Question 1

At one of the new Mountain View Community College campuses, administrative staff members are trained on a number of jobs including general student registration procedures, advising, counseling, computer support, and faculty assistance. Although Ashley usually registers students and Phillip usually advises students, they can easily switch roles and help each other out during busy times. They can also be called into a classroom to assist an instructor troubleshoot a computer issue. Unlike other colleges where lines are long and students must come back several times in order to be served, at Mountain View, you never hear someone say, "It's not my job!" This campus has successfully implemented

Accepted Answer

The answer of At one of the new Mountain View...

Question 2

Generation X employees are likely to

Accepted Answer

Generation X employees grew up during a time of economic uncertainty and have experienced job insecurity in their careers. As a result, they tend to value career security and may be willing to change jobs to improve their long-term prospects. However, they may not be as loyal to their employers as previous generations. They are also known for being independent and self-reliant, with a desire for work-life balance. Feedback is not a common criticism of this generation.

Question 3

Until recently, Visual Electronics manufactured Blu-ray players on an assembly line with each worker performing only one simple task. Three months ago, the company began allowing individual employees to assemble entire systems, test the components, and even install the software that Visual Electronics includes with each of its players. Visual Electronics's new production method is an example of

Accepted Answer

When Visual Electronics began allowing individual employees to assemble entire systems and perform multiple tasks, it is a clear example of job enlargement. This means that the company has expanded the scope of their employees' responsibilities, allowing them to do more complex and varied tasks instead of just one simple task on an assembly line.

Question 4

Even across generations, motivation is likely to

Accepted Answer

Motivation is likely to come from the job itself across generations, as people are often motivated by the work they do and the impact they have. A, C, and D are not accurate statements about motivation.

Question 5

Damon is assigned a different job at Simons' Securities every month. Damon enjoys the task variety and finds that switching jobs on a regular basis keeps the work from becoming boring. Simons' is using a technique known as job

Accepted Answer

Damon's experience of being assigned a different job every month suggests that Simons' Securities is using job rotation, which involves periodically shifting employees from one job to another. This helps to prevent boredom and monotony as well as allowing employees to gain new skills and experiences. The other options (branching, sharing, shopping) do not accurately describe Damon's situation.

Question 6

After several years of higher education, Tom and Zoe Dash were awarded their Ph.D. degrees and found jobs at a university, where they plan to work in research labs. Tom's lab is very large with at least 15 research faculty like himself and 25 graduate students whose benches are all together on one side of the laboratory. Zoe's lab is similar in size, but graduate student benches are interspersed with faculty. From the very beginning, Tom was referred to as Dr. Dash by the graduate students. Zoe and the graduate students in her lab are on first-name basis. As a student of management, which of the following statements would you consider good advice to the managers (also known as the principal investigators) of these labs?

Accepted Answer

Open communication and a lack of barriers between faculty and graduate students can lead to a more conducive learning environment. This can be achieved by eliminating work titles and ranks, and having a work space that encourages open communication and collaboration. While using the title "Dr." may be important in some professional settings, it may not be necessary in a research laboratory where open communication and collaboration are key. Sensitive information and techniques can still be protected through other means such as non-disclosure agreements and confidentiality protocols. Job enrichment is also important, but this can be achieved through a variety of methods such as providing opportunities for growth and development, meaningful work assignments, and recognition for accomplishments.

Question 7

When reflecting upon the newer generation, each older generation says the same thing:

Accepted Answer

The answer of When reflecting upon the newer generation, each...

Question 8

Motivational formulas are

Accepted Answer

Motivational formulas are most effective when tailored to the individual as everyone has unique motivations and drivers. Creating a tailored approach increases the chances of success in motivating employees.

Question 9

Ronald, the CEO of Extel Micro-a technology provider with 17,000 employees-answers his own phone and takes calls from employees of all levels. He actually loves to hear about what employees think the company is doing right and what they could be doing better. Ronald is building teamwork by

Accepted Answer

Ronald is building teamwork by creating an organizational culture that rewards listening. By answering his own phone and taking calls from employees of all levels, he is showing that listening is important and valued within the company. This behavior encourages open communication and collaboration, which are key components of building an effective and productive team.

Question 10

Baby Boomers as managers need to understand that

Accepted Answer

Gen X and Gen Y employees value work-life balance and the ability to have flexible schedules and telecommuting options. Therefore, offering flexibility in the workplace is a great way to appeal to and motivate these generations.

Question 11

A strength of Generation X managers is likely to be their

Accepted Answer

Generation X managers are known for their ability to provide feedback to their employees. They grew up in a time when feedback was a more common practice in the workplace than it is today. They also tend to be more comfortable with technology and more open to change than previous generations. Loyalty to the firm (A) and willingness to sacrifice other aspects of their lives for success (D) are not necessarily strengths of Generation X managers, and an individualistic approach to problem solving (B) may sometimes be a weakness.

Question 12

The generation born between 1980 and 1995 is known as

Accepted Answer

This generation is commonly known as "Generation Y" or simply "Gen Y." The term "Millennials" is also frequently used to refer to this demographic. Generation X refers to those born between 1965 and 1980, while Generation Alpha refers to those born after 2010. Generation Z refers to those born between 1996 and 2010.

Question 13

At Five Star Vehicles, employees are grouped into teams. Each team is responsible for assembling an entire automobile. Five Star gives each team freedom and flexibility to decide how to divide up the work. The company keeps the employees informed about how their cars are selling, and even shows them the comments customers make about quality and performance on customer satisfaction questionnaires. Five Star Vehicles is using a strategy of

Accepted Answer

Five Star Vehicles is using a strategy of job enrichment by giving employees the freedom and flexibility to decide how to divide up the work and keeping them informed about how their cars are selling and customer satisfaction. This approach enhances employees' roles and responsibilities, providing them with a greater sense of achievement and satisfaction in their work.

Question 14

When it comes to motivating Millennials and Gen Xers, it is important for managers to know that they have a few things in common. One important likeness is

Accepted Answer

Both Millennials and Gen Xers tend to expect change and are not as content with the status quo as previous generations. This means that managers may need to offer opportunities for growth, development, and new experiences to keep them engaged and motivated.

Question 15

In a high-context culture

Accepted Answer

In a high-context culture, relationship building and group trust are considered very important and occur before performing business tasks. This is because communication is indirect and relies heavily on nonverbal cues and shared cultural knowledge, which requires a strong foundation of trust and understanding between the parties involved. Therefore, it is important for workers to invest time in building relationships before diving into work tasks.

Question 16

In a low-context culture

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a low-context culture
...

Question 17

If "fun and stimulation" are rated as important job criteria by Millennials, which of the following might be a way to motivate this generation?

Accepted Answer

Providing opportunity for innovation and job rotation can offer both fun and stimulation, which are important criteria for Millennials. It allows them to use their creativity and avoid feeling stagnant in their position. Simplifying jobs or separating work spaces based on age are not effective ways to motivate this generation.

Question 18

As a group, Millennials tend to be

Accepted Answer

This is the best choice as Millennials are often recognized for being able to adapt to new situations, being tolerant and accepting of different viewpoints, and being very comfortable with technology. They grew up in a digital age and are typically very tech-savvy. These characteristics are frequently associated with individuals born between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s, which is when most Millennials were born.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about cultural differences in the workplace is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Managers must be very aware of cultural differences and recognize that different employees may respond best to different management and motivational styles. Cultural differences are still present in the workplace, and it is important for managers to understand and acknowledge them in order to create an inclusive and supportive work environment. Ignoring cultural differences or attempting to treat everyone the same can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. Additionally, cultural differences can exist among employees born in the United States, so it is important to not make assumptions or stereotypes based on nationality or upbringing.

Question 20

In order to understand how to motivate the various generations, we need to understand each generation's preferred mode of communication. Look at the following chart and fill in the blank cell.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In order to understand how to motivate...

Quiz 10: Motivating Employees