Question 1

Electronic communication

Accepted Answer

Electronic communication can reduce the time and expenses devoted to traveling as participants do not have to physically meet in the same location. However, electronic communication does not enable picking up on subtle, nonverbal, or inflectional clues, prevent all forms of unethical behavior, or always lead to more satisfying negotiations. Additionally, while electronic communication can reduce participation in communication to fewer people, it can also enable communication with a wider audience.

Question 2

A disadvantage of using electronic media at work is that

Accepted Answer

Electronic media can increase the risk of privacy breaches and leaks of confidential information, making it a disadvantage for workplaces.

Question 3

Barney prefers one-on-one conversation. And Fred agrees that type of communication has its place, but that electronic communications, such as e-mail, Twitter, and Facebook, have a key advantage in that

Accepted Answer

Electronic communications have the advantage of being able to share information rapidly with a large number of people, making them especially useful for disseminating news or announcements to a wide audience.

Question 4

Select the true statement regarding electronic messages.

Accepted Answer

Electronic messages, such as emails or messages sent through various platforms, are considered the property of the system's owner (for example, the company owning the email server or messaging platform) rather than the sender. This is why employers, for instance, can access emails sent through company systems. The other statements are false because electronic messages can indeed be permanently recorded, they can be saved or leaked, they can be forwarded without the original sender's knowledge, and deleting them does not necessarily mean they are completely destroyed as they can often be recovered or may still exist on servers.

Question 5

E-mail is most appropriate for

Accepted Answer

E-mails are most appropriate for communicating routine messages that don't require immediate action or face-to-face communication.

Question 6

In ________, an application of Web 2.0, users subscribe to receive news, blogs, or other information they select.

Accepted Answer

Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is a technology used in Web 2.0 applications where users can subscribe to receive frequently updated content automatically. Users can subscribe to podcasts, blogs or other information they select using an RSS reader.

Question 7

________ is the degree to which a communication channel conveys information.

Accepted Answer

Media richness refers to the potential information-carrying capacity of a communication channel. A communication channel with high media richness can convey information more clearly and effectively, while a communication channel with low media richness can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations. Therefore, media richness is the degree to which a communication channel conveys information.

Question 8

Natalie, a manager, has to fire an employee who has consistently performed poorly. She wants the situation to be handled as sensitively as possible, without hurting the employee's feelings and self-confidence. Which of the following modes of communication would be most appropriate in this situation?

Accepted Answer

In a situation where an employee is being fired, a face-to-face discussion is the most appropriate mode of communication. It allows for direct communication and provides the opportunity for the manager to show empathy and understanding. Text message, e-mail, instant message, and memo are all too impersonal and can come across as insensitive, which could result in damaging the employee's feelings and self-confidence.

Question 9

Select the true statement regarding the use of electronic media at work.

Accepted Answer

Electronic media can provide a platform for more people to share their ideas, as it can eliminate physical and social barriers that may prevent people from participating.

Answer: None of the statements except for A is true. 
 B, C, D, and E are false statements about electronic media. Electronic media may not be effective for solving complex problems due to the lack of nonverbal cues and immediate feedback. It may also create a communication barrier as it can be difficult to interpret tone or subtle nonverbal cues conveyed by a sender. While it may be efficient, it may not engender trust among users as compared to face-to-face communication. Lastly, electronic media can allow sensitive or private information to be leaked if the proper security measures are not in place.

Question 10

Ryan, a team leader, completed the performance analysis of his team members. Before the team members could access them, Ryan sent the reports to a senior manager via e-mail. Which of the following is a reason why he should avoid using electronic media to send the report?

Accepted Answer

Using electronic media to send sensitive or private information can create a risk of it being leaked or sent to a wrong recipient. This might compromise the privacy and security aspect of the performance analysis report. Therefore, the team leader should consider using more secure methods such as hand-delivery or encrypted communication channels to transfer such sensitive information.

Question 11

Two of Ian's subordinates approached him to resolve a work-related conflict between them. Ian decided upon a solution and framed an e-mail to inform his subordinates. However, one of the subordinates might be offended by Ian's decision. Which of the following is a reason why he should avoid using e-mail to resolve the conflict?

Accepted Answer

E-mail can be easily misinterpreted and can lack the nuances of in-person communication. As a result, it can lead to hurt feelings, misunderstandings, and unintentional offense. It might be better for Ian to have a face-to-face meeting or a video call with his subordinates where he can better gauge their reactions and provide additional context for his decision.

Question 12

________ is used in the business world to communicate with the external environment-for example, by sharing information about product uses or corporate social responsibility efforts.

Accepted Answer

Blogging is a way to communicate with the external environment by sharing information about product uses or corporate social responsibility efforts.

Question 13

Michael, the CEO of a multinational company, has decided to implement certain new corporate processes to be phased in globally for increased efficiency and productivity. First, he wishes to inform every employee of the impending change and ensure that they fully understand its implications. Which of the following is a reason why he should send an e-mail describing the changes and its benefits?

Accepted Answer

Sending an email allows information to be shared rapidly with large numbers of stakeholders, which is a key advantage when trying to inform every employee of the impending change. The other options are not relevant or true in this context.

Question 14

An advantage of using electronic media at work is that it

Accepted Answer

Electronic media allows for quick delivery of routine messages, such as reminders or updates, without the need for face-to-face interaction or a phone call. This saves time and increases efficiency in the workplace.

Question 15

The richest media

Accepted Answer

The phrase "richest media" suggests a form of communication that is highly effective and immersive. Option D, which mentions that it is "more personal than technological," fits this description since personal interactions often involve more dynamic and rich communication than those mediated by technology. Options A, B, and C, by contrast, suggest limitations or drawbacks to various forms of communication, while option E mentions practical issues that are not necessarily indicative of richness or effectiveness.

Question 16

Evan, a general manager at Coral Products Inc., has decided to work from home because his wife is ill. He uses e-mails and teleconferencing to communicate with his team members and customers. This system of working is an example of

Accepted Answer

Evan's situation represents a virtual office, where employees work remotely but are still able to communicate and collaborate through technology. Crowdsourcing is the process of obtaining services, ideas or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, while outsourcing involves contracting work to an external company or individual. Job rotation and job sharing involve sharing job duties between multiple employees within the same organization.

Question 17

The CEO of a multinational company finds that profits are drastically decreasing. He realizes that the employees need to be immediately made aware of the challenges the company is facing, and he wants them to know he is personally concerned. The company has several branches in various parts of the world. Which of the following is an appropriate media for the CEO to use?

Accepted Answer

Since the company has branches in various parts of the world, a videoconference would be the best choice for the CEO to communicate with all employees simultaneously. This would allow for real-time interaction and provide a sense of unity and coherence across the different branches. E-mail or a memo may not convey the CEO's personal concern, while a newsletter or telephone call would not allow for immediate response and interaction.

Question 18

Alejandra, a manager, sends an e-mail warning Cameron, a subordinate, of disciplinary action to be taken if he continues to spend too much time on personal phone calls. However, Cameron did not attach too much importance to the e-mail, thinking it was just a passing reminder. Which of the following is a reason why Alejandra should have spoken to Cameron directly and avoided the use of e-mail?

Accepted Answer

Electronic media, such as e-mail, lacks the ability to convey nonverbal cues like tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language, which are crucial for understanding the seriousness or subtleties of a message. In this case, a direct conversation would have allowed Alejandra to emphasize the seriousness of the situation through her tone and body language, potentially making Cameron understand the gravity of the warning.

Question 19

Matt, a human resource manager, wants to inform all the employees about the annual renewal of the health care policy adopted by the company. The message will be simple and routine. Based on media richness, which of the following would be the most appropriate medium to communicate this message?

Accepted Answer

Based on media richness, e-mail would be the most appropriate medium for this simple and routine message. Face-to-face discussion, one-on-one interview, and small group meetings are more appropriate for messages that are complex, uncertain, and have a higher degree of potential misinterpretation. Telephone can be effective for quick and urgent messages but lacks the visual cues and immediacy of face-to-face communication.

Question 20

________ refers to a set of Internet-based applications that encourage user-provided content and collaboration.

Accepted Answer

Web 2.0 refers to the second generation of the World Wide Web that emphasizes user-generated content, collaboration, and social networking. Examples of Web 2.0 applications include social media platforms (such as Facebook and Twitter), wikis (such as Wikipedia), blogs, and content sharing sites (such as YouTube and Flickr). These applications allow people to create and share content, collaborate in real-time, and connect with others in a digital community.

Quiz 13: Communicating