Deck 8: Motivation: From Concepts to Applications

Question 1

What is another term for cross-training?

A) work enrichment
B) job sharing
C) work enlargement
D) job enhancement
E) job rotation

Answer 1

E
Explanation: E) Job rotation, or the periodic shifting of an employee from one task to another with similar skill requirements at the same organizational level, is also called cross-training.

Question 2

Managers at Precision Technologies, a custom-machine shop in Indiana, train workers on all the company's equipment so they can move around as needed in response to incoming orders. Based on this information, which of the following methods is most likely being used by Precision Technologies?

A) job rotation
B) job enlargement
C) job enrichment
D) job sharing
E) flextime

Answer 2

A
Explanation: A) This is an example of job rotation, or the periodic shifting of an employee from one task to another with similar skill requirements at the same organizational level.

Question 3

Job enrichment increases the degree to which the worker controls the ________.

A) planning, execution, and evaluation of the work
B) planning, execution, and evaluation of company plans
C) horizontal integration of his or her tasks
D) evaluation of his or her peers
E) feedback that a worker receives from his or her supervisor and peers

Answer 3

A
Explanation: A) Job enrichment expands jobs by increasing the degree to which the worker controls the planning, execution, and evaluation of the work.

Question 4

What is the main strength of job rotation?

A) It eliminates management involvement.
B) It increases motivation.
C) It increases productivity.
D) It decreases training costs.
E) It decreases supervisor work load.

Question 5

Anya is a graphic designer in a firm specializing in making logos for their clients. Last week, she got client specifications on how to make a new logo. She was able to create a prototype, and having got it initially reviewed by her immediate supervisor, she made changes until the client was satisfied with her final product. Based on this description, it's safe to say that Anya's job is high in ________ and ________.

A) task significance; feedback
B) autonomy; skill variety
C) feedback; skill variety
D) task identity; feedback
E) skill variety; autonomy

Question 6

Which of the following is not one of the core job dimensions in the job characteristics model (JCM)?

A) task significance
B) feedback
C) autonomy
D) reward
E) skill variety

Question 7

With reference to the job characteristics model, which of the following defines task identity?

A) the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work
B) the degree to which work activities generates direct and clear information about performance
C) the degree to which a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling and procedure
D) the degree to which a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people
E) the degree to which a job requires a variety of different activities

Question 8

Increasingly, research on motivation focuses on approaches that link motivational concepts to changes in the way ________ is/are structured.

A) organizational design
B) payment
C) work
D) benefits
E) organizational culture

Question 9

Jobs that score ________ give incumbents a feeling of personal responsibility for the results.

A) high on skill variety
B) low on task significance
C) high on autonomy
D) low on task identity
E) high on feedback

Question 10

In the job characteristics model (JCM), which three core job dimensions combine to create meaningful work?

A) autonomy, task identity, and feedback
B) skill variety, autonomy, and task significance
C) skill variety, autonomy, and feedback
D) feedback, task identity, and task significance
E) skill variety, task identity, and task significance

Question 11

John is a design manager for a production company. He independently assigns teams, chooses projects, researches trends, and is able to work from home two to three days a week. He provides a status report to the design director once a month. Based on this description and as per the job characteristics model, it's safe to say that John's job is high in ________.

A) task identity
B) feedback
C) autonomy
D) task significance
E) skill variety

Question 12

Which of the following statements is true regarding job rotation?

A) It decreases the flexibility with which an organization can adapt to a change.
B) It decreases employee motivation.
C) It decreases productivity.
D) It decreases supervisory workload.
E) It decreases the flexibility in scheduling work.

Question 13

The periodic shifting of an employee from one task to another with similar skill requirements at the same organizational level is called job ________.

A) enlargement
B) expansion
C) rotation
D) sharing
E) enrichment

Question 14

With reference to the job characteristics model, which of the following defines skill variety?

A) the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work
B) the degree to which work activities generates direct and clear information about performance
C) the degree to which a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling and procedure
D) the degree to which a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people
E) the degree to which a job requires a variety of different activities

Question 15

According to the job characteristics model, ________ indicates the degree to which carrying out work activities generates direct and clear information about your own performance.

A) task significance
B) autonomy
C) feedback
D) task identity
E) skill variety

Question 16

Samantha is an emergency medical technician. Yesterday, due to an emergency, she was called to a house where a man suffered a heart attack. She was able to resuscitate the man, and while her colleagues were transporting him to the ambulance she spent 10 minutes calming the 12-year-old daughter, who was home alone with the father at that time. Based on this description, it's safe to say that Samantha's job is high in ________.

A) task identity
B) feedback
C) reward
D) task significance
E) skill variety

Question 17

According to the job characteristics model, task significance is the degree to which ________.

A) a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work
B) work activities generates direct and clear information about performance
C) a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling and procedure
D) a job affects the lives or work of other people
E) a job requires a variety of different activities

Question 18

According to the job characteristics model, autonomy is defined as the degree to which ________.

A) a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work
B) work activities generates direct and clear information about performance
C) a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling the work
D) a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people
E) a job requires a variety of different activities

Question 19

Which of the following is not one of the methods of enriching jobs based on the job characteristics model?

A) allow flexible work time
B) establish client relationships
C) open feedback channels
D) combine tasks
E) expand jobs vertically

Question 20

Aberdone Company has redesigned the jobs of the workers in accounts receivables. Instead of simply billing customers, they are now responsible for what used to be management tasks, such as for following up on non-payment, determining when bills will be sent to a collection agency, and what accounts receivables can be written off as non-collectable. Which of the following methods of job enrichment is used in this example?

A) task combination
B) vertical job expansion
C) formation of natural work units
D) establishing client relationships
E) opening feedback channels

Question 21

Participative management is a method of management where ________.

A) representatives of workers form work councils and these councils must be consulted when management makes decisions about employees
B) few representatives of workers sit on a company's board of directors
C) subordinates share a significant degree of decision-making power with their immediate superiors
D) low-level workers meet occasionally with the CEO to discuss problems within their department
E) low-level workers are responsible for making corporate policy decisions

Question 22

Which of the following statements is true regarding participative management?

A) Participative management typically has only a modest influence on variables such as employee productivity and motivation.
B) The two most common forms are works councils and board representatives.
C) It is called "the most widely legislated form of employee involvement around the world."
D) Research evidence on participative management indicates that it is a sure means for improving employee performance.
E) Participative management involves few representatives of workers siting on the company's board of directors.

Question 23

The job characteristics model describes five dimensions of a job. A job can be enriched by modifying one or more of these five dimensions. Which of the following methods of job enrichment involves modifying skill variety and task identity dimensions of a job?

A) combining tasks
B) forming natural work units
C) establishing client relationships
D) expanding jobs vertically
E) opening feedback channels

Question 24

________ is a participative process that uses employees' input to increase their commitment to the organization's success.

A) Job enrichment
B) Employee involvement
C) Organizational reengineering
D) Corporate restructuring
E) Job sharing

Question 25

For management, the major downside of telecommuting is ________.

A) decreased productivity
B) increased turnover
C) reduced morale
D) difficulty in scheduling work
E) less direct supervision of employees

Question 26

Job ________ expands jobs by increasing the degree to which the worker controls the planning, execution, and evaluation of the work.

A) sharing
B) enrichment
C) centralization
D) enlargement
E) rotation

Question 27

After completing cooking school with outstanding grades and recommendations, Joe and Gary both looked forward to working in restaurants. Joe found work as a short-order cook in a cramped diner. On many shifts he worked alone, and had to cook a large number of meals on outdated equipment. Gary found work in a modern hotel kitchen. He had a small staff helping him prepare a small number of elaborate meals to order. Gary became a highly regarded chef, while Joe left the restaurant industry. This example illustrates that an individual needs ________ in order to perform well.

A) ability and technical skills
B) strict work rules
C) supportive work context
D) adequate independence
E) critical feedback from superiors

Question 28

Which of the following is the major drawback of job sharing from management's perspective?

A) increase in supervisory workload
B) increased costs for providing supporting infrastructure (such as desk and computer) to two employees instead of one
C) difficulty in finding compatible partners
D) difficulty in designing the reward structure
E) difficulty in coordinating schedules

Question 29

Which of the following is a not a management benefit of telecommuting?

A) larger labor pool for recruitment
B) higher productivity of employees
C) decreased office expenditures
D) improved morale in general
E) decreased salary expenses

Question 30

The evidence on job enrichment shows it ________.

A) reduces absenteeism
B) increases supervisory workload
C) reduces satisfaction
D) increases turnover cost
E) reduces employee motivation

Question 31

Janice and Shunil are both senior software analysts. They have worked together on projects for six years and get along great. Janice is pregnant and anticipating the arrival of her first child and she is not willing to work full time. Shunil would like to experiment with opening his own business as a home media installation consultant, and does not want to continue to work full time. They both need some income. Which of the following alternative job structures would be best for Janice and Shunil?

A) job enlargement
B) telecommuting
C) job rotation
D) job sharing
E) job enrichment

Question 32

Beyond redesigning the nature of the work itself and involving employees in decisions, another approach to making the work environment more motivating is to alter work arrangements. Which of the following is designed to give an employee greater control of their schedule?

A) flextime
B) job centralization
C) job rotation
D) job enlargement
E) job enrichment

Question 33

Which of the following is the distinct characteristic common to all participative management programs?

A) joint decision making
B) autonomy
C) commitment
D) productivity enhancement
E) quality improvement

Question 34

One of the methods of job enrichment is to expand jobs vertically. This method involves modifying the ________ dimension of the job.

A) task significance
B) autonomy
C) feedback
D) task identity
E) skill variety

Question 35

Almost every country in Western Europe requires companies to practice ________, called "the most widely legislated form of employee involvement around the world."

A) participative management
B) corporate restructuring
C) representative participation
D) management by objectives
E) organizational reengineering

Question 36

Which of the following statements is true regarding job sharing?

A) It expands jobs by increasing the degree to which the worker controls the planning, execution, and evaluation of the work.
B) It is also called cross-training.
C) It allows two or more individuals to split a traditional 40-hour-a-week job.
D) It involves periodic shifting of an employee from one task to another with similar skill requirements at the same organizational level.
E) Job sharing is a method of job enrichment.

Question 37

Which of the following is a job that does not lend itself to telecommuting?

A) an attorney who spends most of her time researching on the computer
B) a copywriter for an advertising firm
C) a car salesman who demonstrates the features of a new model of car
D) a telemarketer who uses the phone to contact clients
E) a product support specialist who handles queries sent by customers

Question 38

The job characteristics model describes five dimensions of a job. A job can be enriched by modifying one or more of these five dimensions. Which of the following methods of job enrichment involves modifying task identity and task significance dimensions of a job?

A) combining tasks
B) forming natural work units
C) establishing client relationships
D) expanding jobs vertically
E) opening feedback channels

Question 39

The two major forms of employee involvement are participative management and ________.

A) organizational restructuring
B) job sharing
C) representative participation
D) job rotation
E) job enlargement

Question 40

An arrangement that allows two or more individuals to split a traditional 40-hour-a-week job is called ________.

A) flextime
B) job sharing
C) job rotation
D) telecommuting
E) job enrichment

Question 41

While setting pay levels initially, an organization has to balance internal equity and external equity. Here external equity indicates ________.

A) the amount of growth opportunities the job provides to the employee
B) the worth of the job to the employee
C) the worth of the job to the organization
D) competitiveness of an organization's pay relative to pay elsewhere in its industry
E) the amount of job satisfaction the job provides to the employee

Question 42

Laura only makes minimum wage, but she loves her job. Her supervisor regularly compliments her and she has been chosen employee of the month twice this year. Based on this information, which of the following is most likely to be the reason Laura likes her job?

A) recognition
B) motivation
C) goal setting
D) empowerment
E) autonomy

Question 43

Research on employee stock ownership plans indicates that they ________.

A) increase employee satisfaction
B) decrease company profits
C) reduce stress experienced by employees
D) decrease productivity of employees
E) increase employee turnover

Question 44

What is an advantage of bonuses over a merit-based pay plan?

A) Employees don't view bonuses as a part of their salary.
B) Bonuses improve flexibility of the workforce.
C) Bonuses are paid based on a formula.
D) Bonuses improve performance of the group as a whole.
E) Employees are rewarded for recent performance.

Question 45

In which of the following variable-pay programs is the pay level based on how many skills employees have or how many jobs they can do?

A) bonuses
B) piece-rate pay
C) skill-based pay
D) gainsharing
E) merit-based pay

Question 46

The ________ pay plan has long been popular as a means of compensating production workers by paying a fixed sum for each unit of production completed.

A) competency-based
B) gainsharing
C) piece-rate
D) profit sharing
E) merit-based

Question 47

Which of the following statements is true regarding gainsharing?

A) Gainsharing focuses on productivity gains rather than profits.
B) Gainsharing involves paying employees based on the number of new skills acquired by them in a specific time period.
C) Gainsharing does not distribute profits, only gains in profits.
D) Employees working under gainsharing plans have a greater feeling of psychological ownership.
E) Gain sharing encourages social loafing.

Question 48

A skill-based pay plan is also called a ________ pay plan.

A) piece-rate
B) profit sharing
C) merit-based
D) knowledge-based
E) commission-based

Question 49

Which of the following terms best describes employees who sit on a company's board of directors and represent the interests of the firm's employees?

A) board representatives
B) works councils
C) quality circles
D) union representatives
E) board leaders

Question 50

A ________ pay plan pays for individual performance based on performance appraisal ratings.

A) piece-rate
B) merit-based
C) skill-based
D) profit sharing
E) competency-based

Question 51

How does gainsharing help the group as a whole?

A) The high performers pressure weaker ones to work harder and improve overall performance.
B) The high performers can help the low performers by taking on their responsibility.
C) The new employees and low performers do not have a part in the overall gains accrued to the group.
D) The group's overheads are distributed evenly across the group.
E) The group's responsibilities are distributed evenly across the group.

Question 52

Which of the following is an example of a piece-rate plan?

A) $20 for each hour of work
B) $2 for each unit produced
C) productivity bonus
D) commission
E) paying employees based on number of skills

Question 53

Which of the following is an example of an intrinsic reward?

A) bonus
B) profit-sharing plan
C) employee stock option
D) employee recognition
E) gainsharing

Question 54

The two most common forms of representative participation are ________ and board representatives.

A) quality circles
B) work councils
C) employee unions
D) task teams
E) self-regulatory organization

Question 55

________ is a formula-based group incentive plan that uses improvements in group productivity from one period to another to determine the total amount of money allocated.

A) An employee stock ownership plan
B) Gainsharing
C) Profit sharing
D) A piece-rate pay plan
E) A merit-based pay plan

Question 56

An advantage of the ________ plan is that benefits accrue to groups of workers, high-performing workers pressure weaker performers to work harder, improving performance for the group as a whole.

A) merit-based pay
B) gainsharing
C) skill-based pay
D) piece-rate pay
E) profit sharing

Question 57

Which of the following statements is true regarding a merit-based pay plan?

A) It bases pay levels on how many skills employees have or how many jobs they can do.
B) It is also called competency-based pay plan.
C) Unions typically resist merit-based pay plan.
D) It distributes compensation based on established formula designed around a company's profitability.
E) A typical merit-based pay plan provides no base salary and pays the employee only for what he or she produces.

Question 58

Which of the following statements is true regarding an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)?

A) Under this plan employees acquire stock often at below-market prices.
B) Research on ESOPs indicates that it does not affect employee satisfaction.
C) ESOPs for top management tend to increases unethical behavior.
D) Research on ESOPs indicates that ESOPs drastically improve employee performance.
E) ESOPs are also called competency-based pay plans.

Question 59

Theory Y ________.

A) advocates job sharing
B) if implemented, reduces intrinsic employee motivation
C) encourages telecommuting
D) encourages fixed pay structure
E) is consistent with participative management

Question 60

Which of the following is Theory X consistent with?

A) the autocratic style of managing people
B) participative management
C) job enrichment
D) the cognitive evaluation theory
E) two-factor theory

Question 61

Job rotation tends to increase productivity and decrease supervisory workload.

Question 62

Almost every country in Western Europe requires companies to practice participative management, called "the most widely legislated form of employee involvement around the world."

Question 63

Which of the following statements is true regarding employee recognition?

A) Employee recognition is an extrinsic reward.
B) Critics argue that employee recognition programs are highly susceptible to political manipulation by management.
C) Employee recognition programs are expensive.
D) Nonfinancial incentives such as recognition are more motivating in the short term but in the long run financial incentives are more motivating.
E) Employee stock option is a more powerful workplace motivator than recognition.

Question 64

You are looking at flextime and realize that it will probably work least well for which of the following jobs?

A) insurance billers
B) custodial workers
C) receptionist
D) equipment maintenance staff
E) IT personnel

Question 65

According to research findings, which of the following is more likely to be motivating for the employees in the long run?

A) commissions
B) merit-based pay
C) recognition
D) bonuses
E) stock options

Question 66

The two most common forms of participative management are works councils and board representatives.

Question 67

The job characteristics model describes any job in terms of five core job dimensions. Task significance is one of these five dimensions and it represents the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work.

Question 68

Amalgamated Industries manufactures parts for furniture. Management has decided to change the method of payment to a skill-based pay plan. You are interested in increasing your current compensation and see this as an opportunity.
As a manager, you like the plan because it ________.

A) reduces the stress experienced by the employees on the job
B) increases workforce flexibility
C) decreases social loafing
D) decreases payroll costs
E) decreases employee turnover

Question 69

The job characteristics model describes any job in terms of five core job dimensions and these five dimensions are skill variety, task significance, autonomy, reward, and feedback.

Question 70

Which of the following is a form of recognition?

A) personal congratulations
B) job enlargement
C) job sharing
D) flexible benefit packages
E) profit sharing

Question 71

Flextime tends to reduce absenteeism and frequently improves worker productivity.

Question 72

Amalgamated Industries manufactures parts for furniture. Management has decided to change the method of payment to a skill-based pay plan. You are interested in increasing your current compensation and see this as an opportunity.
You should expect to earn more if you ________.

A) volunteer for overtime
B) increase your production
C) cross-train in other jobs
D) become a specialist
E) improve the quality of your work

Question 73

The job characteristics model describes any job in terms of five core job dimensions. Feedback is one of these five dimensions and it represents the degree to which carrying out work activities generates direct and clear information about your own performance.

Question 74

Job rotation allows two or more individuals to split a traditional 40-hour-a-week job.

Question 75

Jason works at home at least 2 days a week on a computer linked to his employer's office. He goes to work at odd hours and returns as he pleases. Which of the following terms accurately represents Jason's work arrangement?

A) autonomy
B) job sharing
C) flextime
D) telecommuting
E) task identity

Question 76

You notice that members of the janitorial staff are low skilled and are suffering from overroutinization of their work. They are most likely to be motivated by ________.

A) employee stock options
B) skill-based pay plan
C) job rotation
D) merit-based pay plans
E) gainsharing

Question 77

Amalgamated Industries manufactures parts for furniture. Management has decided to change the method of payment to a skill-based pay plan. You are interested in increasing your current compensation and see this as an opportunity.
Which of the following may be a disadvantage of introducing this type of pay plan?

A) It increases supervisory work load.
B) It encourages social loafing.
C) It generally decreases the profitability of the organization.
D) It does not address the level of performance.
E) It tends to reduce employee job satisfaction.

Question 78

Job sharing expands jobs by increasing the degree to which the worker controls the planning, execution, and evaluation of the work.

Question 79

Job enlargement is also called cross-training.

Question 80

A positive relationship exists between telecommuting and supervisor performance ratings.