Question 1

All of the following are characteristic of effective ethics training EXCEPT ______.
A) integrated into the entire curriculum
B) presented in a lecture format
C) taps into the experiences of participants
D) focuses on ethical problems unique to the organization

Accepted Answer

Effective ethics training is typically interactive, engaging participants and drawing on their experiences, rather than being delivered in a lecture format which is less interactive and engaging.

Question 2

When it comes to ethics, what is a problem with many organizational reward systems?
A) they are too complicated
B) they reward the wrong (unethical behaviors)
C) they are too expensive
D) they focus too much on processes and not enough on results

Accepted Answer

Many organizational reward systems inadvertently reward the wrong behaviors, including unethical ones, by focusing on outcomes without considering the means by which those outcomes are achieved. This can encourage employees to prioritize results over ethical considerations.

Question 3

Which cultural element gives you the best idea of how an organization "really works"?
A) codes of ethics
B) mission statement
C) organizational histories
D) none of these

Accepted Answer

Organizational culture is complex and multifaceted, often encompassing unwritten rules, behaviors, and social patterns that aren't fully captured by formal documents like codes of ethics, mission statements, or organizational histories. Understanding how an organization "really works" involves observing and engaging with its people and processes directly.

Question 4

Budgeting is a form of which type of organizational change mechanism?
A) attention
B) rewards
C) resource allocation
D) reactions to critical incidents

Accepted Answer

Budgeting is primarily a form of resource allocation, as it involves distributing financial resources among various departments, projects, or initiatives within an organization.

Question 5

All of the following are examples of the formal socialization process EXCEPT ______.
A) an applicant visiting a company website
B) a mentor assigned to help a new employee
C) a training session for new workers
D) a supervisor explaining company policies

Accepted Answer

Formal socialization involves structured processes and procedures designed by an organization to indoctrinate and train new members. Choices B, C, and D are all examples of formal socialization processes as they involve organized methods of integrating and educating new employees. In contrast, A (an applicant visiting a company website) is an example of informal socialization because it is a self-directed activity without structured guidance or instruction from the organization.

Question 6

The ideal ethics communication systems ______.
A) send frequent ethics messages
B) use a variety of communication channels
C) allow for reflection and feedback
D) all of these

Accepted Answer

The ideal ethics communication systems incorporate sending frequent ethics messages, using a variety of communication channels, and allowing for reflection and feedback to ensure a comprehensive and effective approach to promoting ethical behavior within an organization.

Question 7

The resignation speech of a state governor convicted of violating the law is an example of ______.
A) a rite of passage
B) a rite of degradation
C) a rite of conflict reduction
D) a rite of integration

Accepted Answer

A resignation speech given by a state governor convicted of violating the law serves as a rite of degradation. This is because it publicly marks the reduction of the individual's status due to their misconduct or failure, distinguishing it from other rites that might signify transition, reconciliation, or community integration.

Question 8

Marta gives orders but doesn't want to know how they are carried out, lest she be blamed for any illegal activities. She is using which strategy?
A) plausible deniability
B) blurring lines of authority
C) division of labor
D) compartmentalization

Accepted Answer

Plausible deniability refers to the strategy of structuring communications and operations in such a way that senior officials can deny knowledge of any unauthorized or unethical activities, should such information be exposed. In Marta's case, by not wanting to know how her orders are carried out, she is ensuring she can claim ignorance of any illegal methods used, fitting the definition of plausible deniability.

Question 9

Which is the MOST effective mission statement?
A) "To become the most profitable bank in the world."
B) "To grow profits by 2% each quarter."
C) "To serve local families."
D) "To put our competition out of business."

Accepted Answer

Effective mission statements focus on the purpose and value the organization aims to provide to its stakeholders, rather than solely on financial goals, competition, or specific numeric targets. "To serve local families" is broad, value-oriented, and focused on serving a specific community, making it the most effective mission statement among the options.

Question 10

When faced with ethical choices, members of the Main Street law firm look for guidance to state statutes as well as guidelines set forth by the state bar association. Main Street has which type of ethical climate?
A) caring
B) law and code
C) rules
D) independence

Accepted Answer

The ethical climate described is "law and code" because the members of the Main Street law firm seek guidance from state statutes and guidelines from the state bar association, indicating a reliance on formal laws and professional codes of conduct.

Question 11

Sometimes codes of ethics are used to force members to comply with organizational rules. This reflects which metaphor?
A) code as rule book
B) code as magnifying glass
C) code as club
D) code as shield

Accepted Answer

The metaphor "code as club" suggests using the code of ethics as a tool to enforce compliance or discipline among members, implying a forceful or coercive approach to ensuring adherence to organizational rules.

Question 12

Which ethical driver lays the foundation for any ethical change effort?
A) ethical diagnosis
B) engaged leadership
C) ethics training
D) targeted socialization processes

Accepted Answer

Ethical diagnosis lays the foundation for any ethical change effort because it provides a clear understanding of the current ethical climate and identifies areas for improvement.

Question 13

The ethics officer who reports to the CEO violates which principle?
A) ethics officers must have power and status
B) ethics officers should devote themselves solely to ethics duties
C) ethics officers must function independently
D) ethics officers must be sensitive to the needs of employees

Accepted Answer

Reporting directly to the CEO may compromise the independence of the ethics officer, as their ability to make unbiased decisions could be influenced by their relationship with the CEO. Independence is crucial for ethics officers to evaluate and address issues without undue influence.

Question 14

Climate analysis is an example of which ethical driver?
A) target socialization processes
B) ethics training
C) ethical diagnosis
D) engaged leadership

Accepted Answer

Climate analysis is an example of ethical diagnosis because it involves assessing and understanding the ethical climate or culture within an organization, which is a key part of diagnosing ethical issues and challenges.

Question 15

To be effective, ethics officers must ______.
A) focus exclusively on their ethics duties
B) function independently
C) have high power and status
D) all of these

Accepted Answer

Ethics officers need to function independently, have high power and status, and sometimes may need to focus exclusively on their ethics duties to be effective. This combination ensures they can enforce ethical standards without undue influence and with the necessary authority.

Question 16

Corporate board members must make a diligent effort when making decisions. This is called the ______.
A) duty of loyalty
B) duty of independence
C) duty of care
D) duty of commitment

Accepted Answer

The duty of care refers to the obligation of corporate board members to make informed decisions with the diligence that a person in a similar position would reasonably believe appropriate under similar circumstances.

Question 17

Rodrico tells his subordinates to make their quarterly financial goals by any means possible. His followers are likely to feel a sense of ______.
A) excitement
B) anomie
C) resistance to authority
D) failure

Accepted Answer

When a leader encourages achieving goals by any means possible, it can lead to a sense of normlessness or moral ambiguity among subordinates, which is referred to as anomie. This is because the directive lacks ethical guidance and clear boundaries.

Question 18

The "ladder of corruption" operates in which immoral socialization process?
A) co-optation
B) compromise
C) incrementalism
D) collaboration

Accepted Answer

The "ladder of corruption" refers to a process where individuals are gradually introduced to increasingly corrupt activities, starting with minor unethical acts and moving towards more significant ones. This process is best described by incrementalism, which involves slowly escalating commitments to corrupt practices, making it harder for individuals to recognize the moral boundaries they are crossing.

Question 19

Which of the following accounts for the poor performance of many corporate boards?
A) Members serve on too many boards
B) CEOS serve on each other's boards
C) Members who disagree are pressured by other board members
D) all of these

Accepted Answer

All of the listed factors contribute to the poor performance of many corporate boards. Serving on too many boards can dilute a member's focus and commitment, CEOs serving on each other's boards can lead to conflicts of interest and a lack of independent oversight, and pressure on dissenting members can stifle critical discussion and oversight.

Question 20

Structure influences moral behavior in all of the following ways EXCEPT ______.
A) allocation of decision-making rights
B) creation of oral histories
C) authority relationships
D) identifying who is accountable

Accepted Answer

Structure influences moral behavior through formal mechanisms like allocation of decision-making rights, authority relationships, and accountability systems, rather than through the creation of oral histories, which is more related to culture and tradition than structure.

Quiz 9: Building an Ethical Organization

All of the following are characteristic of effective ethics training EXCEPT ______.

When it comes to ethics, what is a problem with many organizational reward systems?

Which cultural element gives you the best idea of how an organization "really works"?

Budgeting is a form of which type of organizational change mechanism?

All of the following are examples of the formal socialization process EXCEPT ______.

The ideal ethics communication systems ______.

The resignation speech of a state governor convicted of violating the law is an example of ______.

Marta gives orders but doesn't want to know how they are carried out, lest she be blamed for any illegal activities. She is using which strategy?

Which is the MOST effective mission statement?

When faced with ethical choices, members of the Main Street law firm look for guidance to state statutes as well as guidelines set forth by the state bar association. Main Street has which type of ethical climate?

Sometimes codes of ethics are used to force members to comply with organizational rules. This reflects which metaphor?

Which ethical driver lays the foundation for any ethical change effort?

The ethics officer who reports to the CEO violates which principle?

Climate analysis is an example of which ethical driver?

To be effective, ethics officers must ______.

Corporate board members must make a diligent effort when making decisions. This is called the ______.

Rodrico tells his subordinates to make their quarterly financial goals by any means possible. His followers are likely to feel a sense of ______.

The "ladder of corruption" operates in which immoral socialization process?

Which of the following accounts for the poor performance of many corporate boards?

Structure influences moral behavior in all of the following ways EXCEPT ______.