Deck 6: Understanding the Management Process

Question 1

Centrum Springs, Inc.
Riley has worked for Centrum Springs, Inc., for many years and has now been given the opportunity to advance in the company. His manager is retiring and hopes that Riley will take over for him. However, even though Riley is an experienced employee, there are many things that he still needs to learn. Riley has trained many new employees, but he has never held a management position. Riley needs to have a general understanding of what it takes to be a manager.
There are many problems in Riley's department. There are no plans to fall back on in case the initial plan fails. Riley also will need to learn how to direct people in such a way that makes them want to do more than they absolutely have to. Riley feels that this is a great opportunity, and he is anxious to learn everything to be a great manager. He knows that if he performs well in this position, he will have the opportunity to move up the corporate ladder.
Refer to Centrum Springs, Inc. Riley's usual duties represent which of these areas?

A) Financial management
B) Operations management
C) Marketing management
D) Human resources management
E) Administrative management

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Which of the three leadership styles described in the textbook is the most effective? Support your position.

Answer 2

Answer not provided.

Question 3

Which level of management has the closest contact with workers paid by the hour? How do these managers spend most of their time?

Answer 3

Answer not provided.

Question 4

How would you expect top managers to spend most of their work time?

Question 5

Centrum Springs, Inc.
Riley has worked for Centrum Springs, Inc., for many years and has now been given the opportunity to advance in the company. His manager is retiring and hopes that Riley will take over for him. However, even though Riley is an experienced employee, there are many things that he still needs to learn. Riley has trained many new employees, but he has never held a management position. Riley needs to have a general understanding of what it takes to be a manager.
There are many problems in Riley's department. There are no plans to fall back on in case the initial plan fails. Riley also will need to learn how to direct people in such a way that makes them want to do more than they absolutely have to. Riley feels that this is a great opportunity, and he is anxious to learn everything to be a great manager. He knows that if he performs well in this position, he will have the opportunity to move up the corporate ladder.
Refer to Centrum Springs, Inc. When Riley learns all that it takes to be a manager, he will be involved in

A) marketing, planning, hiring, and training.
B) controlling, organizing, planning, and leading.
C) leading, motivating, hiring, and firing.
D) planning, controlling, leading, and motivating.
E) leading, motivating, training, and organizing.

Question 6

Describe how benchmarking can benefit a manufacturing organization.

Question 7

Why are conceptual skills important for all managers, regardless of level or area?

Question 8

Identify and describe each of the major steps in the managerial decision-making process.

Question 9

Why would technical skills be important to lower-level managers?

Question 10

Choose any company that you are familiar with and describe one specific example of each of the four areas of a SWOT analysis.

Question 11

Discuss the potential benefits of a successful total quality management program.

Question 12

Describe the style of the democratic leader.

Question 13

What are the most important skills needed by a successful manager in today's business world?

Question 14

Define the aspects of a SWOT analysis and how it can benefit a company.

Question 15

How would a manager decide which of several alternative solutions to choose as a course of action for the firm?

Question 16

How does the organization's mission differ from its strategic planning?

Question 17

What does a manager manage?

Question 18

Centrum Springs, Inc.
Riley has worked for Centrum Springs, Inc., for many years and has now been given the opportunity to advance in the company. His manager is retiring and hopes that Riley will take over for him. However, even though Riley is an experienced employee, there are many things that he still needs to learn. Riley has trained many new employees, but he has never held a management position. Riley needs to have a general understanding of what it takes to be a manager.
There are many problems in Riley's department. There are no plans to fall back on in case the initial plan fails. Riley also will need to learn how to direct people in such a way that makes them want to do more than they absolutely have to. Riley feels that this is a great opportunity, and he is anxious to learn everything to be a great manager. He knows that if he performs well in this position, he will have the opportunity to move up the corporate ladder.
Refer to Centrum Springs, Inc. The different resources available to all managers include all of the following except

A) material.
B) competitors.
C) financial.
D) human.
E) information.

Question 19

What are two components that are crucial to the effectiveness of a total quality management program?

Question 20

In what ways does leading differ from motivating?

Question 21

Dazzle Magazine
Rosalea recently switched careers. Previously, she was a college professor, but she felt she needed more real-world experience to help her business students more fully. Her passion and commitment led her to become the manager at Dazzle Magazine, where she was in charge of the layout. Always charismatic, energized, and driven, Rosalea expected as much from her employees as she did of herself. Although the recognized leader, Rosalea let her staff implement their own ideas at times.
It was a stressful time when publication deadlines neared. At one point, there was a major mix-up in the layouts for the front cover. Rosalea was not sure of the correct layout because she had allowed one of her employees, Joseph, to modify and run with his idea on this matter. However, she could not ask for Joseph's help with the covers because he happened to be out of town at the time. Rosalea quickly looked over the layouts but felt that they still needed some work.
She decided to ask the design manager for her help. The design manager did not feel comfortable making a decision on the issue, so she did not give Rosalea an answer. Rosalea then went to an employee within her department for advice. That employee suggested some ideas, but Rosalea was still not satisfied. Finally, Rosalea called one of her top graduate students with whom she had kept in contact and asked her if she could offer some ideas. The graduate student quickly came to the magazine's office and helped Rosalea decide on the alternative that should be implemented. Rosalea greatly appreciated the assistance and the suggestion. The final cover design went to press, and that issue of the magazine was successful. This helped Rosalea realize that considering the big picture was good, but equally important were the little details.
Refer to Dazzle Magazine. The graduate student's assistance represents which step of the decision-making process?

A) Evaluate solution
B) Generate many alternatives
C) Identify problem and opportunity
D) Select alternative
E) Implement solution

Question 22

Management can achieve its goals by coordinating what four types of resources?

A) Financial, material, organizational, and operational
B) Informational, human, controllable, and tangible
C) Tangible, intangible, human, and financial
D) Human, material, financial, and intangible
E) Material, informational, human, and financial

Question 23

As an upper-level manager for Microsoft, Rodney is one of many people responsible for allocating organizational resources in order to achieve the key goals of the company. Specifically, Rodney is in charge of collecting and analyzing data on consumer preferences in personal computer design and technology and is thus responsible for what general type of resources?

A) Material
B) Human
C) Informational
D) Financial
E) System

Question 24

Jessica is hired to keep the books and pay the bills for a small company. She provides a(n) ____ resource for the firm.

A) financial
B) informational
C) human
D) capital
E) material

Question 25

Dazzle Magazine
Rosalea recently switched careers. Previously, she was a college professor, but she felt she needed more real-world experience to help her business students more fully. Her passion and commitment led her to become the manager at Dazzle Magazine, where she was in charge of the layout. Always charismatic, energized, and driven, Rosalea expected as much from her employees as she did of herself. Although the recognized leader, Rosalea let her staff implement their own ideas at times.
It was a stressful time when publication deadlines neared. At one point, there was a major mix-up in the layouts for the front cover. Rosalea was not sure of the correct layout because she had allowed one of her employees, Joseph, to modify and run with his idea on this matter. However, she could not ask for Joseph's help with the covers because he happened to be out of town at the time. Rosalea quickly looked over the layouts but felt that they still needed some work.
She decided to ask the design manager for her help. The design manager did not feel comfortable making a decision on the issue, so she did not give Rosalea an answer. Rosalea then went to an employee within her department for advice. That employee suggested some ideas, but Rosalea was still not satisfied. Finally, Rosalea called one of her top graduate students with whom she had kept in contact and asked her if she could offer some ideas. The graduate student quickly came to the magazine's office and helped Rosalea decide on the alternative that should be implemented. Rosalea greatly appreciated the assistance and the suggestion. The final cover design went to press, and that issue of the magazine was successful. This helped Rosalea realize that considering the big picture was good, but equally important were the little details.
Refer to Dazzle Magazine. Based on how Rosalea performed, how would her leadership style best be described?

A) Autocratic
B) Entrepreneurial
C) Democratic
D) Authoritarian
E) Informal

Question 26

An organization's most important resource is its ____ resources.

A) material
B) human
C) financial
D) information
E) technical

Question 27

Centrum Springs, Inc.
Riley has worked for Centrum Springs, Inc., for many years and has now been given the opportunity to advance in the company. His manager is retiring and hopes that Riley will take over for him. However, even though Riley is an experienced employee, there are many things that he still needs to learn. Riley has trained many new employees, but he has never held a management position. Riley needs to have a general understanding of what it takes to be a manager.
There are many problems in Riley's department. There are no plans to fall back on in case the initial plan fails. Riley also will need to learn how to direct people in such a way that makes them want to do more than they absolutely have to. Riley feels that this is a great opportunity, and he is anxious to learn everything to be a great manager. He knows that if he performs well in this position, he will have the opportunity to move up the corporate ladder.
Refer to Centrum Springs, Inc. If Riley were to take this first step up the corporate ladder, he would be classified as a

A) top manager.
B) strategic manager.
C) tactical manager.
D) first-line manager.
E) general manager.

Question 28

____ is called the first management function because all other management functions depend on it.

A) Leading
B) Organizing
C) Controlling
D) Planning
E) Motivating

Question 29

Dazzle Magazine
Rosalea recently switched careers. Previously, she was a college professor, but she felt she needed more real-world experience to help her business students more fully. Her passion and commitment led her to become the manager at Dazzle Magazine, where she was in charge of the layout. Always charismatic, energized, and driven, Rosalea expected as much from her employees as she did of herself. Although the recognized leader, Rosalea let her staff implement their own ideas at times.
It was a stressful time when publication deadlines neared. At one point, there was a major mix-up in the layouts for the front cover. Rosalea was not sure of the correct layout because she had allowed one of her employees, Joseph, to modify and run with his idea on this matter. However, she could not ask for Joseph's help with the covers because he happened to be out of town at the time. Rosalea quickly looked over the layouts but felt that they still needed some work.
She decided to ask the design manager for her help. The design manager did not feel comfortable making a decision on the issue, so she did not give Rosalea an answer. Rosalea then went to an employee within her department for advice. That employee suggested some ideas, but Rosalea was still not satisfied. Finally, Rosalea called one of her top graduate students with whom she had kept in contact and asked her if she could offer some ideas. The graduate student quickly came to the magazine's office and helped Rosalea decide on the alternative that should be implemented. Rosalea greatly appreciated the assistance and the suggestion. The final cover design went to press, and that issue of the magazine was successful. This helped Rosalea realize that considering the big picture was good, but equally important were the little details.
Refer to Dazzle Magazine. Which type of leadership style most closely equates with Rosalea's style?

A) Participative
B) Formal
C) Autocratic
D) Task-oriented
E) Authoritative

Question 30

Lawyers, accountants, and engineers are ____ resources of Microsoft.

A) informational
B) non-revenue-producing
C) material
D) human
E) financial

Question 31

Airplanes, crates, and trucks represent ____ resources for Federal Express.

A) revenue-producing
B) material
C) human
D) financial
E) informational

Question 32

Specific statements detailing what the organization intends to accomplish over a short period of time are called

A) planning statements.
B) strategies.
C) control statements.
D) objectives.
E) goals.

Question 33

Coordinating people and the other resources of an organization to achieve the goals of the organization is the process of

A) management.
B) planning.
C) organizing.
D) directing.
E) leading.

Question 34

Dazzle Magazine
Rosalea recently switched careers. Previously, she was a college professor, but she felt she needed more real-world experience to help her business students more fully. Her passion and commitment led her to become the manager at Dazzle Magazine, where she was in charge of the layout. Always charismatic, energized, and driven, Rosalea expected as much from her employees as she did of herself. Although the recognized leader, Rosalea let her staff implement their own ideas at times.
It was a stressful time when publication deadlines neared. At one point, there was a major mix-up in the layouts for the front cover. Rosalea was not sure of the correct layout because she had allowed one of her employees, Joseph, to modify and run with his idea on this matter. However, she could not ask for Joseph's help with the covers because he happened to be out of town at the time. Rosalea quickly looked over the layouts but felt that they still needed some work.
She decided to ask the design manager for her help. The design manager did not feel comfortable making a decision on the issue, so she did not give Rosalea an answer. Rosalea then went to an employee within her department for advice. That employee suggested some ideas, but Rosalea was still not satisfied. Finally, Rosalea called one of her top graduate students with whom she had kept in contact and asked her if she could offer some ideas. The graduate student quickly came to the magazine's office and helped Rosalea decide on the alternative that should be implemented. Rosalea greatly appreciated the assistance and the suggestion. The final cover design went to press, and that issue of the magazine was successful. This helped Rosalea realize that considering the big picture was good, but equally important were the little details.
Refer to Dazzle Magazine. Now that Rosalea has real-world experience, she understands more than ever that certain personal skills are needed for any manager's success. These skills include all of the following except

A) oral communication skills.
B) written communication skills.
C) technical skills.
D) corporate behavior skills.
E) conceptual skills.

Question 35

Revenues, proceeds from stock sales, and loans from banks are ____ resources for Sears.

A) financial
B) material
C) informational
D) monetary
E) human

Question 36

Centrum Springs, Inc.
Riley has worked for Centrum Springs, Inc., for many years and has now been given the opportunity to advance in the company. His manager is retiring and hopes that Riley will take over for him. However, even though Riley is an experienced employee, there are many things that he still needs to learn. Riley has trained many new employees, but he has never held a management position. Riley needs to have a general understanding of what it takes to be a manager.
There are many problems in Riley's department. There are no plans to fall back on in case the initial plan fails. Riley also will need to learn how to direct people in such a way that makes them want to do more than they absolutely have to. Riley feels that this is a great opportunity, and he is anxious to learn everything to be a great manager. He knows that if he performs well in this position, he will have the opportunity to move up the corporate ladder.
Refer to Centrum Springs, Inc. In the department where Riley works, what types of plans are lacking?

A) Operational
B) Tactical
C) Strategic
D) Technical
E) Contingency

Question 37

Dazzle Magazine
Rosalea recently switched careers. Previously, she was a college professor, but she felt she needed more real-world experience to help her business students more fully. Her passion and commitment led her to become the manager at Dazzle Magazine, where she was in charge of the layout. Always charismatic, energized, and driven, Rosalea expected as much from her employees as she did of herself. Although the recognized leader, Rosalea let her staff implement their own ideas at times.
It was a stressful time when publication deadlines neared. At one point, there was a major mix-up in the layouts for the front cover. Rosalea was not sure of the correct layout because she had allowed one of her employees, Joseph, to modify and run with his idea on this matter. However, she could not ask for Joseph's help with the covers because he happened to be out of town at the time. Rosalea quickly looked over the layouts but felt that they still needed some work.
She decided to ask the design manager for her help. The design manager did not feel comfortable making a decision on the issue, so she did not give Rosalea an answer. Rosalea then went to an employee within her department for advice. That employee suggested some ideas, but Rosalea was still not satisfied. Finally, Rosalea called one of her top graduate students with whom she had kept in contact and asked her if she could offer some ideas. The graduate student quickly came to the magazine's office and helped Rosalea decide on the alternative that should be implemented. Rosalea greatly appreciated the assistance and the suggestion. The final cover design went to press, and that issue of the magazine was successful. This helped Rosalea realize that considering the big picture was good, but equally important were the little details.
Refer to Dazzle Magazine. What type of manager was Rosalea at Dazzle Magazine?

A) Autocratic
B) Formal
C) Authoritarian
D) Entrepreneurial
E) Democratic

Question 38

When Herbert took a new position at Galbrook Manufacturing Company, the firm was near insolvency. One of Herbert's first acts was to establish specific goals for sales growth and a strategy for achieving them. He also changed the organizational structure and developed an elaborate control system for keeping the company on track. Herbert is functioning in a(n) ____ position at Galbrook Manufacturing.

A) clerical
B) sales
C) technical
D) managerial
E) operative

Question 39

____ resources are used to meet obligations to investors and creditors.

A) Tangible
B) Intangible
C) Material
D) Financial
E) Human

Question 40

Planning, organizing, leading/motivating, and controlling make up the

A) four organizational goals every firm wants to achieve.
B) step-by-step management procedure.
C) four basic functions in the management process.
D) process of coordinating people and other resources to achieve the goals of the organization.
E) steps taken to achieve an organization's operational plans.

Question 41

A(n) ____ is a smaller-scale plan developed to implement a strategy.

A) strategy
B) goal
C) mission
D) tactical plan
E) objective

Question 42

A timeline for a strategic plan can be as long as 10 years. However, the timeline for a strategic plan for a company is generally

A) a maximum of one year.
B) a minimum of one year.
C) one to two years.
D) five years.
E) seven years.

Question 43

Sami Nguyen is responsible for two departments that continually set conflicting goals. Sami must get involved in ____ to achieve some sort of balance between those goals.

A) optimization
B) maximization
C) planning
D) controlling
E) organizing

Question 44

IBM's principal reason for existing is to earn a profit for its shareholders. The means by which IBM does this is through the manufacture of computers. These two statements describe, respectively, IBM's

A) strategy.
B) mission.
C) policy.
D) tactical plan.
E) control process.

Question 45

A(n) ____ is a type of plan designed to implement tactical plans.

A) strategy
B) mission
C) operational plan
D) contingency plan
E) management objective

Question 46

If Kmart states that it is going to spend $100 million in advertising in the upcoming year to help increase its market share, it is explaining part of its ____ plan.

A) tactical
B) operational
C) strategic
D) contingency
E) directional

Question 47

Which of the following would least likely to be considered a threat to an organization?

A) A newly implemented law
B) Competitor's actions
C) Newly developed technology
D) Economic changes
E) Human resources of an organization

Question 48

A certain chicken company decides that it will become the market leader in the poultry business in five years with a 40 percent share of the market. This statement would be classified as a(n)

A) objective.
B) mission.
C) strategy.
D) operational plan.
E) goal.

Question 49

An outline of the actions an organization intends to take to accomplish its goals and objectives is called its

A) policy.
B) plan.
C) organization function.
D) mission.
E) control function.

Question 50

McDonald's prides itself on its efficiency and value in delivering a product in a very short time. These characteristics can best be defined as McDonald's

A) objectives.
B) mission.
C) resources.
D) opportunities.
E) core competencies.

Question 51

Karen Smith is a division manager at General Motors and, as such, must ensure that some sort of balance is achieved between the sometimes conflicting goals of the various departments within her division. For example, the marketing department's goal might be to increase sales by 15 percent, whereas the accounting department might strive for certain cost efficiencies. In compensating for these disparate goals, Karen is engaging in

A) planning.
B) organizing.
C) controlling.
D) conflict minimization.
E) optimization.

Question 52

If Martin Jones, VP Finance, meets with Susan Sheridan, CEO, to discuss how much of the budget can be allotted to certain departments for next year's project plans, the two are engaging in

A) stating objectives.
B) contingency planning.
C) strategic planning.
D) tactical planning.
E) financial planning.

Question 53

Which of the following items is not a part of planning?

A) Strategy
B) Tactical plan
C) Objective plan
D) Contingency plan
E) Mission

Question 54

Which of the following is external to a firm and exists independently of a company?

A) Strengths
B) Weaknesses
C) Goals
D) Core competencies
E) Opportunities

Question 55

Harrington Golf Co. states that it will double its employee staff and decrease its advertising budget by 25 percent in order to keep up with its high customer demand. This is part of its ____ plan.

A) strategic
B) tactical
C) contingency
D) operational
E) long-term

Question 56

At Silver Paper's company meeting in August, the owner states that the company will increase its sales of Christmas cards by 50 percent over last year's sales. This statement is called a(n)

A) goal.
B) mission.
C) strategy.
D) objective.
E) tactical plan.

Question 57

When Starbucks states that by 2015 it plans to purchase 100 percent of its coffee from ethical sources, it is stating a(n)

A) goal.
B) objective.
C) plan.
D) strategy.
E) task.

Question 58

When the management of a large grocery store heard that Walmart might be coming to town, they developed alternative courses of action they could take if their competitive landscape changed. What type of plan did they develop?

A) Strategic
B) Objective
C) Contingency
D) Tactical
E) Operational

Question 59

A SWOT analysis is an identification and evaluation of a firm's strengths, weaknesses, ___, and threats.

A) options
B) occasions
C) opinions
D) occurrences
E) opportunities

Question 60

The broadest set of plans developed as a guide for major policy setting and decision making is called a(n)

A) management process.
B) strategic plan.
C) contingency plan.
D) mission.
E) objective.

Question 61

A company like Motorola might establish a goal of reducing its inventory by 50 percent over the next year. To ensure that it reaches this goal, the company could monitor its progress on a quarterly or monthly basis. If the managers at Motorola discover that there is a danger of not achieving this goal, they can take corrective action to adjust for the deficiency. This is a description of the managers' ____ function.

A) controlling
B) directing
C) leading
D) organizing
E) planning

Question 62

Chris Gomez is a plant manager for National Manufacturing Company. With regard to levels of management, Chris is a(n) ____ manager.

A) first-line
B) middle
C) top
D) executive
E) functional

Question 63

Kelly is in charge of both accounting and investments and all of the employees involved with these functions at her firm. Kelly is a(n) ____ manager.

A) executive
B) financial
C) first-line
D) middle
E) operations

Question 64

The process of evaluating and regulating ongoing activities to ensure that goals are achieved is known as

A) organizing.
B) leading.
C) controlling.
D) motivating.
E) planning.

Question 65

The investment decisions of many traders on Wall Street in the early 2000s led to the downfall of several investment companies, demonstrating that employee goals were not aligned with company goals. This indicates a failure of which basic managerial function?

A) Planning
B) Organizing
C) Leading
D) Motivating
E) Controlling

Question 66

The CEO's role at General Electric requires him to spend a great deal of time on planning. This indicates that he is a(n) ____ manager.

A) administrative
B) operations
C) top
D) middle
E) first-line

Question 67

The two managerial functions that compose the process of directing an organization are

A) planning and organizing.
B) goal setting and planning.
C) leading and organizing.
D) motivating and leading.
E) planning and leading.

Question 68

Accounting and investments are areas within which management field of specialization?

A) Administration
B) Operations
C) Marketing
D) Finance
E) Human resources

Question 69

A manager who coordinates the activities of operating employees is a(n) ____ manager.

A) first-line
B) middle
C) top
D) executive
E) functional

Question 70

It is important for a manager to understand the ____ of subordinates in order to encourage effective performance.

A) control needs
B) leadership skills
C) standards
D) financial needs
E) motivations

Question 71

A large computer company provides well-being seminars free to its employees and provides them with a fitness facility to encourage physical and mental health. The company hopes this will create a satisfying work environment. Which managerial function does this involve?

A) Motivating
B) Organizing
C) Controlling
D) Planning
E) Compensating

Question 72

When JCPenney first decided to sell its merchandise online, the manager in charge of the process had to hire a technical staff to create the website, gather other resources necessary for the project, and ensure the site would be introduced in an effective and efficient manner. This is a description of the manager's ____ function.

A) planning
B) organizing
C) goal-setting
D) motivating
E) controlling

Question 73

Saul Marsiana is the office manager at Beltry, James, and Gwyn Associates. It would be accurate to say that Saul is a(n) ____ manager.

A) top
B) operations
C) middle
D) first-line
E) administrative

Question 74

Grouping resources and activities to efficiently and effectively accomplish a result is called

A) planning.
B) organizing.
C) directing.
D) controlling.
E) goal setting.

Question 75

American Airlines has established a goal of increasing its profits by 12 percent next year. To ensure that the goal is reached, management monitors profits on a monthly basis. After three months, if profits have not increased by 3 percent, management will take corrective action to get the company on track. By doing so, management is carrying out its ____ function(s).

A) planning
B) leading and motivating
C) goal-setting and planning
D) organizing
E) controlling

Question 76

A plan that outlines alternative courses of action is called a(n) ____ plan.

A) objective
B) tactical
C) strategic
D) contingency
E) operational

Question 77

The process of influencing people to work toward a common goal is

A) motivating.
B) leading.
C) a sign of an autocratic leader.
D) a hands-off approach.
E) implementing.

Question 78

Grant is a division manager for a large chemical company. He frequently works to implement the strategies set by the CEO and supervises the activities of the supervisors under him. Grant is a ____ manager.

A) top
B) middle
C) front-line
D) first-line
E) financial

Question 79

Common job titles associated with ____ management include president, vice president, and chief executive officer.

A) first-line
B) middle
C) top
D) executive
E) functional

Question 80

As a manager at Johnson Electric, an armature motor manufacturer, Charles is responsible for quality. As he carries out his controlling function, Charles sets the standard for the number of defective parts per million, and then he gathers the data measuring the actual performance. What third step of the control function should Charles take next?

A) Change the standards to match the actual performance.
B) Determine the cause of the discrepancy.
C) Begin planning again.
D) Take corrective action.
E) Motivate his employees.