Question 1

As indicated by the International Quality Study,"best practices" that are universal (applicable to almost any firm)include all of the following EXCEPT:
A)simplifying processes.
B)performing process-value analysis.
C)using world-class benchmarking.
D)performing cycle-time analysis.

Accepted Answer

The answer of As indicated by the International Quality Study,"best...

Question 2

The Baldrige Award criteria are best described as:
A)nonprescriptive.
B)restrictive.
C)nondescriptive.
D)predictive.

Accepted Answer

The Baldrige Award criteria are nonprescriptive, meaning they do not prescribe a specific solution or approach to achieving excellence. Rather, they provide a framework for organizations to examine their processes, identify areas for improvement, and develop their own approaches to achieve excellence.

Question 3

_____ refers to how leadership is exercised,formally and informally,throughout an organization.
A)Management grid
B)Leadership system
C)Organizational hierarchy
D)Leadership spectrum

Accepted Answer

The term that best describes how leadership is exercised throughout an organization, both formally and informally, is "leadership system." The other answer choices are not directly related to this concept. Management grid is a leadership style model, organizational hierarchy refers to the formal structure of an organization, and leadership spectrum is not a commonly used term in this context.

Question 4

_____ includes ethics,corporate governance,and protection of public health,safety,and the environment.
A)Ethical volunteerism
B)Green management
C)Moral management
D)Corporate social responsibility

Accepted Answer

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to a company's obligation to pursue activities that benefit society beyond their own interests. This includes having ethical practices, adhering to corporate governance principles, and ensuring the protection of public health, safety, and the environment. Green management and moral management are related to ethical practices, but do not encompass the full scope of CSR. Ethical volunteerism is a term that is not commonly used in the context of CSR.

Question 5

An effective leadership system:
A)follows strict hierarchical structures.
B)respects the capabilities of employees.
C)respects the requirements of employees.
D)sets high expectations for performance.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An effective leadership system:
A)follows strict hierarchical structures.
B)respects...

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT TRUE regarding organizational self-assessment?
A)Self-assessment helps identify key strengths and weaknesses.
B)Self-assessment is mandated by the Baldrige Criteria.
C)Self-assessment facilitates organizational learning.
D)Self-assessment can provide a picture of the state of quality.

Accepted Answer

Self-assessment is encouraged but not mandated by the Baldrige Criteria.

Question 7

An important contemporary theorist of the learning organization is MIT professor
A)Jack Welch.
B)Peter Senge.
C)Joseph Juran.
D)W.Edwards Deming.

Accepted Answer

Peter Senge is an important contemporary theorist of the learning organization, known for his book "The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization." This book introduced the concept of the learning organization and has had a significant influence on management and organizational theory. Senge argues that learning organizations are those that are able to continuously adapt and improve, by encouraging and supporting individual and collective learning. He emphasizes the importance of systems thinking, personal mastery, mental models, shared vision, and team learning in fostering a culture of learning within organizations.

Question 8

Perhaps the most significant cause of failure to effectively implement quality initiatives is a lack of:
A)leadership initiative and middle-management support.
B)alignment and integration with organizational systems.
C)constancy of purpose.
D)organizational resources.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Perhaps the most significant cause of failure...

Question 9

Managers that review the company's current quality practices and procedures before implementing total quality practices are demonstrating:
A)group consciousness.
B)due diligence.
C)self assessment.
D)internal benchmarking.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Managers that review the company's current quality...

Question 10

The International Organization for Standardization is developing a voluntary social responsibility standard,_____ which is scheduled for release in 2010.
A)ISO 26000
B)ISO 16000
C)ISO 62000
D)ISO 6000

Accepted Answer

The correct choice is A, ISO 26000. This is the standard being developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for voluntary social responsibility. The other options are not related to social responsibility standards.

Question 11

_____ refers to an organization's ability to address current needs and have the agility and management skills and structure to prepare successfully for the future,including preparedness for emergencies.
A)Proactivity
B)Sustainability
C)Future-orientation
D)Internal capacity

Accepted Answer

Sustainability is the term that refers to an organization's ability to address current needs and have the agility and management skills and structure to prepare successfully for the future, including preparedness for emergencies. Sustainability implies that an organization has the internal capacity to endure and adapt to changing circumstances over time, as well as a commitment to address social, economic, and environmental issues.

Question 12

A company's value system and its collection of guiding principles is known as its:
A)mission statement.
B)corporate culture.
C)strategic plan.
D)vision statement.

Accepted Answer

A company's value system and guiding principles are part of its corporate culture, which encompasses its beliefs, behaviors, and practices. The culture is shaped by leaders, employees, and the organization's history and values. The other choices (mission statement, strategic plan, vision statement) are also important elements of a company's overall direction, but they are more focused on specific goals and objectives rather than the broader cultural environment.

Question 13

One of the findings of the International Quality Study is that organizations at the early stages of the quality journey:
A)do not benefit from process benchmarking.
B)use world-class benchmarking.
C)should remove quality control inspection.
D)attain no benefit from training..

Accepted Answer

The finding of the International Quality Study is that organizations at the early stages of the quality journey do not benefit from process benchmarking. This is because they may not have reliable data to compare against other organizations and may not be able to fully understand the benchmarking process. Hence, option A is the correct answer. The other options are irrelevant or incorrect in the context of the question.

Question 14

The Human Development and Leadership Division of the American Society for Quality has summarized six competencies for leadership.Which of the following is NOT one of the competencies?
A)Navigator
B)Mentor
C)Protector
D)Motivator

Accepted Answer

The Human Development and Leadership Division of the American Society for Quality has summarized six competencies for leadership: Navigator, Mentor, Motivator, Developer, Collaborator, and Innovator. "Protector" is not one of the competencies.

Question 15

_____ is the ability to positively influence people and systems under one's authority so as to have a meaningful impact and achieve important results.
A)Leadership
B)Power
C)Charisma
D)Direction

Accepted Answer

Leadership involves not only having power and authority but using it in a way that positively impacts others and achieves important results. Charisma and direction can be important aspects of leadership but are not sufficient on their own. Power can be a part of leadership but is not the defining factor.

Question 16

An organization's management systems and practices are called its:
A)corporate strategy.
B)balanced scorecard mechanism.
C)organizational infrastructure.
D)best practices.

Accepted Answer

Organizational infrastructure refers to the structures, processes, systems, and practices that underpin an organization's operations and enable it to fulfill its mission and achieve its objectives. Management systems and practices are a key component of the organizational infrastructure.

Question 17

An important step in making self-assessments effective is:
A)withholding bonuses until any and all deficiencies are corrected.
B)eventually applying for a quality award.
C)follow-up action planning by senior management.
D)rewarding departments that are judged to be exceptional.

Accepted Answer

Follow-up action planning by senior management is important to ensure that any identified deficiencies are addressed and improvements are made. Withholding bonuses or specifically rewarding exceptional departments may cause employees to be less honest in their self-assessments and may not lead to overall organizational improvement. Applying for a quality award may be a long-term goal, but it is not directly related to the effectiveness of self-assessments.

Question 18

One of the findings of the International Quality Study is that firms that have solid systems in place:
A)do not benefit from process benchmarking.
B)use world-class benchmarking.
C)should remove quality control inspection.
D)attain no benefit from increased training.

Accepted Answer

The answer of One of the findings of the International...

Question 19

In the textbook,learning that helps an organization to survive is called _____ learning,while learning that enhances the organization's capacity to create is called _____ learning.
A)adaptive, generative
B)catch-up, advancement
C)survival, creative
D)reactive, proactive

Accepted Answer

According to the statement in the textbook, learning that helps an organization to survive is referred to as adaptive learning, while learning that enhances the organization's capacity to create is known as generative learning. Therefore, option A, which includes the terms adaptive and generative, is the correct answer. Option B includes catch-up and advancement, which do not accurately represent the types of learning mentioned in the statement. Option C includes survival and creative, which are close to the correct terms but are not precise. Option D includes reactive and proactive, which are not the terms used in the statement.

Question 20

Building and sustaining performance excellence requires all of the following EXCEPT:
A)strong hierarchy in the organizational structure.
B)a commitment to change and long-term sustainability.
C)the adoption of sound practices and implementation strategies.
D)continual organizational learning.

Accepted Answer

A strong hierarchy in the organizational structure is not necessary for building and sustaining performance excellence. In fact, too much emphasis on hierarchy can impede communication, creativity, and innovation, which are all critical components of an excellent organization. Instead, performance excellence requires a more flexible, adaptive, and collaborative organizational culture that encourages participation, feedback, and continuous improvement.

Quiz 9: Leading, building, and Sustaining Performance Excellence

As indicated by the International Quality Study,"best practices" that are universal (applicable to almost any firm) include all of the following EXCEPT:

The Baldrige Award criteria are best described as:

_____ refers to how leadership is exercised,formally and informally,throughout an organization.

_____ includes ethics,corporate governance,and protection of public health,safety,and the environment.

An effective leadership system:

Which of the following is NOT TRUE regarding organizational self-assessment?

An important contemporary theorist of the learning organization is MIT professor

Perhaps the most significant cause of failure to effectively implement quality initiatives is a lack of:

Managers that review the company's current quality practices and procedures before implementing total quality practices are demonstrating:

The International Organization for Standardization is developing a voluntary social responsibility standard,_____ which is scheduled for release in 2010.

_____ refers to an organization's ability to address current needs and have the agility and management skills and structure to prepare successfully for the future,including preparedness for emergencies.

A company's value system and its collection of guiding principles is known as its:

One of the findings of the International Quality Study is that organizations at the early stages of the quality journey:

The Human Development and Leadership Division of the American Society for Quality has summarized six competencies for leadership.Which of the following is NOT one of the competencies?

_____ is the ability to positively influence people and systems under one's authority so as to have a meaningful impact and achieve important results.

An organization's management systems and practices are called its:

An important step in making self-assessments effective is:

One of the findings of the International Quality Study is that firms that have solid systems in place:

In the textbook,learning that helps an organization to survive is called _ learning,while learning that enhances the organization's capacity to create is called _ learning.

Building and sustaining performance excellence requires all of the following EXCEPT: