Deck 10: Organizational Culture

Question 1

Which of the following ethical climate dimensions is not prevalent in most organizations?

A)independence
B)instrumental
C)law and code
D)rules
E)dependence

Answer 1

E

Question 2

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.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Industries that thrive on competitiveness,such as financial trading,often have a(n)________ climate.

A)instrumental
B)caring
C)law and code
D)rules
E)independence

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Managers in ________ climates may be thwarted in making the best decisions when only choices that serve the greatest number of employees are acceptable.

A)instrumental
B)caring
C)law and code
D)rules
E)independence

Question 5

A stronger organizational culture requires

A)less formal rules and regulations.
B)more formal rules and regulations.
C)orderliness.
D)consistency.
E)predictability.

Question 6

________ climates may foster the individual-level successes their companies need to thrive,for example,and they may help underperformers to recognize their self-interest is better served elsewhere.

A)Instrumental
B)Caring
C)Law and code
D)Rules
E)Independence

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

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 9

SCENARIO 10-1 Masterson College is a small liberal arts women's college in North Carolina.The founders of the college were Baptist and were committed to the idea that a liberal arts education was the best preparation for life-long learning.Within the last two decades,the business department has become one of the larger departments on campus.The faculty of the business department are committed to liberal arts education but are also committed to finding employment for their graduates.
Refer to Scenario 10-1.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 10

Instrumental climates are negatively associated with

A)employee self-interest.
B)turnover intentions.
C)workplace bullying.
D)organizational commitment.
E)deviant behaviour.

Question 11

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 12

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 13

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 14

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 15

Industries with exacting standards,such as engineering,accounting,and law,tend to have a(n)________ climate

A)instrumental
B)caring
C)law and code
D)dependence
E)independence

Question 16

SCENARIO 10-1 Masterson College is a small liberal arts women's college in North Carolina.The founders of the college were Baptist and were committed to the idea that a liberal arts education was the best preparation for life-long learning.Within the last two decades,the business department has become one of the larger departments on campus.The faculty of the business department are committed to liberal arts education but are also committed to finding employment for their graduates.
Refer to Scenario 10-1.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 17

SCENARIO 10-1 Masterson College is a small liberal arts women's college in North Carolina.The founders of the college were Baptist and were committed to the idea that a liberal arts education was the best preparation for life-long learning.Within the last two decades,the business department has become one of the larger departments on campus.The faculty of the business department are committed to liberal arts education but are also committed to finding employment for their graduates.
Refer to Scenario 10-1.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 18

Research indicates that ethical cultures take a long-term perspective and balance the rights of all of the following stakeholders except

A)full-time employees.
B)stockholders.
C)competitors.
D)community.
E)part-time employees.

Question 19

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.

Question 20

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 21

A high turnover rate indicates the organizational culture is

A)strong and therefore difficult to change.
B)formal and therefore difficult to change.
C)flexible and therefore easier to change.
D)assimilated and therefore deeply held by each individual who stays.
E)weak and therefore easier to change.

Question 22

According to research,a company seeking to reduce energy consumption would find which of the following the least effective way to reduce long-term energy use?

A)talking about energy conservation
B)building the value of conservation into the culture
C)soliciting group feedback about energy use
D)giving sustainability time and nurturing to grow
E)issuing reading materials about the importance of conservation

Question 23

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 24

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 25

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 26

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 27

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 28

Research found that local organizational cultures marked by low or decreasing job satisfaction had higher levels of turnover.This suggests the powerful influence of

A)money.
B)competition.
C)change.
D)satisfaction.
E)culture.

Question 29

Which of the following would NOT facilitate a change in culture?

A)young organization
B)small organization
C)dramatic crisis
D)strong culture
E)weak culture

Question 30

Start-up firms often have innovative cultures by definition because they are usually small,agile,and focused on

A)staying conventional.
B)formalization.
C)organizational commitment.
D)employee self-interest.
E)solving problems.

Question 31

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 32

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 33

SCENARIO 10-2 The Young Woman's Club has been operating for seventy-five years as an organization which supports women who stay at home.This group has always held classes in cooking,sewing,and child rearing.The group has always been comprised of upper middle-class women from the same small town.As the area has grown,many people have moved to the area and commute to a nearby city for work.
Refer to Scenario 10-2.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 34

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 this 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 are not legal.

Question 35

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 36

When an organization undergoes institutionalization,acceptable modes of behaviour become largely self-evident to members.This can lead to which negative outcome?

A)stifling innovation
B)preventing employee growth
C)declining organizational citizenship
D)decreasing ethics
E)increasing formalization

Question 37

SCENARIO 10-2 The Young Woman's Club has been operating for seventy-five years as an organization which supports women who stay at home.This group has always held classes in cooking,sewing,and child rearing.The group has always been comprised of upper middle-class women from the same small town.As the area has grown,many people have moved to the area and commute to a nearby city for work.
Refer to Scenario 10-2.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 38

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 39

SCENARIO 10-2 The Young Woman's Club has been operating for seventy-five years as an organization which supports women who stay at home.This group has always held classes in cooking,sewing,and child rearing.The group has always been comprised of upper middle-class women from the same small town.As the area has grown,many people have moved to the area and commute to a nearby city for work.
Refer to Scenario 10-2.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 40

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 41

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 42

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 43

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 44

SCENARIO 10-3 Jester Corporation has a training program for all new managers.They spend three weeks in a formal classroom setting with other new managers and are then assigned a mentor.Only MBA's are hired for management jobs,since this is believed to be the level of qualification necessary for job success.
Refer to Scenario 10-3.Jester's Corporation's socialization program appears to be

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

Question 45

SCENARIO 10-3 Jester Corporation has a training program for all new managers.They spend three weeks in a formal classroom setting with other new managers and are then assigned a mentor.Only MBA's are hired for management jobs,since this is believed to be the level of qualification necessary for job success.
Refer to Scenario 10-3.The new managers are on a(n)________ time schedule.

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

Question 46

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 47

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 48

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

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

Question 49

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 50

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 51

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 52

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 53

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 54

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 55

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 56

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

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

Question 57

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 58

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 59

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 60

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 61

SCENARIO 10-4 You are new to an organization and do not really know what to expect about the socialization process.You are a recent MBA and have an undergraduate degree in computer science.Your new firm is a software development company with an emphasis on the health care industry.
Refer to Scenario 10-4.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 62

SCENARIO 10-5 Nunya is a computer software company that employs intelligent but somewhat unusual people.Every Friday,free lollipops are given out to encourage employees to remember how creative they were when they were children.At the beginning of each quarterly executive meeting,employees are reminded that the founders were three young people who "got lucky" and sold a video game.Employees are allowed to dress in blue jeans and can set their own working hours.
Refer to Scenario 10-5.Dressing down is an example of a

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

Question 63

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 64

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

Question 65

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 66

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 67

One way that employees learn organizational culture is through

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

Question 68

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 69

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 70

SCENARIO 10-4 You are new to an organization and do not really know what to expect about the socialization process.You are a recent MBA and have an undergraduate degree in computer science.Your new firm is a software development company with an emphasis on the health care industry.
Refer to Scenario 10-4.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 71

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 72

SCENARIO 10-5 Nunya is a computer software company that employs intelligent but somewhat unusual people.Every Friday,free lollipops are given out to encourage employees to remember how creative they were when they were children.At the beginning of each quarterly executive meeting,employees are reminded that the founders were three young people who "got lucky" and sold a video game.Employees are allowed to dress in blue jeans and can set their own working hours.
Refer to Scenario 10-5.Lollipop day is an example of a

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

Question 73

SCENARIO 10-5 Nunya is a computer software company that employs intelligent but somewhat unusual people.Every Friday,free lollipops are given out to encourage employees to remember how creative they were when they were children.At the beginning of each quarterly executive meeting,employees are reminded that the founders were three young people who "got lucky" and sold a video game.Employees are allowed to dress in blue jeans and can set their own working hours.
Refer to Scenario 10-5.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 74

SCENARIO 10-4 You are new to an organization and do not really know what to expect about the socialization process.You are a recent MBA and have an undergraduate degree in computer science.Your new firm is a software development company with an emphasis on the health care industry.
Refer to Scenario 10-4.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 75

SCENARIO 10-3 Jester Corporation has a training program for all new managers.They spend three weeks in a formal classroom setting with other new managers and are then assigned a mentor.Only MBA's are hired for management jobs,since this is believed to be the level of qualification necessary for job success.
Refer to Scenario 10-3.When a mentor is assigned,the socialization process is

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

Question 76

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 77

It was clear to Quinn that 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 78

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 79

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 80

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.