Question 1

A feature of organizational behavior is that

Accepted Answer

In recent years, there has been a renewed focus on leadership within the field of organizational behavior, highlighting its importance in addressing primary issues.

Question 2

________ are inputs used by organizations.

Accepted Answer

Raw materials are inputs used by organizations to produce goods or services. Trademarks are intellectual property and not an input. Esprit de corps is a feeling of pride and mutual loyalty shared by the members of a group, but it is not an input. Contingencies are unforeseen circumstances that may occur in the future and can't be considered an input. Incentives are incentives, but they are not inputs used by organizations.

Question 3

When a manager treats employees as lazy, unmotivated, and in need of tight supervision, the employees eventually meet the manager's expectations by acting that way. According to Douglas McGregor, this is known as a(n)

Accepted Answer

This phenomenon is known as a self-fulfilling prophecy, where people fulfill the expectations placed upon them. Douglas McGregor introduced the concept in his book "The Human Side of Enterprise".

Question 4

Which is the correct statement about the sociotechnical systems theory?

Accepted Answer

The sociotechnical systems theory was developed in the early 1950s by researchers from the London-based Tavistock Institute of Human Relations.

Question 5

The systems theory

Accepted Answer

The systems theory emphasizes that an organization is one system in a series of subsystems.

Question 6

According to Henri Fayol's principles of management, ________ refers to systematically rewarding efforts that support the organization's direction.

Accepted Answer

Remuneration refers to rewarding employees for their efforts, and is one of the key principles of management according to Fayol.

Question 7

The classical approaches to management, as a whole, are criticized because

Accepted Answer

The classical approaches to management are criticized for ignoring the relationship between an organization and its external environment, focusing instead on internal processes and efficiency.

Question 8

Organizations are open systems, and they are dependent on ________ from the outside world, such as raw materials, human resources, and capital.

Accepted Answer

Inputs refer to the resources that organizations rely on from the external environment to function properly, such as raw materials, human resources, and capital. The other answer options are not relevant to the concept of organizations being dependent on external resources.

Question 9

The classical approaches as a whole were criticized because

Accepted Answer

The classical approaches to management were criticized for focusing too narrowly on one aspect of organizations or their employees, often neglecting other important factors. This led to a lack of balance in understanding and managing organizational dynamics comprehensively.

Question 10

The ________ approach to management owes much to other major schools of thought, for example, the Gilbreths and Barnard and Follett.

Accepted Answer

The human relations approach to management is influenced by the work of the Gilbreths, Barnard, and Follett, who emphasized the importance of human factors and interpersonal relationships in the workplace.

Question 11

Organizational behavior

Accepted Answer

Organizational behavior emphasizes the development of an organization's human resources to achieve individual goals. It focuses on understanding individual and group behavior in organizations, including factors like communication, motivation, leadership, and teamwork. It also emphasizes the importance of human resource development and training to improve organizational effectiveness.

Question 12

The ________ approach to management has been used in a limited manner because many aspects of a management decision cannot be expressed through mathematical symbols and formulas.

Accepted Answer

The quantitative management approach relies heavily on mathematical models and formulas to aid in the decision-making process. However, many aspects of a management decision are subjective and cannot be quantified, making it limited in its applicability. Other approaches such as organizational behavior and human relations focus more on understanding the human aspect of management, while systematic and administrative management focus on structuring and streamlining processes.

Question 13

The sociotechnical systems theory

Accepted Answer

The sociotechnical systems theory emphasizes the importance of both social and technical factors in achieving organizational effectiveness, and suggests that organizations are effective when their employees have the right tools, training, and knowledge to make products and services that are valued by customers. This approach recognizes the interdependence of social and technical factors and the need to align them for optimal performance.

Question 14

The use of quantitative management is limited because

Accepted Answer

Quantitative management is limited because many of the decisions that managers face are non-routine and unpredictable, and cannot always be expressed in mathematical terms or formulas. While quantitative analysis can be useful in some situations, it should not be the sole basis for decision-making. Managers must also take into account qualitative factors such as human emotions, intuition, and ethical considerations when making decisions.

Question 15

In the context of contemporary approaches to management, managers may use ________ to compare alternatives and eliminate weaker options.

Accepted Answer

Quantitative management involves the use of mathematical and statistical methods to make data-based decisions. This approach can help managers analyze and compare different alternatives, and can also provide a framework for eliminating weaker options. The other options listed (organizational behavior, sociotechnical systems theory, contingency perspective, and administrative management) focus on different aspects of managing organizations and are less directly related to comparing and selecting alternatives.

Question 16

McGregor advocated a ________, suggesting that managers who encourage participation and allow opportunities for individual challenge and initiative would achieve superior performance.

Accepted Answer

McGregor's theory is known as Theory Y, which believes that people inherently enjoy work and are motivated by more than just monetary rewards. This theory emphasizes cooperation, participation, and individual initiative as ways to achieve high performance.

Question 17

Research on ________ promoted the use of teamwork and semiautonomous work groups as important factors for creating efficient production systems.

Accepted Answer

Sociotechnical systems theory emphasizes the importance of integrating social and technical factors in order to create efficient production systems. This includes promoting the use of teamwork and semiautonomous work groups.

Question 18

________ is a contemporary management approach that studies and identifies management activities that promote employee effectiveness by examining the complex and dynamic nature of individual, group, and organizational processes.

Accepted Answer

Organizational behavior is the contemporary management approach that studies and identifies management activities that promote employee effectiveness by examining the complex and dynamic nature of individual, group, and organizational processes. Quantitative management focuses on the use of mathematical models and statistical methods for decision-making, while systems theory examines how different parts of an organization interact with each other. The contingency perspective suggests that there is no one best way to manage and that the most effective management approach depends on the situation. Finally, sociotechnical systems theory emphasizes the interdependence of people and technology in organizations.

Question 19

________ is a contemporary approach to management.

Accepted Answer

Quantitative management is a contemporary approach that focuses on decision-making, economic effectiveness, mathematical models, and the use of computers to solve quantitative problems, distinguishing it from the more traditional theories listed.

Question 20

A manager who follows ________ assumes workers are lazy and irresponsible and require constant supervision and external motivation to achieve organizational goals.

Accepted Answer

Theory X assumes that workers are lazy and require constant supervision and external motivation to achieve organizational goals. This approach can lead to a lack of trust between managers and employees and can create a negative work culture.

Quiz 2: The Evolution of Management