Question 1

________ communication is information shared among people on the same hierarchical level.
A) Vertical
B) Horizontal
C) Upward
D) Downward
E) Intrapersonal

Accepted Answer

Horizontal communication involves the exchange of information among individuals or groups on the same hierarchical level.

Question 2

________ communication moves upward, downward, or horizontally.
A) Informal
B) Formal
C) Grapevine
D) External
E) Social

Accepted Answer

Formal communication moves upward, downward, or horizontally through designated channels of authority and follows a prescribed path.

Question 3

A company shares its financial goals, income statements, budgets, sales, forecasts, and other relevant data about company performance and prospects with all its employees. This company engages in the practice of
A) groupthink.
B) filtering.
C) open-book management.
D) blogging.
E) micromanagement.

Accepted Answer

The practice described is open-book management, which involves sharing financial information and relevant data with employees to increase transparency and engage them in the company's success. Groupthink, filtering, and micromanagement are unrelated to this practice. Blogging may be a way to communicate information to employees, but it is not a description of the practice itself.

Question 4

Edward had tossed and turned all night, sleeping poorly, worrying about his production management responsibilities. Now, in this morning's meeting with Tanya, his best worker, he can barely stay awake, much less pay attention to what she is saying. The communication process is being hampered by
A) noise.
B) ambiguity.
C) perceptual bias.
D) a language barrier.
E) an attitudinal barrier.

Accepted Answer

Noise in the communication process refers to any external factor that disrupts the effective exchange of messages between sender and receiver. In this scenario, Edward's lack of sleep and inability to stay awake act as physical noise, hindering his ability to effectively listen and respond to Tanya.

Question 5

"Kris, how are you handling the grapevine in your department? I'm sure that you and your employees are hearing the same disturbing rumors that we are hearing. My department is spending too much time exchanging gossip, and morale is very low," said Mike. Kris replied, "I strive to manage the grapevine. If I hear a story that might get out of hand, I talk to the ________ involved. I prevent rumors by dispelling ________. Finally, I ________ rumors once they have started."
A) rumormongers; uncertainties; propagate
B) key people; rumormongers; deny
C) key people; truth; neutralize
D) key people; uncertainties; neutralize
E) rumormongers; troublemakers; deny

Accepted Answer

Kris's strategy involves talking to the key people involved to manage the situation directly, dispelling uncertainties to prevent rumors by clarifying any doubts or misinformation, and neutralizing rumors once they have started to stop their spread and minimize their impact.

Question 6

Some companies use ________ to create buzz and excitement in advance of a new product launch.
A) informal rumors
B) grapevine gossip
C) planned communications
D) e-mail communication
E) web-based social media

Accepted Answer

The answer of Some companies use ________ to create buzz...

Question 7

"Boss, I frequently hear gossip and rumors on the grapevine-some of it rather disturbing. How do you advise that I deal with this information?" asked Bobby. Sam replied, "In my experience as an employee and as a manager, I advise you to
A) seek more information without stirring the pot."
B) plant a false rumor to track its communication path."
C) not develop a network of people."
D) avoid the grapevine."
E) amplify the gossip, electronic or whispered, to flush out the source."

Accepted Answer

Seeking more information without stirring the pot is the best approach as it allows for gathering more details about the rumor or gossip without adding to the rumor mill. It also prevents any potential negative consequences that could arise from spreading unsubstantiated information.

Question 8

________ is the practice of sharing with employees at all levels of an organization vital information previously meant for management's eyes only.
A) Job sharing
B) Micromanagement
C) Blogging
D) Open-book management
E) Crowdsourcing

Accepted Answer

Open-book management is the practice of sharing vital information with employees at all levels of an organization that was previously only available to management. This can include financial information, performance metrics, and strategic plans. The goal is to increase transparency and promote a sense of ownership and responsibility among employees, which can lead to improved performance and productivity.

Question 9

Linda Rodriguez, CEO of UltraHealth, realizes that she needs to formally communicate to her division vice presidents that the board of directors has increased the firm's profit expectations by 10 percent, and that any vice president whose division underperforms this target will be replaced. What do you think is the best way for Linda to officially communicate this information to her vice presidents?
A) In a downward fashion, via formal memo, to convey expectations and outcomes.
B) In an upward fashion, via formal memo, to maintain positive morale.
C) In a horizontal fashion, via formal memo, to maintain equity among the vice presidents.
D) By the grapevine (informal means) to maintain esprit de corps.
E) By informal conversation, so as to not commit expectations in writing.

Accepted Answer

The best way for Linda to communicate this information is by using a formal memo. This will ensure that the message is clear, direct, and documented. It will also convey the seriousness of the matter and emphasize the importance of meeting the new profit expectations. By communicating in a downward fashion, Linda is also maintaining her authority and ensuring that her expectations are understood and followed by all vice presidents.

Question 10

Hector Madrid, CEO of BridgePoint Electronics, said to his division vice presidents, "For our corporate business plan for next year, I want each of you to work with your management teams to develop a SWOT analysis for your division, delivered to me no later than two weeks from today." The vice presidents' submission of SWOT analyses, based upon feedback from their management teams, to the CEO is an example of ________ communication.
A) downward
B) upward
C) horizontal
D) grapevine
E) intrapersonal

Accepted Answer

The communication from the VP's and their management teams to the CEO asking for a SWOT analysis is an example of upward communication. Upward communication is when employees communicate with their managers or higher-ups.

Question 11

A(n) ________ is an example of company grapevine communication.
A) annual general meeting for all the shareholders
B) job interview between a manager and a job applicant
C) training session with a department head
D) informal conversation between colleagues about their new manager
E) salary negotiation between an employee and the human resource manager

Accepted Answer

The informal conversation between colleagues about their new manager is an example of grapevine communication, as it is an unofficial, informal channel of communication within the company. The other options are either formal channels of communication or do not necessarily involve communication between employees within the company.

Question 12

Westin said to his division manager, "Roberto, if we win the Johnson contract next year, my business unit will contribute a profit of $1.5 million to your division. But, the odds of us winning the contract are quite small, so my annual plan should assume a profit of $0.8 million, which is still a record high number for us. That is much more realistic, but still challenging." "Great," said Roberto, "I'll put you down for $1.5 million." Westin left the meeting, frustrated that Roberto appeared to ignore him. Roberto was guilty of
A) encrypting.
B) filtering.
C) encoding.
D) bootlegging.
E) stereotyping.

Accepted Answer

Roberto is filtering, which is a type of communication barrier where the receiver selectively hears only some parts of the message, ignoring others. In this case, Roberto only heard the $1.5 million profit figure and ignored Westin's explanation that it was unlikely and that the more realistic number was $0.8 million.

Question 13

Swift Corporation is a company where information is available as needed, moving quickly and easily enough that it functions far better as a whole team than as separate parts. Swift Corporation is a ________ organization.
A) bureaucratic
B) tall
C) traditional
D) closed-book
E) boundaryless

Accepted Answer

A boundaryless organization is one that breaks down traditional barriers between departments, functions, and hierarchical levels so that information can flow more easily and teamwork can be more effective. This aligns with Swift Corporation's description of information being available as needed, and the company functioning better as a whole team than as separate parts. Bureaucratic, tall, traditional, and closed-book organizations are characterized by more formal and rigid structures that may hinder information sharing and collaboration.

Question 14

________ is dialogue with the goal of helping another be more effective and achieve his or her full potential on the job.
A) Coaching
B) Stereotyping
C) Blogging
D) Podcasting
E) Filtering

Accepted Answer

Coaching is an interactive process between coach and employee with the goal of improving the individual's performance and developing their skills. It is a way of supporting employees to achieve their full potential in the workplace. Stereotyping, Blogging, Podcasting, and Filtering are not related to this definition of coaching.

Question 15

Sandra tried to explain the problem she was having, but her manager, Tabitha, kept interrupting her. Finally, in frustration, Sandra returned to her workstation, even though Tabitha never did grasp the key points that Sandra was attempting to communicate. This lack of communication is an example of
A) perceptual bias.
B) decoding problems.
C) intrapersonal communication.
D) groupthink.
E) stereotyping.

Accepted Answer

The problem in this scenario is a decoding problem, as Tabitha was unable to receive and understand the message Sandra was trying to convey due to her interrupting. Perceptual bias, intrapersonal communication, groupthink, and stereotyping do not accurately describe the issue presented.

Question 16

_____is true dialogue between two committed people engaged in joint problem solving.
A) Coaching
B) Sponsoring
C) Filtering
D) Managing
E) Communicating

Accepted Answer

Coaching is a process that involves true dialogue between two committed people engaged in joint problem solving, where one person helps the other to improve their skills or performance.

Question 17

________ communication travels from lower to higher ranks in the hierarchy of an organization.
A) Intrapersonal
B) Horizontal
C) Upward
D) Asynchronous
E) Serial

Accepted Answer

Upward communication is the type of communication that travels from lower to higher ranks in the hierarchy of an organization. It includes messages, feedback, or reports from subordinates to their superiors.

Question 18

In a conversation during lunch, Billy was casually discussing with other managers how they can improve the competition and team spirit within the organization by arranging a soccer match between different departments. This organizational communication exemplifies
A) asynchronous communication.
B) the grapevine.
C) intrapersonal communication.
D) filtering.
E) groupthink.

Accepted Answer

The conversation Billy is having during lunch with other managers is an example of informal communication or the grapevine. They are discussing ways to improve team spirit within the organization, which is not a formal message or directive.

Question 19

The employees of an organization have heard rumors about rapidly dropping profits and impending layoffs. The grapevine is abuzz with bad news. People are nervous and anxious, and are starting to believe whatever is being said without verifying the source. In this situation, an appropriate action for a manager to take is to
A) block all forms of electronic communication in the office.
B) restrict the length of breaks taken by the employees.
C) fire employees found spreading false stories.
D) closely monitor each employee's activities in the office.
E) neutralize the rumor by openly confirming any parts that may be true.

Accepted Answer

The best course of action for a manager in this situation would be to neutralize the rumors by openly confirming any parts that may be true. This will help in building trust and transparency with employees, which would help in reducing their anxiety and nervousness. Barring communication or closely monitoring employees’ activities could create a hostile work environment and worsen the situation. Firing employees spreading false rumors may help in controlling rumors, but it would not address the root cause of the anxiety and nervousness among employees.

Question 20

Frank Whitley, CEO of ParaGold, announced, "As part of our cost-cutting campaign, we're going to remove two layers of management. That cost reduction will create an added benefit of preserving intact the corporate messages that I communicate from my office, to all levels of the organization. I'm afraid that, in the past couple of years, our employees have received distorted or incomplete messages after having passed through multiple layers of management." Frank was acknowledging that
A) filtering of downward communication is less of a problem in flatter organizations.
B) perception of downward communication is always positive in a flatter organization.
C) open-book management can never be employed in a tall organization.
D) information overload is always a problem in tall organizations.
E) inconsistent communication never occurs in a flatter organization.

Accepted Answer

Frank's statement acknowledges that removing layers of management can reduce the filtering or distortion of messages, which is less of a problem in flatter organizations.

Quiz 13: Communicating

________ communication is information shared among people on the same hierarchical level.

________ communication moves upward, downward, or horizontally.

A company shares its financial goals, income statements, budgets, sales, forecasts, and other relevant data about company performance and prospects with all its employees. This company engages in the practice of

Edward had tossed and turned all night, sleeping poorly, worrying about his production management responsibilities. Now, in this morning's meeting with Tanya, his best worker, he can barely stay awake, much less pay attention to what she is saying. The communication process is being hampered by

Some companies use ________ to create buzz and excitement in advance of a new product launch.

"Boss, I frequently hear gossip and rumors on the grapevine-some of it rather disturbing. How do you advise that I deal with this information?" asked Bobby. Sam replied, "In my experience as an employee and as a manager, I advise you to

________ is the practice of sharing with employees at all levels of an organization vital information previously meant for management's eyes only.

A(n) ________ is an example of company grapevine communication.

Swift Corporation is a company where information is available as needed, moving quickly and easily enough that it functions far better as a whole team than as separate parts. Swift Corporation is a ________ organization.

________ is dialogue with the goal of helping another be more effective and achieve his or her full potential on the job.

Sandra tried to explain the problem she was having, but her manager, Tabitha, kept interrupting her. Finally, in frustration, Sandra returned to her workstation, even though Tabitha never did grasp the key points that Sandra was attempting to communicate. This lack of communication is an example of

_____is true dialogue between two committed people engaged in joint problem solving.

________ communication travels from lower to higher ranks in the hierarchy of an organization.

In a conversation during lunch, Billy was casually discussing with other managers how they can improve the competition and team spirit within the organization by arranging a soccer match between different departments. This organizational communication exemplifies