Intro to Organizational Behavior Chapter 1
Each of the following was a disadvantage of scientific management EXCEPT: increased monotony. lower productivity. no room for initiative. resistance from workers.
lower productivity.
For companies pursuing a competitive advantage based on _____, the frequent introduction of new products is key to staying competitive. product innovation cost leadership product usability customer service
product innovation
Productivity measures a person's efficiency in terms of: units of time per units of output. units of input per units of output. products or services created per unit of input. products or services created per unit of time.
products or services created per unit of input.
How many core factors must be studied to attain a comprehensive understanding of organizational behavior (OB)? 1 2 4 3
3
In characterizing managerial work, most educators and other experts find it useful to conceptualize the activities performed by managers as reflecting one or more of _____ basic functions. two three five four
four
A company's expansion organically or through acquisitions reflects its _____ strategy. growth competitive advantage human resource management product differentiation
growth
Each of the following is a source of competitive advantage EXCEPT: a well-known brand name. excellent customer service. high salaries. low prices.
high salaries.
The study of organizational behavior encompasses all of the following EXCEPT human behavior in organizational settings. the behavior of individual organizations within groups of organizations. organizations themselves. the interface between human behavior and an organization.
the behavior of individual organizations within groups of organizations.
A consultant seeking to understand why a company has high turnover among its entry-level employees should consider each of the following EXCEPT: the discrepancy between the income of entry-level employees and that of managers. the company's performance evaluation and reward systems. the structure of the company. the company's decision-making and communication patterns.
the discrepancy between the income of entry-level employees and that of managers.
Aaron, a student of organizational behavior (OB), is focusing his studies on the behavior of humans within organizations. To complete his understanding of OB, Aaron must also study each of the following EXCEPT: the interface between humans and organizations. organizations themselves. the management practices of Fortune 500 CEOs. the effect of the environment on organizational behavior.
the management practices of Fortune 500 CEOs.
A collection of verbal and symbolic assertions that specify how and why variables are related, and the conditions under which they should and should not relate, is called a: theory. fact. statistic. data set.
theory.
Which of the following is NOT a dysfunctional behavior? Absenteeism Turnover Attribution Sabotage
Attribution
In the systems approach to organizations, which of the following is NOT an input? Money Behavior Materials Information
Behavior
Bob never gets sick, but he uses all of his sick days anyway because he thinks his company doesn't give enough paid time off. When he feels like taking a long weekend, Bob texts his boss and pretends to be sick. Bob is exhibiting: good organizational citizenship. sabotage. absenteeism. turnover.
Absenteeism.
What behaviors is performance, an important individual-level outcome variable, made up of? Discretionary Positive All work-related Negative
All work-related
An organization with a product innovation competitive advantage would likely seek a core workforce of research and development employees who have which quality? An entrepreneurial mindset Shorter-term focus Conservative values Low tolerance for ambiguity
An entrepreneurial mindset
What is the relationship between organizational behavior (OB) concepts and a company's bottom line? Research has shown no consistent correlation between OB concepts and a company's bottom line. Applying OB concepts makes a company more ethical and its employees happier but at a great cost to its bottom line. Applying OB concepts makes a company more ethical, its employees happier, and its bottom line better. Applying OB concepts makes a company more ethical and its employees happier at a small cost to its bottom line.
Applying OB concepts makes a company more ethical, it's employees happier, and it's bottom line better.
What term refers to anything that gives a firm an edge over rivals in attracting customers and defending itself against competition? Cultural privilege Competitive advantage Personal talent Business bias
Competitive advantage
Jillian, a manager at a car dealership, writes a performance improvement plan for an employee who is consistently struggling to make sales. Which of the four managerial functions is Jillian primarily exercising? Planning Organizing Controlling Leading
Controlling
Sally, CEO and founder of Sally Tech Support and Repair, hires Juanita to manage operational and inventory costs. Juanita must also implement an evaluation system for employees and reward the ones who do well while firing or improving the ones who underperform. While performing these activities, Juanita is engaged in which core managerial function? Planning Organizing Controlling Leading
Controlling
Jerome is an organizational behavior consultant. Companies hire him to identify and fix problems that make them unappealing places to work or hurt financial and operational performance. In his capacity as a consultant, Jerome relies most crucially upon which of the following types of skills? Technical Interpersonal Diagnostic Conceptual
Diagnostic
Which of the following is a hypothesis? I wonder if there is a relationship between diversity and productivity. A researcher found a correlation between diversity and productivity. Diversity will be positively related to the number of products assembled. Personally, I am more productive when I am surrounded by diversity.
Diversity will be positively related to the number of products assembled.
Which of the following could NOT be a source of competitive advantage? Distribution Ethnocentrism Speed Convenience
Ethnocentrism
In the systems approach to organizations, which of the following is NOT an output? Products Services Employee behaviors Feedback
Feedback
Which of the following statements correctly reflects the existing research on the relationship between job satisfaction and performance? High levels of job satisfaction lead to higher levels of performance. High levels of job satisfaction lead to lower levels of performance. There has been no conclusive research on the relationship between job satisfaction and performance. High levels of job satisfaction do not necessarily have an effect on performance.
High levels of job satisfaction do not necessarily have an effect on performance.
_____ attempts to explain how people select, interpret, and change various situations. Systems theory Interactionalism The human relations movement Scientific management
Interactionalism
Arkady is a salesperson at an expensive car dealership. He helps prospective customers find the car that will best suit their needs, then works his charm and convinces them to close the sale. Arkady relies most crucially upon which of the following types of skills? Technical Interpersonal Diagnostic Conceptual
Interpersonal
Which of the following statements is true of interactionalism? It implies that the cause-and-effect relationships underlying organizational phenomena are complex. It implies that the cause-and-effect relationships underlying organizational phenomena are relatively simple, even if we cannot deduce what they are. It denies that effects always occur after their causes. It posits that there is one best way to fix most organizational problems.
It implies that the cause-and-effect relationships underlying organizational phenomena are complex.
Which of the following is true of organizational behavior (OB)? It is exciting and complex. It is exciting yet simple. It is simple and thus boring. It is complex yet can be boring.
It is exciting and complex.
Which of the following was a problem with the human relations movement? It used unsophisticated research methods. It was ultimately dehumanizing. Its prescriptions resulted in a loss of productivity. It viewed workers as interchangeable parts in an organizational machine.
It used unsophisticated research methods.
Who or what is primarily responsible for gaining and maintaining an organization's competitive advantage? Its lawyers Its employees Market forces Its brand
Its employees
Sally is the CEO, founder, and sole employee of Sally Tech Support and Repair. After realizing that she can't do everything by herself, Sally hires and trains additional employees. She then motivates them to do their best work for the company, keeps an eye on the group dynamics, and resolves conflicts that come up. While performing these activities, Sally is engaged in which core managerial function? Planning Organizing Controlling Leading
Leading
Which of the following statements about the origins of organizational behavior (OB) is true? OB could date back to prehistoric times. OB did not come into existence until the Renaissance. OB did not take shape until modern times. OB first began in the nineteenth century.
OB could date back to prehistoric times.
What term refers to maximizing the efficiency of the manufacturing or product development process to minimize costs? Managerial skill Business superiority Operational excellence Maintenance strategy
Operational excellence
What term refers to discretionary behaviors that benefit the organization but are not formally rewarded or required? Organizational citizenship Organizational commitment Normative commitment Affective commitment
Organizational citizenship
After founding Sally Tech Support and Repair, Sally quickly realized that she couldn't do everything by herself. Before she could hire any employees, however, Sally had to figure out what the new jobs would entail, how the jobs would be grouped, and what patterns of authority would exist between herself and the new people she was hiring. While performing these activities, Sally was engaged in which core managerial function? Planning Organizing Controlling Leading
Organizing
Ahmed is designing a new role in his organization, specifying what the employee who fills the role will be responsible for and how that employee will be evaluated. Which managerial function is Ahmed working on? Planning Organizing Controlling Leading
Organizing
Which part of the textbook establishes that organizations and the behaviors of the people who comprise them all function within an environment context? Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Part 1
Which part of the textbook is at the center of the framework of the book? Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Part 1
Which part of the textbook discusses the factors that relate to individuals and include individual characteristics; individual values, perceptions, and reactions; motivation concepts and models; and the role of work and reward in tapping those motivation concepts and models? Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Part 2
On her last organizational behavior (OB) quiz, Anabel missed all of the questions pertaining to decision-making and problem-solving processes. Which part of the textbook does she need to review? Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5
Part 3
Which part of the textbook discusses the factors that relate to the role of groups and how organizations use teams, decision-making and problem-solving processes, communication, and diversity? Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Part 3
Jubilee is studying for her organizational behavior (OB) exam. She is particularly rusty on the concepts relating to power, influence, politics, conflict, and negotiation. Which part of the textbook should she review? Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Part 4
Which part of the textbook discusses leadership? Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Part 4
Thierry loves organizational behavior (OB) and easily understood the OB concepts pertaining to individuals and groups. However, he really struggled to understand the factors associated with organizations. Which part of the textbook did Thierry have a hard time with? Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5
Part 5
Which part of the textbook discusses how organizations manage change? Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5
Part 5
Which part of the textbook discusses organization design, structure, and culture? Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5
Part 5
Which of the following is NOT one of the three perspectives on the human side of management? People as organizations People as managers People as people People as resources
People as managers.
Which of the following is the correct order of steps in Deming's cycle of continuous improvement? Plan-check-act-do Plan-do-check-act Act-plan-check-do Act-do-check-plan
Plan-do-check-act
When first founding Sally Tech Support and Repair, Sally analyzed the repair market in her area, determined what her company's overarching goals should be, and outlined tactics and strategies for achieving those goals. While performing these activities, Sally was engaged in which core managerial function? Planning Organizing Controlling Leading
Planning
Which of the four managerial functions is the most big-picture thinking? Planning Organizing Controlling Leading
Planning
The formal study of organizational behavior (OB) is widely considered to have begun with which theory? Interactionalism Systems theory Human relations Scientific management
Scientific management
Shady Sam's Shimmering Shaves is the only barbershop in town that offers full facial shaves with an old-timey shaving knife. Shady Sam charges high rates, hoping that the novelty and high quality of his shaves will justify the extra cost compared to his competitors. Which two business strategies is Shady Sam employing? Specialization and human resource management Cost leadership and specialization Specialization and differentiation Differentiation and cost leadership
Specialization and differentiation
According to service-quality experts, what is the most important element in the creation of a customer-oriented company? Price Talent Product variety Delivery speed
Talent
Isabelle's spreadsheets feature a lot of formula-driven automation, which enables her to complete her job more quickly than her fellow managers. Which type of skill has Isabelle used to drive her success? Conceptual Interpersonal Technical Diagnostic
Technical
Katy is a baker. She arrives at her gourmet cupcake shop early every morning and bakes batches upon batches of cupcakes. Katy's job relies primarily upon which of the following types of skills? Technical Interpersonal Diagnostic Conceptual
Technical
Which of the following occurs when people temporarily improve their performance because they know they are being judged? The Coriolis effect The Hawthorne effect The Mass Effect The Nathaniel effect
The Hawthorne effect
In the systems approach to organizations, what mediates the feedback to the process of transforming inputs into outputs? Project management post-mortems 360 performance reviews A board of directors The environment
The environment
What is the first step in using the scientific method? Data Verification Theory Hypothesis
Theory
Which of the following statements is true about the study of organizational behavior (OB)? Understanding OB is important only for people who plan to pursue a Ph.D. in it. OB has little practical use outside of theoretical study. Understanding OB will help anyone who will ever work in an organization. Understanding OB is not important unless one plans to become a manager, in which case it becomes very important.
Understanding OB will help anyone who will ever work in an organization.
Most of the firms on Fortune's list of the world's most admired companies have reputations for which of the following? Valuing and respecting the people who work for them. Employing PhDs in organizational behavior at the top levels of management. Employing PhDs in organizational behavior as consultants. Publishing results that contradict most of the accepted findings of organizational behavior researchers.
Valuing and respecting the people who work for them.
A consultant seeking to understand why a company's rate of turnover is steadily increasing should first ask which of the following questions? What programs does the company have to help new employees fit in? How do managers treat their employees? What types of people does the company usually hire? How are new employees trained?
What types of people does the company usually hire?
Probably no organization has a position called "organizational behavior (OB) manager." Each of the following helps explain why this is the case EXCEPT: OB is not a defined business function. a company's OB should be managed not by a single person but by a group. an understanding of OB is important for all managers to be good at their jobs. OB is not a defined area of responsibility such as finance or marketing.
a company's OB should be managed not by a single person but by a group.
Shelby, a graphic designer for an elite studio, loves her job, wants to stay there for a long time, and speaks about her company in the first person ("We make great designs"). Shelby has a high level of: commitment. organizational citizenship. productivity. performance.
commitment
Cheeky Chuck's Cheap Chops offers the cheapest haircuts in town. Cheeky Chuck's primary business strategy is most likely: human resource management. specialization. cost leadership. differentiation.
cost leadership.
Organizations pursuing a competitive advantage based on _____ try to deliver unique and customizable products or services to meet their customers' needs and increase customer loyalty. delivery speed cost leadership customer intimacy branding
customer intimacy
Busy Bernie's Bodacious Buzzes is the most expensive barbershop in town. Busy Bernie offers legendary customer service, and his customers are willing to pay a premium price for his exceptional cuts. Busy Bernie's primary business strategy is most likely: human resource management. specialization. cost leadership. differentiation.
differentiation.
According to the framework of this textbook, organizations and the behaviors of the people who comprise them all function within a(n) _____ context. hierarchical environment centralized managerial
environment
In organizations, most situations and outcomes are contingent; that is, the precise relationship between any two variables is likely to be situational. In this context, situational means that the relationship: cannot be understood without employing prohibitively complex mathematical models. is subjective and different managers will interpret it differently. is dependent on other variables. fluctuates randomly over time.
is dependent on other variables.
Successfully applying the principles of organizational behavior (OB) can result in each of the following EXCEPT: lower turnover. lower operating earnings. lower absenteeism. higher job satisfaction.
lower operating earnings.
Whenever managers are surveyed ten to fifteen years out of school and asked to identify the most important classes they ever took, _____ is usually one of them. accounting organizational behavior statistics psychology
organizational behavior
Many of the findings of organizational behavior (OB) research match what people already know from common sense. Each of the following explains why scientific OB research is important EXCEPT: people are reluctant to trust their intuition unless it's backed up by systematic research. common sense isn't common. common sense can be contradictory. common sense isn't always right.
people are reluctant to trust their intuition unless it's backed up by systematic research. common sense isn't common.
Turnover occurs when people: quit their jobs. get fired. are called to jury duty. feign illness.
quit their jobs
Organizational citizenship is most likely to be promoted by: discouraging dysfunctional behaviors. firing employees who do not exhibit desirable behaviors. hiring only employees who fit a desirable psychological profile. recognizing and subsequently rewarding desirable behaviors.
recognizing and subsequently rewarding desirable behaviors.
The _____ perspective is becoming increasingly important throughout the entire field of organizational behavior (OB). universal situational human relations interactional
situational
