The Changing Environments of Organization Chapter 2

Which of the following is one of the central environmental forces for change faced by today's organizations? -Justice -Technology -Politics -Social media

Technology

_____ refers to the methods used to create products, including both physical goods and intangible services. -Technology -Manufacturing -Globalization -Service

Technology

Which of the following is a true statement about technology? -Technology spurred a major shift toward a manufacture-based economy. -Technology is a major driver of organizational change. -The rate of change in information technology is slowing. -Technology primarily affects the creation of tangible products.

Technology is a major driver of organizational change.

Judy loves to watch sports and strongly prefers to associate with people who also love to watch sports. Judy exhibits which type of barrier to inclusion? -The "like me" bias -Ethnocentrism -Perceived threat of loss -Prejudice

The "like me" bias

Which type of industry has been unaffected by major environmental changes over the last decade?' -There are no industries that have been unaffected. -Social media -Traditional retail -Heavy manufacturing

There are no industries that have been unaffected.

The development of the psychological contract involves what kind of factors? -Individual factors only -Organizational factors only -Both individual and organizational factors -Neither individual nor organizational factors

Both individual and organizational factors

______ is/are an inducement from the organization to the individual. -Competencies -Time -Benefits -Skills

Benefits

Albert is smart, good at basketball, and loves cheesy romance movies. These facts about Albert illustrate _____ diversity. -deep-level -surface-level -variety -disparity

deep-level

Kana and Abbey are twin sisters. Kana is their parents' favored child, receiving more love, attention, and permissions, as well as a bigger allowance. These differences between Kana and Abbey illustrate _____ diversity. -separation -surface-level -variety -disparity

disparity

Each of the following is a true statement about diversity EXCEPT: -combinations of traits can produce diversity. -diversity refers primarily to the differences among people. -the first diversity characteristics that come to mind are not necessarily the most important. -diversity is more than demographics.

diversity refers primarily to the differences among people.

In the United States, growth in the service sector is projected to ________ in the near future. -increase slightly, then decline sharply -increase -decrease -remain constant

increase

Nick lives by himself in a cabin in the woods. He sees himself as being "his own man" rather than as part of any organization or group. Nick exhibits high: -individualism. -assertiveness. -masculinity. -power distance.

individualism.

Each of the following is a true statement about outsourcing EXCEPT: -outsourcing makes good business for a large variety of activities. -it is generally unethical. -it is becoming an increasingly popular strategy. -it helps firms focus on their core activities without getting sidetracked by secondary concerns.

it is generally unethical.

Each of the following is a disadvantage conferred by advances in information technology EXCEPT: -less personal communication. -less collaboration among employees. -less down time. -increased urgency in communication.

less personal communication.

Frugal people are likely to have a: -short-term orientation. -long-term orientation. -low degree of uncertainty avoidance. -high degree of masculinity.

long-term orientation

Sam has a hard time holding down a job because he never listens to his bosses. He doesn't respect authority and always does things own way, until inevitably he breaks one rule too many and gets fired. Sam most likely has a: -high degree of individualism. -low degree of uncertainty avoidance. -high degree of masculinity. -low degree of power distance.

low degree of power distance.

The Lego Group creates plastic toys made out of interlocking bricks. This is an example of a(n) _____ organization. -diverse -information technology -service -manufacturing

manufacturing

Hank's main goals in life are to get promoted at all costs, make a lot of money, and fill his big house with expensive paintings and artwork. Hank exhibits high: -individualism. -uncertainty avoidance. -masculinity. -power distance.

masculinity.

Each of the following is an advantage conferred by advances in information technology EXCEPT: -improved management processes. -increased operational flexibility. -more personal communication. -more collaboration among employees.

more personal communication.

White people hold _____ percent of total seats on corporate boards of directors. -more than 80 -70 to 80 -less than 50 -50 to 70

more than 80

The terms of the psychological contract are: -organization citizenship behaviors. -dysfunctional behaviors. -not explicitly stated. -workplace behaviors.

not explicitly stated.

Each of the following is one of the central environmental forces for change faced by today's organizations EXCEPT: -new employment relationships. -globalization. -politics. -ethics and corporate governance.

politics.

A(n) _______ is a person's overall set of expectations regarding what he or she will contribute to the organization and what the organization will provide in return. -contribution -psychological contract -person-job fit -inducement

psychological contract

While visiting Israel on a work trip, Juan, who hails from Mexico, is shocked by the degree to which Israeli workers routinely circumvent their bosses' orders. Juan's surprise is most likely due to the fact that: -Israelis tend to be more individualistic than Mexicans. -Mexicans tend to be more individualistic than Israelis. -Mexicans generally have a higher power distance than Israelis. -Israelis generally have a higher power distance than Mexicans.

-Israelis tend to be more individualistic than Mexicans. -Mexicans generally have a higher power distance than Israelis.

When were baby boomers born? -1980-2000 -1964-1980 -1922-1943 -1943-1963

1943-1963

The service sector has been responsible for almost _____ percent of all new jobs created in the United States since 1990. -90 -75 -25 -50

90

Which of the following situations does not necessarily represent unethical behavior? -A dance studio hires only gay dancers because the studio owners believe that gay people are better at dancing than straight people. -A cleaning company executive doesn't hire Hispanic cleaners because he thinks Hispanic people are lazier and more likely to commit theft. -A bar owner receives ten applications for a bartending position, one of which is from a family friend, and hires that friend. -A manager at an accounting firm pays female accountants less money for the same work done by male accountants.

A bar owner receives ten applications for a bartending position, one of which is from a family friend, and hires that friend.

Evaluate the following exchange between Andy and Marisa: Andy: "It is a problem that so many members of the board of directors for Disney are close friends of senior Disney executives or owners of companies that do business with Disney." Marisa: "I see no problem. The members of a board of directors must be knowledgeable about the industry of the corporation they oversee, and it is hardly surprising that senior Disney executives would be friends or do business with people who are knowledgeable about the industry." -Andy is correct because a lack of independence on the board of directors might scare away shareholders and hurt the firm's bottom line. -Andy is correct because board members need to have sufficient independence to carry out their oversight function. -Marisa is correct because a board of directors cannot function effectively without intimate knowledge of the industry. -Marisa is correct because it is unethical to assume the worst about people.

Andy is correct because board members need to have sufficient independence to carry out their oversight function.

If employees perceive a direct threat to their career opportunities, how are they most likely to respond? -By helping recruit diverse candidates for new positions -By being very supportive of diversity initiatives -By feeling the need to protect their own prospects by impeding the prospects of others -By being very helpful to minority employees

By feeling the need to protect their own prospects by impeding the prospects of others

_____ refers to the oversight of a public corporation by its board of directors. -Social responsibility -Globalization -Corporate governance -Ethics

Corporate governance

_____________ is the ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures. -Cultural competence -Egalitarianism -Tolerance -Racial knowledge

Cultural competence

_____________ is a set of shared values that defines which actions are considered acceptable and which are not. -Worldview -Globalization -Tolerance -Culture

Culture

_____ refers to the variety of observable and unobservable similarities and differences among people. -Diversity -Demographics -Technology -Globalization

Diversity

What term refers to the belief that one's own language, native country, and cultural rules and norms are superior to all others? -Anthropocentrism -Ethnocentrism -Egocentrism -Polycentrism

Ethnocentrism

Agnes sits on the board of directors for a hospital. Which of the following situations constitutes a conflict of interest? -Florence, Agnes's niece, asks Agnes to write a recommendation letter for her application to medical school. -Floyd, Agnes's ex-husband, is also on the hospital's board of directors. -Clancy, Agnes's brother, breaks his arm and comes to the hospital for treatment. -Herman, Agnes's husband, runs a medical equipment firm that the hospital might purchase a new MRI machine from.

Herman, Agnes's husband, runs a medical equipment firm that the hospital might purchase a new MRI machine from.

Which of the following questions does not reflect one of the three main ways that ethical situations can be framed? -How do employees and the organization treat other economic agents? -How do employees treat the organization? -How do employees treat each other? -How does the organization treat its employees?

How do employees treat each other?

Ethics refers to which of the following? -The collection of unwritten expectations among an organization and its employees -Which behaviors in a given situation produce the greatest benefit for the greatest good -How people ought to act in different situations -Which behaviors are and are not permissible by law

How people ought to act in different situations

Which of the following is a true statement about diversity? -It is synonymous with demographics. -It is usually defined by a single attribute. -It includes differences that cannot be observed. -It consists entirely of gender, race, and age.

It includes differences that cannot be observed.

Ivonne has been a freelance web designer for over a decade. She has made high-quality websites for numerous prominent clients, many of whom are foreign. Ivonne is what kind of worker? -Contingent -Knowledge -Offshore -Outsourced

Knowledge

_____ workers add value in an organization simply because of what they know. -Contingent -Knowledge -Offshored -Outsourced

Knowledge

Which of the following is an advantage conferred to businesses by advances in information technology? -More personal communication -Less urgency in communication -Leaner organizations -Increased down time

Leaner organizations

Foreign competition in the 1970s led to the decline of which sector in the United States? -Service -Manufacturing -Financial -Management

Manufacturing

Which of the following is a disadvantage conferred on businesses by advances in information technology? -Less flexible work sites -More urgency in communication -Less collaboration among employees -Clunkier management processes

More urgency in communication

Ilana, an American computer programmer, is being replaced by a programmer in India. Her last assignment before being laid off is to teach the programmer replacing her how to do the job she's being laid off from. This scenario illustrates which of the following concepts? -Contingent workforce -Tiered workforce -Offshoring -Psychological contracts

Offshoring

Which of the following practices has been criticized for resulting in the loss of domestic jobs? -Hiring contingent workers -Hiring knowledge workers -Offshoring -Outsourcing

Offshoring

_____ is the practice of hiring other firms to do work previously performed by the organization itself. -Contingent working -Knowledge working -Offshoring -Outsourcing

Outsourcing

As voluntary efforts are made by companies to promote inclusion, members of groups who traditionally have been the predominant employees of a particular workforce or occupation may grow anxious or angry. This phenomenon demonstrates what barrier to inclusion? -The "like me" bias -Ethnocentrism -Perceived threat of loss -Prejudice

Perceived threat of loss

Which of the following is NOT one of the four most significant factors accounting for the growth of international trade? -Political upheaval -Improvements in communication and transportation -Cost -Competition

Political upheaval

__________ is the degree of inequality that exists and that is accepted among people with and without power. -Privilege difference -Span of control -Power distance -Strength differential

Power distance

Which of the following specifies what data a company will collect about its customers, how that data will be used, and how its customers can opt out of having their information collected and/or shared? -Benefits package -Psychological contract -Code of ethics -Privacy policy

Privacy policy

Which of the following is associated with an orientation toward the past and respect for traditions? -Short-term values -Long-term values -Uncertainty avoidance -Power distance

Short-term values

_____ refers to businesses working together for the common good and valuing human dignity. -Social responsibility -Globalization -Corporate governance -Ethics

Social responsibility

Nelly hires Jang as an accountant because Jang is Korean and Nelly thinks that all Asians are good at math. Nelly exhibits which kind of barrier to inclusion? -This example does not illustrate any barriers to inclusion. -Ethnocentrism -The "like me" bias -Stereotyping

Stereotyping

Evaluate the following statement: While organizations that behave ethically don't make as much money as do organizations that bend or break the rules, there are practical factors other than the bottom line that induce some organizations to behave ethically. -This statement is inaccurate because behaving ethically in many cases yields higher profits than behaving unethically would. -This statement is inaccurate because the only factors that induce ethical behavior are moral, not practical. -This statement is accurate because ethical behavior adds a cost to operating income without yielding any profits. -This statement is accurate except in cases where unethical organizations get caught and are forced to pay a fine or fold; in those cases, the organizations would have been better off behaving ethically.

This statement is inaccurate because behaving ethically in many cases yields higher profits than behaving unethically would.

Sarah, a part-time barista at the local coffee shop, is angry when she learns that Dina, a full-time barista who has the same responsibilities as Sarah and has been working at the shop just as long, makes an extra $2 an hour plus benefits. The coffee shop is using what kind of workforce? -Contingent -Tiered -Outsourced -Knowledge

Tiered

Burly Bill, founder and CEO of Burly Bill's Burlap, is committed to corporate sustainability. He communicates several socially responsible initiatives to his executives, and these initiatives eventually become ingrained in the culture of the company. This example illustrates what type of corporate sustainability? -Corporate governance -Grassroots -Bottom-up -Top-down

Top-down

_____________ is the degree of anxiety people feel in uncertain or unfamiliar situations. -Masculinity -Social anxiety disorder -Decision-making difficulty -Uncertainty avoidance

Uncertainty avoidance

One of the largest employment discrimination lawsuits was settled for more than $11.7 million against Walmart and Sam's Club. What was the main group that was discriminated against in this case? -Hispanics -Gay men -Blacks -Women

Women

Jordan struggles in his diverse workplace because he isn't willing to learn from people who are different from him and has a hard time coming to grips with the fact that people everywhere aren't the same. Jordan lacks: -short-term values. -long-term values. -culture. -a global perspective.

a global perspective.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a dramatic percent increase in the number of workers ____ during the next decade. -aged 65 and older -aged 55-64 -aged 16-24 -aged 25-54

aged 65 and older

The ethnic and cultural mix of the U.S. workforce is: -stagnant. -changing. -decreasing. -becoming more homogeneous.

changing.

Sarah works part-time as a barista. In this capacity, she is a(n) _____ worker. -contingent -tiered -outsourced -knowledge

contingent

Happy Jack's Chicken Shack serves organically raised chickens and does everything it can to minimize its impact on landfills and greenhouse gases. Happy Jack's exemplifies: -corporate sustainability. -globalization. -corporate governance. -ethics.

corporate sustainability.

Pierre runs a video game studio. It used to take Pierre's studio three years to conceive of a game, design it, and bring it to market, but now the same process is completed in two. This most directly reflects the fact that Pierre's studio has improved its -manufacturing capabilities. -technology leadership. -cycle time. -competitive advantage.

cycle time.

Oleg is a blacksmith specializing in the creation of swords and armor. His job is: -in the service sector. -in the manufacturing sector. -a source of competitive advantage. -dependent on the fulfillment of psychological contracts.

in the manufacturing sector.

Shoshana and Jessa take turns leading their group's Dungeons and Dragons game. Together they are in charge of designing the game world and determining the path of the story. However, Shoshana tends to go easy on the players and allow them to get away with a lot of things, whereas Jessa is strict and nearly kills the party every time it's her turn to run the game. These differences between Shoshana and Jessa illustrate _____ diversity. -separation -surface-level -variety -disparity

separation

Ty works as an illegal ghostwriter for college students, completing papers and other assignments for cash. Ty is considered to work in the _____ industry. -diversity -information technology -service -manufacturing

service

Danai is black and was born in Zimbabwe. These facts about Danai illustrate _____ diversity. -deep-level -surface-level -variety -disparity

surface-level

A(n) _____ workforce exists when one group of an organization's workforce has a contractual arrangement with the organization objectively different from that of another group performing the same jobs. -contingent -tiered -outsourced -knowledge

tiered

Understanding and addressing the environment of a business has traditionally been the purview of: -top management. -a clearly written policy manual. -the federal government. -affirmative action plans.

top management.

Each of the following is a true statement about corporate sustainability EXCEPT: -top-down corporate sustainability initiatives rarely work. -grassroots, bottom-up efforts initiated by employees can be effective. -socially responsible behavior is more profitable than unethical behavior. -to have lasting effects, social responsibility efforts should be integrated into the culture of the organization.

top-down corporate sustainability initiatives rarely work.

Kirsten works as an office manager in an acupuncture clinic. When given clear instructions on what to do, Kirsten does her job remarkably well. However, when she encounters a scenario that isn't covered by the instructions she was given, Kirsten experiences severe anxiety and cannot troubleshoot or make good judgment calls. Kirsten most likely has a high degree of: -individualism. -uncertainty avoidance. -masculinity. -power distance.

uncertainty avoidance.

A high degree of _____ may help a person to have a global perspective. -individualism -uncertainty tolerance -masculinity -power distance

uncertainty tolerance

Each of the following is a reason businesses should strive to be good citizens EXCEPT: -ethical behavior is more rational and more profitable than unethical behavior. -unethical companies nearly always go out of business. -doing so can help a firm attract the best talent. -customers are increasingly favoring companies that do the right thing.

unethical companies nearly always go out of business.

Alee and Kieron work as teaching assistants at a university. Whereas Alee has two years of experience and knows everything about the job, Kieron just started and still has a lot to learn. These differences between Alee and Kieron illustrate _____ diversity. -separation -surface-level -variety -disparity

variety