiguity, inconsistency, novelty, and surprise; and to integrate action into the process of thinking.

Generations of writers on management have recognized that some practicing managers rely heavily on intuition. In general, however, such writers display a poor grasp of what intuition is. Some see it as the opposite of rationality; others view it as an excuse for capriciousness(变化无常).

Isenberg's recent research on the cognitive processes of senior managers reveals that managers' intuition is neither of these. Rather, senior managers use intuition in at least five distinct ways. First,they intuitively sense when a problem exists. Second, managers rely on intuition to perform well-learned behavior patterns rapidly. This intuition is not arbitrary or irrational, but is based on years of painstaking practice and hands-on experience that build skills. A third function of intuition is to combine isolated bits of data and practice into an integrated picture. Fourth, some managers use intuition as a check on the results of more rational analysis. Most senior executives are familiar with the formal decision analysis models and tools, and those who use such systematic methods for reaching decisions are occasionally alert of solutions suggested by these methods which run counter to their sense of the correct course of action. Finally, managers can use intuition to bypass in-depth analysis and move rapidly to engender a plausible solution. Used in this way, intuition is an almost instantaneous cognitive process in which a manager recognizes familiar patterns.

One of the implications of the intuitive style of executive management is that thinking is inseparable from acting. Since managers often know what is right before they can analyze and explain it, they frequently act first and explain later. Analysis is tightly tied to action in thinking-acting cycles, in which managers develop thoughts about their companies and organizations not by analyzing a problematic situation and then acting, but by acting and analyzing in close concert.

Given the great uncertainty of many of the management issues that they face, senior managers often instigate (发起) a course of action simply to learn more about an issue. They then use the results of the action to develop a more complete understanding of the issue. One implication of thinking-acting cycles is that action is often part of defining the problem, not just of implementing the solution.

1.Which of the following best describes the organization of the first paragraph?

A. An claim is made and a specific supporting example is given.

B. A conventional model is dismissed and an alternative introduced.

C. The results of recent research are introduced and summarized.

D. Two opposing points of view are presented and evaluated.

2.Which of the following does the passage suggest about the writers on management mentioned in paragraph 2?

A. They have criticized managers for not following the classical rational model of decision analysis.

B. They have not based their analyses on a sufficiently large sample of actual managers.

C. They have misunderstood how managers use intuition in making business decisions.

D. They have drawn their conclusions on what managers say rather than on what managers do.

3.According to the text, senior managers use intuition in all of the following ways EXCEPT to    .

A. define clear goals

B. identify a problem

C. bring together diverse facts

D. speed up the creation of a solution to a problem

4.Which of the following statements does the passage support?

A. Managers cannot justify their intuitive decisions

B. Managers' intuition works contrary to their rational and analytical skills.

C. Intuition enables managers to employ their practical experience more efficiently.

D. Managers relying on intuition are more successful than those relying on formal decision analysis.

Answer

1. B

2. C

3. A

4. C

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文，介绍了一个组织培养的高级经理人不太注重理性的管理模式而是依靠直觉来管理，文章还解释好了经理人运用直觉而来管理的五种方式以及运用直觉的好处。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段中的“The majority of successful senior managers do not closely follow the classical rational (理性的) model…Rather…rely on what is vaguely termed intuition(直觉) to manage a network of interrelated problems”可知，这个组织培养的高级经理人不太注重理性的管理模式而是依靠直觉来管理，由此可知，这个组织摒弃了传统的理性模式，而引入了一种替代模式，故B项正确。

2.细节理解题。根据第二段中的“In general, however, such writers display a poor grasp of what intuition is. Some see it as the opposite of rationality; others view it as an excuse for capriciousness”可知，这些作家对直觉是什么缺乏理解，误解了经理人做商业决策时的直觉，故C项正确。

3.细节理解题。根据第一段中的“…follow the classical rational (理性的) model of first clarifying goals, assessing the problem, formulating options, estimating likelihoods of success, making a decision, and only then taking action to carry out the decision”可知，制定明确的目标是理性的管理模式的做法，故A项正确。

4.推理判断题。根据第二段中的“Second, managers rely on intuition to perform well-learned behavior patterns rapidly. This intuition is not arbitrary or irrational, but is based on years of painstaking practice and hands-on experience that build skills.”可知，经理人依靠直觉快速地执行学习良好的行为模式，这种直觉是建立在多年的实际经验基础上的，由此可知，直觉能够让经理人更有效地运用他们的实际经验，故C项正确。