Read the following passage and answer the questions 1 to 5
Knowledge creation in many cases
requires creativity and idea generation. This is especially important in
generating alternative decision support solutions. Some people believe that an
individual’s creative ability stems primarily from personality traits such as
inventiveness, independence, individuality, enthusiasm, and flexibility. I
lowever, several studies have found that creativity is not so much a function
of individual traits as was once believed, and that individual creativity can
be learned and improved. This understanding has led innovative companies to
recognise that the key to fostering creativity may be the development of an
idea-nurturing work environment. Idea-generation methods and techniques, to be
used by individuals or in groups, are consequently being developed. Manual
methods for supporting idea generation, such as brainstorming in a group, can
be very successful in certain situations. However, in other situations, such an
approach is either not economically feasible or not possible. For example, manual
methods in group creativity sessions will not work or will not be effective
when (1) there is no time to conduct a proper idea-generation session; (2)
there is a poor facilitator (or no facilitator at all); (3) it is too expensive
to conduct an idea-generation session; (4) the subject matter is too sensitive
for a face-to-face session; or (5) there are not enough participants, the mix
of participants is not optimal, or there is no climate for idea generation. In
such cases, computerised idea-generation methods have been tried, with frequent
success.
Idea-generation software is
designed to help stimulate a single user or a group to produce new ideas,
options and choices. The user does all the work, but the software encourages
and pushes, something like a personal trainer. Although idea-generation
software is still relatively new, there are several packages on the market.
Various approaches are used by idea-generating software to increase the flow of
ideas to the user. Idea Fisher, for example, has an associate lexicon of the
English language that cross-references words and phrases. These associative
links, based on analogies and metaphors, make it easy for the user to be fed
words related to a given theme. Some software packages use questions to prompt
the user towards new, unexplored patterns of thought. This helps users to break
out of cyclical thinking patterns, conquer mental blocks, or deal with bouts of
procrastination.
1. The author, in this passage has focused on
(A) knowledge creation
(B) idea-generation
(C) creativity
(D) individual traits
2. Fostering creativity needs an environment of
(A) decision support systems
(B) idea-nurturing
(C) decision support solutions
(D) alternative individual factors
3. Manual methods for the support of idea-generation, in
certain occasions,
(A) are alternatively effective
(B) can be less expensive
(C) do not need a facilitator
(D) require a mix of optimal participants
4. Idea-generation software works as if it is a
(A) stimulant
(B) knowledge package
(C) user-friendly trainer
(D) climate creator
5. Mental blocks, bouts of procrastination and cyclical
thinking patterns can be won when:
(A) innovative companies employ electronic thinking methods
(B) idea-generation software prompts questions
(C) manual methods are removed
(D) individuals acquire a neutral attitude towards the
software
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