MGMT 340 EXAM 1 DAY 2
32) ________ refers to basing managerial decisions on the best available scientific proof. A) Emergency management B) Personal knowledge management C) Property management D) Evidence-based management E) Knowledge management
Answer: D Explanation: D) The basing of managerial decisions on the best available scientific evidence can be termed as evidence-based management.
33) ________ refers to a gut feeling not necessarily supported by research. A) Intuition B) Reasoning C) Rationality D) Logic E) Inference
Answer: A Explanation: A) A gut feeling not necessarily supported by research is known as intuition.
37) ________ is the study of societies to learn about human beings and their activities. A) Anthropology B) Deontology C) Epistemology D) Agnotology E) Dysteleology
Answer: A Explanation: A) Anthropology is the study of societies to learn about human beings and their activities.
39) Austin Reed is a graduate student helping to organize a study on individual job satisfaction. The study focuses on the top five causes of satisfaction or dissatisfaction on the job. His department is surveying 200 individuals in 100 different types of organizations. Austin is most likely a graduate student in the department of ________. A) psychology B) anthropology C) political science D) entomology E) archaeology
Answer: A Explanation: A) Because Austin's study focuses on the causes of individual job satisfaction, he is most likely conducting the study through the department of psychology. Psychology is defined as a the science which seeks to measure, explain, and sometimes change the behavior of humans and it focuses on the individual.
42) Which of the following is true of contingency variables? A) They refer to situational factors that moderate the relationship between two or more variables. B) They make simple, accurate, and sweeping generalizations about concepts in organizational behavior. C) They indicate that everyone is motivated by money and financial perks. D) They refer to scientific factors which are based on universal truths. E) They remain constant irrespective of any change in the environment.
Answer: A Explanation: A) Contingency variables refer to situational factors that moderate the relationship between two or more variables.
58) Which of the following is a cause of work-life conflicts? A) global organizations B) sensemaking C) privatization of essential industries D) downshifting E) use of self-managed teams
Answer: A Explanation: A) Creation of global organizations means that the world never sleeps. This affects employees' work-life balance.
41) Myriam is analyzing the gender roles of men and women in management in the United States and comparing them to the gender roles in management in Japan. She is surveying fifty male and fifty female managers in each country to compare their daily behavior. Myriam's study exemplifies how ________ contributes to OB. A) anthropology B) psychology C) archaeology D) political science E) corporate strategy
Answer: A Explanation: A) Myriam is an anthropologist. Much of our current understanding of organizational culture, organizational environments, and differences among national cultures is a result of the work of anthropologists or those using their methods.
55) Which of the following terms best describes organizations that allow people to communicate and work together even though they may be thousands of miles apart? A) networked organizations B) hierarchical organizations C) matrix organizations D) stable organizations E) flat organizations
Answer: A Explanation: A) Networked organizations allow people to communicate and work together even though they may be thousands of miles apart.
60) ________ is a key independent variable in positive organizational behavior research. A) Engagement B) Apathy C) Despair D) Constraint E) Pessimism
Answer: A Explanation: A) Positive organizational scholarships study how organizations develop human strengths, foster vitality and resilience, and unlock potential. Some key independent variables in positive OB research are engagement, hope, optimism, and resilience in the face of strain.
35) Which of the following disciplines blends concepts from both psychology and sociology to focus on people's influence on one another? A) social psychology B) cosmology C) parapsychology D) lexicology E) eschatology
Answer: A Explanation: A) Social psychology, generally considered a branch of psychology, blends concepts from both psychology and sociology to focus on peoples' influence on one another. One major study area is change which involves how to implement it and how to reduce barriers to its acceptance.
38) Which of the following fields of study is most likely to involve studying organizational culture, formal organization theory and structure? A) sociology B) deontology C) epistemology D) agnotology E) dysteleology
Answer: A Explanation: A) Sociologists study organizational culture, formal organization theory and structure, organizational technology, communications, power, and conflict.
51) A common characteristic of service jobs is that they ________. A) need substantial interaction with an organization's customers B) offer much higher pay in comparison with other non-service jobs C) have fewer working hours than other jobs D) require very little job knowledge compared to other jobs E) provide more perks and benefits to employees
Answer: A Explanation: A) The common characteristic of service jobs is substantial interaction with an organization's customers.
54) Which of the following should employees undertake to deal with "temporariness" in the modern work climate? A) continually update their knowledge and skills to perform new job requirements B) be prepared to work in the same position for longer periods of time C) have closer connections with peers and subordinates D) avoid unpredictable situations to avert taking risks E) engage in organizational politicking
Answer: A Explanation: A) Today's managers and employees must learn to cope with temporariness, flexibility, spontaneity, and unpredictability.Workers must continually update their knowledge and skills to perform new job requirements.
46) Managers who oversee the movement of jobs to countries with low-cost labor are most likely to ________. A) provide poor customer service B) face opposition from labor groups C) manage a culturally homogeneous workforce D) operate in niche markets E) lose competitive advantage by exporting jobs
Answer: B Explanation: B) In a global economy, jobs tend to flow where lower costs give businesses a comparative advantage, though labor groups, politicians, and local community leaders see the exporting of jobs as undermining the job market at home. Managers face the difficult task of balancing the interests of their organization with their responsibilities to the communities in which they operate.
26) Which of the following best defines organizational behavior? A) It involves the study of groups of people coming together for collective bargaining. B) It involves the study of what people do in a company and how it affects the company's output. C) It involves analyzing different people in an industry with independent profit-centered motives. D) It involves developing exclusively the knowledge of managers and senior -level employees. E) It is a field which is not influenced by factors in the external world.
Answer: B Explanation: B) Organizational behavior refers to the study of what people do in an organization and how their behavior affects the organization's performance.
40) You are bringing together faculty from different behavioral disciplines to author a new textbook in organizational behavior. Represented are professors from psychology, sociology, social psychology, anthropology, political science, and industrial engineering.Which faculty member is most likely to furnish information about personality, learning, and motivation? A) sociology B) psychology C) anthropology D) political science E) industrial engineering
Answer: B Explanation: B) Psychology seeks to measure, explain, and sometimes change the behavior of humans and other animals. Psychology's focus on the individual has led to contributions in the areas of learning, personality, emotions, motivational forces, and more.
36) Which of the following is a difference between sociology and psychology? A) Sociology studies humans and animals whereas psychology focuses exclusively on humans. B) Sociology studies people in relation to their social culture whereas psychology focuses on the individual. C) Sociology incorporates research from social sciences, philosophy, and natural sciences; psychology does not. D) Sociology uses various methods of empirical investigation whereas psychology uses limited critical analyses. E) Sociology uses only qualitative techniques whereas psychology uses both qualitative and quantitative techniques.
Answer: B Explanation: B) While psychology focuses on the individual, sociology studies people in relation to their social environment or culture.
49) ________ refers to the heterogeneity of organizations in terms of gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and inclusion of other diverse groups. A) Workforce associability B) Workforce diversity C) Cultural similarity D) Organizational congruity E) Operational homogeneity
Answer: B Explanation: B) Workforce diversity refers to the heterogeneity of organizations in terms of gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and inclusion of other diverse groups.
48) Gould Furniture is one of the leading furniture companies in Indonesia. In the past, the company had a homogeneous workforce of Indonesian employees. The company is desperate to cut operating and manufacturing costs and hence is considering outsourcing part of the manufacturing process to low-cost Taiwan. However, local community leaders across the country are opposing this decision strongly. They believe that exporting jobs to other countries is detrimental to their country in every way possible. Which of the following, if true, is the flaw in the local community leaders' opinion? A) The country has one of the lowest rates of employment in Asia. B) Over 85 percent of Indonesia's revenue comes from agriculture. C) The furniture market contributes to 20 percent of deforestation in the country. D) The government of Indonesia provides substantial subsidies to start-up companies. E) Gould Furniture has alliances with local furniture companies in Taiwan.
Answer: C Explanation: C) In a global economy, jobs tend to flow where lower costs give businesses a comparative advantage, though labor groups, politicians, and local community leaders see the exporting of jobs as undermining the job market at home. Managers face the difficult task of balancing the interests of their organization with their responsibilities to the communities in which they operate. In this scenario, the furniture market contributing to 20 percent of deforestation in the country is a flaw in the local community leaders' opinion because exporting jobs to other countries would prevent deforestation in their country. The country having one of the lowest rates of employment in Asia strengthens the local community leaders' opinion. 85 percent of Indonesia's revenue coming from agriculture and the government of Indonesia providing substantial subsidies to start-up companies is irrelevant to the argument about exporting jobs being detrimental to the development of the country. Gould Furniture having alliances with local furniture companies in Taiwan weakens the local community leaders' opinion.
59) Which of the following is true of positive organizational scholarship? A) It involves monitoring negative practices in organizations and rectifying them. B) It deals with how employees should analyze weaknesses and convert them into strengths. C) It studies how organizations develop human strengths, foster vitality, and unlock potential. D) It dwells on limitations that an organization faces and how it can turn them into opportunities. E) It involves scrutinizing loopholes in organizational practices and filling gaps in processes.
Answer: C Explanation: C) Positive organizational scholarships study how organizations develop human strengths, foster vitality and resilience, and unlock potential. Some key independent variables in positive OB research are engagement, hope, optimism, and resilience in the face of strain.
52) Which of the following is an example of a position in a service job? A) human resource executive B) administrative executive C) flight attendant D) environmental campaigner E) production line worker
Answer: C Explanation: C) Service jobs include technical support representatives, fast-food counter workers, sales clerks, waiters and waitresses, nurses, automobile repair technicians, and flight attendants. The common characteristic of these jobs is substantial interaction with an organization's customers.
28) Which of the following does systematic study use to look at relationships to attribute causes and effects? A) intuitive data B) feelings C) scientific data D) instinct E) premonition
Answer: C Explanation: C) Systematic study looks at relationships to attribute causes and effects, and bases the conclusions on scientific evidence, that is, on data gathered under controlled conditions and measured and interpreted in a reasonably rigorous manner.
30) In order to predict human behavior, it is best to supplement intuitive opinions with information derived from ________. A) common sense B) direct observation C) systematic study D) speculation E) organizational theory
Answer: C Explanation: C) To make good OB decisions it is important to use evidence to supplement intuition and experience. Evidence should come through systematic study, which involves looking at relationships, attempting to attribute causes and effects, and basing conclusions on scientific evidence, that is, on data gathered under controlled conditions and measured and interpreted in a reasonably rigorous manner.
27) Which of the following determinants of behavior does organizational behavior study? A) profits B) job satisfaction C) perks D) individuals E) collective bargaining
Answer: D Explanation: D) Organizational behavior studies the three determinants of behavior in organizations. These are comprised of individuals, groups, and structure. In addition, OB applies the knowledge gained about individuals, groups, and the effect of structure on behavior in order to make organizations work more effectively.
29) Which of the following is true of systematic study? A) It attributes causes and effects based on intuition. B) It involves supporting decisions based on gut feelings. C) It analyzes relationships based on previous experiences. D) It involves analyzing relationships based on scientific data. E) It involves taking action based on instinct.
Answer: D Explanation: D) Systematic study looks at relationships to attribute causes and effects, and bases the conclusions on scientific evidence, that is, on data gathered under controlled conditions and measured and interpreted in a reasonably rigorous manner.
31) Analyzing relationships, determining causes and effects, and basing conclusions on scientific evidence, all constitute aspects of ________ study. A) organizational B) intuitive C) theoretical D) systematic E) case-based
Answer: D Explanation: D) Systematic study means looking at relationships, attempting to attribute causes and effects, and basing the conclusions on scientific evidence, that is, on data gathered under controlled conditions and measured and interpreted in a reasonably rigorous manner.
43) Raymond Mayer is conducting a study on discrimination against campaign activists based on gender. In his study, he noted that male executives who visited Indonesian villages to promote the use of renewable energy received a highly positive response. In contrast, women who visited the same villages, received an antagonistic response from them. However, Mayer stated that his findings only applied to villages. In this study, the presence of a village is considered a ________ variable. A) global B) general C) dependent D) non-reactive E) contingency
Answer: E Explanation: E) Contingency variables are variables that moderate the relationship between two or more variables. For example, an OB study can say x leads to y, but only under conditions specified in z. Humans are unpredictable in nature and thus, all organizational behavior studies must have contingency variables.
44) ________ variables are variables that moderate the relationship between two or more variables. A) Global B) General C) Dependent D) Non-reactive E) Contingency
Answer: E Explanation: E) Contingency variables are variables that moderate the relationship between two or more variables. For example, an OB study can say x leads to y, but only under conditions specified in z. Humans are unpredictable in nature and thus, all organizational behavior studies must have contingency variables.
45) Which of the following is a result of globalization? A) organizations being bound by national borders B) lower production of goods in developing nations C) highly homogeneous workforce D) shared social value among all cultures E) jobs moving to nations with low-cost labor
Answer: E Explanation: E) In a global economy, jobs tend to flow where lower costs give businesses a comparative advantage, though labor groups, politicians, and local community leaders see the exporting of jobs as undermining the job market at home.
56) Which of the following is the major challenge for managers in a fully networked organization? A) eliminating the need for paper communication by relying entirely on e-mail, file transfers, and the like B) retaining team members who can easily move to another employer when demand for their services changes C) managing contract and temporary workers D) maintaining a "virtual office" through the use of computers, interoffice networks, and the Internet E) managing people who work together but are geographically separated
Answer: E Explanation: E) Networked organizations allow people to communicate and work together even though they may be thousands of miles apart. Motivating and managing people online requires different techniques than when individuals are physically present in a single location.
57) Christopher Richardson works as a graphic designer in Sydney. He often coordinates with colleagues working in Germany. In addition, he interacts with clients across the globe. Which of the following is most likely to facilitate his communications with clients and colleagues? A) ergonomic cubicle B) lateral thinking C) sensemaking D) systems thinking E) networked organization
Answer: E Explanation: E) Networked organizations allow people to communicate and work together even though they may be thousands of miles apart. Motivating and managing people online requires different techniques than when individuals are physically present in a single location.
34) ________ seeks to measure, explain, and sometimes change the behavior of humans and other animals. A) Meteorology B) Theology C) Epistemology D) Lexicology E) Psychology
Answer: E Explanation: E) Psychology seeks to measure, explain, and sometimes change the behavior of humans and other animals. Those who have contributed and continue to add to the knowledge of OB are learning theorists, personality theorists, counseling psychologists, and, most important, industrial and organizational psychologists.
53) One of the key challenges for managers in today's organizations is to ________. A) be static in nature B) conform to norms and practices C) be resistant to change D) follow age-old rules rigidly E) stimulate tolerance for change
Answer: E Explanation: E) The challenge for managers is to stimulate their employees' creativity and tolerance for change. Globalization, expanded capacity, and advances in technology have required organizations to be fast and flexible if they are to survive. The result is that most managers and employees today work in a climate best characterized as "temporary."
50) Eighty percent of the employees in the United States work today in ________ jobs. A) textile B) military C) mining D) research E) service
Answer: E Explanation: E) Today, the majority of employees in developed countries work in service jobs, including 80 percent in the United States.
47) Josh Wallace, a sales executive, has recently been promoted to the position of sales manager at Synergy Corporation Bank. He has in the past gained a strong track record of making the highest number of sales in his branch. During his first few months as a manager, he regularly appreciated and acknowledged the team's efforts because he knew that it was the driving force behind high performance. However, the company has recently expressed its dissatisfaction with Josh's team as it has consistently failed to meet the sales targets of the branch. Which of the following, if true, would best explain this situation? A) The bank had an existing list of contacts which was shared with the team. B) The team was allotted areas with families from high income groups. C) There has been a sharp rise in the country's citizens' purchasing power. D) Josh had prior experience in leading large sales teams. E) The team was motivated by extrinsic factors instead of intrinsic factors.
Answer: E Explanation: E) While working with people from different cultures, it is important to understand that what motivates one may not motivate another. In addition, one's communication style may be straightforward and open, which others may find uncomfortable and threatening. To work effectively with people from different cultures, one needs to understand how their culture, geography, and religion have shaped them and how to adapt one's management style to their differences. The team being motivated by extrinsic factors instead of intrinsic factors which Josh used explains why Josh's team was not motivated enough to perform well. If the bank had an existing list of contacts which was shared with the team would work against the argument because it would, to an extent, help the team perform well. In addition, the team being allotted areas with families from high income groups, a sharp rise in the country's citizens' purchasing power, and Josh having had prior experience in leading large sales teams are all likely to help the team perform well and do not explain why they failed consistently to meet the sales targets of the branch.
