Question 1

"Hey, boss, I heard on the office grapevine that the company is up for sale. What have you heard?" asked Uri. "That's absolutely false," said Archer. "I know for a fact that one of our competitors planted that rumor. I need to neutralize that rumor." Why does Archer believe that he needs to neutralize the rumor?

Accepted Answer

Archer believes he needs to neutralize the rumor because grapevine can be destructive when erroneous misinformation proliferates and harms operations.

Question 2

"Boss, I frequently hear gossip and rumors on the grapevine-some of it rather disturbing. As a frontline manager, how should I deal with this information?" asked Barney. Raj replied, "In my experience as a mid-level manager, I advise you to

Accepted Answer

As a frontline manager, it is important to gather additional information without spreading or amplifying rumors. This can be accomplished by discreetly speaking to others to gain a better understanding of the situation. Planting a false rumor or amplifying gossip can ultimately lead to a toxic work environment and damage relationships within the organization. Developing a network of trusted individuals can also be valuable in obtaining accurate information. Avoiding the grapevine completely may not be practical, but it is important to be mindful of the potential consequences of spreading rumors.

Question 3

Ramon, a district manager at Great American Foods Inc., had posted the date of his team meeting on the company blog. On the day of the meeting, Ramon called the sales managers into his office, where he inquired about the status of each one's work. While the managers were giving their reports, Ramon received a call. Though he decided not to answer it, the ringing of the phone interrupted the meeting. As a result, a manager had to repeat what he had said.Ramon inquired about the sales managers' work and received a report from each of them. This is an example of ________ communication.

Accepted Answer

Ramon is communicating with his sales managers, and they are communicating back to him. This is an example of two-way communication.

Question 4

The finance manager, operations manager, and project manager of a company get together for a meeting to discuss the progress of an ongoing project. Their interaction is an example of ________ communication.

Accepted Answer

Horizontal communication refers to communication that occurs between people who are at the same hierarchical level in an organization. In this scenario, the finance manager, operations manager, and project manager are all at the same level and are discussing the project's progress. Thus, it is an example of horizontal communication.

Question 5

Ramon, a district manager at Great American Foods Inc., had posted the date of his team meeting on the company blog. On the day of the meeting, Ramon called the sales managers into his office, where he inquired about the status of each one's work. While the managers were giving their reports, Ramon received a call. Though he decided not to answer it, the ringing of the phone interrupted the meeting. As a result, a manager had to repeat what he had said.After deciding when his team would be meeting, Ramon posted the information on the company blog. This is an example of ________ communication.

Accepted Answer

Ramon's act of posting the meeting information on the company blog without expecting a direct response or engagement from the team members is an example of one-way communication. This type of communication involves sending a message without the need or expectation for a reply.

Question 6

An organization in which there are few major obstacles to information flow is referred to as a(n)________ organization.

Accepted Answer

A boundaryless organization has minimal barriers to information flow both internally and externally. Bureaucratic organizations are known for their rigid structures and formal rules that may hinder information flow, while decentralized and informal organizations may have fewer formal structures but can still have barriers to information sharing. Open organizations are similar to boundaryless organizations, but typically focus more on transparency and collaboration between departments rather than a lack of barriers.

Question 7

If a manager learns about a rumor on the grapevine that has the potential to cause harm, he or she can best neutralize it by

Accepted Answer

Disregarding ridiculous rumors and consistently telling the truth is the best way for a manager to neutralize rumors on the grapevine. Denying or issuing a "no comment" statement can make people more suspicious, and treating all rumors as a serious issue might cause unnecessary panic. Working to control information can also be seen as manipulative and can damage trust. Therefore, the best option is to ignore baseless rumors and be transparent and honest with employees.

Question 8

Official, management-sanctioned episodes of information transmission, often preplanned and necessary for performing some task, are known as ________ communication.

Accepted Answer

Formal communication involves preplanned and necessary transmission of information, such as official messages from management to employees. Nonverbal, vertical, grapevine, and organizational communication may also occur in the workplace, but they do not necessarily involve this level of planning and authority.

Question 9

Elaine has heard a disturbing rumor from Tori, who heard it from Chantelle. Supposedly, Colleen, an entry-level administrative worker, was working late when the company president came by her desk and asked her out for a drink. She declined politely and would have let the matter go if he had not proceeded to start massaging her shoulders, at which point she left quickly. As a member of top management, Elaine knows the company president well, and from her experience, he seems to be a happily married man who in any case would never do something so unprofessional and inappropriate. Given her role in the company, Elaine should

Accepted Answer

Option A would be inappropriate because Elaine should not be the one to inform the company president of a rumor without proper confirmation. It could also damage Colleen's reputation if it turns out to be untrue.

Option C is also unnecessary and could escalate the situation without clear evidence or a good reason for a discussion.

Option D is not a responsible approach as it would be wrong to dismiss the rumors without even investigating.

Option E is not the best choice as it would be more effective to first gather more information and talk to Colleen before having a meeting with the president to discuss the rumor.

Therefore, the best choice is B as it shows responsible behavior by verifying the information and talking to Colleen first before taking any further action.

Question 10

In a boundaryless organization,

Accepted Answer

A boundaryless organization focuses on removing barriers to communication and collaboration, making them more permeable to facilitate better interaction and information flow.

Question 11

A rumor has been going around that Great Western Beef Co., Inc., is closing its packing plant in Lincoln, Nebraska. According to the rumor, a local health department official stopped a truck on its way through the front gate of the plant and discovered that it was full of dead cats. Subsequent investigation revealed that the company had been augmenting its alleged beef products with cat meat. As president of the company, Todd knows that this is absurd-all except the part about the plant closing, which is a consequence of company restructuring. He and his chief information officer have dealt with damage control internally, but the issue still needs to be addressed with the public at large. Todd should

Accepted Answer

Holding a press conference personally and announcing the real reason for the plant closing without alluding to the ridiculous rumor is the best option. Addressing the rumor directly would only give it more attention and potentially make things worse. It's important to maintain a professional and serious tone while explaining the company's decision to restructure.

Question 12

Northwestern Data Systems has adopted a new organizational approach with regard to information flow, ensuring that employees have access to the data they need, when they need it. Aware of this new approach, Stacy, an administrative assistant working for a manager in the sales department, requests a report regarding disciplinary action on a manager outside her department. Despite the new company policy, her request is denied, most likely because

Accepted Answer

The fact that Stacy is an administrative assistant working for a manager in the sales department indicates that there is no legitimate reason for her to request a report regarding disciplinary action on a manager outside her department. As such, her request is denied in accordance with the company's new organizational approach to information flow. This approach ensures that employees have access to the data they need, when they need it, but it also recognizes the importance of safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality where appropriate. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that Stacy's request is denied because there is no demonstrable reason for her or her supervisor to access the information in question.

Question 13

"Dell," said Sabrina, production manager, "You were an hour late to work today, the third time in six weeks. I counseled you about this problem the previous two times. With this third infraction, I am putting you on official performance probation, effective immediately. Please read this memo from me to you, with a copy to Human Resources, outlining my expectations of you regarding punctuality, and the outcomes if you are able to meet these expectations or not." The memo is an example of ________ communication.

Accepted Answer

The memo from Sabrina to Dell is a formal communication as it follows a specific format, includes specific language and tone, and is documented for future reference.

Question 14

It is especially important for managers to prevent the spread of rumors

Accepted Answer

In times of uncertainty, employees may be more likely to believe and spread rumors. It is the responsibility of managers to provide clear communication and prevent misinformation from circulating.

Question 15

"Wow, my previous employer never did this," whispered Dylan to his coworker during the monthly staff meeting. "Now I'm seeing my new division manager present internal-confidential financial information in a staff meeting." His coworker replied, "Our division manager has said that this information needs to be easily available to our staff so that our organization can function better." As described here, Dylan's division is an example of a(n)________ organization.

Accepted Answer

Dylan's division is an example of a boundaryless organization because the division manager is sharing internal-confidential financial information with the staff, which promotes transparency, collaboration, and knowledge sharing across different levels and functions within the organization. This approach breaks down traditional barriers that may impede communication and collaboration, creating a more open and connected organization.

Question 16

Gossip, complaints about bosses, talk about sports, and sitting around telling newcomers how best to adjust to office life are all examples of ________ communication.

Accepted Answer

Informal communication is casual, unofficial, and often personal in nature. It is not structured or planned and can take place between colleagues of different levels, teams, or departments. Examples of informal communication include socializing, gossiping, complaining, and offering advice on office life.

Question 17

Shaw Integrated Designs is an organization in which information is available not just to top management but to all levels within the organization, including workers. Thus, Shaw Integrated Designs can be best described as a ________ organization.

Accepted Answer

A boundaryless organization is one where communication flows freely across all levels and departments, and information is readily accessible to anyone who needs it. This approach encourages collaboration, innovation, and flexibility, and helps organizations to adapt more quickly to changing circumstances. Shaw Integrated Designs, by making information available to all levels of the organization, embodies the characteristics of a boundaryless organization.

Question 18

The type of communication that is both preplanned and flows downward, upward, and horizontally is ________ communication.

Accepted Answer

The type of communication described in the question is formal communication, which involves preplanned messages that flow downward (from higher-level managers to lower-level employees), upward (from lower-level employees to higher-level managers), and horizontally (between individuals or departments at the same hierarchical level).

Question 19

In a boundaryless organization, information flows

Accepted Answer

In a boundaryless organization, information flows to where it is most needed, regardless of hierarchy or departmental lines. This allows for more efficient and effective communication and decision-making. Random flow or vertical flow in both directions is not a defining characteristic of a boundaryless organization. The grapevine refers to informal, unofficial communication channels and is not a structured form of information flow in a boundaryless organization.

Question 20

Though it can provide people with information, help them solve problems, and teach them how to do their work, ________ communication can be destructive when misinformation proliferates and harms people and operations.

Accepted Answer

The grapevine communication refers to informal communication within an organization. While it can provide people with useful information, it can also spread misinformation and rumors that can harm people and operations. The other options (A) downward communication, (B) semantic communication, (D) upward communication, and (E) formal communication do not necessarily have the same potential for misinformation and harm as the grapevine.

Quiz 15: Communicating