Question 1

The management by objectives model devised by Peter Drucker works best in a dynamic, rapidly changing business environment, where management makes short-term plans.

Accepted Answer

The management by objectives model is more effective in a stable business environment, where long-term planning is possible. In a dynamic and rapidly changing environment, it is better to use agile management methodologies that allow for flexibility and adaptability.

Question 2

Hillary enjoys working with others to solve problems and make decisions, but is also able to assume individual responsibility. She prefers working for a company that takes a holistic view of its employees. These preferences suggest that Hillary might enjoy working at a company that uses a Theory Z approach to management.

Accepted Answer

Theory Z emphasizes teamwork, employee involvement, and a concern for employee well-being, which align with Hillary's preferences.

Question 3

The best way for U.S. firms to become more competitive is to adopt the Type J approach to management.

Accepted Answer

There is no one "best" approach to management that can guarantee success for all U.S. firms. Management strategies should be tailored to the specific needs and goals of each individual company. Therefore, the Type J approach may work for some firms, but it is not a universal solution for all.

Question 4

Jerry has a great deal of faith in the abilities of his subordinates. He believes that most employees want to be productive, and will work hard if given the proper incentives. He also believes that most firms do not take full advantage of the intelligence and creativity of their employees. For these reasons Jerry favors a managerial style that allows employees to be flexible and creative in how they do their jobs, and empowers them to make and implement decisions. Jerry is a Theory Y manager.

Accepted Answer

Jerry's belief in the abilities and motivation of his subordinates, as well as his preference for a flexible and empowering management style, align with the principles of Theory Y management.

Question 5

Martina is a very talented and ambitious person who likes to work independently and wants to move up in her company as quickly as possible. Martina might become frustrated if she worked in a firm that took a Theory Z approach to management.

Accepted Answer

Theory Z approach emphasizes on team cohesion, job security, and long-term employment, rather than individual achievement and rapid career advancement. This approach might not align with Martina's goals and could lead to frustration.

Question 6

After a 3-year probationary period, career positions at Fairview Community College are fairly secure, even though the opportunity for promotion runs pretty slowly. These jobs would probably appeal to people who currently work for Type A companies, similar to the way many companies operate in Silicon Valley.

Accepted Answer

The answer of After a 3-year probationary period, career positions...

Question 7

Jenny is a creative and intelligent person who likes to work independently on challenging projects. Jenny would be most effective when working for a Theory X manager.

Accepted Answer

Theory X managers typically believe that employees are not self-motivated and need to be closely supervised and controlled. This type of management style may not be a good fit for Jenny, who prefers to work independently and thrives on challenging projects. A Theory Y manager, who believes in empowering employees and giving them autonomy to achieve their goals, would likely be a better fit for Jenny.

Question 8

According to researchers David Nadler and Edward Lawler, managers should set performance standards that are attainable only by the most talented and dedicated employees.

Accepted Answer

According to Nadler and Lawler, managers should set performance standards that are challenging but attainable by a majority of employees, not just the top performers. Setting unattainable goals can lead to demotivation and decreased productivity.

Question 9

Management by objectives (MBO) is a goal-setting theory model that sets goals by getting all employees active in the goal formulation process, committing employees to meeting the goals, and then monitoring performance.

Accepted Answer

This is an accurate description of the management by objectives (MBO) model.

Question 10

The goal of William Ouchi was to develop a modified business culture that blends the best of Type J with the best of Type
A.

Accepted Answer

William Ouchi's goal was to create a "Theory Z" business culture that combined the best of Type J (Japanese) and Type A (American) cultures, seeking to create a more collaborative and team-oriented work environment.

Question 11

According to expectancy theory, one of the things employees want to know before they commit to making a maximum effort on a task is whether the reward for accomplishing the task is worth the effort.

Accepted Answer

According to expectancy theory, employees want to know whether the reward for accomplishing a task is worth the effort before they commit to making a maximum effort.

Question 12

Alan tries to make life easy on his employees by telling them exactly what to do and how to do it. He believes that most of his subordinates are lazy, and will goof off if he doesn't keep an eye on them, so he spends much of his time monitoring their work. When he finds an employee who is not performing up to his expectations, Alan uses threats and punishment to increase the worker's motivation. Alan is a Theory X manager.

Accepted Answer

Alan's beliefs and actions align with the principles of Theory X management which assumes that employees are inherently lazy, need to be closely supervised, and motivated through punishment and threats.

Question 13

According to Victor Vroom, the effort employees exert on a specific task depends on their expectations of the outcome.

Accepted Answer

This is known as Vroom's Expectancy Theory, which states that an employee's effort, performance, and job satisfaction are all based on the expectation of the outcome of their actions.

Question 14

Peter Drucker made an important distinction when he stated that managers do not motivate employees, but employees motivate themselves.

Accepted Answer

Peter Drucker emphasized that while managers can create a work environment that fosters motivation, ultimately it is up to the individual employee to find a sense of purpose and meaning in their work that drives them to perform at their best.

Question 15

The central idea behind MBO (management by objectives) is that employees motivate themselves through the process toward goal achievement.

Accepted Answer

MBO is based on the concept that employees are more motivated when they are working towards achieving specific goals and objectives. It involves setting clear and specific objectives, mutual agreement between managers and employees on these objectives, and regular monitoring and feedback on progress towards achieving them. This process helps employees to feel a sense of ownership and motivation towards achieving their targets.

Question 16

It may be difficult to utilize the MBO (management by objectives) model when employees have not agreed upon the goals set by top management.

Accepted Answer

The success of the MBO model depends on setting clear, measurable goals that align with the organization's overall objectives. If employees have not agreed upon these goals, they may not be fully committed to achieving them, making it difficult to implement the model effectively.

Question 17

According to Victor Vroom's expectancy theory, expectations of employees can affect their motivation.

Accepted Answer

Victor Vroom's expectancy theory proposes that an individual's motivation to exert effort toward a particular behavior is dependent on three factors: expectancy, instrumentality, and valence. Expectancy refers to the employee's belief that their effort will lead to high performance, instrumentality refers to their belief that high performance will lead to desired outcomes, and valence refers to the value they place on those outcomes. Therefore, according to this theory, an employee's expectations can greatly influence their motivation levels.

Question 18

Recent economic events and demographic trends in Japan have clearly demonstrated the superiority of a Type J approach to management.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Recent economic events and demographic trends in...

Question 19

Vroom's expectancy theory contends that prior to committing maximum effort to a task, employees want to know if they can accomplish the task and if it will equally reward everyone at work, even if others were not involved in the accomplishment of the task.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Vroom's expectancy theory contends that prior to...

Question 20

Expectancy theory says that employees will be motivated if (1) they can actually achieve the task; (2) they will be rewarded for their achievement; and (3) the reward will be worthy of their effort.

Accepted Answer

This is the basic premise of expectancy theory as proposed by Victor Vroom in 1964.

Quiz 10: Motivating Employees