Management homework questions
Smithy's, the local coffee shop, is switching to an online pay system. What kind of organizational change are they facing? A. Changing technology B. Changing assets C. Changing people D. Changing strategy E. Changing structure
Changing technology
Which one of the following best describes a dynamic environment? A. The source of raw materials is located in a foreign country. B. Only one major change in production methods has been introduced in the last 20 years. C. Product demand varies little from year to year. D. Competitors move into and out of the industry frequently. E. Sales vary with the seasons.
Competitors move into and out of the industry frequently.
When customers buy an Entegra motorhome, they expect to be able to use their half-million dollar motorhomes without having to return for warranty work. Entegra is known as the industry leader in quality and sells more motorhomes in its class than any other producer. From this we can conclude that _____________. A. Entegra has figured out a way to justify its high prices B. quality is expensive C. Entegra has used quality to create a sustainable competitive advantage D. Entegra's strategy is to give customers the amenities they want E. Entegra's workforce is well trained
Entegra has used quality to create a sustainable competitive advantage
Banks want to be viewed as conservative, trustworthy, solid, and safe, and they expect their employees to convey that message to the customers. Which one of the following would be most effective in portraying the desired culture? A. Playing hip-hop or rap music over the sound system B. Decorating with bold, bright primary colors C. Displaying whimsical art on the walls of the bank's lobby D. Allowing employees to post their children's artwork in the lobby E. Expecting bank employees to dress and behave conservatively
Expecting bank employees to dress and behave conservatively
Which one of the following statements best reflects the classical view of social responsibility? A. A firm must consider the impact of its activities on the environment in addition to obeying all applicable laws. B. If a business chooses to contribute to charitable activities, it is not maximizing shareholder wealth. C. Although the cost is higher, we will purchase raw materials only from suppliers in countries that respect human rights. D. Our company lives in this community, so we believe we should contribute to its well-being in more than just financial ways. E. Our company has three equal goals: Meet our financial targets; protect the environment; and behave as a good corporate citizen.
If a business chooses to contribute to charitable activities, it is not maximizing shareholder wealth.
Which one of the following is the best example of a strategic plan? A. The mid-level manager sets goals for her department for the next six months. B. The vice-president of finance decides to replace the controller because profits are down. C. The first-line supervisor of the boat manufacturer assigns work orders to specific machines for the coming week. D. The group home manager begins to build a file on one of her employees to demonstrate poor performance with the intent of eventually terminating her employment. E. In the movie Moneyball, the team manager decided to use statistical data to analyze and place value on the players he picks for the team.
In the movie Moneyball, the team manager decided to use statistical data to analyze and place value on the players he picks for the team.
Google is known as a company that is constantly moving to the "edge" with new ways of leveraging technology in their operations and products. Which cultural dimension does this represent? A. Innovation and risk taking B. Aggressiveness C. Stability D. Attention to detail E. People orientation
Innovation and risk taking
Which one of the following indicates the presence of a problem? A. Revenues are higher than anticipated. B. Expenses exceeded the budget because of an unexpected one-time expense. C. Management projected a profit margin of 15% but earned only 12%. D. An increase in orders opens several production positions for which the firm has many applications already. E. A dock workers' strike delays the arrival of components, causing the firm to use parts from inventory.
Management projected a profit margin of 15% but earned only 12%.
Which of the following is not a reason that managers need to plan? A. Establishes a coordinated effort B. Lessens wasteful activities C. Minimizes timing D. Establishes goals E. Reduces uncertainty
Minimizes timing
During his orientation, Ned heard the story of how Disney's president laid sod at the resort hotel the night before Disney World opened. Through the retelling of this and other stories, ____________. A. the company illustrates its work standards to new employees B. Ned learned the corporate officers are just regular guys C. Ned understood the company's mission and vision D. Ned learned his job description does not limit his responsibilities E. Ned learned about the corporate culture
Ned learned about the corporate culture
Top managers of McDoogals decided to put their new restaurant on the campus of City University. This is the first new restaurant for McDoogals in 25 years. This is an example of what type of decision? A. Satisficing B. Rational C. Organizational D. Structured E. Nonprogrammed
Nonprogrammed
__________ is often called the primary management function. A. Organizing B. Leading C. Planning D. Motivating E. Controlling
Planning
It is only after ordering and picking up her new desk that Danielle realizes the desk is too big for her office. This is an example of a failure in which step? A. Step 4 B. Step 1 C. Step 7 D. Step 3 E. Step 5
Step 7
__________ is a company's ability to achieve its business goals and long-term shareholder value by integrating economic, environment, and social opportunities into its strategy. A. Subsidiary compliance B. Social responsibility C. Sustainability D. Greening E. Alignment
Sustainability
Which one of the following best exemplifies formal planning? A. A mid-level manager discusses with her subordinates how they will go about meeting organizational goals. B. The senior management team meets annually offsite to discuss the external and internal environments and to record goals and objectives for the firm for the next year. C. A first-line supervisor takes time on Sunday night to think about how he will deploy his employees during the coming week. D. A department head reads the strategic planning report then files it away. E. The head of marketing develops her goals without considering whether they are in sync with organization goals.
The senior management team meets annually offsite to discuss the external and internal environments and to record goals and objectives for the firm for the next year.
Which view of ethics focuses most on ethical decisions being made to enforce rules fairly and impartially? A. Theory of justice view of ethics B. Rights view of ethics C. Sustainability view of ethics D. Corporate social responsibility E. Utilitarian view of ethics
Theory of justice view of ethics
Using less expensive labor or materials from a foreign country provides __________. A. an incentive for American unions to renegotiate contracts with American employers B. access to international markets for the firm's products C. a competitive advantage D. a tax shelter for excess profits E. a means for the firm to avoid disruptions in its supply chain
a competitive advantage
A problem is present when ____________. A. revenues exceed the budget B. revenues exceed projections C. several open positions suddenly occur in an organization D. a discrepancy exists between an existing and a desired state of affairs E. employees leave the organization
a discrepancy exists between an existing and a desired state of affairs
A key characteristic of all organizations is that they have __________. A. a mission statement and a vision statement B. customers C. a purpose D. an advisory board E. stockholders
a purpose
A few decades ago, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) pressured Avon to cease its use of lab animals to test its cosmetics although at the time there were no laws prohibiting this practice. When Avon did stop using lab animals, we can say it ______________. A. violated its covenant with its shareholders to maximize shareholder wealth B. expected an increase in profits from the publicity C. acted with social responsiveness D. met its social obligation E. failed in its fiduciary responsibility
acted with social responsiveness
Jan does not intend to become a manager. It is still a good idea for her to study management because ___________. A. without studying management, Jan will never understand why some businesses prosper and others fail B. she may one day decide to launch her own business C. understanding how organizations are managed will help Jan find the best-fit employer D. as an employee she will still most likely report to a manager E. Jan may someday want to find a mentor and studying management will teach her what to look for
as an employee she will still most likely report to a manager
Reliable Construction prides itself on making sure every measurement is exact, and all surfaces are plumb and level. The homeowners are encouraged to look for flaws for the crew to fix. This organization rates high in _____________. A. stability B. aggressiveness C. people orientation D. attention to detail E. outcome orientation
attention to detail
It is well known that Disney sets the standard for moving people through wait lines. After customers complained about trying to pick the fastest checkout line—and often failing—the owner of a supermarket visited a Disney theme park to see how they managed their extremely long lines of people. The owner was _____________ to find a method that would lead to an advantage over his competitors. A. controlling B. strategizing C. benchmarking D. leading E. negotiating
benchmarking
After working for three days on a client presentation, Michael determined that it was good enough for his clients. This is an example of ____________ decision making. A. programmed B. rational C. bounded rationality D. timely E. reasonable
bounded rationality
After performing a SWOT analysis, managers should develop a strategy that _____________. A. anticipates competitors' moves B. capitalizes on the organization's capabilities and competencies, and protects the organization from external threats C. opens new markets for the company's products or services D. evaluate past strategies to see if they can be reused E. builds on past successes
capitalizes on the organization's capabilities and competencies, and protects the organization from external threats
Two significant factors that are reshaping management are ______________. A. changes in the workplace and changes in the workforce B. changing demands by stockholders and the failure of unions C. changes in consumer preferences and changes in consumer laws D. globalization and the increasing political instability in foreign countries E. social media and the shift to a regional economy
changes in the workplace and changes in the workforce
Phil, a quality assurance expert, recently left his position in the automotive industry and now works in construction equipment manufacturing. He needs to become familiar with who his company's competitors are, their competitive advantages, their locations, their product lines, and anything else he can learn about them. Phil is seeking ____________. A. core competency B. corporate espionage C. competitive intelligence D. trade secrets E. a means-end chain
competitive intelligence
George, CEO of Lotus, Inc., is meeting with his senior management team to decide where Lotus will be five years from now. They are discussing what industries they should enter and leave and where the company should be positioned in its markets. They are also discussing how the many divisions of Lotus will fit into their future. George and his team are using their __________ skills. A. interpersonal B. technical C. political D. conceptual E. entrepreneurial
conceptual
Flora is comparing the monthly budget to actual revenues and expenses. Flora is engaged in the ____________ function. A. planning B. organizing C. controlling D. coordinating E. directing
controlling
Environmental uncertainty is determined by a combination of ___________ and ________________. A. complexity; simplicity B. simplicity; stability C. complexity; stability D. degree of stability; complexity E. degree of change; complexity
degree of change; complexity
In a dynamic environment, managers should _________________. A. develop plans that allow for adjustments to changes in the external environment B. perform a SWOT analysis every few years C. closely adhere to specific plans that are clearly defined and leave no room for interpretation D. delegate all planning to the lowest level in the organization E. outsource the planning function
develop plans that allow for adjustments to changes in the external environment
Each of the dozens of hamburger franchises focus on some feature of its sandwich to persuade customers to prefer its brand to all others. These restaurants are pursuing a(n) ___________ strategy. A. cost leadership B. focus C. innovation D. quality E. differentiation
differentiation
Each of the dozens of hamburger franchises focus on some feature of its sandwich to persuade customers to prefer its brand to all others. These restaurants are pursuing a(n) ___________ strategy. A. innovation B. differentiation C. focus D. cost leadership E. quality
differentiation
Organizations that engage in formal planning will generally ___________. A. be less tolerant of innovative ideas B. rely on past successes, which can lead to failure C. earn higher profits and enjoy other positive financial results D. be slower to respond to changes in the external environment E. have lower absenteeism but higher turnover as employees are expected to perform to higher standards
earn higher profits and enjoy other positive financial results
Interest rates for personal loans and homes have been increasing, making it more difficult for consumers to borrow money for large purchases. This has also affected the revenues of manufacturers of household appliances, furniture, and furnaces. Interest rates are a factor in the _____________ component of the external environment. A. political/legal B. sociocultural C. technological D. economic E. demographic
economic
__________ means doing a task correctly. A. Efficiency B. Effectiveness C. Creativity D. Management E. Process-focus
efficiency
Because of recent increases in the popularity of its products, employees at ABC Corp. have been working longer hours and many Saturdays. Despite the larger paychecks, employees are becoming testy and less cooperative. This is typical of a change in __________ that might prompt organizational change. A. structure B. labor markets C. marketplace D. employee attitudes E. technology
employee attitudes
Ned tries to keep himself informed about customer preferences and competitor activities. He monitors trade journals, economic bulletins, and relevant websites. Ned is engaging in _____________. A. strategizing B. goal setting C. performing a SWOT analysis D. planning E. environmental scanning
environmental scanning
A manager's ________ depends on their own morality, values, personality, and experiences. A. theory of justice B. success C. rights view D. ethical behavior E. utilitarian view
ethical behavior
McElroy has decided to purchase items at estate auctions near his home in the U.S. and sell them on eBay to buyers in Australia, Israel, and other countries around the world. McElroy is engaged in _______. A. offshoring B. outsourcing C. nearshoring D. exporting E. licensing
exporting
The term ___________ refers to factors, forces, situations, and events outside the organization that affect its performance. A. economics B. culture C. globalization D. external environment E. regulatory environment
external environment
Ross does enjoy managing the lunch shift at Chez le'Steak. It is a fine dining establishment that Ross is very proud of. Ross manages the lunch staff on an every day basis. Which type of manager best describes Ross's position? A. Team leaders B. First-line manager C. Supervisor D. Middle manager E. Top manager
first-line manager
When Allied Furniture of Tulsa, OK, built three plants in Northeast Asia to manufacture seat cushions, they were using what common practice? A. Foreign subsidiary B. Strategic alliance C. Global sourcing D. Licensing E. Joint venture
foreign subsidiary
One purpose of a formal plan is to _____________. A. satisfy shareholders B. meet the requirements of the SEC C. provide job security for upper management D. counter actions taken by competitors E. get the organization from where it is to where it wants to be
get the organization from where it is to where it wants to be
The least risky method in going global is ____________. A. forming a strategic alliance B. exporting C. global sourcing D. licensing E. importing
global sourcing
When Montgomery Regional Hospital uses a radiologist in Egypt to read CAT scans, they are using what common practice? A. Subsidiary B. Importing C. Global sourcing D. Licensing E. Joint venture
global sourcing
Tyler, the supervisor, appointed himself leader of a problem-solving team. Early in the process, he made his opinion known and criticized the few ideas that came from the team members. It became clear he would entertain no other suggestions, so the members gave up and voted in his favor. What happened here is known as ______________. A. laissez-faire management B. groupshift C. democratic management D. groupthink E. relationship management
groupthink
The purpose of goals is to _______________. A. comply with federal regulations B. motivate potential customers C. satisfy the directors elected by the stockholders D. guide management decisions and establish performance criteria E. satisfy shareholders
guide management decisions and establish performance criteria
American heroes tend to be loners, like John Wayne characters or Superman, because America is ___________. A. high in uncertainty avoidance B. high in power distance C. focused in the short-term D. high in collectivism E. high in individualism
high in individualism
Lapis has been raised in a country where the society encourages and rewards people for being fair and altruistic. This county is likely to be high in the GLOBE dimension of: __________. A. uncertainty avoidance B. in-group collectivism C. assertiveness D. humane orientation E. performance orientation
humane orientation
All good strategic management processes start with __________. A. doing an internal analysis B. evaluating ideas C. measuring capabilities D. doing an external analysis E. identifying the mission, goals, and strategies
identifying the mission, goals, and strategies
One significant difference between traditional goal setting and management by objectives (MBO) is __________. A. in the MBO process, goals are set jointly with the person responsible for achieving it B. the MBO goals reduce productivity C. traditional goal setting is more effective D. traditional goal setting is more motivational in nature E. MBO is no longer relevant to today's workforce
in the MBO process, goals are set jointly with the person responsible for achieving it
One significant difference between traditional goal setting and management by objectives (MBO) is __________. A. traditional goal setting is more effective B. traditional goal setting is more motivational in nature C. in the MBO process, goals are set jointly with the person responsible for achieving it D. MBO is no longer relevant to today's workforce E. the MBO goals reduce productivity
in the MBO process, goals are set jointly with the person responsible for achieving it
Master Motors has experienced a scrap rate higher than the industry average. This problem is an example of ______________. A. ineffableness B. inefficiency C. inefficacy D. ineptitude E. ineffectiveness
inefficiency
Culture can be described as all of the following except ________. A. descriptive B. shared C. influenced by competitors D. an organization's personality E. perceived
influenced by competitors
As a new manager at Colonial Bread, Vince was appalled that the methods currently in use are those put in place by the founder more than half a century ago. Gently Vince suggested to the current CEO, son of the founder, that ______________ was needed to meet the competition and win back customers. A. computers B. a website C. reorganization D. newer equipment E. innovation
innovation
Sam Walton was equally comfortable speaking to the least educated of his customers and his board of directors. All who met him believed he was their new best friend. Sam understood the importance of ____________ skills. A. technical B. conceptual C. political D. entrepreneurial E. interpersonal
interpersonal
One major flaw with rational decision making is______________. A. human beings are emotional creatures, not rational ones B. the process fails to consider the opinions of those tasked with implementing the decision C. multiple alternatives can provide the same outcome D. it assumes all possible alternatives and consequences are known E. too many people have to be involved in the decision
it assumes all possible alternatives and consequences are known
Groups are generally less efficient than an individual when making decisions because ___________. A. it takes more time for a group to allow members to contribute their ideas and opinions B. individuals can generate more ideas more quickly than a group C. individual decisions are frequently more accurate than group decisions D. the emphasis in a group is on conformity not efficiency E. group decisions are more readily accepted than individual decisions
it takes more time for a group to allow members to contribute their ideas and opinions
Before the landmark civil rights laws in the 1960s, it was illegal for individuals of one race to drink from the same water fountain as those of another race, so businesses provided two water fountains in their stores and factories, clearly labelled to indicate who could drink from each. This practice was __________. A. illegal but ethical B. legal but unethical C. legal and ethical D. illegal and unethical E. required by federal law
legal but unethical
If a country's culture emphasized relationships (whom you know) rather than accomplishments (what you have done), we would say this culture had a _____________. A. low uncertainty avoidance B. low performance orientation C. high humane orientation D. high future orientation E. collectivistic orientation
low performance orientation
In the United States, it is not uncommon for an hourly worker to approach the CEO to begin a conversation. This happens because, according to Geert Hofstede, the American culture displays ____________. A. low power distance B. a short-term focus C. low individualism D. high power distance E. high collectivism
low power distance
A code of ethics will be more effective if _____________. A. rule breakers are dealt with privately B. it is brief C. management's actions are hidden from view D. the code is vague and open to interpretation E. management sets the example and deals with unethical behavior promptly and publicly
management sets the example and deals with unethical behavior promptly and publicly
________ are the people who direct the activities of others in an organization. A. Line workers B. Managers C. Subordinates D. Officers E. Directors
managers
Bailey, a manager of a national discount-chain store, reports to Carmen, the district manager. Both Bailey and Carmen are _____________. A. middle managers B. first-line managers C. top managers D. team leaders E. scientific managers
middle managers
A(n) __________ is a deliberate arrangement of people brought together to accomplish some specific purpose. A. organization B. workgroup C. ad hoc committee D. department E. team
organization
When managers see things only through their own perspective, their focus is called __________. A. power distance B. parochialism C. collectivism D. uncertainty avoidance E. assertiveness
parochialism
Edie has received a rush order and is in the process of deciding how to re-arrange existing orders to squeeze this one in. Edie is engaged in ____________. A. directing B. organizing C. controlling D. coordinating E. planning
planning
Henri Fayol identified five functions all managers perform. These were ______________. A. planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating, and controlling B. planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and controlling C. organizing, leading, coordinating, monitoring, and correcting D. organizing, directing, coordinating, evaluating, and controlling E. planning, organizing, directing, evaluating, and controlling
planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating and controlling
What dimension of national culture measures the degree to which people believe that authority is not distributed equally? A. uncertainty avoidance B. collectivism C. long-term orientation D. power distance E. individualism
power distance
Maria is a very logical person and is facing what she feels is a very important decision. For that reason, Maria will be following the model of __________ decision making. A. timely B. bounded C. rational D. organizational E. satisficing
rational
If Carl wants his organization to become more efficient, he should focus on _________________. A. reducing production costs B. meeting customers' rigorous demands C. increasing lead times D. increasing idea generation E. improving quality
reducing production costs
Quentin and his team are generating a report that includes a list of the plant and equipment owned by the firm, the balances in its financial accounts, a skills matrix of its employees, and an analysis of news articles written about the firm in the last year. Quentin's team is analyzing the firm's __________. A. external environment B. resources C. sociocultural and technological environments D. capabilities E. economic environment
resources
Marla is shopping for a copier. The current one has died and the copy jobs are piling up. Rather than spend weeks meeting with sales people and watching demonstrations to find the ideal solution, Marla chose the first one that met her use requirements and budget. Marla has _____________. A. made a poor decision B. used the eight-step process C. made a fully rational decision D. satisficed E. maximized
satisficed
TOMS Shoes' practice of giving a pair of shoes to children in need for every pair of shoes that is purchased is which of the following business practices? A. Social working B. Social decision C. Social responsiveness D. Social responsibility E. Social strategy
social responsibility
The external environment is said to be ________ when there are few new competitors, little activity from outside groups, and minimal technological breakthroughs. A. opportunistic B. manageable C. dynamic D. rational E. stable
stable
The part of the SWOT analysis that examines the activities an organization does well is __________. A. threats B. weaknesses C. opportunities D. structure E. strengths
strengths
At KLM Company, the employees know the mission and vision of the company and agree to work toward that vision. They can recite the values of the organization and abide by those values in their work practices. We could say the culture at KLM is ______________. A. strong B. democratic C. overbearing D. moderate E. weak
strong
When employees focus their behavior on the key values of the organization, the organization is said to have a ________ culture. A. omnipotent B. well absorbed C. dynamic D. strong E. behaviorally-driven
strong
Maryann is creating the employee work schedule for three weeks from now. Two of her employees have requested vacation for the same time period, a common situation that happens nearly every week during the summer. Maryann is facing a(n) ________________ problem. A. programmed B. unstructured C. unprogrammed D. structured E. procedural
structured
Business decisions based on communicating openly with various stakeholders to understand their requirements, and factoring economic, environmental, and social aspects into how they pursue their goals, is more likely to achieve __________. A. sustainability B. financial success C. market share D. employee satisfaction E. management engagement
sustainability
Coca-Cola searches worldwide for its top executives. In this way Coca-Cola engages in _______. A. marketplace globalization B. talent globalization C. product globalization D. outsourcing E. financial globalization
talent globalization
Groups become less effective as decision makers when ___________. A. more ideas are presented for consideration B. the group has more than five members C. there is broad diversity of the team members D. the group is dominated by a single person E. the eight-step process is followed
the group is dominated by a single person
A recession is ending, sales are increasing, and production quotas are trending up. Still, Forest Hill Mfg. is slow to expand its workforce. Management is afraid the good times won't last. This is an example of ____________. A. the impact of environmental economics B. the impact of the external environment on jobs and employment C. managerial caution D. the impact of stakeholder relationships E. workforce demographics
the impact of the external environment on jobs and employment
One impact of changes in the external environment is that _______________. A. the loss of jobs in some sectors may mean managers may not have enough people with the right skills to do the organization's work B. a recession in one country will have a minimal effect on the economies of other countries C. managers don't have to worry about finding workers following a recession D. any change in an external environmental element is sure to have a devastating effect on the decisions managers make E. monitoring changes in the external environment increases uncertainty
the loss of jobs in some sectors may mean managers may not have enough people with the right skills to do the organization's work
One of the best reasons for allowing groups to make decisions is ______________. A. there is less pressure to conform in a group B. responsibility for the decision can be clearly assigned C. the people who are affected by the decision are often the best qualified to make decisions that affect them D. decisions can be made faster E. group decisions are consistent with an authoritarian environment
the people who are affected by the decision are often the best qualified to make decisions that affect them
A common problem that plagues organizational plans is _____________. A. everyone wants to use it B. the plan is used to limit the number of employees C. the plan is used to make decisions regarding purchases D. they are never finished E. the plan becomes the desired end of a protracted process rather than a useful tool for creating organization success
the plan becomes the desired end of a protracted process rather than a useful tool for creating organization success
As the manager of a large accounting department with 22 employees, Jasmin is often faced with ethical decisions. Her decisions are guided by her commitment to respecting the privileges of her employees - especially their privacy. Which perspective of managerial ethics is Jasmin using? A. the theory of justice view of ethics B. the rights view of ethics C. social responsibility D. the code of ethics E. the utilitarian view of ethics
the rights view of ethics
Environmental ________ refers to the degree of change and complexity in the organization's environment. A. challenge B. dynamics C. risk D. pace E. uncertainty
uncertainty
Lori is facing a new dilemma. She must decide whether Joanne or Dawn will be able to move into the vacant office. This kind of thing doesn't happen often around here. Lori is facing what kind of problem? A. organizational B. satisficing C. unstructured D. programmed E. rational
unstructured
The Affordable Care Act allowed states to establish a health insurance marketplace so people without insurance could purchase it. State officials had never faced a situation like this before. This was a(n) __________. A. programmed problem B. regulated problem C. structured problem D. unprogrammed problem E. unstructured problem
unstructured problem
The _______ view of ethics is demonstrated by the phrase, "the ends justify the means." A. justice B. ethical C. utilitarian D. reasonable E. rights
utilitarian
Social responsibility ________________. A. views a business as a moral agent B. requires a business to maximize shareholder wealth C. ignores shareholder wealth in favor of the greater good for society D. implies that a business has an obligation to function in ways that improve the environment E. allows a business to bend the law in pursuit of profits
views a business as a moral agent
One rationale for studying management is _______________. A. students of business are likely to become managers soon after graduation B. we don't have enough time to learn by trial and error C. we can all benefit from improving the way organizations are managed D. being a manager makes life less stressful E. management is a complex and nearly incomprehensible subject
we can all benefit from improving the way organizations are managed
Today management emphasizes quantity. Then a customer calls with a serious complaint, and tomorrow management changes its emphasis to quality. This company has a(n) __________ culture. A. ineffective B. efficient C. weak D. conflicted E. strong
weak
Which of the following statements best explains why customers are important to managers? A. Without customers, most organizations would cease to exist. B. Only customers generate ideas for product improvements. C. Employee attitudes play no role in customer satisfaction. D. Employees must be willing to do what's necessary to please the customer. E. Focusing on customers is the responsibility of marketers.
without customers, most organizations would cease to exist
During times of uncertainty and constant change, a _____________ plan is better than a __________ one. A. directional; specific B. short-term; long-term C. tactical; operational D. contingency; formal E. single-use; standing
directional; specific
At UPS, business was strong but profits were down, leading managers to look for ways to increase profits from existing operating income. At this point, the managers of UPS are at the __________ step in the decision-making process, which is ____________. A. third; developing alternatives B. first; identifying the problem C. fifth; selecting an alternative D. second; identifying decision criteria E. fourth; analyzing alternatives
first; identifying the problem
Congress is considering an increase in the minimum wage. Malinda operates an independent restaurant and is afraid this proposed increase will cause her business to become unprofitable. Malinda's concern falls into the ______________ component of the external environment. A. socio/cultural B. global C. technological D. political/legal E. demographic
political/legal
Lawrence is considering a move of his light industrial firm to a site outside of town that is zoned for agricultural use. Before he can begin to build, the site will have to be rezoned. Lawrence is dealing with a factor in the ______________ component of the external environment. A. economic B. global C. political/legal D. sociocultural E. technological
political/legal