Question 1

Terry manages a food distribution company that is highly focused on creating a strong cohesive culture, but the company does not tie organizational values directly to goals and desired business results. Terry's company most likely falls in which quadrant of organizational performance and culture?

Accepted Answer

According to the Organizational Culture and Performance model, companies that are highly focused on creating a strong cohesive culture but do not tie organizational values directly to goals and desired business results fall under Quadrant B. This quadrant suggests that the company's culture may be strong, but it may not be contributing to achieving the desired business outcomes. Hence, Terry's company falls in Quadrant B.

Question 2

McDonald's "I'm Lovin' It" is an example of a:

Accepted Answer

"I'm Lovin' It" is a slogan, a catchphrase used by a company for advertising purposes. It is not a ceremony, symbol, ritual, or political activity.

Question 3

A high-performance culture is based on all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

The answer of A high-performance culture is based on all...

Question 4

Which of the following cultures values and rewards a methodical, rational, orderly way of doing things?

Accepted Answer

Consistency culture values and rewards a methodical, rational, and orderly way of doing things. It promotes consistency and stability in processes and procedures, and values adherence to established norms and standards.

Question 5

CASE
Scenario - Nikki Williams
Nikki Williams was working as the sales manager for Industrial Instruments. Some of the sales executives were showing signs of burnout. They were losing interest in their jobs and were no longer motivated to gain new accounts. The reward system focused on old reliable accounts, but Nikki was now under pressure to expand the customer base. Nikki had recently been to a seminar on corporate value systems. She recognized that the company's CEO wanted to change the way employees thought about the firm and the way they related to one another. She further recognized that a lasting solution to her problem required a fundamental shift in perception.
-Industrial Instruments operates in an environment that requires fast response and high-risk decision making. Which type of culture may be appropriate here?

Accepted Answer

The environment of Industrial Instruments requires fast response and high-risk decision making, which indicates the need for an adaptable culture. An adaptable culture fosters innovation, change, and flexibility, which are essential in such an environment. This culture encourages employees to embrace change and take risks, which can help with expanding the customer base and motivating the sales executives.

Question 6

Scenario - Melissa Hill
Melissa Hill, sales manager for One-Hit-Wonder Record Company, was trying to create a new strategy to turn around the declining record sales the company was facing. Melissa needed to find a way to find out what the customers really wanted, since One-Hit-Wonder didn't have accurate information like the competitors did. It was imperative that she find the correct strategy and information because the company was in financial trouble. The company's President wanted all employees to help find information and work as a team to develop better relationships that might help the company. He also stated that he wanted the company to remain an independent company. Melissa realized that through hard work and team efforts, the company could get back on its feet as soon as they got reliable information.
-The problem Melissa faced was:

Accepted Answer

The problem Melissa faced was environmental uncertainty, as the company didn't have accurate information on customer needs and preferences like their competitors. This created uncertainty and made it difficult for the company to develop an effective strategy to turn around declining sales.

Question 7

Scenario - Melissa Hill
Melissa Hill, sales manager for One-Hit-Wonder Record Company, was trying to create a new strategy to turn around the declining record sales the company was facing. Melissa needed to find a way to find out what the customers really wanted, since One-Hit-Wonder didn't have accurate information like the competitors did. It was imperative that she find the correct strategy and information because the company was in financial trouble. The company's President wanted all employees to help find information and work as a team to develop better relationships that might help the company. He also stated that he wanted the company to remain an independent company. Melissa realized that through hard work and team efforts, the company could get back on its feet as soon as they got reliable information.
-Melissa will be working primarily with:

Accepted Answer

Melissa's primary concern is understanding what the customers really want in order to develop a new strategy for turning the company around. This falls under the sociocultural dimension, which encompasses factors such as consumer behavior and preferences, market trends, and cultural influences on buying habits. The other dimensions listed (legal-political, labor market, internal cultural, and pressure groups) are not directly relevant to this particular scenario.

Question 8

_____ plays a key role in creating an organizational climate that enables learning and innovative responses to threats from the external environment, challenging new opportunities, or organizational crises.

Accepted Answer

Corporate culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, and behaviors that shape an organization's identity and influence how its members interact with each other and with external stakeholders. A positive corporate culture is essential to creating a learning organization that is open to change, experimentation, and innovation. A strong corporate culture fosters trust, collaboration, and a sense of ownership among employees, which can promote creativity and adaptability. Thus, corporate culture plays a key role in creating an organizational climate that enables learning and innovative responses to threats from the external environment, challenging new opportunities, or organizational crises.

Question 9

The involvement culture has a(n) _____ focus on the involvement and participation of employees to rapidly meet changing needs from the environment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The involvement culture has a(n) _____ focus...

Question 10

CASE
Scenario - Nikki Williams
Nikki Williams was working as the sales manager for Industrial Instruments. Some of the sales executives were showing signs of burnout. They were losing interest in their jobs and were no longer motivated to gain new accounts. The reward system focused on old reliable accounts, but Nikki was now under pressure to expand the customer base. Nikki had recently been to a seminar on corporate value systems. She recognized that the company's CEO wanted to change the way employees thought about the firm and the way they related to one another. She further recognized that a lasting solution to her problem required a fundamental shift in perception.
-To affect the value system, Nikki will be working primarily with:

Accepted Answer

To shift the value system of the company, Nikki will need to focus on the internal cultural dimension. This involves changing the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of the employees within the organization. By changing the culture, Nikki can motivate the sales team to be more proactive in gaining new accounts and create a more sustainable solution to the problem of burnout. The other dimensions may be important to consider, but they are not the primary focus for this particular issue.

Question 11

All of the following are types of corporate cultures except:

Accepted Answer

The answer of All of the following are types of...

Question 12

A _____ represents a phrase or sentence that succinctly expresses a key corporate value.

Accepted Answer

A slogan is a concise and memorable phrase or sentence that represents a key corporate value. It is often used in marketing and advertising to communicate the company's values and brand message to consumers.

Question 13

The consistency culture has a(n) _____ focus and an orientation for a _____ environment.

Accepted Answer

The consistency culture focuses on internal values and beliefs for stability in the environment.

Question 14

"Chiquita. Perfect for Life." was Chiquita's:

Accepted Answer

"Chiquita. Perfect for Life." was Chiquita's slogan, not a ceremony, symbol or ritual.

Question 15

Executives at One World Advertising have learned that it is necessary to establish strong personal relationships and emotional bonds with Chinese business partners. This relates most closely to which dimension of the general business environment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Executives at One World Advertising have learned...

Question 16

CASE
Scenario - Nikki Williams
Nikki Williams was working as the sales manager for Industrial Instruments. Some of the sales executives were showing signs of burnout. They were losing interest in their jobs and were no longer motivated to gain new accounts. The reward system focused on old reliable accounts, but Nikki was now under pressure to expand the customer base. Nikki had recently been to a seminar on corporate value systems. She recognized that the company's CEO wanted to change the way employees thought about the firm and the way they related to one another. She further recognized that a lasting solution to her problem required a fundamental shift in perception.
-Nikki could use the following to affect the corporate culture:

Accepted Answer

Stories about company officers stressing a value would help to shift the employees' perception and align them with the CEO's desired corporate values. Structured symbolic logic and stories about political heroes or economic depression may not be as relevant or effective in this particular scenario. E is incorrect because not all of the options are equally viable solutions.

Question 17

CASE
Scenario - Nikki Williams
Nikki Williams was working as the sales manager for Industrial Instruments. Some of the sales executives were showing signs of burnout. They were losing interest in their jobs and were no longer motivated to gain new accounts. The reward system focused on old reliable accounts, but Nikki was now under pressure to expand the customer base. Nikki had recently been to a seminar on corporate value systems. She recognized that the company's CEO wanted to change the way employees thought about the firm and the way they related to one another. She further recognized that a lasting solution to her problem required a fundamental shift in perception.
-Nikki could hold _____, which are planned activities at special events to provide examples of company values.

Accepted Answer

Ceremonies are planned activities at special events that provide examples of company values. They can be used to reinforce the desired behaviors and attitudes among the employees. Holding ceremonies that celebrate the achievement of new accounts or the introduction of new products can remind sales executives of the importance of their job and motivate them to expand the customer base. This approach aligns with the CEO's goal of changing the way employees think about the company and their roles within it. Therefore, Nikki should hold ceremonies to address the issue of burnout among the sales executives.

Question 18

Which of the following cultures is suited to organizations that are concerned with servicing specific customers in the external environment but without the intense need for flexibility and rapid change?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following cultures is suited...

Question 19

In a study by Kotter and Haskett evidence is provided to support the claim that _____ is important for performance.

Accepted Answer

Kotter and Haskett's study emphasizes the importance of managing cultural values within an organization for enhancing performance. They argue that a strong, adaptive culture can significantly contribute to the success and effectiveness of a company.

Question 20

The adaptability culture emerges in an environment that requires _____ response and _____ decision making.

Accepted Answer

The adaptability culture requires fast response and high-risk decision making to quickly adapt to changing market conditions and stay ahead of competitors.

Quiz 3: The Environment and Corporate Culture