MGMT 493 final
Usually, large-block shareholders are considered to be those shareholders with at least__________ percent of the firm's stock. a. 5 b. 25 c. 50 d. 75
a. 5
The Amos Ball Printing Company was established in 1866. Currently, Amos Ball V is the CEO and chairman of the board. The company has traditionally used a functional structure. Five years ago, the company branched into online publishing and small-batch printing in addition to its regular large-batch operations. Both new businesses are significantly different in technology and marketing from each other and from Ball's traditional business. Despite the hiring of experienced professionals in these new endeavors, performance continues to be poor and is affecting Ball's overall performance. Which of the following statements is TRUE? a. Amos should consider adopting the multidivisional structure. b. Mr. Ball has insufficient power to change the structure of the organization. c. Restructuring must only be done from a position of strength, so it is necessary to wait until the company's overall performance improves before making radical changes. d. These businesses are too disparate to coordinate within one corporate structure.
a. Amos should consider adopting the multidivisional structure.
Which of the following is TRUE of trends in Japan's corporate governance structure? a. Compensation of CEOs in both private and public companies is being tied more closely to observable performance goals. b. Increased regulation in the financial sector has increased the cost of mounting hostile takeovers. c. Banks' influence over corporations is increasing. d. The gap in compensation between CEOs in public and private companies is increasing.
a. Compensation of CEOs in both private and public companies is being tied more closely to observable performance goals.
__________ provide information about the results of past actions, but do not communicate the drivers of the firm's future performance. a. Financial controls b. Accounting information systems c. Policies and procedures d. Strategic feedback systems
a. Financial controls
_________ is the degree to which rules and procedures govern work. a. Formalization b. Centralization c. Specialization d. Unification
a. Formalization
Which of the following is NOT a benefit to the firm using the internal labor market to select a new CEO? a. Internal hiring results in an increased level of innovation. b. Insiders are familiar with the firm's products, markets, technologies, and operating procedures. c. Use of the internal labor market reduces turnover among existing employees. d. Insiders are more familiar with a firm's operating procedures.
a. Internal hiring results in an increased level of innovation.
The CEO/chairman of PharmaPacifica was recently killed in an airplane crash. This tragedy has thrown PharmaPacifica into turmoil as there is no one in the organization qualified to step into the former CEO's shoes. This is an example of a. a failure of succession management. b. managerial hubris. c. the risk inherent in CEO duality. d. excessive reliance on the internal managerial labor market.
a. a failure of succession management.
Ambrose Bierce, the CEO of DictionAry, has been paid a lump sum amounting to 3 years' salary because DictionAry has been bought in a hostile takeover by its main competitor. Ambrose received a. a golden parachute. b. a poison pill. c. greenmail. d. a silver handshake.
a. a golden parachute.
Faced with declining enrollment and increased competition from not-for-profit organizations offering inexpensive art courses for new hobbyists, the for-profit Delta Academy of Art has steadfastly stayed true to its mission of offering high-quality classical art instruction for both beginners and advanced artists at high tuition. Delta has been noted for the excellence of its artistic training for decades. This is an example of a. adhesion to the status quo. b. lack of an envisioned future. c. competence becoming a liability. d. failure to have a clear core ideology.
a. adhesion to the status quo.
Broadly, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act seeks to a. align financial institutions' actions with society's interests. b. increase the number of foreign firms listing on U.S. stock exchanges. c. require CEOs to attest to the accuracy of their companies' financial reports. d. increase consumer protection in pharmaceutical products.
a. align financial institutions' actions with society's interests.
The multidivisional structure was initially designed to produce three major benefits over the functional form. Which of the following is NOT one of the three benefits? a. aligning the corporate structure with the demands of global expansion b. more accurate monitoring of the performance of each business c. facilitating comparison between divisions d. stimulating managers of poorly performing divisions to look for ways of improving performance
a. aligning the corporate structure with the demands of global expansion
Historically,_________ have been at the center of German corporate governance structure. a. banks b. institutional shareholders c. public pension funds d. government agencies
a. banks
In the franchising strategy, the most important competitive advantage for the franchisee is the franchisor's a. brand name. b. capital resources. c. access to a consolidated market. d. geographic locations.
a. brand name.
Dynamic alliance networks work best in industries a. characterized by frequent product innovations and short product life cycles. b. that are mature and stable in nature. c. where the coordination of product and global diversity is critical. d. that are characterized by predictable market cycles and demand.
a. characterized by frequent product innovations and short product life cycles.
The CEO of Transector, Inc., set a 6.5 percent rate-of-return target for all divisions for the past year. Now, at the end of the year, three of Transector's seven divisions have not met this rate-of-return goal. The division managers of these three under-performing divisions have all secretly contacted executive-placement firms to investigate openings at other firms, because they know their future at Transector is in jeopardy as financial performance is all- important at Transector. Transector probably uses the ____________ structure. a. competitive form of the multidivisional b. SBU form of the multidivisional c. worldwide geographic area d. distributed strategic network
a. competitive form of the multidivisional
The heavy use of integrative mechanisms in the__________ multidivisional organizational structure is intended to achieve a. cooperative; economies of scope. b. competitive; cost efficiencies. c. functional; sensitivity to cultural diversity. d. SBU; quick response to local customer needs.
a. cooperative; economies of scope.
Jumbo Industrial Supply has grown from a one-location firm with a restricted product line to a multi-state organization with numerous product lines and a large sales staff. Sales have doubled every year for the last three years. It currently has a simple structure with Jared Smith, the owner-manager, making all major decisions. Jumbo is probably now experiencing or will soon experience a. coordination and control problems. b. bureaucratic inefficiencies. c. excessive competition among division managers. d. limited communication among functional specialists.
a. coordination and control problems.
The firm of Bergeron has existed for hundreds of years, having made exquisite clocks and watches. In its advertising it refers to clocks the firm made for such past royalty as Marie Antoinette and the Czars of Russia. Employees are constantly reminded of the firm's rich history and its long tradition of excellence of design and execution. Bergeron is motivating its employees through its a. core ideology. b. envisioned future. c. organizational culture. d. business strategy.
a. core ideology.
A _________ cooperative strategy helps the firm diversify in terms of products offered, markets served, or both. a. corporate-level b. business-level c. national-level d. industry-level
a. corporate-level
Walmart's effective strategy/structure configuration is a. cost leadership/functional. b. differentiation/functional. c. related constrained/multidivisional. d. related linked/multidivisional.
a. cost leadership/functional.
Offshore Oil Exploration Partners (OOEP) has entered into a cooperative strategy with Malay Petroleum. The resulting documents are long, formal, and detailed. They specify detailed responsibilities of each partner and include methods of monitoring accounting and technical procedures. OOEP and Malay Petroleum are using the management approach. a. cost minimization b. trust but verify c. opportunity maximization d. pragmatic realism
a. cost minimization
The Microsoft/Nokia alliance that had hundreds of pages to specify each partner's responsibilities would be closest to the__________ approach to managing cooperative ventures. In contrast, the Renault/Nissan alliance (Chapter 9 Opening Case) was based on trust, respect, and transparency and is an example of the ________ approach to managing cooperative ventures. a. cost minimization; opportunity maximization b. opportunity maximization; cost minimization c. cost maximization; opportunity minimization d. bureaucratic; organic
a. cost minimization; opportunity maximization
The two basic approaches to successfully manage cooperative strategic alliances involve ________ and__________. a. cost minimization; opportunity maximization b. monitoring systems; multiple management approaches c. contractual systems; financial systems d. equity approaches; nonequity approaches
a. cost minimization; opportunity maximization
Firms needing to change their strategies should a. create more heterogeneous top management teams. b. focus on their core customer base. c. implement transformational leadership. d. emphasize the training and development of internal managerial talent.
a. create more heterogeneous top management teams.
An agency relationship exists when one party delegates a. decision-making responsibility to a second party. b. financial responsibility to employees. c. strategy implementation actions to functional managers. d. ownership of a company to a second party.
a. decision-making responsibility to a second party.
A heterogeneous top management team is composed of individuals with a. different functional backgrounds, experience, and education. b. similar commitments to the organization's core ideology and culture. c. a high level of education and industry expertise. d. long tenure in the organization who have held various functional positions.
a. different functional backgrounds, experience, and education.
The integrated cost leadership/differentiation strategy is difficult to implement mostly because a. different primary and support activities are emphasized when using cost leadership and differentiation strategies. b. this strategic approach demands more flexibility than most firms can manage. c. the dual reporting relationships required for this strategy slow organizational decision making. d. the cost leadership strategy requires less structured job roles than does the differentiation strategy.
a. different primary and support activities are emphasized when using cost leadership and differentiation strategies.
The three main luxury hotels in a major tourist destination keep very close track of their competitors' room pricing, restaurant offerings, tour packages, and special services, such as airport transportation and spa privileges. When one hotel makes adjustments in prices or offerings, the other hotels follow suit. It is possible that these hotels are a. engaging in tacit collusion. b. following uncertainty reducing strategies. c. monitoring business competitors for opportunistic behaviors. d. following a competitive response strategy.
a. engaging in tacit collusion.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four perspectives in the balanced scorecard framework? a. entrepreneurial b. financial c. customer d. learning and growth
a. entrepreneurial
A strategic alliance in which the partners own different percentages of the new company they have formed is called a(n) a. equity strategic alliance. b. joint venture. c. nonequity strategic alliance. d. cooperative arrangement.
a. equity strategic alliance.
Implementing the multidomestic strategy requires decentralization to a. facilitate the tailoring of products to the demand in local markets. b. develop economies of scale. c. achieve economies of scope. d. reduce bureaucracy and speed up decision making.
a. facilitate the tailoring of products to the demand in local markets.
Selecting the organizational structure and controls that effectively implement the chosen strategy is a challenge for managers because a. firms must be flexible while retaining a degree of stability. b. managers are never able to obtain all the information necessary to make the best selection. c. the structure of a firm should not duplicate the structures of its competitors. d. the environment changes too rapidly for corporations to maintain a consistent corporate structure.
a. firms must be flexible while retaining a degree of stability.
The repurchase at a premium of the target firm's shares that were acquired by the aggressor firm in a hostile takeover in exchange for an agreement that the aggressor will no longer target the company for takeover is called a. greenmail. b. a standstill agreement. c. crossing the palm with silver. d. a poison pill.
a. greenmail.
A virtually exclusive reliance on financial controls may occur when outsider-dominated boards exist. This may lead to all of the following EXCEPT a. high executive turnover. b. increased diversification of the firm. c. excessive management compensation. d. reduction in R&D expenditure.
a. high executive turnover.
Billy Kroghmen is the son of a very prominent Fortune 500 CEO. Billy has had troubles. He failed out of multiple colleges, universities, and correspondence schools. He finally received his undergraduate degree from a university with only a post office box for an address. He then enrolled in the school's combined graduate accounting and law school programs, graduating with honor with degrees in both areas. After graduation, he twice failed both the CPA and bar exams, managing to set record low scores on the ethics portions of both. Despite these academic setbacks, Billy's career now seems to be thriving. He has been appointed to a number of "blue ribbon" government committees, is on the board of directors of two corporations and one prestigious not-for-profit organization. In at least one instance, a donor credited Billy with the idea for making a large contribution to the not-for-profit. Widespread speculation is that his career advancement is based largely on social relationships through friends and family. We would classify Billy as ________ on __________ capital, and _________ on ________ capital. a. high; social; low; human b. high; human; high; social c. high; human; low; social d. None of these options are correct.
a. high; social; low; human
The ability to attract and manage _________ may be the most important skill a strategic leader must have. a. human capital b. financial resources c. responses to competitors' actions d. investment strategies
a. human capital
The top management team at Sierra Infusion is concerned about the declining performance of firms in their industry. The team members are becoming concerned about the security of their jobs at Sierra Infusion. At a meeting over dinner, the top management team agrees to go to the board of directors with a proposal for a. increased diversification of Sierra Infusion. b. the addition of outside directors to the board. c. increased shareholder participation in decision making. d. greater concentration on Sierra's core industry.
a. increased diversification of Sierra Infusion.
In the competitive form of the multidivisional structure, the focus of headquarters is on all of the following EXCEPT a. integration. b. performance appraisal. c. resource allocation. d. long-range planning.
a. integration.
Toyota heavily uses a strategic network of vertical relationships. Toyota enables engineers in supplier firms to communicate easily with companies with which Toyota has contracts for services. This results in the suppliers and Toyota (the strategic center firm) being more a. interdependent. b. competitive with one another. c. creative. d. complementary.
a. interdependent.
In the balanced scorecard framework,___________ controls are used to assess the organization's success in creating a climate that supports change and innovation. a. learning and growth b. financial c. operational d. innovational
a. learning and growth
Airlines have forged a number of complementary strategic alliances, in part because many airlines are not profitable. Some airlines participate in several alliances simultaneously. This tends to a. make the partners' true loyalties and intentions unclear. b. make the role of the strategic center firms more critical to alliance success. c. distribute the alliances along several segments of the airline industry value chain. d. be most effective when the alliances are with airlines headquartered in different nations.
a. make the partners' true loyalties and intentions unclear.
The more heterogeneous the top management team, the a. more difficult it will be for the team to implement strategies. b. more likely it is that the team will be cohesive. c. less innovative the team's decisions will tend to be. d. less diverse the team membership will be.
a. more difficult it will be for the team to implement strategies.
The premise of the balanced scorecard is that firms jeopardize future performance possibilities when they a. overemphasize financial controls and neglect strategic controls. b. overemphasize strategic control and neglect financial controls. c. overemphasize strategic and financial controls and neglect ethical controls. d. neglect short-term controls of all kinds in favor of long-term strategic controls.
a. overemphasize financial controls and neglect strategic controls.
Reduction of competition can be accomplished through all of the following EXCEPT a. predatory alliances. b. explicit collusion. c. tacit collusion. d. mutual forbearance.
a. predatory alliances.
After years of negotiating short-term contracts with its suppliers, Icon Images has decided to agree to longer-term contracts. In doing this, Icon Images is hoping to a. reduce transaction costs. b. increase negotiating leverage with suppliers. c. become less dependent on its suppliers. d. move toward horizontal alliances with its suppliers.
a. reduce transaction costs.
Actions that effective strategic leaders can take to develop an ethical organizational culture include all of the following EXCEPT a. relying on the fundamental goodness of individuals. b. using reward systems that recognize acts of courage. c. communicating goals that describe the firm's ethical standards. d. creating a work environment where individuals are treated with dignity.
a. relying on the fundamental goodness of individuals.
The board of directors of CyberScope, Inc., is designing a stock option plan for its CEO that will motivate the CEO to increase the market value of the firm. Consequently, the board is a. setting the option strike price substantially higher than the current stock price. b. insuring that the strike price value of the options can be lowered if the organizational environment becomes more risky. c. having the stock option plan designed by insiders on the board of directors who are familiar with day-to-day operations of the firm. d. consulting accounting advisors to make sure that the plan transfers wealth to the CEO without immediately appearing on the balance sheet of CyberScope.
a. setting the option strike price substantially higher than the current stock price.
Andermeyer Jewelers, which specializes in high-end jewelry, has been in existence since the 1870s and has served generations of wealthy families. Owned and managed by the Andermeyer family since its founding, it has never had more than 20 designers and jewelers in its shop. Andermeyer Jewelers should use the _________ structure. a. simple b. functional c. matrix d. network
a. simple
In most cases, the focus strategy is best managed using a _______ structure. a. simple b. functional c. multidivisional d. vertical
a. simple
In a cross-border alliance, the local partner is often a useful source of information about a. sources of capital. b. the strengths of the foreign firm's technology. c. market synergies. d. long-term planning.
a. sources of capital.
Organizational structure a. specifies the firm's formal reporting relationships, procedures, controls, and authority and decision-making processes. b. specifies the firm's informal reporting relationships, procedures, controls, and authority and decision-making processes. c. specifies the firm's formal value proposition, the markets it will serve, and how the firm will provide value in those markets. d. specifies the firm's control mechanisms, grievance procedures, reporting relationships, procedures, and authority over decision-making processes.
a. specifies the firm's formal reporting relationships, procedures, controls, and authority and decision-making processes.
A firm's________ specifies the work to be done and how to do it given the firm's strategy or strategies. a. structure b. controls c. culture d. strategy
a. structure
The cooperation between Fiat and Chrysler to produce a Fiat-designed car in Chrysler's Illinois factory is a(n) _______ alliance because it allows the firms to share resources and capabilities across multiple functions. a. synergistic b. opportunistic c. horizontal d. diversifying
a. synergistic
All of the following are business-level cooperative strategic alliances EXCEPT a. synergistic strategic alliances. b. uncertainty reduction strategic alliances. c. complementary strategic alliances. d. competition response strategic alliances.
a. synergistic strategic alliances.
Organizational controls provide a. the parameters within which strategies are to be implemented. b. goals and objectives that must be achieved. c. information on action steps to be taken to implement the corporate strategy. d. managers with guidelines on how to treat employees.
a. the parameters within which strategies are to be implemented.
Boards of directors are now becoming more involved in a. the strategic decision-making process. b. selecting new CEOs. c. the firm's tax issues. d. governmental relations.
a. the strategic decision-making process.
Christina is evaluating Maximum Brands as an investment opportunity. She is very concerned about future financial performance by Maximum Brands. Christina does not believe that the CEO can act as a steward. Christina will probably be most concerned if a. there is CEO duality. b. many of the members of the board of directors are outsiders. c. the positions of chairman of the board and CEO are held by different persons. d. there is an independent board leadership structure.
a. there is CEO duality.
Legitimately, a firm may pursue an international strategic alliance for all of the following reasons EXCEPT a. to enhance the compensation packages of top managers. b. to leverage core competencies in new markets. c. to operate within government restrictions in the local country. d. to escape limited domestic growth opportunities.
a. to enhance the compensation packages of top managers.
An organization's __________ is composed of the key individuals who are responsible for selecting and implementing the firm's strategies. a. top management team b. board of directors c. keiretsu d. governance circle
a. top management team
IKEA is a global furniture retailer with more than 300 outlets in 39 countries and regions. IKEA focuses on lowering its costs as well as understanding customer needs, especially younger ones. IKEA's international strategy is best described as ___________, and the appropriate organizational structure to implement this strategy is the structure. a. transnational; combination b. global; worldwide product divisional c. multidomestic; worldwide geographic area d. competitive; strategic business unit multidivisional
a. transnational; combination
When the top management team is homogeneous and a new CEO is selected from inside the firm, it is a. unlikely that the current strategy will change. b. likely that product innovation will continue. c. likely there will be a change in strategy. d. unlikely the new CEO will have a long tenure.
a. unlikely that the current strategy will change.
When a corporation pursues a related constrained diversification strategy, financial controls may not add value to strategy implementation efforts because it is difficult to a. use them without reducing cooperation among divisional managers. b. transfer capital between units. c. maintain an arms-length relationship between headquarters and the divisions. d. identify which objective criteria to monitor.
a. use them without reducing cooperation among divisional managers.
The two types of complementary strategic alliances are a. vertical and horizontal. b. macro and micro. c. outsourcing and insourcing. d. network and complementary.
a. vertical and horizontal.
A manufacturer of specialty jams and jellies has decided to ally itself with an orchard and vineyard growing rare strains of fruit. This is a(n)__________ strategy. a. vertical complementary b. horizontal complementary c. uncertainty reduction d. network
a. vertical complementary
Which of the following is a TRUE statement about organizational structures for implementing business-level strategies? a. A cost leadership strategy requires a simple structure emphasizing high specialization, centralization, and structured job roles. b. A differentiation strategy requires a functional structure with limited formalization, broad job descriptions, and an emphasis on the product R&D and marketing functions. c. An integrated cost leadership/differentiation strategy requires a multidivisional structure using high formalization, decentralized decision making, and vertical coordination. d. A focused strategy requires a functional structure featuring high levels of both specialization and formalization.
b. A differentiation strategy requires a functional structure with limited formalization, broad job descriptions, and an emphasis on the product R&D and marketing functions.
Which of the following statements is TRUE? a. Most cooperative strategies are successful if the basic agreements are well written and include appropriate monitoring strategies. b. As many as 50 percent of cooperative strategies fail. c. Opportunistic behaviors are usually focused on gaining the use of the partner's manufacturing and financial resources. d. Problems with international cooperative strategies usually concern financial-system differences between the partners.
b. As many as 50 percent of cooperative strategies fail.
The board of directors of CamCell, Inc., wishes to design a CEO compensation plan that will align the personal interests of the CEO with the interests of the shareholders in long-term firm performance. The board wishes the CEO to take more short-term risks in order to achieve potentially higher long-term returns. Consequently, the board has decided on an incentive plan that involves payout based on the firm's performance five years in the future. CamCell is presently searching for a new CEO. Which of the following statements is true? a. This plan will be very attractive in luring candidates for the CEO position. b. CamCell may have to over-compensate its CEO in order to offset the personal risk a CEO would undertake under this plan. c. Institutional investors disapprove of long-term executive incentive plans and they may sell their blocks of stock in CamCell. d. This type of plan is likely to cause the CEO to underinvest in R&D in order to boost CamCell's long-term profitability.
b. CamCell may have to over-compensate its CEO in order to offset the personal risk a CEO would undertake under this plan.
__________ is the degree to which decision-making authority is retained at higher managerial levels. a. Formalization b. Centralization c. Specialization d. Unification
b. Centralization
_________ is an important influence in Japanese corporate governance structures. a. Innovation b. Consensus c. Competition d. Individualism
b. Consensus
Amos Ball, Inc., is a printing company in Iowa that has been family owned and managed for three generations. Which of the following statements is most likely to be TRUE? a. Agency costs at Amos Ball are high. b. If research findings are valid, Amos Ball, Inc., will perform better if a family member is CEO than if an outsider is CEO. c. At Amos Ball, the opportunity for managerial opportunism is high. d. The functions of risk-bearing and decision making are separate at Amos Ball.
b. If research findings are valid, Amos Ball, Inc., will perform better if a family member is CEO than if an outsider is CEO.
James Abercrombie has a thriving consulting firm specializing in training boards of directors in decision-making skills. Mr. Abercrombie has had striking success in reducing conflict and hostility among directors and allowing boards to develop more cohesiveness. Mr. Abercrombie is considering expanding his consulting practice overseas. Which of the following statements is most likely to be TRUE? a. Mr. Abercrombie will have a large market in Japan because the culture highly values consensus decision making. b. Japanese firms will have little interest in Mr. Abercrombie's specialty because these skills are already practiced at a high level. c. German firms will not be interested in Mr. Abercrombie's services because the German system of decision making is based on authority and few conflicts emerge. d. Mr. Abercrombie should find significant need for his services in companies in transitional economies.
b. Japanese firms will have little interest in Mr. Abercrombie's specialty because these skills are already practiced at a high level.
_________ capital increases cooperation among individuals inside and outside the firm. a. Human b. Social c. Visionary d. Cultural
b. Social
Which of the following statements is about corporate governance in Germany is FALSE? a. The Vorstand (management board) of a German corporation makes decisions about strategy and management. b. The Vorstand is elected by the firm's employees. c. Employees, union members, and shareholders appoint members to the Aufsichsrat (the supervisory tier of the board). d. Large institutional investors such as pension funds, and insurance companies are relatively insignificant owners of corporate stock.
b. The Vorstand is elected by the firm's employees.
Megaline, Inc., with five divisions, follows the competitive form of the multidivisional structure. One division has not met the rate-of-return goals for the past year. Another division has exceeded the rate-of-return goals. The other three divisions met the rate-of-return goals. The headquarters office must decide where to allocate capital in the next year. Which scenario is the MOST likely? a. The poorest-performing division will get the highest capital allocation so that it can fix its problems and achieve the rate-of-return goal next year. b. The highest-performing division will get the highest capital allocation because it has the best prospects for creating more wealth for the shareholders next year. c. The average-performing divisions which met the rate-of-return goals will receive the highest allocation because their performance exactly matched corporate requirements. d. All divisions will receive the same capital allocation for the next year because this organizational structure rewards divisional managers based on achievement of strategic goals.
b. The highest-performing division will get the highest capital allocation because it has the best prospects for creating more wealth for the shareholders next year.
Omicron Artificial Intelligence is able to respond quickly to competitors' actions and to opportunities in the marketplace. This is an example of a. agility. b. a core competency. c. flexibility. d. responsiveness.
b. a core competency.
An example of the external labor market is the situation where a. an assessment center operated by an external consulting firm evaluates company managers for promotion potential. b. a new vice president of marketing is hired from a competitor. c. the senior vice president of finance is promoted to CEO. d. a vice president of human resources is sent to a university executive MBA program for professional development.
b. a new vice president of marketing is hired from a competitor.
Mutual forbearance is a. illegal in the United States. b. a type of competition-reducing strategy. c. a variety of risk-sharing by firms in highly fragmented industries. d. exercised when alliance partners refrain from opportunistic behaviors.
b. a type of competition-reducing strategy.
The CEO of Skyco, a publicly-traded company that has been earning below-average returns, has been publicly criticized by shareholders for persuading the board of directors to give her interest-free loans, for having the company purchase and furnish a lavish apartment in Paris for her personal use on her twice-yearly trips there, and for excessive stock options. The CEO's behavior may be indication of a. reasonably compensating a CEO. b. a weak board of directors. c. the laxity of institutional investors. d. the difference in risk propensity between owners and managers.
b. a weak board of directors.
Stable alliance networks will most often a. be used to enhance a firm's internal operations. b. appear in mature industries where demand is relatively constant and predictable. c. emerge in industries with short product life cycles. d. emerge in declining industries as a way to increase process innovations.
b. appear in mature industries where demand is relatively constant and predictable.
Simon Leagreet, the Chairperson and CEO of L-EVA Industries, Inc., has long been the major power at L-EVA. A majority of the directors are concerned that while Mr. Leagreet has been responsible for the firm's earning above-average returns, he has been displaying a tendency toward personal extravagance at the firm's expense. In order to limit Mr. Leagreet's power, the board of directors plans to a. elect an insider as the lead director. b. appoint another individual as chairperson of the board of directors. c. require Mr. Leagreet to personally certify the firm's financial reports. d. reduce the size of the stock option package provided to Mr. Leagreet.
b. appoint another individual as chairperson of the board of directors.
Successfully implementing a cost leadership strategy requires a. freedom from constraining rules. b. centralization of authority. c. communication between functional silos. d. sharing of competencies among divisions.
b. centralization of authority.
Firms such as Textron Inc. that frequently acquire and divest other firms are most likely to use the structure. a. matrix b. competitive multidivisional c. hybrid combination d. horizontal complementary strategic alliance
b. competitive multidivisional
The fewest integrative devices are used in the structure. a. simple b. competitive multidivisional c. SBU d. network
b. competitive multidivisional
__________strategic alliances have stronger focus on value creation than do_________ alliances. a. competition reducing; complementary b. complementary; competition reducing c. uncertainty reducing; complementary d. collusive; uncertainty reducing
b. complementary; competition reducing
In general, cross-border alliances are more________ and _________ than domestic alliances, especially in emerging markets. a. uncertainty reducing; diversifying b. complex; risky c. highly leveraged; tightly monitored d. flexible; trust-based
b. complex; risky
All of the following are external environmental sources that affect managerial discretion EXCEPT a. industry structure. b. corporate culture. c. market growth rate. d. potential for product differentiation.
b. corporate culture.
Successful implementation of the differentiation strategy requires a structure that a. has specialized jobs. b. decentralizes decision making. c. focuses on the finance function. d. is dominated by the operations function.
b. decentralizes decision making.
As ownership of the corporation is diffused, shareholders' ability to monitor managerial decisions a. increases. b. decreases. c. remains constant. d. is eliminated.
b. decreases.
In an SBU structure, ___________ is/are evaluated using strategic controls, whereas__________ is/are evaluated using financial controls. a. each SBU; divisions within the SBUs b. divisions within the SBUs; each SBU c. managers of the SBUs; headquarters staff d. headquarters staff; managers of the SBUs
b. divisions within the SBUs; each SBU
A state-wide alliance of independent hospitals has formed in order to do group purchasing of medical supplies. Group purchasing allows the hospital alliance to negotiate lower prices with suppliers because of the large quantity of materials ordered. This is an example of the advantage of___________ resulting from an alliance. a. explicit collusion b. economies of scale c. opportunistic behavior d. distribution opportunities
b. economies of scale
Firms entering into synergistic strategic alliances expect to attain a. technological complexity. b. economies of scope. c. monopolistic market power. d. learning curve efficiencies.
b. economies of scope.
Monahegan Plasma Company is facing a performance downturn and realizes that a major rethinking of its strategy is in order. Under these circumstances, Monahegan Plasma would benefit from a(n) a. internal CEO with short tenure. b. external CEO with a heterogeneous top management team. c. dual CEO/chairperson with a homogenous top management team. d. CEO with long tenure who has a strong sense of hubris.
b. external CEO with a heterogeneous top management team.
Corporate governance is important to nations because a. shareholders want large stock returns. b. firms seek to invest in nations with national governance standards that are acceptable to them. c. company boards have lobbied for strong governance. d. the United States requires that other nations adopt its governance practices.
b. firms seek to invest in nations with national governance standards that are acceptable to them.
Managers may decide to invest_________ in products that are not associated with the firm's current lines of business to increase the firm's level of diversification and decrease their employment risk. a. unsubstantial profits b. free cash flows c. marginal profits d. frozen assets
b. free cash flows
Leslie is a newly graduated certified public accountant with a specialty in corporate tax. She wishes to join an organization (not an accounting firm) that will allow her to concentrate on corporate tax and become deeply proficient in this area. Leslie should look for a position in a firm with a ________ structure. a. simple b. functional c. multidivisional d. network
b. functional
The___________ structure is the most appropriate structure for implementing the integrated cost leadership/differentiation strategy. a. simple b. functional c. multidivisional d. strategic business unit
b. functional
A businessperson in Atlanta who wishes to develop a luxury pet kennel approaches the owner of the highly successful Pet Resort and Day Spa in Houston to see if the owner is interesting in franchising the Pet Resort brand. The Atlanta businessperson's goal is to a. get venture capital from Pet Resort. b. gain access to Pet Resort's tacit knowledge. c. collude with Pet Resort to diminish competition in the kennel industry in Atlanta. d. join in a vertical complementary alliance with Pet Resort.
b. gain access to Pet Resort's tacit knowledge.
The New York Stock Exchange requires that the audit committee be a. available to comment to external analysts. b. headed by outside directors. c. liable for any illegal actions by the top management team. d. made up of CPAs with auditing experience.
b. headed by outside directors.
Managers in the United States receive ________ compensation than managers in the rest of the world. a. equivalent b. higher c. lower d. more variable
b. higher
Normally, the more involved a board of directors is in shaping the firm's strategic direction, the a. more balanced the organization is. b. higher the corporation's performance is. c. more rapidly executive decisions can be make. d. more difficult it becomes to make effective executive decisions.
b. higher the corporation's performance is.
Within the Renault Nissan alliance (Chapter 9 Opening Case), both Renault and Nissan have each formed ___________ strategic alliances at the business-unit level with other companies. a. vertical complementary b. horizontal complementary c. synergistic d. diversifying
b. horizontal complementary
The effective development and management of the firm's _________ may be its only sustainable competitive advantage. a. capital base b. human capital c. technology d. organizational culture
b. human capital
A multidomestic strategy would be associated with a. high levels of coordination. b. informal coordination among units. c. many integrative mechanisms. d. interdependent divisions.
b. informal coordination among units.
Generally, a board member who is a source of information about a firm's day-to-day activities is classified as a(n)________ director. a. lead independent b. inside c. related d. encumbered
b. inside
Which of the following factors most encourages stability in a firm's strategy? a. a new CEO hired from outside the firm but within the industry b. internal CEO succession and a homogeneous top management team c. external CEO succession and a heterogeneous top management team d. a new CEO hired from outside the industry
b. internal CEO succession and a homogeneous top management team
The market for corporate control serves as a means of governance when a. the firm is overpriced in the market. b. internal controls have failed. c. the corporation has greatly exceeded performance expectations. d. the top management team's interests and the owners' interests are aligned.
b. internal controls have failed.
A cooperative strategy a. is an integrated and coordinated set of commitments and actions designed to exploit core competencies and gain a competitive advantage. b. is a strategy in which firms work together to achieve a shared objective. c. is an integrated and coordinated set of commitments and actions the firm uses to gain a competitive advantage by exploiting core competencies in specific product markets. d. specifies actions a firm takes to gain a competitive advantage by selecting and managing a group of different businesses competing in different product markets.
b. is a strategy in which firms work together to achieve a shared objective.
Moon Flower cosmetics company executives are aware that their Asian customer base is interested in advanced skin care treatments beyond Moon Flower's traditional herbal and organic compounds. Moon Flower and a large American chemical company are in discussions to create a 50-50 partnership in a new firm, which would create skin care treatments based on innovative chemical formulations that would be marketed both in Asia and in the United States. Beyond being a cross-border alliance, this partnership can be called a(n) a. nonequity strategic alliance. b. joint venture. c. horizontal complementary alliance. d. equity strategic alliance.
b. joint venture.
Fujitsu Siemens Computers is a legally independent company of which Fujitsu and Siemens each own 50 percent. This collaboration is an example of a ___________, which is effective at transferring a. nonequity strategic alliance; explicit knowledge. b. joint venture; tacit knowledge. c. joint venture; explicit knowledge. d. equity strategic alliance; tacit knowledge.
b. joint venture; tacit knowledge.
Which type of strategic alliance is best at passing tacit knowledge between firms? a. primary cooperative strategic alliances b. joint ventures c. equity strategic alliances d. nonequity strategic alliances
b. joint ventures
In the United States, cooperative strategies to reduce competition may result in__________ if they are explicit. a. increased tax liabilities b. litigation c. government takeover of the firms d. dissolution of the firm
b. litigation
Firms seeking to compete on the basis of cost leadership particularly need support from the________ and _________ functions. a. finance; accounting b. manufacturing; process R&D c. product R&D; marketing d. management information; finance
b. manufacturing; process R&D
In the United States, the fundamental goal of business is to a. ensure customer satisfaction. b. maximize shareholder wealth. c. provide job security. d. generate profits.
b. maximize shareholder wealth.
Research suggests that the activism of institutional investors such as TIAA-CREF and CalPERS a. increases shareholder value significantly. b. may not have a direct effect on firm performance. c. is so aggressive that boards of directors have become overly cautious. d. has weakened the effect of other governance mechanisms.
b. may not have a direct effect on firm performance.
Galatea Foods was founded in Greece by Galatea Chronos in 1978, and the company spread rapidly through Western Europe. Ms. Chronos retains the office of CEO. The Spanish division is headed by her oldest son. The North European division is headed by her only daughter, and the French-Italian division is headed by Ms. Chronos' brother. This company probably uses the _________ strategy. a. network b. multidomestic c. global d. transnational
b. multidomestic
For the purpose of diversification, a corporate-level cooperative strategy may be preferable to a merger or acquisition for all the following reasons EXCEPT a. a host nation may forbid a merger or acquisition. b. opportunistic behaviors are less likely. c. cooperative strategies require fewer resources. d. cooperative strategies allow greater flexibility in diversifying the firm's portfolio.
b. opportunistic behaviors are less likely.
Which of the following is NOT one of the five dimensions thought to characterize an employee's entrepreneurial mind-set? a. autonomy b. reactivity c. risk taking d. innovativeness
b. reactivity
Which of the following is NOT a variation of the multidivisional structure? a. competitive form b. regional form c. cooperative form d. strategic business unit form
b. regional form
In contrast to managers' desires, shareholders usually prefer that free cash flows be a. used to diversify the firm. b. returned to them as dividends. c. used to reduce corporate debt. d. re-invested in additional corporate assets.
b. returned to them as dividends.
Compared to managers, shareholders prefer a. safer strategies with greater diversification for the firm. b. riskier strategies with more focused diversification for the firm. c. safer strategies with more focused diversification for the firm. d. riskier strategies with greater diversification for the firm.
b. riskier strategies with more focused diversification for the firm.
The longer the focus of managerial incentive compensation, the greater the________ top-level managers. a. earnings potential for b. risks borne by c. incentives for d. potential tax burden for
b. risks borne by
Corporate governance revolves around the relationship between which two parties? a. shareholders and the board of directors b. shareholders and managers c. the board of directors and managers d. None of the these options are correct.
b. shareholders and managers
Typically, an organization using a simple structure would be a. large. b. small. c. of any size if the firm is privately held. d. a family-owned-and-managed firm of any size.
b. small.
Firms in _________ markets cooperate to pool resources and gain market power. a. slow-cycle b. standard-cycle c. fast-cycle d. hyper-cycle
b. standard-cycle
A private university is made up of various "schools," such as the School of Journalism, the School of Business, the School of Law, the School of Arts and Sciences, and so forth. The university is experiencing some financial problems, so the administration has decided to have each school of the university become a profit center. This scheme is somewhat parallel to the__________ organizational structure. a. network b. strategic business unit multidivisional c. functional d. matrix
b. strategic business unit multidivisional
McDonald's operates through a franchising system wherein the head office uses strategic and financial controls to ensure that the franchises are creating the greatest possible value. This is an example of a(n) a. worldwide product divisional structure. b. strategic network. c. SBU multidivisional structure. d. simple structure.
b. strategic network.
The Renault Nissan alliance discussed in the Opening Case is an example of a__________in that the firms seek to create economies of scope by sharing their resources and capabilities to develop manufacturing platforms that can be used to produce cars that will be either a Renault or a Nissan. a. joint venture b. synergistic alliance c. horizontal complementary alliance d. dynamic alliance network
b. synergistic alliance
A__________ is a strategy in which firms share some of their resources and capabilities to create economies of scope and is similar to the business-level horizontal complementary alliance. a. joint venture b. synergistic strategic alliance c. diversifying strategic alliance d. dynamic alliance network
b. synergistic strategic alliance
International Food Services (IFS) has a contract with the Marines to supply meals for its troops in Afghanistan and other foreign assignments. As a means of increasing profits, IFS has used substandard ingredients in these meals and has consistently lied about this practice during quality investigations by the Marines. Who is ultimately responsible for the corporate climate that resulted in this wrongdoing? a. the director of food service for IFS b. the board of directors of IFS c. the employees directly involved in the wrongdoing d. the head of contract services for the Marines
b. the board of directors of IFS
In free-market economies,__________ must decide how rivals can collaborate with their competitors without violating established regulations. a. the invisible hand b. the government c. consumers d. the business community
b. the government
Ownership concentration is determined by both a. the number of stockholders and the parties they represent. b. the number of stockholders and total percentage of shares they own. c. the number of outside directors and the parties they represent. d. the number of outside directors and total percentage of shares they own.
b. the number of stockholders and total percentage of shares they own.
To increase the likelihood of success between partners assuming that trust exists,________ approach(es) should be used to manage cooperative strategies. a. the cost minimization b. the opportunity maximization c. both the cost minimization and opportunity maximization d. None of the these options are correct.
b. the opportunity maximization
The need for the organization to combine local responsiveness and efficiency is most critical in a _________ strategy. a. multidomestic b. transnational c. global d. focus
b. transnational
A nonequity strategic alliance exists when a. two firms join together to create a new company. b. two or more firms have a contractual relationship to share resources and capabilities. c. two partners in an alliance own unequal shares in the combined entity. d. the partners agree to sell bonds instead of stock in order to finance a new venture.
b. two or more firms have a contractual relationship to share resources and capabilities.
It is easiest to identify the company that functions as the strategic center firm in a. horizontal complementary strategic alliances. b. vertical complementary strategic alliances. c. corporate-level cooperative partnerships. d. international cooperative partnerships.
b. vertical complementary strategic alliances.
Of the various business-level strategic alliances,__________ alliances have the most probability of creating sustainable competitive advantage, and________ have the lowest. a. horizontal complementary; vertical complementary b. vertical complementary; competition reducing c. competition reducing; horizontal complementary d. uncertainty reducing; competition reducing
b. vertical complementary; competition reducing
BPM Corp. is a manufacturer of radar systems for regional-sized jet aircraft. The company has announced plans to enter into a joint venture with J3 Composites, a producer of advanced composite materials. The announced venture will produce a new, combined product consisting of the radar unit and protective composite cover. Which of the following ownership arrangements would be most typical for a joint venture? a. BPM will own more than 50 percent of the venture and a new company will be formed. b. J3 will own more than 50 percent of the venture and a new company will be formed. c. BPM and J3 will both own 50 percent of the venture and a new company will be formed. d. BPM and J3 will both own 50 percent of the venture but no new company will be formed.
c. BPM and J3 will both own 50 percent of the venture and a new company will be formed.
The board of directors for TundraPro, Inc., is searching for a new CEO. The firm is in need of new direction after suffering several years of declining performance and increasingly demoralized management and employees. The board has decided it needs a CEO who can be a transformational leader. To this specific end, the board needs to identify applicants who have a. high levels of honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity. b. high emotional intelligence. c. Both A and B are correct. d. low tolerance for ambiguity.
c. Both A and B are correct.
Which of the statements about CEO duality is FALSE? a. CEO duality is associated with high CEO power. b. CEO duality has been blamed for slow response to change by the organization. c. CEO duality is relatively rare in the U.S. except in large Fortune 500 firms. d. If the CEO acts a steward, CEO duality facilitates effective decisions and actions.
c. CEO duality is relatively rare in the U.S. except in large Fortune 500 firms.
The primary responsibility for effective strategic leadership of the organization rests with the a. board of directors. b. top management team. c. CEO. d. stakeholders.
c. CEO.
_____________ controls are objective criteria that allow corporate managers to evaluate the returns earned by individual business units. a. Strategic b. Managerial c. Financial d. Environmental
c. Financial
Which organizational structure will emphasize financial controls for headquarters' evaluation of operating units while the operating units will emphasize strategic controls within their units' performance? a. functional b. cooperative M-Form c. SBU form d. competitive M-Form
c. SBU form
Which of the following multidivisional structures is CORRECTLY paired with the appropriate corporate-level strategy? a. competitive form with related-constrained strategy b. cooperative form with unrelated strategy c. SBU form with related-linked strategy d. competitive form with related-linked strategy
c. SBU form with related-linked strategy
Several members of the board of directors of American Textile Products (ATP) have proposed creating the position of lead director. What circumstances would most likely have initiated this proposal? a. ATP has been the initiator of several hostile takeovers in the last 2 years. b. The board has been successful in reducing the percentage of CEO pay that is composed of stock options. c. The CEO/chairperson of the board has been suspected of opportunistic behavior. d. The firm is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and must change its corporate governance to comply with the NYSE's new rules.
c. The CEO/chairperson of the board has been suspected of opportunistic behavior.
Which of the following is FALSE about corporate governance in China? a. The Chinese governance system may be tilting toward the Western model. b. With increasing frequency, the compensation of top executives of Chinese companies is closely related to prior and current financial performance of the firm. c. The state still uses direct and/or indirect controls to influence the strategies employed by most firms. d. Firms with higher state ownership tend to have lower market value and more volatility in those values over time.
c. The state still uses direct and/or indirect controls to influence the strategies employed by most firms.
Shaping and reinforcing a new organizational culture requires all of the following EXCEPT a. effective communication. b. effective performance appraisals. c. adherence to the firm's traditional core values. d. an appropriate reward system.
c. adherence to the firm's traditional core values.
The separation between firm ownership and management creates a(n) _________ relationship. a. governance b. control c. agency d. dependent
c. agency
Which of the following is NOT a preliminary task of the strategic center firm in a strategic network? a. strategic outsourcing b. encouraging friendly rivalry among network members c. allocating internal capital d. supporting development of new core competencies
c. allocating internal capital
All of the following are consequences of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act EXCEPT a. a decrease in foreign firms listing on U.S. stock exchanges. b. internal auditing scrutiny has improved and there is greater trust in financial reporting. c. an increased number of IPOs (initial public offerings) are expected. d. Section 404 creates excessive costs for firms.
c. an increased number of IPOs (initial public offerings) are expected.
Icarus Aviation, Athena Instrumentation, and Hercules Miniaturization are strategic business units of Olympia Industries. One can expect that Icarus, Athena, and Hercules a. use integrative mechanisms to share core competencies. b. compete with one another in Olympia's internal capital markets. c. are not necessarily related to one another in terms of products or markets. d. are network member firms while Olympia is the strategic center firm.
c. are not necessarily related to one another in terms of products or markets.
The___________ is a framework firms can use to verify that they have established both strategic and financial controls to assess their performance. a. managerial model b. holistic control system c. balanced scorecard d. internal auditing system
c. balanced scorecard
Firms in a standard-cycle market may form alliances in order to a. take advantage of opportunities in emerging market countries. b. more quickly distribute new products. c. capture economies of scale. d. share risky R&D investments.
c. capture economies of scale.
Which of the following is NOT a factor that determines the amount of a manager's decision discretion? a. characteristics of the manager b. characteristics of the organization c. cohesiveness of the board of directors d. the external environmental
c. cohesiveness of the board of directors
Given the demands for greater accountability and improved performance, which of the following is NOT a voluntary change many boards of directors have initiated? a. moving toward having directors from different backgrounds b. strengthening the internal management and accounting control systems c. compensating directors with stock options rather than with fixed remuneration d. establishing and using formal processes to evaluate the board's performance
c. compensating directors with stock options rather than with fixed remuneration
In the ___________ multidivisional structure there is complete independence among the firm's divisions. a. cooperative b. matrix c. competitive d. SBU
c. competitive
In the ____________ structure hierarchy, the headquarters relies on strategic controls to set rate-of-return targets and financial controls to monitor divisional performance relative to those targets. a. functional b. cooperative c. competitive d. SBU
c. competitive
A firm pursuing an unrelated diversification strategy will utilize a __________ structure. a. network b. cooperative form multidivisional c. competitive form multidivisional d. functional
c. competitive form multidivisional
TheLG Company has units operating in significantly different industries and uses financial controls to manage its portfolio. LG is most likely using the__________ structure. a. combination-matrix b. cooperative form of the multidivisional c. competitive form of the multidivisional d. strategic business unit multidivisional
c. competitive form of the multidivisional
Strategic control focuses on the__________ of strategic actions, whereas financial controls focus on the_________ of strategic actions. a. revenues; costs b. long-term financial outcomes; short-term financial performance c. content; outcomes d. outcomes; content
c. content; outcomes
Ortiz is a manager of BRS Corp. Ortiz's division did not meet financial targets this year. Ramirez, manager of another division, has indicated that Ortiz's division incurred significant costs which resulted in Ramirez's division setting record profits for the year. As a result, performance for BRS as a whole exceeded projections. Which pairing of organizational structures for BRS and bonus for Ortiz is most plausible? a. cooperative structure; no bonus due to failure to meet divisional target b. competitive structure; no bonus due to failure to meet divisional target c. cooperative structure; a bonus for increasing organizational performance d. competitive structure; a bonus for increasing organizational performance
c. cooperative structure; a bonus for increasing organizational performance
The noted business historian Alfred Chandler viewed the multidivisional structure as an innovative response to a. an emerging professional management philosophy. b. the increasing demand by consumers for both high quality and low prices. c. coordination and control problems. d. a shift toward the global economy.
c. coordination and control problems.
The collaboration between Volvo Aero (a subsidiary of Sweden's AB Volvo) and U.S.-based Pratt & Whitney to produce a new jet engine would be characterized as a(n) a. collusive tactic. b. merger. c. cross-border strategic alliance. d. international acquisition.
c. cross-border strategic alliance.
Which of the following is NOT associated with heterogeneous top management teams? a. higher firm performance b. innovation and strategic change c. diminished debate among top managers d. better strategic decisions
c. diminished debate among top managers
A firm pursuing a related constrained diversification strategy would typically need all of the following EXCEPT a. centralization of some organizational functions for the sake of coordination. b. frequent, direct contact between division managers. c. division managers' rewards based on division financial performance. d. temporary teams or task forces formed around specific projects.
c. division managers' rewards based on division financial performance.
Japanese telecom NTT DoCoMo Inc. and Chinese Internet search operator Baidu Inc. established an alliance to distribute games and other mobile-phone content. Baidu will own 80 percent of this collaboration with DoCoMo holding the remaining 20 percent. This collaborative arrangement is an example of a(n) a. joint venture. b. network strategy. c. equity strategic alliance. d. nonequity strategic alliance.
c. equity strategic alliance.
Institutional owners are a. shareholders in the large institutional firms listed on the New York Stock Exchange. b. banks and other lending institutions that have provided major financing to the firm. c. financial institutions such as mutual funds and pension funds that control large-block shareholder positions. d. prevented by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act from owning more than 50 percent of the stock of any one firm.
c. financial institutions such as mutual funds and pension funds that control large-block shareholder positions.
Exploiting and maintaining core competencies is part of the key strategic leadership action "Effectively Managing the Firm's Resource Portfolio." Which of the following is most important for developing and using core competencies? a. extensive financial assets b. transformational leadership c. high-quality human capital d. an ethical organizational culture
c. high-quality human capital
A CEO's breadth of knowledge base is constrained by a. his or her relationship with the board of directors. b. whether he or she is also the chairperson of the board of directors. c. his or her long tenure with the firm. d. the level of social capital in the firm.
c. his or her long tenure with the firm.
Smith Commercial Lighting, Inc., which sells lighting for factories and businesses, has entered into an alliance with Revelation Lighting, Inc., a retailer of home decor lighting, in order to expand into the trend of using industrial-type lighting in non-traditional style homes. Smith has invested 40 percent and Revelation has invested 60 percent into the new operation. This is an example of a(n) a. joint venture. b. nonequity alliance. c. horizontal complementary strategic alliance. d. vertical complementary strategic alliance.
c. horizontal complementary strategic alliance.
Criteria for reevaluating internal business processes using the balanced scorecard include all of the following EXCEPT a. asset utilization improvements. b. improvements in employee morale. c. increases in employee skills. d. changes in turnover rates.
c. increases in employee skills.
Which of the following is NOT a risk for firms engaged in cooperative strategies? a. misrepresentation of a partner's competencies b. partner acts opportunistically c. insufficient variation in firms' core competencies d. failure of partners to make complementary resources available to the partnership
c. insufficient variation in firms' core competencies
One of the primary disadvantages of the global strategy and worldwide product divisional structure is that a. it is difficult to achieve economies of scale. b. the firm must develop centers to offer after-sales service to customers. c. it is difficult to respond effectively to local market needs and preferences. d. achieving economies of scale with this strategy/structure combination is nearly impossible.
c. it is difficult to respond effectively to local market needs and preferences.
In a(n)________, two or more firms create a legally independent company to share some of their resources and capabilities to develop a competitive advantage. a. equality-based strategic alliance b. non-equity strategic alliance c. joint venture d. equity strategic alliance
c. joint venture
The top management team is composed of the a. heterogeneous group of advisors selected by the CEO. b. CEO and chairperson of the board. c. key individuals who are responsible for selecting and implementing a firm's strategy. d. officers listed in a firm's annual report and the board of directors.
c. key individuals who are responsible for selecting and implementing a firm's strategy.
Complete the following: In small firms, managers often own a__________ percentage of the firm, which means there is_________ separation between ownership and managerial control. a. small; small b. small; large c. large; small d. large; large
c. large; small
Managerial employment risk is the a. risk that managers will behave opportunistically. b. risk undertaken by managers to earn stock options. c. managers' risk of job loss, loss of compensation, and/or loss of reputation. d. risk managers will not find a new top management position if they should be dismissed.
c. managers' risk of job loss, loss of compensation, and/or loss of reputation.
Some experts consider the___________ structure to be one of the 20th century's most significant organizational innovations because of its value to diversified firms. a. network b. cooperative c. multidivisional d. functional
c. multidivisional
A worldwide geographic area structure is an organizational form in which a. multiple alliances across the globe link complementary businesses. b. standardized products are offered across country markets. c. national interests dominate and management adapts to local or cultural differences. d. responsiveness to local demand is combined with economies of scale.
c. national interests dominate and management adapts to local or cultural differences.
Which of the following does NOT cause a firm to move from a functional structure to a multidivisional structure? a. increasing diversification b. coordination and control issues c. need for knowledge-sharing among specialists d. greater amounts of data and information to process
c. need for knowledge-sharing among specialists
Burgess Corp. manufactures a line of heavy construction equipment. The company has announced a contractual relationship with FS Electronics whereby FS will supply Burgess with advanced GPS navigation and guidance systems. These systems will be an option on all bulldozers, dump trucks, and road graders Burgess produces. What type of alliance is this? a. joint venture b. equity strategic alliance c. nonequity strategic alliance d. competition reduction alliance
c. nonequity strategic alliance
DDD Partners, a U.S. business consulting firm is considering a cooperative alliance with an Indian business consulting firm that has a wide practice in the Middle East and Asia. DDD has some European clients, but it sees the Middle East and Asia as growth opportunities. It hopes to learn how to navigate the different cultures and business practices in this part of the world from its alliance with the Indian firm. DDD's greatest risk here is that the Indian firm will a. insist on excessively close monitoring of DDD's actions. b. gain access to DDD's core competencies and use them to become a future competitor. c. not fully share its intangible resources. d. not make equivalent investments to the alliance as does DDD.
c. not fully share its intangible resources.
The market for corporate control may not be as efficient as previously thought as recent findings suggest that those firms targeted for takeover by active corporate raiders are a. usually on the verge of bankruptcy. b. typically under-performing their industry. c. often performing above their industry averages. d. always outperforming their industry.
c. often performing above their industry averages.
Agency costs reflect all of the following EXCEPT _________ costs. a. monitoring b. enforcement c. opportunity d. incentive
c. opportunity
If the market for corporate control were efficient as a governance device, then only________ would be targets for takeovers. a. firms with unethical top executives b. firms earning above-average returns c. poorly performing firms d. over-valued firms
c. poorly performing firms
German executives are not dedicated to the maximization of shareholder value to the degree that is the case for executives in the UK and United States largely because a. the roles of CEO and chairperson of the board of directors are usually combined. b. large institutional investors control large blocks of stock. c. private shareholders and large institutional investors rarely have large ownership positions in firms. d. of the focus on stewardship-management in German firms rather than the financial performance focus of U.S. firms.
c. private shareholders and large institutional investors rarely have large ownership positions in firms.
Firms seeking to differentiate particularly need support from the__________and__________ functions. a. finance; accounting b. engineering; operations c. product R&D; marketing d. management information; finance
c. product R&D; marketing
Functional structures work best for firms for all of the following strategies EXCEPT a. cost leadership strategy. b. differentiation strategy. c. related constrained diversification strategy. d. single or dominant business corporate strategy.
c. related constrained diversification strategy.
One means that is considered to improve the effectiveness of outside directors is a. mandating that all outside directors be drawn from government or academia rather than industry. b. requiring that outside directors be former executives of the firm. c. requiring outside directors to own significant equity stakes in the firm. d. requiring that outside directors be truly objective by having no ownership interest in the firm.
c. requiring outside directors to own significant equity stakes in the firm.
To successfully implement a firm's strategy, the workforce must be viewed as a a. variable cost. b. depreciating asset. c. resource to be maximized. d. renewable asset.
c. resource to be maximized.
Four perspectives are integrated to form the balanced scorecard framework. The financial perspective focuses on the view of the firm by the a. customer. b. employee. c. shareholder. d. general society.
c. shareholder.
In the United States, a firm's key stakeholder(s) is(are) the a. government. b. executives. c. shareholders. d. customers.
c. shareholders.
U.S. Steel and Nucor (the two remaining major players in the U.S. steel industry) have been forming alliances as a means to enter markets in Europe and Asia. The steel industry is an example of a___________ market in which firms typically use alliances to gain market access. a. fast-cycle b. standard-cycle c. slow-cycle d. intermediate-cycle
c. slow-cycle
Determining the strategic direction of a firm involves a. implementation of a balanced scorecard. b. developing an entrepreneurial mind set. c. specifying the vision and the strategy to achieve that vision over time. d. exploiting and maintaining core competencies.
c. specifying the vision and the strategy to achieve that vision over time.
One disadvantage of developing effective monitoring systems to manage a strategic alliance is that a. firms will have to accept greater risks. b. trust will be eroded. c. spontaneous opportunities are minimized. d. power coalitions will still develop.
c. spontaneous opportunities are minimized.
The Renault Nissan alliance (Chapter 9 Opening Case) is an example of a _________ created to gain economies of scope by sharing resources and capabilities. a. diversifying strategic alliance b. vertical complementary alliance c. synergistic strategic alliance d. nonequity-based horizontal complementary alliance
c. synergistic strategic alliance
The fact that the prices consumers pay for branded breakfast cereals are above the prices that would exist if there were true competition suggests that the cereal manufacturers are engaging in a. excessive cooperation. b. joint ventures. c. tacit collusion. d. horizontal strategic alliances.
c. tacit collusion.
The CEO of Icon Image Associates wishes to radically change the corporate culture of the firm. She knows that she must convince others at Icon Image of the necessity for the culture change and gain their active support. The CEO knows that the key players in energizing the culture change and fostering alignment with the new strategic vision are a. the members of the board of directors. b. top management team members. c. the CEO, top managers, and middle managers. d. rank-and-file employees.
c. the CEO, top managers, and middle managers.
A characteristic of the manager that may affect managerial discretion is his/her a. amount of industry experience. b. level of education. c. tolerance for ambiguity. d. length of tenure.
c. tolerance for ambiguity.
The primary responsibility of the franchisor, such as McDonald's or Hilton International is to a. learn about the brand and technology from the franchisee. b. test the franchisee for potential future acquisition. c. transfer to the franchisee knowledge and skills needed to compete at the local level. d. provide feedback to the franchisee regarding how the franchisor could become more effective and efficient.
c. transfer to the franchisee knowledge and skills needed to compete at the local level.
In managing cooperative strategies, research indicates that ________ can be a capability that is valuable, rare, imperfectly imitable, and often nonsubstitutable giving these firms a competitive advantage. a. extensive capitalization b. stability c. trustworthiness d. Internet competency
c. trustworthiness
Financial controls are most important in the strategy. a. single business b. related constrained c. unrelated diversified d. vertical complementary
c. unrelated diversified
Typically, a successful firm pursuing a differentiation strategy will a. have a very hierarchical structure. b. require a structure that is very formal. c. use cross-functional development teams. d. develop free-standing business units.
c. use cross-functional development teams.
A CEO gains power from all of the following circumstances EXCEPT a. when many of the outside directors are appointed by the CEO. b. when the CEO is also the chairman of the board. c. when tenure of the top management team is shorter than the tenure of the board. d. the fact that inside board members report to the CEO.
c. when tenure of the top management team is shorter than the tenure of the board.
An important lesson from the Chapter 11 Opening Case about Borders is that a. Borders did a good job of implementing its strategy but its structure was wrong. b. structures rarely evolve in response to strategic change. c. while a firm's structure usually follows the strategy, once in place, structure can have a significant effect on strategy. d. Borders' decentralized structure led to poor decision making.
c. while a firm's structure usually follows the strategy, once in place, structure can have a significant effect on strategy.
Clarita Cosmetics is confronting a decline in sales due largely to a general economic downturn. The top management team is debating whether to lay off employees. In the debate, the following statements are made. Which of the statements is FALSE? a. If Clarita Cosmetics lays off a large number of employees, there will be a significant loss of human capital that will cause further downturns in the firm's performance. b. A moderate-sized layoff at Clarita Cosmetics will probably improve firm performance. c. If Clarita Cosmetics restructures, it ought to increase investments in training and development. d. A layoff will increase the slack at Clarita Cosmetics and allow the firm to absorb the increased number of errors employees may make until they learn their new tasks.
d. A layoff will increase the slack at Clarita Cosmetics and allow the firm to absorb the increased number of errors employees may make until they learn their new tasks.
The CEO and Chairman of the board of directors Alta Corp. is dismayed by a lack of effort and insights his directors provide during board meetings. The directors are all outsiders, experienced, and run their own successful firms. The CEO/chair genuinely seeks their greater involvement. What would you recommend? a. Requiring that the directors own stock in the company. b. Establishing a formal process to evaluate the board's performance. c. Electing an lead director. d. All of these options are correct.
d. All of these options are correct.
Executive headhunters have approached Charles about taking the position of senior vice president of marketing for a well-known company. Although this company has been highly successful since 1995, Charles has heard persistent rumors of overly aggressive marketing tactics, questionable reporting of sales data, and an atmosphere of intolerance of criticism. The CEO is a powerful and charismatic individual, who built the company from a small regional firm to an international powerhouse in only a decade. The other top managers have been hand-picked by the CEO, as have a number of the members of the board of directors. The salary for this position is very high and includes generous stock options. It would be a major step up in Charles's career and would position him to move to CEO of another company in the future. Charles has prided himself on his high moral values and is viewed as an exceptionally ethical person by his peers. What should Charles do? a. Charles should take the job because he can effect real change in the culture of the organization, and take advantage of the personal financial and career opportunities. b. Charles should realize that personal moral values and the realities of the corporate world differ in both quality and degree. Consequently, he can take a job in an ethically borderline company without tainting his personal moral standing. c. Charles should not rely on rumors to dissuade him from making an advantageous career decision. d. Charles should not take the job because the culture of the organization is set by the CEO and other top managers. He would have little influence on the organizational culture as one of many top managers.
d. Charles should not take the job because the culture of the organization is set by the CEO and other top managers. He would have little influence on the organizational culture as one of many top managers.
Which of the following is a FALSE statement about corporate governance? a. Governance is used to establish order between parties whose interests may be in conflict. b. Corporate governance mechanisms sometimes fail to monitor and control top managers' decisions. c. Corporate governance mechanisms can be in conflict with one another. d. Corporate governance is best achieved with a board of directors with strong ties to management.
d. Corporate governance is best achieved with a board of directors with strong ties to management.
Meredith Inc. is a manufacturer of art supplies. The company has announced plans to enter into an equity strategic alliance with JaZz Paper to develop a line of specialty papers for use with a line of specialty paints Meredith manufactures. Which of the following would be the accurate interpretation of this announcement? a. Meredith will own a majority equity stake in the new venture. b. JaZz will own a majority equity stake in the new venture. c. Meredith or JaZz will own an equal equity stake in the new venture. d. Either Meredith or JaZz will own a majority equity stake, but we do not know which one based on the announcement.
d. Either Meredith or JaZz will own a majority equity stake, but we do not know which one based on the announcement.
Which of the following is a TRUE statement about implementing corporate-level strategies and effective organizational structures? a. Firms pursuing a related linked strategy should implement a competitive structure with a competitive culture and centralized strategic-planning activities. b. Firms pursuing an unrelated diversification strategy should use an SBU structure with a small corporate staff, emphasize the R&D function, and integrate divisions to achieve synergies. c. Firms pursuing a related linked strategy should use an SBU structure, emphasize interdependence among divisions, and manage the strategic planning function from the central office. d. Firms pursuing a related constrained strategy should implement a cooperative structure, use integrative devices to link divisions, centralize the R&D function, and emphasize sharing.
d. Firms pursuing a related constrained strategy should implement a cooperative structure, use integrative devices to link divisions, centralize the R&D function, and emphasize sharing.
Which of the following statements is FALSE? a. Franchising is most appropriate in fragmented industries. b. Franchising provides corporate growth with less risk than do mergers and acquisitions. c. Successful franchising allows transfer of knowledge and skills from the franchisor to the franchisee. d. Franchising agreements require more trust between firms than do other cooperative strategies.
d. Franchising agreements require more trust between firms than do other cooperative strategies.
Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding effective organizational cultures? a. Once a corporate culture is developed, strategic leaders can focus on other activities. b. A strategy that is historically new for a firm should be implemented by incremental changes in the organization's culture. c. A central task of strategic leaders is to revise the corporate culture on an annual basis after analyzing the changes occurring in the competitive environment. d. Organizational culture can be a source of competitive advantage because it influences employee behavior and how the firm's conducts its business.
d. Organizational culture can be a source of competitive advantage because it influences employee behavior and how the firm's conducts its business.
Which of the following is TRUE? a. Organizations tend to change structure too frequently, which erodes their competitive advantage. b. Large organizations can retain a simple structure as long as they have a focus strategy. c. Flexibility in structure is more important than stability. d. Strategy has a more important influence on structure than structure has on strategy.
d. Strategy has a more important influence on structure than structure has on strategy.
Which key strategic leadership action plays a key role in influencing how the firm conducts its business and regulates and controls employees' behavior? a. Effectively Managing the Firm's Resource Portfolio. b. Determining Strategic Direction. c. Regulating and Controlling Employees. d. Sustaining an Effective Organizational Culture.
d. Sustaining an Effective Organizational Culture.
Agricultural Chemicals, Inc., was the target of a hostile takeover 6 months ago. The CEO and the top executives successfully fended off the takeover and are concentrating on strategies to improve the performance of the firm. Which of the following is most likely to be TRUE? a. Hostile takeover attempts are so common that they do not reflect negatively on the firm's performance. They are more a function of general market conditions. b. The fact that a hostile takeover has occurred is proof that the firm was under-performing. c. Research shows that once a hostile takeover has been defeated, the firm is safe from other hostile takeover attempts for many years. d. The CEO and top executives should not consider their jobs secure.
d. The CEO and top executives should not consider their jobs secure.
Why are alliances in the airline industry unstable? a. Unstable industries make for unstable alliances. b. The potential for firms to take opportunistic actions is too widespread. c. The industry is declining and profits are not sufficient to divide among alliance partners. d. The alliances require cooperation among firms that must also compete with one another.
d. The alliances require cooperation among firms that must also compete with one another.
Which of the following reasons would NOT explain the difficulty of determining appropriate executive compensation? a. The decisions made by top-level managers are typically complex and nonroutine. b. An executive's decisions often affect firm performance only over the long run. c. A number of factors intervene between top-level management decisions and firm performance (e.g., unpredictable economic, social, or legal changes). d. The compensation committee may not have comprehensive firm performance data.
d. The compensation committee may not have comprehensive firm performance data.
Recently, Sony selected Sir Howard Stringer as CEO. Sir Howard is not Japanese and he was not a Sony employee before his selection. Which of the following statements is FALSE? a. Sony's top management team will be more heterogeneous with the addition of Sir Howard. b. Sir Howard will have a broader perspective of the firm and its competitive environment than would a Sony insider. c. If Sony's top management team is homogeneous, Sir Howard's future impact on Sony's strategy is ambiguous. d. The decision-making process on Sony's top management team will be smoother and faster with the addition of Sir Howard.
d. The decision-making process on Sony's top management team will be smoother and faster with the addition of Sir Howard.
Hewlett-Packard licenses some of its intellectual property through strategic alliances. Which of the following is correct about this relationship? a. This is a joint venture because in licensing arrangements, a new company is created. b. This is an equity strategic alliance because licensing does not involve the creation of a new company, but does involve an equity commitment. c. The firms risk charges of collusion because most licensing relationships between competitors involve explicit collusion. d. This is a nonequity strategic alliance with Hewlett-Packard leveraging its unique capabilities.
d. This is a nonequity strategic alliance with Hewlett-Packard leveraging its unique capabilities.
Which of the following will increase the probability that a lower-level manager will become a successful strategic leader? a. Appointing many outside board members. b. Increasing the firm's sales. c. Increasing the homogeneity of the top management team. d. Training and development programs.
d. Training and development programs.
________ are LEAST likely to involve potential or current competitors. a. Mutual forbearance strategies b. Tacit collusion strategies c. Horizontal complementary strategic alliances d. Vertical complementary strategic alliances
d. Vertical complementary strategic alliances
Greentech, Inc., is a bioengineering firm specializing in food crops. It is considering a cooperative alliance with an Asian agribusiness firm, AsiaFoods, to jointly produce improved crops for the Asian market. The risks that Greentech should consider before entering this alliance include all of the following EXCEPT: a. Has AsiaFoods accurately represented its competencies? b. Will AsiaFoods make alliance-specific investments? c. Can Greentech expect opportunistic behavior from AsiaFoods? d. Will Greentech be able to use a cost-minimization management strategy in the AsiaFoods alliance?
d. Will Greentech be able to use a cost-minimization management strategy in the AsiaFoods alliance?
Which of the following is NOT related to a CEO having long tenure in his or her position? a. more effective strategic control b. greater influence on board decisions c. more limited perspective d. a broader knowledge base
d. a broader knowledge base
The ownership of major blocks of stock by institutional investors have resulted in all of the following EXCEPT a. making CEOs more accountable for their performance. b. challenges to the decisions of boards. c. focusing attention on ineffective boards of directors. d. a direct effect on firm performance.
d. a direct effect on firm performance.
A hostile takeover defense wherein the target firm makes its stock less attractive to a potential acquirer is called a. greenmail. b. a standstill agreement. c. crossing the palm with silver. d. a poison pill.
d. a poison pill.
Japanese keiretsu are a. management structures related to total quality management systems. b. company unions, which are a type of governance system. c. the banks owing the largest shares of stock in the firm. d. a system of cross-shareholding among firms.
d. a system of cross-shareholding among firms.
Research shows that_____________ is the most effective means of ensuring that employees comply with the firm's ethical requirements. a. a written code of ethics b. a statement in the firm's mission statement c. a speech on ethics by the CEO of the company d. a value-based culture
d. a value-based culture
The interests of multinational corporations' shareholders may be best served when there is a. a uniform compensation plan for all corporate executives, United States and foreign alike. b. executive compensation that is primarily based on long-term performance. c. elevation of foreign executive compensation to U.S. levels. d. a variety of compensation plans for executives of foreign subsidiaries.
d. a variety of compensation plans for executives of foreign subsidiaries.
The global airline industry is one in which a. national political interests prevent airlines from making international alliances. b. the fast-cycle nature of the industry mandates heavy use of alliances. c. most alliances tend to be vertical complementary. d. alliance versus alliance competition dominates firm versus firm competition.
d. alliance versus alliance competition dominates firm versus firm competition.
The Enron employee who reported the financial manipulations at the company to her superiors can be considered to have engaged in a. managerial opportunism. b. white-collar crime. c. vindictive disloyalty. d. an act of courage.
d. an act of courage.
In Japan, the principal source of the active monitoring of large companies comes from a. boards of directors. b. stock brokerage companies. c. the government. d. banks.
d. banks.
One disadvantage of the functional structure is that a. career paths and professional development are limited. b. dual reporting relationships blur lines of authority. c. the CEO cannot coordinate and control the efforts of functional-level employees. d. communication and coordination are difficult among organizational functions.
d. communication and coordination are difficult among organizational functions.
The top management team at Ingenuity, Inc., has assigned a team of scientists to a multi-year project to investigate the viability of growing large amounts of fur from cloned cells of minks and foxes to produce no-kill fur products for coats and other clothing items. This idea would satisfy all the dimensions of the entrepreneurial orientation EXCEPT a. innovativeness. b. risk taking. c. proactiveness. d. competitive autonomy.
d. competitive autonomy.
Structural stability affects the organization's ability to a. resist organizational inertia. b. cope with uncertainty about cause-and-effect relationships in the global economy. c. develop new competitive advantages. d. consistently and predictably manage its daily work routines.
d. consistently and predictably manage its daily work routines.
The ___________ structure is best for implementing the related-constrained diversification strategy. a. functional b. competitive form of the multidivisional c. SBU form of the multidivisional d. cooperative form of the multidivisional
d. cooperative form of the multidivisional
Cisco used the________structure to implement its _________ strategy. a. functional; cost leadership. b. SBU form of the multidivisional; related linked c. cooperative form of the multidivisional; related linked d. cooperative form of the multidivisional; related constrained
d. cooperative form of the multidivisional; related constrained
Cisco's_________corporate-level structure was useful in implementing its___________business-level strategy. a. SBU form; integrated cost leadership-differentiation b. competitive form; differentiation c. cooperative form; cost leadership d. cooperative form; integrated cost leadership-differentiation
d. cooperative form; integrated cost leadership-differentiation
A strategy in which firms work together to achieve a shared objective is a a. functional-level strategy. b. business-level strategy. c. corporate-level strategy. d. cooperative strategy.
d. cooperative strategy.
The most centralized and most costly form of the multidivisional structure is the a. integrated. b. competitive. c. SBU. d. cooperative.
d. cooperative.
When using cooperative strategies, firms most frequently develop strategic alliances that a. enhance the firm's reputation in the marketplace. b. are long-lived. c. will reduce the firm's political risk. d. create a competitive advantage.
d. create a competitive advantage.
In Japan, the center firm in a strategic network of vertical relationships might be expected to undertake all of the following EXCEPT a. reducing its transaction costs by promoting longer-term contracts with subcontractors. b. enabling engineers in upstream companies to have better communication with those companies with which it has contracts for services. c. encouraging subcontractors to modernize their facilities and providing them with technical and financial assistance to do so. d. decreasing communications between network members to reduce communication costs.
d. decreasing communications between network members to reduce communication costs.
All of the following statements are TRUE about the use of defense tactics by the target firm during a hostile takeover EXCEPT a. defense tactics are usually beneficial for the executives of the target firm. b. defense tactics are opposed by institutional investors. c. defense tactics vary in their effectiveness as a defense to takeovers. d. defense tactics make the costs of a takeover lower.
d. defense tactics make the costs of a takeover lower.
The BEST multidivisional structure to use a. is the competitive form. b. is the SBU form. c. is the cooperative form. d. depends on the degree of diversification.
d. depends on the degree of diversification.
Two key strategic leadership actions include a. monitoring the hiring of key employees and focusing on growth but not learning initiatives. b. designing and then implementing the balanced scorecard. c. setting appropriate financial targets and establishing an effective business level synergy. d. determining strategic direction and establishing balanced organizational controls.
d. determining strategic direction and establishing balanced organizational controls.
The goal of investing in human capital is to a. increase the number of employees in the firm. b. reduce organizational slack. c. maximize current productivity per employee. d. develop a workforce capable of continuous learning.
d. develop a workforce capable of continuous learning.
Managerial actions that support development of an ethical organizational culture include all of the following EXCEPT a. establishing a code of conduct. b. disseminating the code of conduct to all stakeholders to inform them of the firm's ethical standards and practices. c. creating a work environment in which people are treated with dignity. d. disciplining whistle-blowers.
d. disciplining whistle-blowers.
The CEO of CLEO, Inc., in all her communications to employees consistently refers to her dream of CLEO becoming the company of choice for employee assistance programs. She keeps this theme uppermost and it is reflected in the firm's motto, the title of its Web newsletter, and even on the company t-shirts and mugs. This is an example of the firm's a. core ideology. b. organizational culture. c. strategy. d. envisioned future.
d. envisioned future.
Strategic controls allow corporate-level managers to a. evaluate business-level performance on objective criteria. b. concentrate on day-to-day corporate operations. c. assess performance of employees and managers in each business unit. d. examine the fit between what the firm might do and what it can do.
d. examine the fit between what the firm might do and what it can do.
A relatively young firm has developed a method of transferring photographic images of surface textures onto any type of hard surface. This potentially has a huge market in the home-decorating field as well as any hard surface that is typically painted, such as car bodies. The type of alliance partner this firm would be searching for would be one with a. low-cost labor production facilities in another country. b. similar products who could help the firm establish economies of scale. c. access to franchises in new markets. d. excess resources for investing.
d. excess resources for investing.
The alliance between Nokia and Microsoft calls for Nokia to transition its smartphone portfolio to Microsoft's Windows phone platform. This is an example of using an alliance in a___________ to speed up development of new products and services. a. slow-cycle market b. medium-cycle market c. standard-cycle market d. fast-cycle market
d. fast-cycle market
McDonald's, Hilton International, and Subway all heavily rely on the_________strategy. a. transnational b. network cooperative c. cross-border alliances d. franchising cooperative
d. franchising cooperative
The cooperative multidivisional firm a. establishes profit centers based on products or markets. b. has a flat organizational structure which broadens jobs and empowers workers. c. has a structure organized around both functional specialization and business projects. d. has a structure requiring heavy use of horizontal integrative devices.
d. has a structure requiring heavy use of horizontal integrative devices.
Agatha Adams founded Insurance Specialists to process medical claims for physicians' practices. She plans to compete on the basis of cost, offering the lowest processing cost per claim in her market area. Ms. Adams' company should a. be the strategic center firm in a network structure. b. have a specialized multidivisional structure. c. develop alliances with firms with complementary competencies. d. have a highly centralized, functional structure.
d. have a highly centralized, functional structure.
Ichabod Industries has a Latin American Division, a European Division, an Industrial Lubricants Division, and a Food Service Division. Ichabod Industries probably uses the _________ organizational structure. a. horizontal complementary strategic alliance b. competitive multidivisional c. strategic business unit multidivisional d. hybrid combination
d. hybrid combination
Which of the following is NOT associated with an organizational structure that supports a cost leadership strategy? a. centralization b. specialization c. formalization d. integration
d. integration
The three structural characteristics that differ among organizational structures include all of the following EXCEPT a. centralization. b. formalization. c. specialization. d. intermediation.
d. intermediation.
FrameCo, a maker of commercial greenhouses, has just extricated itself from a failing cooperative alliance with another firm. The expected synergies never were achieved, and FrameCo lost most of its investment. The top management of FrameCo should a. avoid future cooperative alliances because they lack the skills needed to manage them successfully. b. enter into future cooperative alliances only if the alliance is closely monitored by a third party to prevent opportunistic behavior by the alliance partner. c. realize that most cooperative alliances fail and that it should ally itself only with an experienced alliance partner in the future. d. internalize the knowledge about the successes and failures of this alliance so FrameCo can learn from the experience.
d. internalize the knowledge about the successes and failures of this alliance so FrameCo can learn from the experience.
The use of strategic alliances a. is unlikely to yield success if partnering firms are headquartered in the same country. b. may be too restrictive to facilitate entry into new markets. c. usually increases the investment necessary to introduce new products. d. is more frequent than other types of cooperative strategies.
d. is more frequent than other types of cooperative strategies.
Human capital refers to a. the net present value of the future competencies of the workforce. b. the amount of money purchasers of the firm would pay for the continuing employment of the present workforce. c. the value-added that the firm's workforce contributes to each product produced or service rendered. d. knowledge and skills of the firm's work force.
d. knowledge and skills of the firm's work force.
The___________ structure is an organizational structure that combines both functional specialization and business product or project specialization. a. functional b. worldwide geographic area c. network d. matrix
d. matrix
Alfred Chandler found that firms grow in a predictable pattern and that the firm's growth patterns determine its structural form. Which form corresponds to the FINAL stage in Chandler's theory? a. functional b. simple c. vertically integrated d. multidivisional
d. multidivisional
The risks of being accused of collusion are MOST likely under what type of alliance? a. equity-based vertical complementary alliance b. equity-based horizontal complementary alliance c. nonequity-based vertical complementary alliance d. nonequity-based horizontal complementary alliance
d. nonequity-based horizontal complementary alliance
Amylin Pharmaceuticals has an alliance with Eli Lilly & Co. to produce diabetes drugs. Lilly, however, recently signed an alliance agreement with another company to also produce diabetes drugs. As a result, Amylin sued Lilly for breech of the alliance agreement. Which of the following risks of cooperative strategies discussed in the chapter is most likely occurring here? a. having a true perception of the partner's trustworthiness b. failing to make available to its partners the resources and capabilities that it committed to the cooperative strategy c. the partner misrepresenting competencies it can bring to the partnership d. opportunistic behavior
d. opportunistic behavior
Research suggests that boards of directors perform better if a. the CEO is also the chairperson of the board of directors. b. the board includes employees as voting members. c. the board is homogenous in composition. d. outside directors own significant equity in the organization.
d. outside directors own significant equity in the organization.
All of the following are correct about the status of CEO succession (Chapter 12 Strategic Focus) EXCEPT a. there is considerable CEO turnover in North American and European firms hence the need for succession plans. b. IBM has a succession plan for CEO Sam Palmisano. c. most formal succession plans call for the use of executive search firms. d. over 90 percent of firms have succession plans.
d. over 90 percent of firms have succession plans.
Executive compensation is a governance mechanism that seeks to align managers' and owners' interests through all of the following EXCEPT a. bonuses. b. long-term incentives such as stock options. c. salary. d. penalties for inadequate firm performance.
d. penalties for inadequate firm performance.
The primary disadvantage of the multidomestic strategy and worldwide geographic area structure relates to limited a. centralization. b. coordination across divisions. c. ability to meet local market needs. d. potential for global efficiency.
d. potential for global efficiency.
Competitive aggressiveness describes a firm's a. tendency to engage in new ideas and creative processes. b. willingness to allow employees to take actions free of organizational constraints. c. ability to be a leader in the marketplace. d. propensity to take actions that allow it to outperform rivals consistently and substantially.
d. propensity to take actions that allow it to outperform rivals consistently and substantially.
A major conflict of interest between top executives and owners, is that top executives wish to diversify the firm in order to ________, whereas owners wish to diversify the firm to_______. a. generate free cash flows; reduce the risk of total firm failure b. increase the price of the firm's stock; increase the dividends paid out from free cash flows c. reduce the risk of total firm failure; reduce their total portfolio risk d. reduce their employment risk; increase the company's value
d. reduce their employment risk; increase the company's value
A competitive advantage that is developed through a cooperative strategy is called a collaborative or a(n) advantage. a. economic b. collusive c. alliance d. relational
d. relational
Corporate governance is all of the following EXCEPT a. mechanisms used to determine and control the strategic direction and performance of organizations. b. a means to establish and maintain harmony between owners and top managers whose interests may conflict. c. ensuring that top managers' interests are aligned with the interests of stockholders. d. resolve conflicts among corporate employees.
d. resolve conflicts among corporate employees.
Firms participate in strategic alliances for all the following reasons EXCEPT to a. create value that they could not develop by acting independently. b. enter competitive markets more quickly. c. gain access to resources. d. retain tight control over intangible core competencies.
d. retain tight control over intangible core competencies.
All of the following are areas covered by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act EXCEPT a. consumer protection. b. CEO compensation. c. regulation of derivatives. d. retirement accounts.
d. retirement accounts.
In some countries, the only legal way for foreign firms to invest in the country is through a. acquisitions. b. mergers. c. greenfield ventures. d. strategic alliance with a local firm.
d. strategic alliance with a local firm.
Toyota and its suppliers have a relationship in which Toyota encourages suppliers to modernize their facilities and provides them with technical and financial assistance to do so. It also promotes longer-term contracts with suppliers and enables engineers in the supplier companies to have better communication with Toyota. This is an example of a(n) a. worldwide product divisional structure. b. functional structure. c. SBU multidivisional structure. d. strategic network.
d. strategic network.
One reason why a long-tenured top-level manager may hesitate to conclude the firm's structure is a problem is that doing so a. indicates to competitors that the firm is vulnerable to a hostile takeover. b. will only lead to inefficiencies. c. requires that the firm undertake a multi-year restructuring period that will delay retirement. d. suggests that the firm's previous choices were not the best ones.
d. suggests that the firm's previous choices were not the best ones.
The opportunity maximization approach is more difficult to establish in international relationships than in domestic relationships because of differences in all EXCEPT a. laws. b. culture. c. trade policies. d. technology.
d. technology.
The benefits of a simple structure include all of the following EXCEPT a. ease of coordination within the organization. b. the lack of a need for sophisticated information systems. c. active involvement by the owner-manager. d. the ability of specialists to develop deep expertise.
d. the ability of specialists to develop deep expertise.
Monitoring by shareholders is usually accomplished through a. management consultants. b. government auditors. c. the firm's top managers. d. the board of directors.
d. the board of directors.
The governance mechanism most closely connected with deterring unethical behaviors by holding top management accountable for the corporate culture is a. ownership concentration. b. the market for corporate control. c. executive compensation systems. d. the board of directors.
d. the board of directors.
Which of the following is NOT an internal governance mechanism? a. the board of directors b. ownership concentration c. executive compensation d. the market for corporate control
d. the market for corporate control
Product diversification provides two benefits to managers that do not accrue to shareholders: ________ and__________. a. greater experience in a wider range of industries; lessening of managerial employment risk b. the manager frequently invests in the acquired firm, which allows him or her extensive profits; the manager can frequently buy excess assets divested by the acquired firm c. the manager's supervisory needs are lowered; the manager is allowed greater time to oversee a wider range of activities d. the opportunity for higher compensation through firm growth; a reduction in managerial employment risk
d. the opportunity for higher compensation through firm growth; a reduction in managerial employment risk
In practice, the cost minimization strategy can be more expensive than the opportunity maximization strategy. Which of the following is a way in which the cost minimization strategy is less expensive than the opportunity minimization strategy? a. the loss of unexpected opportunities b. the cost of extensive monitoring mechanisms c. the costs of writing detailed contracts d. the prevention of opportunistic behavior by the partner(s)
d. the prevention of opportunistic behavior by the partner(s)
CEO duality refers to a. firms where there is both a president and a CEO. b. CEOs who sit on the board of directors of other firms. c. CEOs who hold office in more than one company. d. the situation where the CEO is also chairperson of the board of directors.
d. the situation where the CEO is also chairperson of the board of directors.
The most effective leadership style is _________ leadership. a. pragmatic b. charismatic c. inspirational d. transformational
d. transformational