Question 1

To be successful, executives at the top levels of government must have the ability to work with and through people.

Accepted Answer

Working with and through people is a crucial skill for any leader, especially those at the top levels of government who need to be able to collaborate and communicate effectively with other leaders, stakeholders, and constituents in order to achieve their goals and drive positive change.

Question 2

Managers make a difference.

Accepted Answer

Managers play a crucial role in the success of any organization. They are responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling the resources of the organization to achieve its goals and objectives. They also motivate and inspire their subordinates, promote teamwork, and foster a positive work environment. Therefore, managers can make a significant difference in the performance, productivity, and profitability of the organization.

Question 3

The importance of human cooperation in organizations was emphasized in the Hawthorn study's definition of a formal organization.

Accepted Answer

The Hawthorne studies emphasized the importance of social relations and employee attitudes, which led to the recognition of the informal organization and its impact on productivity, rather than defining a formal organization.

Question 4

Positive organizational scholarship focuses on what is wrong with people and their deficiencies.

Accepted Answer

Positive organizational scholarship (POS) focuses on what is right with people and their strengths, as well as the positive aspects of organizations and their functioning. It seeks to understand and promote the conditions that enable positive outcomes, such as employee well-being, engagement, resilience, and high performance.

Question 5

Discuss aspects of the what and how of management.

Accepted Answer

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Question 6

Identify the skills that are critical to managerial success in government. Pick five skills to discuss in detail. Why did you choose these skills? What makes them important?

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

Define the different levels of analysis in organizational behavior. What questions should be asked for each level? How should the analysis be conducted?

Accepted Answer

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Question 8

Which of the following factors should managers use to engage their employees?
A) maintain a positive perspective
B) provide recognition and encouragement
C) a strengths-based approach
D) all of these

Accepted Answer

All of these factors (maintaining a positive perspective, providing recognition and encouragement, and using a strengths-based approach) can be effective in engaging employees. Maintaining a positive perspective can create a positive work environment, providing recognition and encouragement can boost employee morale and motivate them to perform well, and a strengths-based approach allows employees to use their strengths and feel valued in their roles. Using all of these factors together can lead to higher levels of employee engagement.

Question 9

Studies have shown that ______ is considered to be the primary factor that negatively affects employees' productivity.
A) poor management
B) distractions
C) co-worker hostility
D) unequal pay

Accepted Answer

Poor management is often cited as a primary factor affecting productivity because it can lead to unclear goals, lack of support, and inefficient processes.

Question 10

All of the following apply to the management of behavior in organizations EXCEPT:
A) It is multifaceted.
B) It is somewhat unpredictable.
C) It is challenging.
D) It is controllable.

Accepted Answer

The statement "It is controllable" is not accurate as behavior in organizations is not always completely controllable. It is influenced by a variety of factors, including individual personalities, external events, and organizational culture. Therefore, while management can take steps to shape and guide behavior, it cannot always completely control it.

Question 11

Organizational behavior is concerned with how people act, their motivations, and how they interact with others.

Accepted Answer

Organizational behavior is indeed concerned with how people behave, their motives for their behavior, and their interactions with others within an organizational context.

Question 12

The psychological theories of Sigmund Freud are useful when looking at adults in organizational settings.

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

Frederick Taylor was greatly concerned with employee motivation.

Accepted Answer

Frederick Taylor's primary focus was on improving industrial efficiency through scientific management principles, rather than directly addressing employee motivation.

Question 14

To be effective, public administrators and nonprofit managers must lead and motivate others only within their organizations.

Accepted Answer

Public administrators and nonprofit managers must also collaborate and coordinate with external stakeholders such as government agencies, community groups, and donors to achieve their organizational goals. Effective leadership and motivation require the ability to engage and influence both internal and external audiences.

Question 15

The management of organizational behavior in the public sector does not concern governance in the public interest.

Accepted Answer

The management of organizational behavior in the public sector does concern governance in the public interest. Public sector organizations are tasked with providing services to the public and managing resources in a way that benefits the public. Effective management of organizational behavior can improve the delivery of services and ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively in the public interest.

Question 16

Improvements to organizational processes, structure, and performance require ______.
A) management through people
B) management of people
C) management by engagement
D) none of these

Accepted Answer

Improvements to organizational processes, structure, and performance require management through people. Management through people involves empowering employees, providing them with the resources and support they need to succeed, and creating a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Question 17

Discuss how organizational behavior is defined in the public sector. Does this differ from organizational behavior outside of the public sector? Why, or why not?

Accepted Answer

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Question 18

Discuss the evolution of research and understanding about human behavior in an organizational context. Be sure to identify the factors that led to changes in understanding organizational behavior.

Accepted Answer

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Question 19

Management approaches that disrespect or ignore employees can be effective for short-term results.

Accepted Answer

These management approaches may produce short-term results, such as increased productivity or profitability, but they can also create a negative workplace culture and lead to long-term negative effects such as high turnover rates and low employee morale.

Question 20

Organizational behavior can tell a manager what type of computer system will be most effective.

Accepted Answer

Organizational behavior focuses on understanding and managing human behavior in organizations, not on the technical aspects of computer systems.

Quiz 1: Organizational Behavior As a Way of Thinking and Acting