Deck 17: Controlling, Information, and Technology

Question 1

Which of the following is the first step in the controlling process?

A) controlling performance
B) taking corrective action
C) measuring performance
D) recognizing problems
E) comparing performance standards

Answer 1

C

Question 2

________ have been called the "Siamese twins of management."

A) Setting standards and measuring performance
B) Managing and leading
C) Planning and controlling
D) Problems and symptoms
E) Organizing and staffing

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The level of activity established to serve as a model for evaluating organizational performance is known as a(n) ________.

A) symptom
B) problem
C) standard
D) correction
E) incentive

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Jose realizes actual productivity numbers are far less than the forecasted productivity numbers. Seeing this reality means Jose now needs to do which of the following as an attempt to bring performance up to the standards?

A) measure performance
B) compare measured performance to standards
C) take corrective action
D) adjust what to measure
E) adjust how to measure

Question 5

A ________ is a sign that a problem exists.

A) standard
B) symptom
C) yardstick
D) correction
E) benchmark

Question 6

Outline the steps involved in the controlling process.

Question 7

________ involves ensuring that an event occurs as it was planned to occur.

A) Control
B) Planning
C) Influencing
D) Organizing
E) Designing

Question 8

________ sets the goals for the firm, while ________ monitors progress towards the accomplishment of the goals.

A) Controlling; planning
B) Planning; leading
C) Planning; controlling
D) Influencing; controlling
E) Planning; influencing

Question 9

________ helps managers enhance the success of the overall management system through effective controlling.

A) Planning
B) Organizing
C) The controlling subsystem
D) Designing
E) Motivation

Question 10

ALB Corp. is in the middle of their monthly controlling process. After some benchmark checks and quality comparisons, they have found out that the quality of their weapon systems has gone down. To bring it back to its previous quality standards, ALB Corp. should next ________.

A) take corrective action
B) measure performance of other companies
C) sell their weapons at a lower price
D) compare their weapons against rival companies
E) bring down their performance standards

Question 11

Factors within an organization that are barriers to organizational goal attainment are called ________.

A) problems
B) propositions
C) symptoms
D) standards
E) yardsticks

Question 12

Which of the following is the last step in the controlling process?

A) comparing measured performance to standards
B) taking corrective action
C) measuring performance
D) establishing standards
E) establishing units for measuring performance

Question 13

Which of the following best identifies the part of an objective/goal statement that will be measured and monitored by management?

A) Problems
B) Plans
C) Lessons
D) Standards
E) Dollars

Question 14

Before taking a corrective action, management should compare measured performance to standards and make a judgment as to whether the ________ between planned and actual performance is tolerable.

A) performance gap
B) measurement
C) problem
D) symptom
E) goal

Question 15

________ is managerial activity aimed at bringing organizational performance up to the level of performance standards.

A) Laddering
B) Corrective action
C) Reprogramming
D) Market correction
E) Contrarian investing

Question 16

As part of the controlling process, you have finished measuring the performance of your team. What must you do next?

A) take corrective action
B) compare measured performance to standards
C) establish unit of measure to gauge performance
D) modify past plans
E) restructure control systems and subsystems

Question 17

________ indicate the type of training programs company personnel should undergo to develop properly.

A) Market position standards
B) Personnel development standards
C) Productivity standards
D) Product leadership standards
E) Social responsibility standards

Question 18

A/An ________ is any factor within an organization that is a barrier to organizational goal attainment, while a/an ________ is a sign a barrier does exist.

A) problem; gap
B) symptom; problem
C) problem; symptom
D) symptom; gap
E) gap; problem

Question 19

Before taking a corrective action managers really need to make sure they have properly identified the correct ________.

A) symptom
B) problem
C) standard
D) threshold
E) performance gap

Question 20

Managers not only need to be concerned about how to measure performance toward goals, but they must also be concerned about ________ to measure.

A) where
B) why
C) numbers
D) what
E) when

Question 21

Explain the ways an individual can be successful in increasing his or her personal power.

Question 22

Ed is successful in creating a sense of respect towards him among his employees. This is an example of ________.

A) personal power
B) position power
C) total power
D) social power
E) absolute power

Question 23

Which of the following is a way in which a manager can develop a sense of identification with his subordinates?

A) by moving up the organizational hierarchy
B) by enhancing his position power
C) by creating a perception that subordinates are dependent on the manager
D) by demonstrating his control over organizational resources
E) by espousing goals, values, and ideals commonly held by his subordinates

Question 24

The extent to which an individual is able to influence others so they respond to orders is called ________.

A) benchmark
B) responsibility
C) accountability
D) power
E) strength

Question 25

Explain the importance of power to the control process. Describe the difference between positional power and personal power.

Question 26

The total power a manager possesses is made up of two different kinds of power: ________.

A) recognizing symptoms and problems
B) social power and reward power
C) authority and accountability
D) position power and personal power
E) ownership power and skill power

Question 27

Most managers have substantial control over increasing their position power.

Question 28

The power derived from a manager's relationship with others is called ________ power.

A) total
B) position
C) personal
D) social
E) authentic

Question 29

Which of the following is true about the steps a manager can take to increase his or her total power?

A) Moving up the organizational hierarchy is the best way of enhancing personal power.
B) Avoid focusing on your professional achievements.
C) Making subordinates feel obligated to you will enhance your personal power.
D) Avoid using bonuses and raises to link rewards to performance.
E) Managers should increase the job rotation period.

Question 30

________ standards are those associated with employee skill sets.

A) Profitability
B) Market position
C) Productivity
D) Product leadership
E) Personnel development

Question 31

Because Jamie is the manager, her subordinates follow her instructions. This is an example of ________.

A) personal power
B) position power
C) total power
D) social power
E) absolute power

Question 32

________ standards are those associated with return on investment.

A) Profitability
B) Market position
C) Productivity
D) Product leadership
E) Personnel development

Question 33

The process of developing information begins with gathering some type of facts or statistics, called ________.

A) knowledge
B) expertise
C) data
D) information
E) wisdom

Question 34

________ is power coming from the job a manager holds, while ________ is power coming from a manager's relationship with others.

A) Total power; personal power
B) Personal power; position power
C) Position power; personal power
D) Total power; positional power
E) Positional power; total power

Question 35

________ standards are those associated with innovation and quality.

A) Profitability
B) Market position
C) Productivity
D) Product leadership
E) Social responsibility

Question 36

How can a manager increase his personal power by developing a perception among subordinates that they are dependent on the manager?

A) by adopting a wider span of control
B) by downplaying their positional power
C) by developing employees' sense of identification with the manager
D) by demonstrating his control over organizational resources
E) by espousing goals, values, and ideals commonly held by them

Question 37

In order to increase his personal power, a manager should ________.

A) move up the organizational hierarchy
B) demonstrate a high level of expertise
C) downplay his authority over organizational resources
D) minimize subordinates' perception that they are dependent on him or her
E) focus on enhancing his position power

Question 38

________ standards are those associated with making contributions to the community.

A) Profitability
B) Market position
C) Productivity
D) Product Leadership
E) Social responsibility

Question 39

Identify the methods by which managers can make controlling a successful activity.

Question 40

To control successfully, managers must understand not only the control process, but also how organization members relate to it.

Question 41

Immediately after Randor Leather awarded a long-term contract for supply of raw materials, its operations manager gets information from a vendor about a much cheaper source of raw material. This information is likely to be of little use to the business because it is not ________.

A) appropriate
B) of good quality
C) timely
D) in sufficient quantity
E) wide in scope

Question 42

According to management writers, the process of converting information into action through decision making is known as ________.

A) management
B) benchmarking
C) controlling
D) organizing
E) planning

Question 43

________ decisions relate to determining organizational objectives and designating the corresponding action necessary to reach them.

A) Strategic planning
B) Operational control
C) Tactical control
D) Operational planning
E) Management control

Question 44

________ decisions relate to obtaining and effectively and efficiently using the organizational resources necessary to reach organizational objectives.

A) Strategic planning
B) Operational control
C) Strategic control
D) Operational planning
E) Management control

Question 45

Data refers to the set of conclusions derived from the analysis of facts and figures that relate to the operation of an organization.

Question 46

________ refers to the degree to which the information represents reality.

A) Information appropriateness
B) Information quality
C) Information timeliness
D) Information quantity
E) Information scope

Question 47

Information required for decisions related to operational control should ________.

A) emphasize the future
B) be well defined and narrow
C) come largely from external sources
D) primarily contain historical data
E) provide an aggregate without going into the details

Question 48

________ decisions relate to ensuring that specific organizational tasks are carried out effectively and efficiently.

A) Strategic planning
B) Operational control
C) Strategic control
D) Tactical control
E) Management control

Question 49

________ is defined in terms of how relevant the information is to the decision-making situation the manager faces.

A) Information appropriateness
B) Information quality
C) Information timeliness
D) Information control
E) Information quantity

Question 50

Which of the following is NOT a factor that determines the value of information?

A) information timeliness
B) information quality
C) information cost
D) information quantity
E) information appropriateness

Question 51

Information required for decisions related to strategic planning should ________.

A) emphasize the future
B) be well defined and narrow
C) focus largely on the internal organizational environment
D) be highly current
E) be very detailed

Question 52

"Paralysis by analysis" is generally caused by ________.

A) information overload
B) insufficient information
C) lack of timely information
D) inappropriate information
E) data contamination

Question 53

As part of a process of job redesigning, the HR manager of Mars LLC conducted an informal survey of employees to assess their job satisfaction levels. However, fearing negative action, only a few employees gave clear and unambiguous responses to the HR manager's questions. This survey is likely to be of little use to the HR manager because it is ________.

A) not relevant
B) too costly
C) not timely
D) not in sufficient quantity
E) too wide in scope

Question 54

Derek recently asked for opinions on whether to install charging stations at every bay in his organization. The response was huge and mixed. There were a lot of pros and cons mentioned. Derek is now unable to come to a decision. Which of the following describes the situation?

A) paralysis by organizing
B) paralysis by planning
C) paralysis by control
D) paralysis by analysis
E) paralysis by action

Question 55

Which of the following is the first step in evaluating organizational information?

A) pinpointing the data to be analyzed
B) evaluating the cost of data
C) comparing the value of information with its cost
D) acquiring information
E) increasing value or decreasing cost of information

Question 56

Information required for decisions related to strategic planning should ________.

A) emphasize the performance history of the organization
B) focus on the internal organization environment
C) focus largely on the external organizational environment
D) have a narrow scope and be to the point
E) be very detailed

Question 57

The operations manager of Pegasus Inc. wants to know the return on investment on a recent promotional drive to develop the marketing strategy for next year. The marketing manager sends him a detailed report on all the personnel in his department and the salaries and bonuses paid to them over the past year. This information is likely to be useless to the operations manager because it is not ________.

A) appropriate
B) timely
C) voluminous
D) real
E) expensive

Question 58

________ involves comparison of organizational information with the expected cost of obtaining that information.

A) Evaluating the cost of technology
B) Evaluating the cost of personnel
C) Evaluating the cost of data
D) Evaluating the cost of production
E) Evaluating the cost of distribution

Question 59

________ is the extent to which the receipt of information allows decisions to be made and action to be taken so the organization can gain some benefit from possessing the information.

A) Information appropriateness
B) Information quality
C) Information timeliness
D) Information quantity
E) Information scope

Question 60

In management terms, information refers to ________.

A) a collection of charts containing organizational statistics
B) the skill set of the employees carrying out a particular organizational function
C) the set of conclusions derived from the analysis of data that relate to the operation of an organization
D) a collection of numbers, characters, images or other outputs from devices that gather physical quantities and symbols
E) raw, unorganized representations of individual facts and/or figures

Question 61

Which of the following is true about managing the IS workforce?

A) During the economic and technological boom of the late 1990s, executives found it very easy to hire and retain IS employees.
B) Due to consumer backlash, companies are reducing the outsourcing of jobs to other countries.
C) Companies outsource work to other countries primarily for quality advantages.
D) Replacing IS personnel is inexpensive in today's technology-driven environment.
E) Outsourcing IS work overseas creates problems such as integrating domestic and nondomestic workforces and defining global work expectations.

Question 62

Which of the following is the first step in operating an information system properly?

A) transmitting data
B) determining the reason for gathering data
C) using the information
D) determining the information needed
E) determining the medium of technology to process information

Question 63

Describe the information that is appropriate for making strategic planning decisions and for making operational control decisions.

Question 64

Which of the following information would be most appropriate for the middle management of a large corporation?

A) environmental data and trends
B) summaries and exception reports of operating results
C) summary reports of transactions
D) detailed reports of problems
E) forecasts

Question 65

The ________ of GASSP's key principles states that organizations should periodically assess the risks to information and information systems.

A) accountability principle
B) ethics principle
C) timeless principle
D) assessment principle
E) equity principle

Question 66

Which of the following is the last step in operating an IS properly?

A) transmitting data
B) determining appropriate data
C) using the information
D) determining information needs
E) gathering appropriate data

Question 67

Which of the following information would be most appropriate for the first-line management of a large corporation?

A) summary reports of operations
B) environmental data and trends
C) decisions on strategic plans
D) detailed reports of problems
E) forecasts

Question 68

________ involves measuring the degree to which employees, or users, are satisfied with the IS.

A) Measuring employee satisfaction
B) Managing price satisfaction
C) Managing user satisfaction
D) Managing employee proficiency
E) Formatting the IS

Question 69

Information for operational control decisions does not need to be completely accurate because such decisions tend to be characterized by subjectivity and focus on areas that are difficult to measure.

Question 70

In response to the increasing threat of security issues to information systems, private and public organizations around the world came together in 1992 to form the ________.

A) International Association for Computer Systems Security
B) Information Systems Security Association
C) International Information Security Foundation
D) Network Security Framework Forum
E) System Administration, Networking, and Security Institute

Question 71

Organizations must clearly define and acknowledge information security accountability and responsibility. Which of Generally Accepted System Security Principles (GASSP) for maintaining information security is being talked about here?

A) accountability principle
B) ethics principle
C) timeless principle
D) assessment principle
E) equity principle

Question 72

Martin has determined exactly what information he needs to assess worker productivity. He has collected the appropriate data necessary to produce the relevant information. What should Martin do next?

A) transmit the information
B) determine the quality of the data
C) use the information to assess productivity
D) summarize and analyze the data
E) evaluate the cost of the data

Question 73

The quality of the IS refers to ________.

A) the accuracy of the information
B) its cost
C) the relevance of the information
D) the proficiency of the users
E) its ease of use

Question 74

Dorothy Wood's work primarily involves setting corporate objectives and making decisions that impact the control of the entire company. Which of the following information is most likely to be relevant for Dorothy?

A) forecasts and exception reports of problems
B) summaries and exception reports of operating results
C) detailed reports of problems
D) summary reports of transactions
E) operating plans and policies

Question 75

________ is a segment of technology which uses computers and telecommunication devices that focus on the use of information in the performance of work.

A) Information technology
B) Controlling technology
C) Corporate technology
D) Strategic planning technology
E) Management technology

Question 76

Which of the following information would be most appropriate for the top management of a large corporation?

A) summary reports of transactions
B) operating plans and policies
C) detailed reports of problems
D) operational control procedures
E) environmental data and trends

Question 77

Irvine White's work primarily involves supervising the production in one of the factories of TM Corp, a large manufacturing and retail company. Which of the following information is most likely to be relevant for Irvine?

A) trend forecasts for the industry
B) exception reports of operating results of his company
C) detailed reports of problems in his factory
D) environmental data for the company's business
E) decisions on strategic plans for his organization

Question 78

What are the steps in evaluating information?

Question 79

Which of the following activities improves IS effectiveness?

A) controlling the medium of information technology
B) planning the IS security
C) managing user satisfaction
D) organizing the information system procedure
E) controlling user authorization

Question 80

Since information is central to all organizational decision making, there is no such thing as too much information.