MGT 420 Topic 1 Adaptive Practice

Luciana spent a great deal of time interviewing and checking references for her most recent hire. She was assured in her decision, defending him when others had their doubts. Recently, a fellow employee approached Luciana with evidence of the new hire's thieving ways. Admitting her mistake, Luciana fired the new employee. Which of the following attributes of critical thinking is BEST exemplified in Luciana's situation?

Intellectual humility

Which is NOT an attribute of critical thinking? Select all that apply.

Intellectual independence Selective perception Confirmation bias

Jaquez is a unit supervisor of F.S. Inc., a commercial coffee service provider. He does not like Matilda, the department head of logistics, who, because she is small and frail looking, he assumes is incompetent. When she arrives late one day, Jaquez reports her to J.W. who is president of F.S. Inc., and explains that her lateness is proof she is not doing her job well. However, Matilda had already received approval by J.W. to take a half day for personal reasons. Jaquez's behavior is MOST likely an example of

confirmation bias

Karen has dedicated the upcoming week to making sure that things happen according to plan and taking corrective action as necessary. Which function of management is Karen focused on?

controlling

Once each week, mid-level managers from different functional areas at your company meet. Though they work on different tasks day-to-day, they share information, discuss new initiatives and help each other solve problems at these gatherings. These meetings are an attempt to ensure which duty of management is being executed?

coordination

Tracy and Jammu both apply for a manager's position that requires the candidate to provide ongoing creative solutions for team and product issues. Tracy excels at problem- solving. Jammu excels at motivating others. Tracy gets the job over Jammu because she excels at

critical thinking

Devon, a Human Resources Supervisor, is leading a Rewards and Recognition Initiative for his company. His idea is to allow every employee a certain number of points per month, which they will use to reward fellow employees as appropriate. Points are then converted to rewards. During his presentation, Devon says that he remembers reading about this idea years ago and always believed it had merit. Which of the following terms BEST describes how Devon "knows" his idea will work?

intuition

Human skill is distinct from conceptual and technical skills because human skill

is consistently important across all levels of managerial responsibility.

Organizational behavior scholars employ a systematic approach to defining important problems with clarity and precision, and then apply

isolated explanations for why people do what they do.

Theory building will be based on incomplete information if the theorist

lacks initial experience and reflection

A direct line authority for conducting the major business of the organization is known as

line units

Needs such as security, protection, and stability are examples of Choose your answer here lower-order needs.

lower order

The MOST common types of structure are

mechanistic, organic, and matrix.

You are a shareholder of a public company. Recently, you discovered the company has made some questionable management decisions and their financial reporting is poor. What would you demand at the next shareholders' meeting?

more active oversight by the board of directors

Functional areas within Acme Company are not communicating and do not seem to be coordinating their efforts. Executives and managers likely do not realize the importance of

networking

As a part of Will's job at a foundation, he is expected to build a broad portfolio of social capital. Which strategy would best serve Will in this goal?

networking with customers, suppliers, and community representatives

Developing sound job skills and expanding potential for career success is something that studying ________ can do.

organizational behavior

Which of the following has the unique trait of integrating diverse insights of other disciplines and applying them to real-world organizational problems?

organizational behavior

Arranging tasks, people, and other resources to accomplish work is a key part of what management process?

organizing

Brian is managing a project initiative. He has already created a set of performance objectives for the initiative. What should Brian focus on next?

organizing

A company that seeks to enhance innovation by clustering manufacturing operations near research and development facilities should consider doing what?

reshoring jobs

As a governor, you are concerned about the vitality of your state's economy. The cost of living in your area is low, and you have recently observed increases in global labor costs. You can propose to local executives that they should consider

reshoring jobs

The statement, "It can be very efficient, but often at the expense of flexibility," is an accurate evaluation of which management approach?

scientific management

In preparation for a planned expansion, a manager moves a randomly selected group of workers to a different building, which has essentially the same features as the original building. Surprisingly, the workers who were moved begin producing at a higher rate than the workers who stayed in the old building. This is an example of

the Hawthorne effect.

Profit margins for manufacturing companies have become smaller as competition has increased. At the same time, customer demands and expectations have also increased. What concept would you propose in this type of environment?

total quality management

Teresa manages a small team at Premier Manufacturing, Inc. Teresa and her team focus on a variety of areas, including product quality and interfacing with customers to determine and meet their needs. What is the focus of Teresa's team?

total quality management

James is an entrepreneur who organizes personnel, financial capital, and information. According to the systems approach, what is James most likely planning?

transformation

Who may benefit from learning about organizational behavior?

An unemployed worker looking to re-enter the job market

What is a similarity between organizational strategy and rewards?

Both help explain how organizational context shapes behavior.

Ekua wants to be a top manager at her company by the time she is 35. Which of these positions will fulfill that goal?

CEO, VP, CIO

What does it mean to think critically about human behavior?

Critical thinkers recognize that statements of common knowledge are not true for all people in all situations.

What is a manager who holds Theory X assumptions likely to think about providing direction to employees?

Employees must be given a lot of direction in order to get them to do their work properly.

What differentiates espoused values from enacted values?

Espoused values represent those preferred by an organization.

Which of the following best defines the planning process?

Establishing performance goals and deciding how to reach them.

A recent employee survey at an international conglomerate found that staff do not feel engaged because they do not understand the company's overall direction and their role in helping to achieve performance objectives. What would you propose?

Executives should establish a clear sense of purpose for the company.

Erica strongly believes in organizational principles of empowerment, flexibility, and self-management. Which early contributor to management thinking would Erica likely agree with?

Follett

Gary is major stockholder of RedCard, Inc. —a publicly traded paper manufacturing firm. Gary believes in the long-term prospects of the organization but is worried that an ambitious CEO might ruin the company with an ethical failure or illegal act. Propose the best action for Gary to take.

Gary should exercise his vote in the election of the board of director's.

Which skills are more valued in a collaboration economy than in a non-collaboration economy?

In a collaborative economy, employees work together to serve customers and share ideas and information; this shows that communication and teamwork are valued. In a non-collaborative economy, communication frequently breaks down.

Which of the following correctly defines organizational context?

It is the characteristics of a job, organization, or work situation that affect the way people in that situation act and interact.

Which of the following BEST describes the observable culture?

It is the way things are done in the organization.

Jade and Marva work together on saving an endangered species of fish with a nonprofit organization called the World Aquarium Project. Together, they have raised thousands of dollars from donors. They have been successful in their endeavors mainly because the organization encourage thinking outside the box and the idea that there is no "one size fits all" approach to fundraising. Ivan and Kamala co-head the fundraising and development team for an organization that promotes STEM programs for girls and young women named Academic Accents. They mainly have bake sales and car wash events for fundraising and have been told by leadership in the organization that this is the way they've always done things and will continue to do things, since it's worked in the past. Ivan and Kamala aren't necessarily happy with success of these fundraising events and wish leadership was open to new ideas, but continue to hit road block after road block as they attempt to navigate through the highly structured organization of the group. Between these two scenarios, which is MOST indicative of a company that has a mechanistic structure?

Ivan and Kamala hitting road block after road block attempting to enact change within their organization

Which of the following is an example of a blind spot?

Jan is obviously defensive, but she does not know it.

Explain how a manager might reconcile total quality management with evidence-based management.

Managers should utilize documented evidence to guide improvements.

In your assessment, which of the following describes the primary operation of the Maslow hierarchy?

Needs must be fulfilled in a step by step progression, with lower-order needs satisfied before higher-order needs.

What is generally the line of thinking regarding employers building fun into daily work routines?

Occasional nonwork activities or fun generally help to keep a positive vibe in the organization which in turn helps to keep employees happier.

What is organizational culture?

Organizational culture is the shared actions, values, and beliefs in an organization.

Ramon is a senior executive at a company that is struggling financially. Ramon and the board of directors operate according to the long-standing idea that enlightening employees on things that have gone wrong always destroys company morale. Which cultural sign is BEST exemplified in this scenario?

Organizational myth

The structure of an organization is a vital element in organization survival and success. With respect to structure, which of the following is a trend in modern organizations?

Shared leadership, flexible structures, and participatory work settings that engage human and social capital

Jorge works for a large, highly efficient automobile manufacturer where all work is standardized and all employee requirements are rigidly detailed. Which of the following MOST likely describes the company's organizational and decision-making structure?

Tall, centralized, and mechanistic

Which statement best characterizes the relationship between the classical management and human resource approaches to management.

The classical management and human resource approaches can be complementary to one another if the structure of the classical management approach can be used as a foundation for building a positive and motivating relationship with employees using the human resources approach.

What is the difference between the highest level of the organization where the CEO and senior management team are and the lower levels where staff manages day to day functions?

The difference is the CEO and senior management team are focused on how the organization is positioned in the external environment, while the staff focus on the internal environment of the organization.

Company POD wants to rectify a morale problem with its employees. Which of the following examples best illustrates how the organization can utilize contingency thinking to begin to fix the problem?

The organization takes a close examination of its procedures and policies, asks for employees' honest feedback, and experiments with new practices based uniquely on the organization's needs.

Which of the following explains enacted values?

The values and norms that are practiced

What would a scientific management expert say about the way to do a job?

There is one "right" way to do the job.

Modern organizations tend to employ people from various generations. Newer generations desire balanced work and non-work responsibilities more so than previous generations. Which other characteristic of new generations is frequently observed?

They are less tolerant of hierarchical structures, they want the latest technology, and they do not value status as much as previous generations.

Which is a similarity between shared values and core values?

They can be discovered only through experience with an organization's culture.

When workers are able to change jobs more often and work on independent contracts with a shifting mix of employers, the U.S. will have

a free agent economy

Who do you think best grasps organizational behavior?

a person who describes himself as a relationship builder

Why is Prasad responsible for the performance of his work team members?

accountability flows upward

At a typical non-profit organization, the ________ oversees the work of the president.

board of trustees

Which of the following is an example of evidence-based management?

case studies from ongoing research

The process of ________ consists of measuring performance and taking action to ensure desired results.

controlling

Inputs measure ________, while ________ is measured by outputs.

efficiency; effectiveness

A more formulaic and prescriptive approach to decision-making uses

evidence based management

With technology that allows us to work from anywhere amid global opportunities, there are____more guarantees of long-term employment.

fewer

Top executives in a company that relies heavily on Fayol's administrative principles are planning a meeting where they will hash out issues of organization. What are they likely to discuss at the meeting?

getting the right resources to carry out a plan of action

Engaging members of an organization is one method of focusing on

human capital

Gina spends time examining the characteristics of information contained in a large database within her organization. What is the most likely outcome of Gina's analysis?

informed decision

Even though John doesn't particularly care to spend time ________, he understands the importance of interacting both with his peers and other managers throughout the company.

networking

A collection of people working together to achieve a common purpose is a(n)

organization

As the CEO of a large company, you are attracted to the idea of global sourcing because it offers lower costs. What ethical issues will you consider when deciding whether to pursue global sourcing? Select all that apply.

pollution due to increased transportation conditions for low wage workers

Contingency thinking requires a thorough study of

practices and needs

To be an effective manager, a team leader must help team members to achieve which two qualities in their work?

satisfaction performance

The term subsystems is used to describe

smaller components within an organization.

An organizational culture that embraces continuous improvement should

strive for improvement in efficiency at all times.

Collaboration leaders can blend Type your answer here with face-to-face connections for maximum results in their organizations.

technology

Research has repeatedly shown that women are under compensated compared to male colleagues. What may be the cause of this?

the glass ceiling effect

Setting performance objectives, arranging tasks, inspiring people, and ensuring desired results are part of

the management process

Tory is a consultant who helps organizations implement practices related to employee empowerment, employee involvement, and self-managed teams. What type of managerial framework would welcome the implementation of Tory's practices?

theory y

Creation of value distinguishes an organization's

transformation process.

Strong culture is characterized by consistency of beliefs and

values that align and motivate members.

What is the difference between a work activity and a resource input?

A resource input is used to make a product, and a work activity is used to transform an input.

In what way are agenda setting and networking similar?

Both involve a focus on future opportunity.

A bank is developing a new Internet portal and has a number of promising candidates to lead the project. Whom do you recommend for the position of project manager?

Mable is able to inspire commitment and encourage mutual support.

Beliefs about the effects of managerial actions demonstrated in the Hawthorne effect are similar to beliefs underpinning which other managerial theory?

McGregor's theories about self-fulfilling prophecies

At a global telecommunications equipment manufacturer, operating costs have increased 2-3% each year for the last 5 years. However, unit sales have not increased. What do you propose as a first step to address this?

Measure performance efficiency and see if it is decreasing.

Which of the following is an example of low emotional intelligence?

Omar responds inappropriately when co-workers' emotions are disrupting a relationship.

Rachel's floral design studio started off as a hobby that she occasionally made money off of, run out of her basement, to a thriving business with multiple associates and three workshops and storefronts in southeast Virginia. While she manages schedules of associates and is the owner and operator of the business, she mostly sees her business and employees as a group of artists and designers working collaboratively to create beautiful things for their clients. Which BEST describes the structure of Rachel's company?

Rachel's business has an organic structure.

Rondell has returned from a great vacation in the Bahamas. She worked hard to save up the PTO hours needed to take the time off and saved as much of her paycheck as possible for 6 months in order to take the vacation. She is supposed to have surgery on her knee tomorrow. Instead, she cancels surgery and books a day at the local spa. She calls her boss and tells him she will be late returning but will continue to work away from her office which will allow her to stay ahead of her deadlines. Phillippe works out at the company gym every day. When he is sore, he takes a day off from the gym and sometimes uses the sauna instead. He regularly goes to work early and leaves late. He often does not get enough sleep, and this affects his job performance and makes him cranky. Which of the following BEST indicates the ancient Greek concept of hedonism?

Rondell avoiding the pain of surgery and going to the spa, not going to the office to work, and expecting rewards for making her deadlines

Which of the following best illustrates what an individual might do to fulfill a social need?

Try to gain admission to a very popular club.

Which is NOT an example of a manager acting as a cultural leader and role model within an organization?

When asked by employees about the organization's stance on paying workers a living wage and providing the option for health insurance coverage to all workers, a manager says "I don't know; it's not important."

During this year's annual performance evaluation, Ernie's boss said that she admired the way Ernie planned, organized, and controlled his team and projects. However, she would like Ernie to focus more on improving his team leadership. Ernie should work harder to

inspire his team members to work hard to achieve high performance.

The concept of globalization indicates that resource flows, product markets, and business competition are

interdependent

In response to the findings of a recent study and a commitment of support from a private foundation, executives at an urban non-profit are going to create a spin-off to serve a specific community need. Due to the nature of the work and the funding mechanism, the new organization will need to have highly calculable results. Given this requirement, what is the best way to organize the new entity?

a bureaucratic organization

Large, public universities recognize the high risk of mishandling state funds, donor funds, tuition and/or research grant funds. Therefore, what type of system is likely to be most effective in minimizing the risk of handling their finances?

bureaucracy

Managers with highly developed human skill tend to have high levels of

emotional intelligence

Strengths or weaknesses in __________ show up as the ability to recognize, understand, and manage feelings while interacting and dealing with others.

emotional intelligence

Which type of manager is in charge of people who perform non-managerial duties?

first line managers

When an entrepreneur goes to the bank for a small business loan, the bank staff will want to see a detailed business plan. A complete business plan indicates that the entrepreneur has completed which managerial duty?

foresight

Which of the following is a characteristic of bureaucracy?

formal rules and procedures