Question 1

Which of the following is a step in the process that managers use to make sense of their changing environments?

Accepted Answer

Acting on threats and opportunities is a step in the process that managers use to make sense of their changing environments. This involves assessing the impact of environmental shifts on the organization and taking appropriate actions to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities. Adopting perceptual re-engagement and environmental laddering are not commonly recognized steps in this process, and creating strategic windows is a different concept altogether.

Question 2

What can an organization use to sustain its organizational culture after its founders are gone?

Accepted Answer

Organizational heroes are individuals who embody the values, beliefs, and practices of the organization. By highlighting and celebrating these individuals, the organization can reinforce its culture and ensure that it is passed down to future generations of employees. This is especially important after the founders are gone, as they may have been the primary drivers of the organization's culture. Organizational structure, maps, and design can also play a role in sustaining culture, but they are not as effective as heroes in terms of creating an emotional connection to the organization's values and practices.

Question 3

The Edmonton Oilers hockey team develops a sense of history for its current players by displaying successful seasons' banners and the retired numbers of great players in its stadium and locker room. What tactic(s)for maintaining organizational culture are the Oilers using?

Accepted Answer

The Oilers are using the tactic of organizational stories and heroes by displaying successful seasons' banners and retired numbers of great players to instill a sense of history and culture within the organization.

Question 4

What is the term for the set of key values,beliefs,and attitudes shared by members of an organization?

Accepted Answer

Organizational culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, attitudes, and practices that characterize an organization and guide the behavior of its members. It includes norms, customs, traditions, and rituals that shape the way people interact with each other and with external stakeholders. Organizational culture is often considered one of the most important determinants of organizational success, as it influences employee motivation, engagement, and productivity, as well as customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Question 5

What is the first step that managers take to make sense of their changing environments?

Accepted Answer

The first step that managers take to make sense of their changing environments is environmental scanning. This involves gathering information about external forces that may impact the business such as economic trends, political developments, and technological advancements. Environmental scanning helps managers identify opportunities and threats in the external environment which they can use to make critical business decisions.

Question 6

One difficulty encountered in a merger is the inability of employees in the two existing organizational cultures to operate harmoniously. Which of the following characteristics do both merging organizational cultures most likely lack?

Accepted Answer

Adaptability is crucial in a merger situation because it allows employees from both organizations to adjust to new ways of working, new organizational cultures, and potentially new corporate strategies. Lack of adaptability can lead to difficulties in merging the two cultures harmoniously.

Question 7

A new hire at Henderson Textile Co. was amazed at its employees,who would take 30-minute restroom breaks,leave for the day at 2 p.m.,and generally belittle the company's management. Which of the following is likely faulty when such actions have developed among employees?

Accepted Answer

The described actions of the employees suggest that there is a negative organizational culture present at Henderson Textile Co. This culture may encourage or tolerate disrespectful behavior towards management, and value individual desires over the needs of the organization as a whole. The other options (A, B, C) do not adequately address the observed behavior of the employees.

Question 8

Hooters is a chain of more than 2,000 restaurants self-described as "delightfully tacky,yet unrefined." The reason the company exists is apparent to all of its employees: its purpose is fun. What is the concept of making eating at a restaurant consistently fun for men an example of?

Accepted Answer

The concept of making eating at a restaurant consistently fun for men is an example of having a clear vision, which is the ability to identify and pursue a specific goal or set of goals. Hooters' vision is to provide a unique and enjoyable experience for its customers, which is evident in its branding, atmosphere, and menu offerings.

Question 9

Which of the following is a primary source of organizational culture?

Accepted Answer

The company's founder or leaders are often considered a primary source of organizational culture as they establish the values, beliefs, and practices that shape the organization's behavior and decision-making. They set the tone for how employees should interact with each other and with external stakeholders, and their actions and behaviors influence the development of the organization's culture over time. While external factors such as the industry and competition can also impact organizational culture, they are considered secondary sources. Suppliers may play a role in shaping specific practices or expectations within the organization, but their influence is typically limited in terms of the overall organizational culture.

Question 10

Simons was one of Canada's first fashion retailers,and has recently expanded outside Québec. How would Simons view other companies that have a broad presence in fashion retail?

Accepted Answer

Simons would likely view other companies with a broad presence in fashion retail as a threat, as they represent competition in the market.

Question 11

Which tactic involves an advocacy group actively trying to convince consumers NOTto purchase a company's products or services?

Accepted Answer

A boycott is a tactic used by advocacy groups to actively encourage consumers to refrain from purchasing a company's products or services in order to provoke change or draw attention to a particular issue. Lobbying involves attempting to influence government officials or policy-making, public communications involves disseminating information to the public, and media advocacy involves using media outlets to bring attention to a particular issue through coverage and messaging.

Question 12

The Dairy Famers of Canada took a stance against a recent free trade deal that was likely to dismantle the Canadian dairy production system,arguing that low prices would result in threats to consumers. Which of the following is this ad an example of?

Accepted Answer

This ad is an example of media advocacy, as it involves using media to support and promote a particular cause or policy, in this case, opposing a trade deal to protect the Canadian dairy production system.

Question 13

White Spot is a casual dining restaurant chain that is famous for the Triple "O" sauce on its burgers. Which of the following would be an industry regulation component of White Spot's specific environment?

Accepted Answer

Local health inspectors would be an industry regulation component of White Spot's specific environment because they regulate and monitor food safety standards for all casual dining restaurants in the area. The other options listed are not specific to the restaurant industry and may affect businesses in different industries as well.

Question 14

Which of the following objectives is unsuitable for environmental scanning?

Accepted Answer

Environmental scanning is not directly related to developing and sustaining organizational culture. It is more focused on the external environment and how it can impact the organization's strategies and operations.

Question 15

Uber's entry into Calgary had its bumps along the way-the City of Calgary filed a court injunction claiming Uber had not complied with its bylaws regarding taxis and limousines. Which environmental aspect best defines this impact on Uber's specific environment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Uber's entry into Calgary had its bumps...

Question 16

Some organizational cultures cannot meet the challenges posed by innovation. BlackBerry squandered the opportunities presented by the smartphone revolution,even though it had produced arguably the world's most widely adopted smartphone at one point. What did its organizational culture lack?

Accepted Answer

BlackBerry's organizational culture lacked adaptability to changing market trends and technology, which led to their inability to keep up with the smartphone revolution. They were focused on their existing business model instead of adapting to new customer needs and competitors.

Question 17

Which of the following is a characteristic of successful organizational cultures?

Accepted Answer

Involvement is a characteristic of successful organizational cultures. This means that employees are engaged in decision making, problem solving, and feel a sense of ownership in the organization. Unionization (A) can create conflict and divide employees and management. Advocacy (B) can be beneficial, but alone it is not a characteristic of a successful organizational culture. Competition (D) can be motivating, but it can also create a cut-throat environment that is not conducive to collaboration and teamwork.

Question 18

What is the term for the events and trends inside an organization that affect management,employees,and the organizational culture?

Accepted Answer

The term for the events and trends inside an organization that affect management, employees, and the organizational culture is the internal environment. The managerial environment refers specifically to the actions and decisions of managers, while the industry environment and general environment are external factors that affect the organization as a whole.

Question 19

Which of the following is likely to decrease but not eliminate opportunistic behaviour?

Accepted Answer

Relationship behaviour can decrease opportunistic behaviour by fostering trust and cooperation, but it may not completely eliminate it due to inherent self-interest in business dealings.

Question 20

Advocacy groups use a variety of tactics to convince businesses to comply with their stands on issues. Which of the following advocacy group tactics would be most likely to cause a business to fail?

Accepted Answer

Product boycotts can directly impact a business's revenue and reputation, potentially causing it to fail. The other tactics (media advocacy, public communications, and lobbying) can also have a significant impact on a business, but they are less likely to cause it to fail entirely.

Quiz 2: Organizational Environments and Cultures