American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) Practice Test

Which of the following is a disadvantage of the empirical-rational strategy?

1. Inability to communicate effectively

2. Manipulation of team relationships

3. Incentives must be substantial

4. Creation of employee unrest

The correct answer is: Incentives must be substantial

The correct answer highlights a key issue associated with the empirical-rational strategy, which relies heavily on incentives to motivate individuals to change their behaviors or adopt new processes. The empirical-rational approach assumes that people are primarily rational beings who will make decisions based on the information and incentives presented to them. Therefore, for this strategy to be effective, the incentives offered must not only be substantial but also appealing enough to drive meaningful change. If the incentives are insufficient, it fails to elicit the desired response, leading to a lack of engagement or participation from employees. This reliance on substantial incentives can also create an environment where outcomes are heavily tied to rewards rather than genuine motivation or commitment to organizational objectives. In contrast, the other options touch on different aspects that do not encapsulate the primary disadvantage of this strategy. For example, while communication issues can affect any strategy, they are not inherently tied to the empirical-rational approach. Similarly, manipulation of team relationships is more about interpersonal dynamics rather than the fundamental flaws of the strategy itself. Creation of employee unrest can occur in many different contexts and does not specifically stem from the reliance on empirical-rational methods alone. Thus, the emphasis on needing substantial incentives to motivate change is indeed a major drawback of this strategy.