Deck 15: Employee Involvement

Question 1

The power dimension of EI refers to

A) the knowledge workers have about the organization
B) the ability to control rewards that are given
C) the authority employees have over decisions that affect them
D) B and C only

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Parallel structures are most similar to what other EI approach?

A) re-engineering
B) union-management cooperative projects
C) downsizing
D) work design
E) none of the above

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Compare and contrast the Quality Circle and High Involvement applications of employee involvement.

Answer 3

Not ANS

Question 4

Which of the following is true of high involvement plants?

A) rewards are tied closely to promotion
B) employees have considerable influence over decisions
C) limited information is shared and easily obtained by employees
D) all of the above

Question 5

Innovative reward systems are not relevant to employee involvement applications.

Question 6

Cooperative union-management projects

A) do a good job of sharing power with employees
B) can increase employee skills and knowledge through training
C) are most closely associated with the traditional QWL movement
D) B and C
E) A and B

Question 7

A working definition of EI encompasses which of the following criteria?

A) power
B) rewards
C) information
D) skills and knowledge
E) all of the above

Question 8

Which of the following is not a design feature of a participative, high involvement plant?

A) flat organization structure
B) open information system
C) centralized personnel selection
D) heavy training commitment

Question 9

Statistical process control techniques are usually an integral part of training in total quality management.

Question 10

The key factors driving interest in Employee Involvement were competitive demands for lower costs, higher performance, and greater flexibility in organizations.

Question 11

Some ways that EI may improve productivity are

A) by improving communication among employees
B) by improving employee motivation
C) by improving employee capabilities
D) all of the above
E) B and C

Question 12

The effectiveness of a union-management cooperative project is fairly easy to assess.

Question 13

Discuss parallel structures and the type of organization that would benefit most from this approach.

Question 14

High involvement plants can impact all four elements of EI to a large extent.

Question 15

A distinguishing feature of the total quality management approach is

A) attention to rewards
B) development of problem solving skills
C) the improvement of processes
D) training

Question 16

Employee involvement activity is prospering in many countries other than the United States.

Question 17

Quality circle applications usually involve group problem solving training but no group facilitators.

Question 18

Describe the four elements associated with employee involvement interventions.

Question 19

Tying rewards to accomplishments is the final stage of TQM implementation.

Question 20

Employee involvement generally refers to the amount of power, rewards, information, and knowledge and skills associated with employee's work.

Question 21

What is the TQM approach to EI and how does it differ from other approaches? Discuss Deming's influence on this approach.