Question 1

A department store is experiencing greater than usual losses due to theft and management wants it stopped. Middle management decided to hire a security company to study the problem and develop the best plan for dealing with it. Middle management have implemented a(n)____ plan.
A)contingency
B)strategic
C)operational
D)visionary
E)tactical

Accepted Answer

The hiring of a security company to study the problem and develop a plan for dealing with the theft issue is a tactical plan, as it focuses on specific actions to solve an immediate problem. The other options (contingency, strategic, operational, visionary) refer to broader plans that encompass longer-term goals or potential unforeseen events.

Question 2

Top management is responsible for developing long-term ____ that make clear how the company will serve customers and position itself against competitors in the next two to five years.
A)standing plans
B)tactical plans
C)operational plans
D)strategic plans
E)mission statements

Accepted Answer

Strategic plans are long-term plans that are developed by top management to clarify how the company will serve customers and compete against competitors in the next two to five years. Standing plans are ongoing, consistent plans for daily operations, tactical plans are short-term plans that implement specific strategies, operational plans are detailed plans for day-to-day activities, and mission statements are broad statements of the company's purpose and values.

Question 3

A manufacturer of suntan lotion could set a(n)____ goal to increase revenues by 8 percent over the next five years and a(n)____ goal to increase sales next June in the Miami Beach area by 3 percent.
A)tactical; strategic
B)operational; tactical
C)distal; proximal
D)operational; strategic
E)proximal; distal

Accepted Answer

Distal goals are long-term goals, such as increasing revenues by 8 percent over five years, while proximal goals are short-term goals, like increasing sales by 3 percent next June.

Question 4

The most popular approach to increasing goal commitment is ____.
A)encouraging workers' participation in goal setting
B)making goals public
C)getting top management's support
D)assigning realistic and attainable goals
E)management by mentoring

Accepted Answer

Participative goal setting leads to higher goal commitment and is the most popular approach to achieving commitment.

Question 5

An Australian manufacturer of surfboards wants to increase awareness of its brand in the U.S. market. A ____ plan to accomplish this objective might be to host a series of surfboard competitions in California .
A)contingency
B)single-use
C)standing
D)visionary
E)tactical

Accepted Answer

A tactical plan is a short-term plan that is designed to achieve a specific objective. In this case, the objective is to increase awareness of the Australian manufacturer's brand in the U.S. market. Hosting a series of surfboard competitions in California is a tactical plan that could help to achieve this objective.

Question 6

The basic purpose of ____ planning is to leave commitments open by maintaining slack resources.
A)options-based planning
B)learning-based planning
C)traditional planning
D)operant planning
E)the establishment of planning windows

Accepted Answer

Options-based planning involves maintaining slack resources and leaving commitments open in order to have flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. This approach involves identifying potential opportunities and risks and building contingency plans, rather than relying on a single fixed plan.

Question 7

Planning works best when the goals and action plans at the ____ of the organization support the goals and action plans at the ____ of the organization.
A)bottom and top; middle
B)top and middle; bottom
C)bottom and middle; top
D)group level; individual level
E)staff level; line level

Accepted Answer

Planning is most effective when the goals and action plans at the bottom and middle levels of the organization align with and support the goals and action plans at the top level, ensuring coherence and unified direction throughout the organization.

Question 8

____ is responsible for developing strategic plans that make clear how the company will serve customers and position itself against competitors in the next two to five years.
A)An action team
B)Middle management
C)Planning staff
D)A change agent
E)Top management

Accepted Answer

Top management is responsible for developing strategic plans that make clear how the company will serve customers and position itself against competitors in the next two to five years. They are responsible for setting the overall direction and goals of the organization.

Question 9

Who is responsible for the creation of tactical plans?
A)team leaders
B)lower-level managers
C)middle managers
D)top managers
E)staff advisors

Accepted Answer

Tactical plans are created by middle managers who are responsible for implementing the strategies set by top managers. They are responsible for setting specific objectives, defining tasks, and allocating resources to achieve goals in their specific departments or units. Team leaders may contribute to the development of tactical plans, but they are not responsible for their creation. Lower-level managers may execute tactical plans, but they do not create them. Staff advisors may provide input, but they do not have primary responsibility for creating tactical plans.

Question 10

For options-based planning to work, the organization must ____.
A)have slack resources
B)use cross-functional teams
C)have broad spans of management
D)have tall organizational structures
E)use decentralization

Accepted Answer

Slack resources are defined as a cushion of extra resources that can be used with options- based planning to adapt to unanticipated changes, problems, or opportunities.

Question 11

The goal of a company was to reduce the expenses incurred by the sales force. A manager examining weekly expense sheets would be using which of the accepted methods for tracking progress toward goal achievement?
A)setting realistic and attainable goals
B)gathering and providing performance feedback
C)developing concrete action plans
D)making sure goals are measurable
E)comparing dynamic with mechanistic goals

Accepted Answer

By examining weekly expense sheets, the manager is gathering performance feedback on whether or not the sales force is reducing expenses, which is a method for tracking progress toward achieving the goal of expense reduction.

Question 12

Which of the following is a commonly used method for increasing goal commitment?
A)reward whistleblowing
B)make goals public
C)get the union's support
D)use the equity theory
E)establish a median goal for all employees

Accepted Answer

Making goals public is a commonly used method for increasing goal commitment. When goals are made public, individuals may feel a sense of accountability and social pressure to work towards achieving their goals. This can increase their commitment to achieving the goal. Rewarding whistleblowing, getting the union's support, using the equity theory, and establishing a median goal for all employees are not effective methods for increasing goal commitment.

Question 13

Which of the following is a commonly used method for increasing goal commitment?
A)encouraging worker participation in goal setting
B)keeping goals private
C)setting ethical goals
D)using ombudsman to set goals
E)all of these

Accepted Answer

Encouraging worker participation in goal setting helps increase their commitment as they feel involved in the process and have a say in setting the objectives. Keeping goals private may not necessarily increase commitment as workers may not feel accountable for them. Setting ethical goals is important but may not directly increase commitment. Using ombudsman to set goals may not be a commonly used method in most organizations.

Question 14

____ plans are plans that specify how a company will use resources, budgets, and people to accomplish specific goals within its mission.
A)Strategic
B)Tactical
C)Operational
D)Single-use
E)Dialectical

Accepted Answer

Strategic plans are focused on long-term goals and the overall direction of the organization, while tactical plans are more focused on specific actions and how to achieve short-term objectives. Operational plans are even more specific, detailing the daily tasks and processes needed to accomplish the tactical plans. Single-use plans are designed for one-time or unique situations and dialectical plans do not exist. Therefore, the best choices are tactical and operational plans.

Question 15

What type of planning would be used to create the festivities necessary to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of a furniture manufacturer?
A)single-use plan
B)contingency plan
C)scenario plan
D)standing plan
E)role-model plan

Accepted Answer

A single-use plan is specifically designed to address a one-time event or situation, such as a celebration for the 100-year anniversary of a furniture manufacturer. This type of plan includes specific goals, objectives, and timelines for achieving them.

Question 16

Which of the following is an accepted method for tracking progress toward goal achievement?
A)setting response and stimulus goals
B)gathering and providing performance feedback
C)using operant and classical conditioning
D)mechanistic and dynamic feedback
E)data warehousing and data mining

Accepted Answer

Gathering and providing performance feedback is an accepted method for tracking progress toward goal achievement. It allows individuals to assess their performance against their goals and make necessary adjustments to achieve them. The other options listed are not directly related to tracking progress toward goal achievement.

Question 17

____ planning keeps options open by making small, simultaneous investments in many alternative plans.
A)Learning-based
B)Options-based
C)Conditioned
D)Functional
E)Operant

Accepted Answer

Options-based planning involves making small investments in multiple alternative plans, allowing for flexibility and adaptability if one plan fails. This approach keeps options open and allows for the development of multiple potential solutions to a problem.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT one of the characteristics of S.M.A.R.T. goals?
A)Synergistic
B)Measurable
C)Timely
D)Attainable
E)Realistic

Accepted Answer

The five characteristics of S.M.A.R.T. goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. "Synergistic" is not one of the characteristics.

Question 19

____ can help organizations to maintain flexibility as they plan.
A)Environmental munificence
B)Options-based planning
C)Formalization
D)Liaisons
E)Group cohesiveness

Accepted Answer

Options-based planning involves creating alternative courses of action, rather than relying on a single, rigid plan. This approach allows organizations to maintain flexibility and adapt to changes as they arise. Environmental munificence refers to the level of resources and opportunities in the external environment, liaisons refer to the individuals or groups who act as a connection between different parts of an organization, formalization refers to the level of standardization and rules in an organization, and group cohesiveness refers to the degree of unity and cooperation among members of a group, but none of these directly relate to maintaining flexibility in planning.

Question 20

A(n)____ lists the specific steps, people, resources, and time period for accomplishing a goal.
A)strategy
B)proximal goal
C)distal goal
D)action plan
E)subordinate objective

Accepted Answer

An action plan provides a detailed plan of action for achieving a goal, including specific steps, people, resources, and timeframes for completion. The other options (strategy, proximal goal, distal goal, subordinate objective) may be components of an action plan, but they do not fully encompass the concept of an action plan.

Quiz 4: Planning and Decision Making

A department store is experiencing greater than usual losses due to theft and management wants it stopped. Middle management decided to hire a security company to study the problem and develop the best plan for dealing with it. Middle management have implemented a(n) ____ plan.

Top management is responsible for developing long-term ____ that make clear how the company will serve customers and position itself against competitors in the next two to five years.

A manufacturer of suntan lotion could set a(n) goal to increase revenues by 8 percent over the next five years and a(n) goal to increase sales next June in the Miami Beach area by 3 percent.

The most popular approach to increasing goal commitment is ____.

An Australian manufacturer of surfboards wants to increase awareness of its brand in the U.S. market. A ____ plan to accomplish this objective might be to host a series of surfboard competitions in California .

The basic purpose of ____ planning is to leave commitments open by maintaining slack resources.

Planning works best when the goals and action plans at the of the organization support the goals and action plans at the of the organization.

____ is responsible for developing strategic plans that make clear how the company will serve customers and position itself against competitors in the next two to five years.

Who is responsible for the creation of tactical plans?

For options-based planning to work, the organization must ____.

The goal of a company was to reduce the expenses incurred by the sales force. A manager examining weekly expense sheets would be using which of the accepted methods for tracking progress toward goal achievement?

Which of the following is a commonly used method for increasing goal commitment?

Which of the following is a commonly used method for increasing goal commitment?

____ plans are plans that specify how a company will use resources, budgets, and people to accomplish specific goals within its mission.

What type of planning would be used to create the festivities necessary to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of a furniture manufacturer?

Which of the following is an accepted method for tracking progress toward goal achievement?

____ planning keeps options open by making small, simultaneous investments in many alternative plans.

Which of the following is NOT one of the characteristics of S.M.A.R.T. goals?

____ can help organizations to maintain flexibility as they plan.

A(n) ____ lists the specific steps, people, resources, and time period for accomplishing a goal.

Quiz 4: Planning and Decision Making

A department store is experiencing greater than usual losses due to theft and management wants it stopped. Middle management decided to hire a security company to study the problem and develop the best plan for dealing with it. Middle management have implemented a(n) ____ plan.

Top management is responsible for developing long-term ____ that make clear how the company will serve customers and position itself against competitors in the next two to five years.

A manufacturer of suntan lotion could set a(n) ____ goal to increase revenues by 8 percent over the next five years and a(n) ____ goal to increase sales next June in the Miami Beach area by 3 percent.

The most popular approach to increasing goal commitment is ____.

An Australian manufacturer of surfboards wants to increase awareness of its brand in the U.S. market. A ____ plan to accomplish this objective might be to host a series of surfboard competitions in California .

The basic purpose of ____ planning is to leave commitments open by maintaining slack resources.

Planning works best when the goals and action plans at the ____ of the organization support the goals and action plans at the ____ of the organization.

____ is responsible for developing strategic plans that make clear how the company will serve customers and position itself against competitors in the next two to five years.

Who is responsible for the creation of tactical plans?

For options-based planning to work, the organization must ____.

The goal of a company was to reduce the expenses incurred by the sales force. A manager examining weekly expense sheets would be using which of the accepted methods for tracking progress toward goal achievement?

Which of the following is a commonly used method for increasing goal commitment?

Which of the following is a commonly used method for increasing goal commitment?

____ plans are plans that specify how a company will use resources, budgets, and people to accomplish specific goals within its mission.

What type of planning would be used to create the festivities necessary to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of a furniture manufacturer?

Which of the following is an accepted method for tracking progress toward goal achievement?

____ planning keeps options open by making small, simultaneous investments in many alternative plans.

Which of the following is NOT one of the characteristics of S.M.A.R.T. goals?

____ can help organizations to maintain flexibility as they plan.

A(n) ____ lists the specific steps, people, resources, and time period for accomplishing a goal.

A manufacturer of suntan lotion could set a(n) goal to increase revenues by 8 percent over the next five years and a(n) goal to increase sales next June in the Miami Beach area by 3 percent.

Planning works best when the goals and action plans at the of the organization support the goals and action plans at the of the organization.