Question 1

Scanning the environment involves gathering and critically evaluating data related to external trends, opportunities, and threats on an ongoing and relatively informal basis. The elements of this competency include all of the following except:
A) Monitoring and consulting outside the organization
B) Benchmarking against direct competitors
C) Identifying external threats, opportunities, and trends
D) Investigating critical trends in detail

Accepted Answer

Benchmarking against direct competitors, while important for strategic planning, is more focused on comparing specific metrics or processes directly with competitors rather than the broader activity of scanning the environment for external trends, opportunities, and threats. Scanning the environment is a wider activity that includes monitoring various external factors that could impact the organization, not just comparing against competitors.

Question 2

The example of public sector organizations responding to technology changes by developing special compensation schedules for information technology staff illustrates which of the following guidelines for scanning the environment?
A) Identify multiple relevant sources of external information
B) Reflect of the significance of external trends
C) Follow up on the significant external trends
D) Link scanning and strategic planning

Accepted Answer

This example illustrates the guideline of following up on significant external trends, as the organization is responding to changes in technology by adjusting compensation schedules for IT staff.

Question 3

Good environmental scanning by leaders is a prelude to the data gathering that occurs in __________.
A) Networking and partnering
B) Decision making
C) Strategic planning
D) Articulating the mission

Accepted Answer

Good environmental scanning is crucial for strategic planning as it helps leaders understand the external environment, including opportunities and threats, which is essential for formulating effective strategies.

Question 4

Strategic planning is a disciplined effort to produce fundamental decisions and actions that shape and guide the organization. The essential building blocks include all of the following except:
A) Defining the vision and mission
B) Determining the implicit values
C) Defining objectives of organizational purposes
D) Defining alternatives and selecting the best

Accepted Answer

Determining implicit values is not typically considered a fundamental building block of strategic planning. Strategic planning focuses on explicit elements such as defining the organization's vision, mission, objectives, and selecting the best alternatives to achieve these objectives. Implicit values, while important to an organization's culture, are not a primary focus in the strategic planning process, which is more concerned with explicit, actionable plans and strategies.

Question 5

Strategic planning is part of the strategic management complex in contemporary organizations. In this environment, __________ provide in-depth analysis of efficiency, effectiveness, appropriateness and impact.
A) Performance indicators
B) Program evaluations
C) Performance budgeting
D) Performance evaluations

Accepted Answer

Program evaluations provide in-depth analysis of efficiency, effectiveness, appropriateness, and impact, as they systematically assess the processes and outcomes of a program to determine its value and areas for improvement.

Question 6

One of the greatest complaints about strategic plans is that:
A) They sit on the shelf, unused.
B) They contain superficial strategic analysis.
C) They lack integration.
D) They lack commitment.

Accepted Answer

Strategic plans often face criticism for not being actively used or implemented after their development, leading to them metaphorically "sitting on the shelf." This underutilization is a common issue, as organizations sometimes fail to translate these plans into actionable steps or integrate them into daily operations.

Question 7

Articulating the mission means defining and expressing an organization's purpose, aspirations, and values. Which of the following statements is not true concerning mission articulation?
A) It excludes the organization's legal mandate
B) It includes the aspirations of the organization
C) It has both implicit and explicit aspects
D) It is expressed as an operating philosophy

Accepted Answer

The answer of Articulating the mission means defining and expressing...

Question 8

An important aspect of articulating the mission is to identify areas of opportunity and growth through key stakeholders. For public organizations the stakeholders are:
A) Taxpayers
B) Interest groups
C) Employees
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Public organizations have a broad range of stakeholders including taxpayers, who fund the organization; interest groups, who have specific interests or concerns related to the organization's activities; and employees, who are directly involved in the organization's operations. All these groups have a stake in how the organization is run and its mission, making them key stakeholders.

Question 9

The guidelines for articulating the mission and vision include all of the following except:
A) Review the mission and capabilities of the organization
B) Clarify the mission/vision, what is working, and key competencies
C) Identify areas of opportunity and growth through key stakeholders
D) Arouse commitment to the mission and instill optimism for the future

Accepted Answer

Reviewing the mission and capabilities of the organization is actually a part of the process for articulating the mission and vision, not an exception. The guidelines typically involve clarifying the mission/vision, identifying growth opportunities through stakeholders, and arousing commitment and optimism for the future.

Question 10

Networking and partnering are similar in that they occur outside the normal chain of command. The elements include all of the following except:
A) Information sharing
B) Mutual support
C) Responsibility and benefits sharing
D) Legal mandates

Accepted Answer

Networking and partnering involve voluntary actions like information sharing, mutual support, and sharing responsibilities and benefits, rather than being driven by legal mandates.

Question 11

The networking and partnering competencies have three elements. __________ is the element that would include fire departments with joint assistance programs to enable personnel to cross jurisdictional lines.
A) Information sharing.
B) Mutual support.
C) Responsibility and benefits sharing.
D) Legal mandates.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The networking and partnering competencies have three...

Question 12

The guidelines for networking and partnering include all of the following except:
A) Look for occasions to make linkages and to stay in touch with outside contacts
B) Provide assistance (favors) for others
C) Choose strategic alliances for joint collaboration
D) Limit alliances to agencies capable of providing reciprocal benefits

Accepted Answer

Limiting alliances only to agencies capable of providing reciprocal benefits can be overly restrictive and may overlook the value of broader networking and the potential for future, indirect benefits. Effective networking and partnering often involve building a wide range of connections, not all of which may offer immediate reciprocal benefits.

Question 13

The competency of performing general management functions means carrying out structural responsibilities related to the organization. The __________ function relates to monitoring and resource allocation.
A) Human resource management
B) Budgetary and financial management
C) Technology management
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Budgetary and financial management involves monitoring financial resources and allocating them effectively within an organization.

Question 14

The guidelines for performing general management functions include all of the following except:
A) Acquire a basic management education
B) Learn the specifics of organizational management functions
C) Integrate general management functions into an annual cycle and regular routines
D) Use personal time management skills

Accepted Answer

Personal time management skills are not a guideline for performing general management functions.

Question 15

The __________ model of decision making is characterized by "successive limited comparisons."
A) The reasoned choice model
B) The mixed scanning model
C) The "garbage can" model
D) The incremental model

Accepted Answer

The incremental model of decision making involves making decisions through small, sequential steps rather than large, comprehensive analyses. This approach is characterized by "successive limited comparisons," where decision-makers focus on minor changes from the existing situation rather than exploring all possible alternatives extensively.

Question 16

The statement that it is as possible that an important solution will find an appropriate problem as vice versa is descriptive of the __________ model of decision making.
A) The reasoned choice model
B) The mixed scanning model
C) The "garbage can" model
D) The incremental model

Accepted Answer

The "garbage can" model of decision making suggests that solutions, problems, and decision makers exist independently and can connect in a somewhat random fashion. This model implies that solutions might find problems just as problems might find solutions, reflecting the chaotic and unpredictable nature of organizational decision processes.

Question 17

The __________ model is the most amenable to bureaucratic solutions.
A) An incremental
B) Reasoned choice
C) Mixed scanning
D) "Garbage can"

Accepted Answer

The reasoned choice model is most amenable to bureaucratic solutions because it involves making decisions based on a thorough analysis of options and outcomes, which aligns well with the structured, rule-based approach of bureaucracies.

Question 18

The elements of managing organizational change include which of the following?
A) Identify the problem, select the alternative, and implement the solution
B) Provide a rationale, provide a plan, and implement the change
C) Articulate the vision, identify the resistance, and overcome the resistance
D) Design the implementation plan, institutionalize and evaluate the changes

Accepted Answer

Managing organizational change involves providing a rationale for the change, creating a plan, and implementing the change effectively.

Question 19

__________ is often enhanced by making some dramatic, symbolic changes, using vibrant and evocative language, and involving many people in the process refers to:
A) Analyzing the organization
B) Creating a shared vision
C) Determining the politics of change
D) Designing an implementation plan

Accepted Answer

Creating a shared vision often involves dramatic, symbolic changes and the use of vibrant, evocative language to inspire and involve many people in the vision for the future. This approach helps to align individuals' personal goals with the organizational goals, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment to the vision.

Question 20

Questions regarding who is going to oppose the change; what is the best way to line up political support; and who can act as competent change agents, are part of which of the following guidelines for managing organizational change?
A) Analyze the organization and its need for change
B) Realistically determine the politics of change
C) Design an implementation plan for major changes
D) Institutionalize and evaluate major changes

Accepted Answer

These questions are part of understanding the political landscape within an organization, which is crucial for managing organizational change effectively. This involves identifying key stakeholders, understanding their interests, and strategizing on how to gain their support or mitigate their opposition, which falls under realistically determining the politics of change.

Quiz 14: Organization-Oriented Behaviors

Scanning the environment involves gathering and critically evaluating data related to external trends, opportunities, and threats on an ongoing and relatively informal basis. The elements of this competency include all of the following except:

The example of public sector organizations responding to technology changes by developing special compensation schedules for information technology staff illustrates which of the following guidelines for scanning the environment?

Good environmental scanning by leaders is a prelude to the data gathering that occurs in __________.

Strategic planning is a disciplined effort to produce fundamental decisions and actions that shape and guide the organization. The essential building blocks include all of the following except:

Strategic planning is part of the strategic management complex in contemporary organizations. In this environment, __________ provide in-depth analysis of efficiency, effectiveness, appropriateness and impact.

One of the greatest complaints about strategic plans is that:

Articulating the mission means defining and expressing an organization's purpose, aspirations, and values. Which of the following statements is not true concerning mission articulation?

An important aspect of articulating the mission is to identify areas of opportunity and growth through key stakeholders. For public organizations the stakeholders are:

The guidelines for articulating the mission and vision include all of the following except:

Networking and partnering are similar in that they occur outside the normal chain of command. The elements include all of the following except:

The networking and partnering competencies have three elements. __________ is the element that would include fire departments with joint assistance programs to enable personnel to cross jurisdictional lines.

The guidelines for networking and partnering include all of the following except:

The competency of performing general management functions means carrying out structural responsibilities related to the organization. The __________ function relates to monitoring and resource allocation.

The guidelines for performing general management functions include all of the following except:

The __________ model of decision making is characterized by "successive limited comparisons."

The statement that it is as possible that an important solution will find an appropriate problem as vice versa is descriptive of the __________ model of decision making.

The __________ model is the most amenable to bureaucratic solutions.

The elements of managing organizational change include which of the following?

__________ is often enhanced by making some dramatic, symbolic changes, using vibrant and evocative language, and involving many people in the process refers to:

Questions regarding who is going to oppose the change; what is the best way to line up political support; and who can act as competent change agents, are part of which of the following guidelines for managing organizational change?