Deck 16: Organizational Culture

Question 1

The organizational culture of Rogue Vogue Corp. is an example of a(n)________.

A)autocratic culture
B)subculture
C)lowly formalized culture
D)reflective culture
E)dominant culture

Answer 1

E
Explanation:E)A dominant culture expresses the core values shared by a majority of the organization's members.

Question 2

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between organizational culture and job satisfaction?

A)Job satisfaction depends upon the level of "power distance" in the country, but organizational culture does not.
B)Organizational culture is static, whereas job satisfaction is dynamic.
C)Job satisfaction is immeasurable, whereas organizational culture is measurable.
D)Organizational culture is descriptive, whereas job satisfaction is evaluative.
E)Job satisfaction depends on the structure of the organization, but organizational culture does not.

Answer 2

D
Explanation:D)The concept of organizational culture is concerned with how employees perceive the characteristics of an organization's culture, not whether they like them, and is therefore a descriptive term.On the other hand, the concept of job satisfaction seeks to measure how employees feel about the organization's expectations and reward practices and therefore is an evaluative term.

Question 3

Aggressiveness, innovation, and risk taking are called the ________ of the culture at the Rogue Vogue Corp.

A)foundational values
B)institutional traits
C)core values
D)significant traits
E)unique values

Answer 3

C
Explanation:C)The dominant culture includes the core values, the primary or dominant values that are accepted throughout the organization.In this example, aggressiveness, innovation, and risk taking are the core values of the organizational culture.

Question 4

A strong culture should reduce employee turnover because it results in ________.

A)a highly centralized organization
B)narrow spans of control
C)cohesiveness and organizational commitment
D)a highly formalized organization
E)an outcome-oriented organization

Question 5

Which of the following is most likely to result from a strong organizational culture?

A)low employee turnover
B)low employee satisfaction
C)low organizational commitment
D)high absenteeism
E)low behavioral control resulting from the climate within the organization

Question 6

In addition to the organizational culture at Rogue Vogue Corp., the finance department emphasizes attention to detail. In this example, attention to detail is a part of the ________ of the organization.

A)core values
B)significant traits
C)dominant culture
D)foundational values
E)subculture

Question 7

The key characteristic of organizational culture that addresses the degree to which people are competitive rather than easygoing is termed ________.

A)assertiveness
B)team orientation
C)averseness
D)risk taking
E)aggressiveness

Question 8

Based on the information in the scenario, we can say that Rogue Vogue Corp. ________.

A)is a highly decentralized organization
B)is a virtual organization
C)has a strong culture
D)is a boundaryless organization
E)is a matrix organization

Question 9

Porco Rosso, an aircraft manufacturer with a strong presence in the United States, is looking to expand its market overseas. The firm currently sells its aircraft to several airlines in the United Kingdom but now wants to establish manufacturing units there as well in order to acquire a bigger share in the European market. Hence, it plans to merge with QueenAir, a British aircraft manufacturer. Which of the following, if true, would weaken the company's decision to merge with QueenAir?

A)Merging with QueenAir would increase its profits considerably.
B)There is increasing economic uncertainty in its U.S. market.
C)The preferences of airline customers in Europe and the U.S. are similar.
D)There is a striking difference in the organizational cultures of the two firms.
E)A competitor in the U.S. market recently went out of business.

Question 10

Which of the following characteristics of an organization's culture indicates the degree to which management decisions take into consideration the effect of outcomes on employees within the organization?

A)attention to detail
B)outcome orientation
C)team orientation
D)people orientation
E)stability

Question 11

________ are indicators of a strong organizational culture.

A)High levels of dissension
B)High rates of employee turnover
C)Completely horizontal organizational charts
D)Narrowly defined roles
E)Widely shared values

Question 12

Stability is one of the seven primary characteristics that capture the essence of an organization's culture. It indicates the degree to which ________.

A)employees are encouraged to be innovative and take risks
B)management focuses on results or outcomes rather than on the techniques and processes used to achieve them
C)management decisions take into consideration the effect of outcomes on people within the organization
D)work activities are organized around teams rather than individuals
E)organizational activities emphasize maintaining the status quo in contrast to growth

Question 13

Which of the following statements is true regarding an organization's culture?

A)Organizational culture is evaluative rather than descriptive.
B)Large organizations rarely have subcultures.
C)A dominant culture expresses the core values shared by a majority of the organization's members.
D)A strong culture reduces employee satisfaction and increases employee turnover.
E)Subcultures and dominant cultures do not share any common values.

Question 14

Manuel is a manager for a manufacturing company in which managers are expected to fully document all decisions and in which it is important to provide detailed data to support any recommendations. Also, out-of-the-box thinking is dissuaded. Which characteristic of organizational culture describes this aspect of Manuel's job?

A)low team orientation
B)high aggressiveness
C)low risk taking
D)low outcome orientation
E)high people orientation

Question 15

Danny's boss is apathetic as to whether Danny works at home, at the office, or from his beach house. All he cares about is that the project is completed on time, on budget, and with exemplary quality. Which characteristic of organizational culture describes this aspect of Danny's job?

A)low risk taking
B)high outcome orientation
C)high attention to detail
D)low aggressiveness
E)high stability

Question 16

The primary or dominant values that are accepted throughout the organization are known as ________.

A)foundational traits
B)core values
C)shared values
D)institutional traits
E)unique values

Question 17

A strong culture can act as a substitute for which of the following?

A)institutionalization
B)formalization
C)socialization
D)centralization
E)social support

Question 18

Jean works for Fahrenheit Publishing, which is a publisher of scientific journals. The company is dominated by low risk taking and high attention to detail. Jean's department is committed to high team orientation and provides many team-building activities in which Jean and other department members work together and socialize. Which of the following statements best describes Jean's department?

A)Jean's department is an example of a primary microcosm.
B)Jean's department's culture is stronger than the dominant culture in the organization.
C)Jean's department has developed a subculture.
D)Jean's department's culture is undefined.
E)Jean's department's culture has low stability.

Question 19

A culture that expresses the core values that are shared by a majority of the organization's members is known as a(n)________ culture.

A)dominant
B)primary
C)fundamental
D)unique
E)essential

Question 20

Cultures that tend to develop in large organizations to reflect common problems or experiences faced by the members in the same department or location are often called ________.

A)micro-cultures
B)subcultures
C)divisional cultures
D)microcosms
E)countercultures

Question 21

Aggressiveness is one of the seven primary characteristics of organizational culture that capture the essence of an organization's culture. It indicates the degree to which employees are encouraged to be innovative and take risks.

Question 22

Individuals with different backgrounds or at different levels in the organization will tend to describe the organization's culture in similar terms.

Question 23

In ________ organizations, the lack of frequent face-to-face contact makes establishing a common set of norms very difficult.

A)highly formalized
B)boundaryless
C)virtual
D)matrix
E)highly centralized

Question 24

Which of the following statements is true regarding the functions of culture in an organization?

A)It hinders the generation of commitment to something larger than individual self-interest among employees.
B)It conveys a sense of identity for organization members.
C)It reduces the stability of the organizational system.
D)It reduces distinctions between one organization and others.
E)It does not affect employees' attitudes and behavior.

Question 25

Grace works for a pet store where everyone is committed to the happiness of the animals. Often employees, bosses, and hourly workers alike come into the store "off the clock" and spend time training the animals. Everyone loves the store, the animals, and their jobs. This attitude of her co-workers inspires Grace to do her best. Based on this information, we can say that Grace is experiencing the effects of ________.

A)decentralization
B)organizational climate
C)high departmentalization
D)low formalization
E)high work specialization

Question 26

Compare and contrast dominant culture and subculture.

Question 27

What are the seven primary characteristics that capture the essence of an organization's culture?

Question 28

Subcultures act to undermine the dominant culture.

Question 29

________ refers to the shared perceptions organizational members have about their organization and work environment.

A)Organizational climate
B)Institutionalization
C)Microcosm
D)Groupthink
E)Organizational apprehension

Question 30

A dominant culture expresses the core values a majority of members share and that give the organization its distinct personality.

Question 31

Describe the characteristics of a strong culture.

Question 32

Culture is most likely to be a liability when ________.

A)the employees of the organization are highly skilled
B)the organization's environment is dynamic
C)the organization's management is highly efficient
D)the organization is highly centralized
E)the organization scores low on the degree of formalization

Question 33

When formal authority and control systems are reduced, the ________ provided by a strong culture ensure(s)that everyone is pointed in the same direction.

A)rules and regulations
B)shared meaning
C)rituals
D)socialization
E)rigid hierarchy

Question 34

A(n)________ organization is an organization that takes on a life of its own, apart from its founders or members; it is valued for itself and not for the goods or services it produces.

A)virtual
B)matrix
C)boundaryless
D)institutionalized
E)centralized

Question 35

A strong culture tends to reduce employee turnover.

Question 36

Discuss the difference between strong and weak organizational cultures and discuss the effect that a strong culture can have on an acquisition or merger.

Question 37

"Formalization and culture are two different roads to a common destination." Explain the statement.

Question 38

Big data is an effective decision aid only when it's paired with a consistent and thoughtful culture, one that acknowledges the need for human decision making and individual judgments.

Question 39

Attention to detail is a primary characteristic of an organization's culture that indicates the degree to which management focuses on results or outcomes rather than on the techniques and processes used to achieve them.

Question 40

Which of the following statements is true regarding the establishment of the organizational culture and its effects on the organization?

A)Today's trend toward decentralized organizations makes it is easier to establish a strong culture.
B)In a virtual organization, a strong culture can be established quickly and easily.
C)Employees organized in teams always show greater allegiance to the values of the organization as a whole than to their team and its values.
D)Culture acts as a control mechanism and guides the behavior of employees.
E)Cultures reduce the stability of the social system in an organization.

Question 41

In which of the following climates do managers operate under the expectation that their decisions will positively affect the greatest number of stakeholders?

A)caring
B)instrumental
C)law and code
D)rules
E)independence

Question 42

To create a truly sustainable business, an organization must develop a long-term culture and put its values into practice.

Question 43

Which of the following is not one of the five most prevalent climate categories making up the ethical dimensions of organization culture?

A)instrumental
B)caring
C)dependence
D)law and code
E)rules

Question 44

Sustainability refers to practices that can be maintained over very long periods of time because the tools or structure that support the practices is not damaged in the process.

Question 45

________ is a process that helps new employees adapt to the prevailing organizational culture.

A)Satisficing
B)Reciprocal interdependence
C)Socialization
D)Formalization
E)Social loafing

Question 46

The ________ process helps candidates learn about the organization, and if employees perceive a conflict between their values and those of the organization, they can remove themselves from the applicant pool.

A)orientation
B)training
C)performance evaluation
D)selection
E)institutionalization

Question 47

Explain the concept of organizational climate.

Question 48

The ________ stage of the socialization process explicitly recognizes that each individual the organization comes across during the selection process has a set of values, attitudes, and expectations about both the work to be done and the organization.

A)post-encounter
B)prearrival
C)metamorphosis
D)preencounter
E)post-arrival

Question 49

Instrumental climates are positively associated with employee job satisfaction and organizational commitment.

Question 50

Systematic reviews of the research literature show a generally positive relationship between sustainability and financial performance.

Question 51

The process of socialization consists of three stages. Which of the following is one of these three stages?

A)metamorphosis
B)preencounter
C)evaluation
D)post-arrival
E)post-encounter

Question 52

During the ________ stage, a new employee compares his or her expectations with the realities in the organization.

A)prearrival
B)encounter
C)metamorphosis
D)post-arrival
E)post-encounter

Question 53

Top management has a major impact on the organization's culture by ________.

A)establishing norms that filter down through the organization
B)ensuring a proper match of personal and organizational values
C)socializing new applicants in the pre-hiring phase
D)providing a framework for metamorphosis of new hires
E)properly rewarding employees' initiatives

Question 54

Describe and explain the five most prevalent climate categories that comprise the ethical dimensions of organization cultures.

Question 55

Identify the correct order of stages in the socialization process.

A)encounter, metamorphosis, post-encounter
B)prearrival, arrival, evaluation
C)prearrival, arrival, post-arrival
D)prearrival, encounter, metamorphosis
E)metamorphosis, preencounter, arrival

Question 56

Describe the various situations under which culture acts as a liability.

Question 57

The selection process helps sustain the organization's culture by ________.

A)establishing and enforcing norms
B)hiring candidates who fit well within the organization
C)socializing the new employees
D)developing performance evaluation criteria
E)rewarding conformity

Question 58

If there is a basic conflict between the individual's expectations and the reality of working in an organization, the employee is most likely to be disillusioned and quit during the ________ stage of socialization.

A)prearrival
B)post-arrival
C)encounter
D)metamorphosis
E)post-encounter

Question 59

Rainbow Corp. hires a new secretary, Polonova, who differs from the vast majority of the company's employees in terms of her ethnicity. The company has a collectivist culture with a culturally diverse workforce and several policies to support the minorities. Yet, after a few weeks, she quits the company. Which of the following, if true, helps explain why she quit?

A)Rainbow Corp. recently had a huge turnover and plans to expand its market.
B)All secretaries, regardless of their gender, are paid equal salaries at Rainbow Corp.
C)Polonova is gregarious and comfortable in changing contexts and ambiguous situations.
D)Polonova has a strong sense of personal ambition and independence.
E)Polonova is more likely to conform to others' ideas and opinions rather than come up with her own.

Question 60

The ultimate source of an organization's culture is ________.

A)its top management
B)its environment
C)the country in which the organization operates
D)its founders
E)the sociocultural backgrounds of its employees

Question 61

When you begin to notice things that are not as you expected, you are in the ________ stage of socialization.

A)orientation
B)prearrival
C)encounter
D)metamorphosis
E)post-arrival

Question 62

The information that you receive during the interviewing and hiring process is a part of the ________ stage of employee socialization.

A)preencounter
B)prearrival
C)encounter
D)metamorphosis
E)post-encounter

Question 63

Which of the following types of socialization involves putting the new employee directly into the job, with little or no special attention?

A)investiture socialization
B)serial socialization
C)collective socialization
D)fixed socialization
E)informal socialization

Question 64

Which of the following statements is true about formal socialization?

A)Formal socialization involves socializing the new members individually.
B)Specific orientation and training programs are examples of formal socialization.
C)Apprenticeship and mentoring programs are examples of formal socialization.
D)Formal socialization lacks a fixed time schedule.
E)In formal socialization, new employees are left on their own to figure things out.

Question 65

During the metamorphosis stage of the socialization process, a new employee compares his or her expectations-about the job, co-workers, the boss, and the organization in general-with the reality in the organization.

Question 66

________ socialization tries to strip away certain characteristics of the recruit.

A)Random
B)Fixed
C)Collective
D)Divestiture
E)Formal

Question 67

Apprenticeship is an example of ________ socialization.

A)divestiture
B)variable
C)serial
D)informal
E)investiture

Question 68

Your supervisor provides you a mentor to help you with your work and guide you. This shows that your supervisor is using a(n)________ socialization technique.

A)divestiture
B)random
C)informal
D)serial
E)variable

Question 69

Which of the following steps could your supervisor take to best help you develop a commitment to your new company?

A)encourage you to work independently at first to learn the ropes
B)explain the rules and policies of the organization to you
C)discourage you from putting too much emphasis on your perception of the organization
D)encourage you to look carefully at your own assumptions, which may be biased
E)encourage you to develop friendship ties within the organization

Question 70

________ socialization assumes that the newcomer's qualities and qualifications are the necessary ingredients for job success, so these qualities and qualifications are confirmed and supported.

A)Variable
B)Collective
C)Serial
D)Investiture
E)Formal

Question 71

By the end of the ________ stage of socialization, the new members internalize and accept the norms of the organization and their work group, are confident in their competence, and feel trusted and valued by their peers.

A)encounter
B)post-arrival
C)establishment
D)metamorphosis
E)adaptation

Question 72

Which of the following statements is true regarding random socialization?

A)Random socialization tries to strip away certain characteristics of the recruit.
B)Random socialization is carried out per a fixed time schedule.
C)In random socialization, new employees are left on their own to figure things out.
D)Random socialization involves socializing the newcomers in groups.
E)Specific orientation and classroom training programs are examples of random socialization.

Question 73

A study conducted by Bain and Company found that 70 percent of mergers failed to increase shareholder values, and Hay Group found that more than 90 percent of mergers in Europe failed to reach financial goals.

Question 74

The encounter stage of the socialization process consists of the period of learning that occurs before a new employee joins an organization.

Question 75

Higgins has recently joined a new law firm expecting to participate in exciting environmental law cases and cutting-edge research. After one month at the firm, he still hasn't been assigned a case and spends most of his time filing standardized appeals for title disputes with insurance companies. In which stage of the socialization process is Higgins?

A)prearrival
B)encounter
C)metamorphosis
D)post-encounter
E)post-arrival

Question 76

Apprenticeship and mentoring programs are examples of random socialization.

Question 77

During the socialization process, to work out any problems discovered during the encounter stage, the new member changes or goes through the ________ stage.

A)post-arrival
B)metamorphosis
C)post-encounter
D)analysis
E)evaluation

Question 78

When you start to accept the differences between your expectations and the reality of the organization, you move into the ________ stage of socialization.

A)prearrival
B)post-arrival
C)acceptance
D)metamorphosis
E)post-encounter

Question 79

Serial socialization is characterized by the use of role models who train and encourage a newcomer.

Question 80

Your first day at work is a part of the ________ stage of socialization.

A)orientation
B)prearrival
C)encounter
D)metamorphosis
E)post-encounter