Deck 10: Organizational Culture

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT consistent with the definition of a ritual?

A)stories
B)sequence of activities
C)repetition
D)key values
E)identifies important people

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Dressing down is an example of a

A)story.
B)ritual.
C)material symbol.
D)symbolic act.
E)fashion statement.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The organizational culture in Tom's workplace was very strong-people believed strongly that things were 'being done the way they should be'. The culture is exhibited through its

A)beliefs.
B)assumptions.
C)artifacts.
D)values.
E)stability.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Repetitive sequences of activities that express and reinforce the key values of the organization, identify important goals and people are referred to as

A)stories.
B)rituals.
C)material symbols.
D)cultural typologies.
E)perceptions and values.

Question 5

At work, Betty is able to understand what goals are important and which people are important by observing her company's repetitive activities, such as celebrations, announcements,etc. She is observing the company's

A)artifacts.
B)beliefs.
C)rituals.
D)material symbols.
E)stories.

Question 6

A strong culture will have the greatest impact on which of the following?

A)productivity
B)absence
C)turnover
D)satisfaction
E)goal achievement

Question 7

The key characteristic of organizational culture that addresses the degree to which management decisions consider the effect of outcomes on people within the organization is termed

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

Question 8

It was clear to Quinn the his new company distinguished executives from employees; executives had large corner offices and special services such as an executive dining room. He is making an observation about the company's

A)stories.
B)artifacts.
C)rituals.
D)material symbols.
E)language.

Question 9

Which of the following is outside the typical characteristics of organizational culture?

A)attention to detail
B)innovation
C)management orientation
D)team orientation
E)people orientation

Question 10

The organizational culture of the Ordnon Corporation is ingrained and intense at every level; the climate of the company is one of high behavioural control. Ordnon's culture is a

A)dominant culture.
B)strong culture.
C)subculture.
D)management-based culture.
E)value-added culture.

Question 11

Which of the following indicates a strong organizational culture?

A)intensely held core values
B)deep but varied beliefs
C)shared values at the highest level of the organization
D)value alignment with national values
E)influential beliefs

Question 12

Which of the following is one of the seven characteristics that make up an organization's culture?

A)department formalization
B)institutionalization
C)reward complexity
D)outcome orientation
E)beliefs and values

Question 13

Cultures where the core values are intensely held and widely shared are termed

A)fortresses.
B)subcultures.
C)strong cultures.
D)institutionalized.
E)formalized.

Question 14

In its simplest sense, organizational culture

A)determines what computer systems are to be employed.
B)determines the best customers to be selected for the company.
C)represents the core beliefs and values of managers and employees.
D)represents the basis on which physical facilitates are changed.
E)represents and focuses upon the shareholders.

Question 15

By retelling how the company got started at each quarterly meeting, the company is using which kind of artifact?

A)stories
B)material symbols
C)language
D)handbooks
E)rituals

Question 16

Observing the physical surroundings, characterizing the style of those working, and examining the degree of formalization of rules and regulations are all ways to

A)get a job at an organization.
B)change the culture of an organization.
C)"read" the culture of an organization.
D)reduce barriers to change.
E)increase barriers to change.

Question 17

One way that employees learn organizational culture is through

A)material symbols.
B)role models.
C)colleagues.
D)mentors.
E)adjustment.

Question 18

What is the pattern of shared meaning within an organization?

A)the organizational chart
B)organizational culture
C)dominant culture
D)stories
E)a belief system

Question 19

Jobba just joined an organization, and is impressed that the organizational culture is consistent-what he sees, hears and feels in the office is all the same. Jobba is reading the culture through its

A)beliefs.
B)assumptions.
C)artifacts.
D)values.
E)stability.

Question 20

Lollipop day is an example of a

A)story.
B)ritual.
C)material symbol.
D)symbolic food.
E)conformance to tradition.

Question 21

Tonya was amazed that the people in her new company identified much more with their own department than they did with the organization as a whole. This would mean each department likely has its own

A)subculture.
B)artifacts.
C)assumptions.
D)bargaining zone.
E)socialization.

Question 22

Cam was happy with his promotion, but sad to be leaving his work group; his current work group gets along well and had a strong focus on goal achievement in the time he has worked with them. Cam is likely in which stage of the socialization process in the job he is leaving?

A)prearrival
B)encounter
C)metamorphosis
D)osmosis
E)disappointment

Question 23

Rava was going through an orientation process to ensure that she adapted to her new organization's culture. This process is known as

A)osmosis.
B)assimilation.
C)socialization.
D)indoctrination.
E)brainwashing.

Question 24

The belief in a liberal arts education is part of the

A)subculture of the business department.
B)weak culture.
C)dominant culture.
D)mission statement.
E)business plan of the business department.

Question 25

Ron was aware that everyone in his new organization seemed to clearly understand how objects and ideas of interest fit together for the organization. The organization's culture is exhibited through its

A)beliefs.
B)assumptions.
C)artifacts.
D)values.
E)stability.

Question 26

The business department holds some unique values in addition to the ________ of the dominant culture.

A)core values
B)weak values
C)formalization
D)holistic values
E)social values

Question 27

After working for her new company for a few weeks, Sheila was disillusioned because what she was told at the outset about the company did not seem to match with reality. She was at which stage of the socialization process?

A)prearrival
B)encounter
C)metamorphosis
D)osmosis
E)disappointment

Question 28

Rohit thought he would fit in with his new organization since everyone seemed to be individualistic like him. He could hardly wait for Monday, his first day on the job. Rohit is likely in which stage of the socialization process?

A)prearrival
B)encounter
C)metamorphosis
D)osmosis
E)disappointment

Question 29

Slowly but surely, Kevin is adjusting to his new work group's values and norms. Kevin is at which stage of the socialization process?

A)prearrival
B)encounter
C)metamorphosis
D)osmosis
E)disappointment

Question 30

It was obvious to Sharon when she arrived for her first day of work that the company knew what it stood for and what was important to it. The company mission clearly stated "integrity was paramount in all relationships, including relationships with the environment and the community." The organization's culture is exhibited through its

A)beliefs.
B)assumptions.
C)artifacts.
D)values.
E)stability.

Question 31

Zelda was struck by just how fiercely goal-focused her new work group was and how intent it was on destroying the competition. Zelda is unsure whether she can agree with these beliefs and attitudes. Zelda is likely in which stage of the socialization process?

A)prearrival
B)encounter
C)metamorphosis
D)osmosis
E)disappointment

Question 32

If an organization's core values are shared and acted upon by the majority of its members, the organization exhibits what type of culture?

A)dominant
B)ritualistic
C)artifact
D)materialistic
E)mercenary

Question 33

Which of the following expresses the core values shared by a majority of the organization's members?

A)dominant culture
B)subculture
C)strong culture
D)personal morality
E)ethics

Question 34

Diane's four years as a student studying business included a co-op experience at a local oil company that was four months long. Diane didn't get paid during her co-op term, but she did hope that other employees would value it when she began job hunting. Diane is in which stage of the socialization process?

A)prearrival
B)encounter
C)metamorphosis
D)osmosis
E)disappointment

Question 35

The commitment to finding employment for graduates is part of the

A)subculture of the business department.
B)weak culture.
C)dominant culture.
D)mission statement.
E)instructional plan.

Question 36

The dominant culture is

A)the sum of the subcultures.
B)the culture of the industry leader.
C)synonymous with the organization's culture.
D)the degree of sharedness.
E)management's perception about the organization.

Question 37

The ultimate source of an organization's culture is

A)top management.
B)the selection process.
C)the country in which it operates.
D)its founders.
E)the business planning process.

Question 38

The frustrating aspect to Peter about his new organization was the degree to which it emphasized maintaining the status quo. Which of the following characteristics of organizational culture does this reflect?

A)outcome orientation
B)aggressiveness
C)people orientation
D)stability
E)team orientation

Question 39

Integrity, fairness and harmony are the three most important concepts that stand above all others at Yanni's organization. These are known as its

A)beliefs.
B)mission.
C)core values.
D)subcultures.
E)dominant culture.

Question 40

The following are forces that sustain organizational culture

A)training of employees and management and actions of senior executives.
B)career development activities and stakeholder equity.
C)training of employees and conferences on industry standards.
D)performance evaluation criteria and internet security systems.
E)conferences on industry standards and minimum payment legislation.

Question 41

An identical set of socialization experiences for all employees, the boot camp experience, is an example of which type of socialization?

A)individual
B)collective
C)informal
D)random
E)formal

Question 42

When the employee compares his or her expectations to organizational reality, which stage of socialization is he or she experiencing?

A)prearrival
B)encounter
C)metamorphosis
D)orientation
E)reality check

Question 43

The key socialization stage in changing employee attitudes and behaviour takes place during

A)prearrival.
B)anxiety.
C)encounter.
D)metamorphosis.
E)reality check.

Question 44

The process that adapts employees to the organization's culture is called

A)indoctrination.
B)orientation.
C)socialization.
D)confirmation.
E)formalization.

Question 45

How does "top management" impact an organization's culture?

A)establishing norms that filter down through the organization
B)ensuring a proper match of personal and organizational values
C)socializing the applicant
D)providing appropriate training
E)maintaining traditions of past practices

Question 46

The stage in socialization that encompasses all the learning that occurs before a new member joins the organization is called

A)prearrival.
B)encounter.
C)metamorphosis.
D)orientation.
E)job training.

Question 47

Which type of socialization assumes the newcomer's qualities and qualifications are the necessary ingredients for job success?

A)investiture
B)fixed
C)formal
D)serial
E)divestiture

Question 48

Which of the following socialization processes is best matched with apprenticeships?

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

Question 49

The selection process helps candidates learn about the organization, and if they perceive an incompatibility between their values and those of the organization, they can

A)wait until they are hired to change the organization.
B)express their concerns at the time of the interview.
C)enlighten the organization as to appropriate changes.
D)self-select themselves out of the applicant pool.
E)inform the organization about its incongruent value system.

Question 50

Jester's Corporation's socialization program appears to be

A)informal.
B)individualized.
C)serial.
D)divestiture.
E)formal.

Question 51

Use of role models to train and encourage newcomers is characteristic of which entry socialization option?

A)investiture
B)fixed
C)serial
D)random
E)divestiture

Question 52

The time when a new employee sees what the organization is really like and realizes that expectations and reality may diverge is called

A)encounter stage.
B)exploration stage.
C)establishment stage.
D)metamorphosis stage.
E)smoothing stage.

Question 53

If there is a basic conflict between the individual's expectations and the organization's expectations, the employee is most likely to be disillusioned and quit during which stage?

A)prearrival
B)anxiety
C)encounter
D)metamorphosis
E)adjustment

Question 54

The correct order for the stages of the socialization process is

A)prearrival, metamorphosis, encounter.
B)encounter, prearrival, metamorphosis.
C)metamorphosis, encounter, prearrival.
D)prearrival, encounter, metamorphosis.
E)metamorphosis, prearrival, encounter.

Question 55

According to the socialization model, the stage when a new employee adjusts to his or her work group's values and norms is called

A)commitment.
B)encounter.
C)prearrival.
D)metamorphosis.
E)consensus.

Question 56

The new managers are on a(n)________ time schedule.

A)fixed
B)variable
C)random
D)individual
E)collective

Question 57

When a mentor is assigned, the socialization process is

A)formal.
B)collective.
C)investiture.
D)serial.
E)individual.

Question 58

The more a new employee is segregated from the ongoing work setting and differentiated in some way to make explicit his newcomer's role, the more ________ socialization is.

A)formal
B)informal
C)individual
D)fixed
E)variable

Question 59

Which of the following is inconsistent with the process of socialization?

A)learning that occurs before joining the organization
B)gauging the personalities in your department
C)learning skills required for the job
D)learning role behaviour
E)making new employees change their previously held personal value systems

Question 60

The selection process helps sustain the organization's culture by

A)establishing norms.
B)ensuring a proper match of personal and organizational values.
C)socializing the applicant.
D)providing training and career development guidelines.
E)establishing a comprehensive orientation program.

Question 61

Good selection processes sustain organizational culture by identifying and hiring individuals who have the correct knowledge, skills, abilities and

A)flexibility.
B)sociability.
C)values.
D)adaptability.
E)demographics.

Question 62

There is a possibility that the culture of the Young Woman's Club will be

A)a barrier to forthcoming change.
B)helpful for meeting the needs of a diverse society.
C)embraced by all the newcomers.
D)strengthened by the newcomers.
E)supportive of the changing demographic environment.

Question 63

The stage in which you become comfortable with the organization and are ready to question and change some of the organizational practices is termed

A)education stage.
B)prearrival stage.
C)encounter stage.
D)metamorphosis stage.
E)dismantling stage.

Question 64

Assimilation of cultures in a merger requires

A)both organizations to respect the other's culture, creating a single company with two cultures.
B)a bicultural audit to determine each culture's values.
C)an entire new organization adopting the culture of one of the two merging cultures.
D)an entire new culture emerging from the two cultures.
E)two separate parts of the company, each with their own culture.

Question 65

Ted's company recently merged with another company. There is little overlap in the industries in which the two companies operate. The best approach to merging the cultures would be

A)assimilation.
B)separation.
C)integration.
D)groupthink.
E)community.

Question 66

Your boss does not seem to care about you career and professional aspirations; he treats you as a tool or unit in the organization. His practices will NOT create an organizational culture of

A)vitality and growth.
B)role models.
C)metamorphosis.
D)serial and investiture.
E)collective and divestiture.

Question 67

Culture is most likely to be a liability when

A)it increases consistency of behaviour.
B)the environment is dynamic.
C)management is incompetent.
D)ethical behaviour is a focus.
E)culture is never a liability.

Question 68

Prior to entry to the organization your business attitudes and behaviours were formed in your educational experiences. This stage of socialization is termed

A)education stage.
B)prearrival stage.
C)encounter stage.
D)metamorphosis stage.
E)alignment stage.

Question 69

You find your first week at work was comfortable - your expectations of your co-workers, boss and the organization in general met what you expected; your expectations have been affirmed. Your stage of socialization is

A)social facilitation stage.
B)prearrival stage.
C)encounter stage.
D)metamorphosis stage.
E)replacement stage.

Question 70

Consistency of behaviour is an asset to an organization when it faces

A)a dynamic environment.
B)an unknown environment.
C)a stable environment.
D)massive changes.
E)major organizational restructuring.

Question 71

There is a serious shortage of individuals who are both qualified and available to take a job in the company. Potential employees are careful in selecting a company to work for and they have many opportunities as their skills are in demand. In what way is cTech's organizational culture a liability?

A)The business and cultural background the founders established is no longer relevant.
B)The formal rules and regulations around the workplace are not flexible.
C)The culture is entrenched and is no longer appropriate to a changing environment.
D)The culture is not supportive to mergers and acquisitions.
E)The kind of benefits that employees receive at cTech are not legal.

Question 72

The culture of the Young Woman's Club does NOT appear to be

A)strong and influential.
B)helpful in reducing ambiguity for current members.
C)a liability to change.
D)equipped to accommodate newcomers with a different social orientation.
E)supporting traditional values.

Question 73

Raghib's company just merged with another, and it was clear that both organizational cultures needed improvement. The best approach to merging the cultures would be

A)assimilation.
B)separation.
C)integration.
D)groupthink.
E)community.

Question 74

Which of the following is inconsistent with creating an ethical culture?

A)ethical role models
B)ethical expectations
C)punish unethical behaviour
D)ethical training
E)reward unethical behaviour

Question 75

Positive organizational cultures include the following characteristics

A)networks rather than bureaucracies.
B)rewards rather than punishments.
C)stability rather than growth.
D)solidarity rather than individualism.
E)communal rather than individualistic.

Question 76

The culture of the Young Woman's Club will be a liability if

A)newcomers embrace it.
B)it does not further the organization's effectiveness.
C)it reduces ambiguity.
D)it enhances social-system stability.
E)it diversifies services.

Question 77

Mike has observed that the shared values of his work group are good, but they do not seem to agree with those that would further the organization's effectiveness. In this case, culture is a barrier to

A)diversity.
B)mergers.
C)acquisitions.
D)change.
E)promotion.

Question 78

Khalid's company was recently acquired by another company; the other company appeared to have a stronger organizational culture compared to that of Khalid's. The best approach to merging the cultures would be

A)assimilation.
B)separation.
C)integration.
D)groupthink.
E)community.

Question 79

Culture is a liability EXCEPT when

A)shared values will not further the organization's effectiveness.
B)hiring diverse employees.
C)it creates a barrier to a merger.
D)it increases the acceptable range of values and styles.
E)it makes an acquisition decision difficult.

Question 80

In a caring ethical climate, managers expect that decisions should

A)reflect the self-interest of employees.
B)reflect the self-interest of the manager.
C)create mechanisms for collaboration.
D)create mechanisms for sharing reward.
E)positively affect the greatest number of stakeholders.