Question 1

Which statement accurately describes a downside of information technology?
A) It has increased personal communication.
B) It has increased a sense of urgency vis-à-vis decision-making.
C) It has increased ethical decision-making for managers.
D) It has resulted in more downtime for managers.
E) It has created inflexible worksites.

Accepted Answer

The increased speed and accessibility of information technology can create a sense of urgency, leading to rushed or impulsive decision-making without proper analysis or consideration. This can be a potential downside of information technology.

Question 2

Which of the following is a component of deep-level diversity?
A) Physical abilities
B) Goals
C) Age
D) Gender
E) Ethnicity

Accepted Answer

Goals are a component of deep-level diversity, as they are internally held values and beliefs that guide individual behavior and decision-making. Physical abilities, age, gender, and ethnicity are all examples of surface-level diversity, which are observable and easily identifiable characteristics of individuals.

Question 3

The oversight of a public corporation by its board of directors is called
A) board isolation.
B) deontological overview.
C) corporate governance.
D) pricing policy.
E) profit maximisation.

Accepted Answer

The oversight of a public corporation by its board of directors is known as corporate governance. This involves making strategic decisions, setting policies, and ensuring that the company is managed in the best interests of its shareholders, employees, and other stakeholders. Board isolation, deontological overview, pricing policy, and profit maximization are not terms commonly used to describe the oversight of a public corporation.

Question 4

The duty of the board of directors of a public corporation is to
A) audit the company's financial statements for accuracy.
B) recommend new products and services.
C) control the day-to-day operations of the organisation.
D) protect the company from harsh overseas competition and lower labour costs.
E) ensure decisions by senior managers are in the best interests of the shareholders.

Accepted Answer

The duty of the board of directors of a public corporation is to ensure decisions by senior managers are in the best interests of the shareholders. They are responsible for overseeing the management team and setting corporate strategy, but they do not control day-to-day operations. They also do not audit financial statements or protect the company from competition and lower labour costs. While they may make recommendations, their primary focus is on representing the interests of the shareholders.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of valuing diversity?
A) Access to more perspectives on a problem
B) Fresh perspectives
C) Less interpersonal conflict
D) Greater homogeneity
E) Richer ideas

Accepted Answer

Greater homogeneity means that there is less diversity, which contradicts the premise of valuing diversity. The other options all highlight benefits of valuing diversity.

Question 6

Car makers design and produce new model cars much more quickly now than they did in the past.This is an example of
A) effective leadership.
B) decreased cycle time.
C) increased employee morale.
D) valued diversity.
E) low-cost production.

Accepted Answer

The fact that car makers design and produce new models much more quickly now than in the past indicates a decreased cycle time, which is the time it takes to complete a particular process. This suggests that car makers have implemented more efficient systems and streamlined their manufacturing processes in order to reduce the time it takes to bring new models to market.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about information technology is NOT true?
A) It has resulted in leaner organisations.
B) It provides more flexible operations.
C) It has provided more downtime for employees.
D) It has increased collaboration among employees.
E) It has improved management processes.

Accepted Answer

Information technology has generally increased productivity and efficiency, leading to leaner organisations and more flexible operations. It has also improved collaboration among employees and management processes. However, it has not provided more downtime for employees, as it has enabled employees to work remotely and stay connected to work even outside of traditional office hours.

Question 8

A knowledge worker's career path may run parallel to a management career path.The benefit of this path for the worker is
A) the chance to take on substantial management responsibilities.
B) more frequent training in management tasks.
C) less highly specialised training.
D) compensation that is equivalent to that available to management.
E) freedom from specialised technical work.

Accepted Answer

A knowledge worker's career path running parallel to a management career path allows them to receive compensation equivalent to management roles without necessarily taking on management responsibilities, thus providing financial benefits while continuing in their specialized field.

Question 9

AMD makes computer chips that are installed in various computers.AMD is an example of a(n)
A) manufacturing organisation.
B) biotechnology firm.
C) information technology firm.
D) service organisation.
E) hybrid organisation.

Accepted Answer

AMD is primarily a manufacturing organization that produces computer chips, which are physical products.

Question 10

Not paying attention to diversity can be costly to organisations in all of the following ways EXCEPT that it can
A) decrease turnover.
B) lower productivity.
C) block minority involvement in decision making.
D) increase tensions among workers.
E) increase lawsuits.

Accepted Answer

Not paying attention to diversity can lead to all of the other outcomes listed in the answer choices, such as decreased productivity, blocked minority involvement in decision making, increased tensions among workers, and increased lawsuits. However, it is unlikely to decrease turnover if diversity is not a priority, as diverse employees may leave if they feel undervalued or unsupported in the workplace.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT an example of a dimension of diversity?
A) Age
B) Gender
C) Sexual orientation
D) Mental abilities
E) Marital status

Accepted Answer

Marital status is not typically considered a dimension of diversity in the same way as age, gender, sexual orientation, and mental abilities, which are more commonly recognized as key aspects of diversity.

Question 12

Which of the following statements about knowledge workers is NOT true?
A) Knowledge workers include computer scientists.
B) Knowledge workers require highly specialised training.
C) Compensation is specially tailored for the knowledge worker.
D) Knowledge workers do not add value to the organisation.
E) Knowledge workers include video game developers.

Accepted Answer

The statement "Knowledge workers do not add value to the organisation" is not true. Knowledge workers bring unique skills and expertise to their organisations, and their contributions often result in increased productivity, innovation, and profitability.

Question 13

Which of the following is a component of surface-level diversity?
A) Ethnicity
B) Pay differences
C) Knowledge
D) Work experience
E) Personality

Accepted Answer

Surface-level diversity refers to diversity based on observable attributes such as ethnicity, race, gender, age, and physical abilities. Therefore, the most appropriate choice is A) Ethnicity.

Question 14

A form of business that combines and transforms resources into tangible outcomes that are then sold to others is called a(n)
A) manufacturing organisation.
B) biotechnology firm.
C) information technology firm.
D) service organisation.
E) hybrid organisation.

Accepted Answer

A manufacturing organisation combines and transforms resources (raw materials, labor, and capital) into tangible outcomes (finished goods) that are then sold to others. Biotechnology firms, information technology firms, and service organizations may also transform resources into tangible outcomes, but they may not necessarily involve the physical production of goods. A hybrid organization combines elements of different types of business models.

Question 15

One way to address privacy concerns on the Internet is to
A) keep all information collected confidential.
B) publicly display any information collected by the company.
C) post a privacy policy on the company's website.
D) avoid collecting any private information.
E) share collected information with respectable organisations only.

Accepted Answer

Posting a privacy policy on the company's website is essential in letting users know what information is collected, how it is used, and with whom it is shared. It also gives users an option to opt-out of certain data collection practices if they so wish. Keeping information confidential and avoiding collecting private information altogether are also valid measures, but may not always be possible in certain industries. Publicly displaying any information collected and sharing it with only respectable organizations are not recommended options as they can lead to privacy violations.

Question 16

__________ refers to the variety of observable and unobservable similarities and differences among people.
A) Diversity
B) Race
C) Ethnocentrism
D) Ethnicity
E) Stereotyping

Accepted Answer

Diversity is the most appropriate choice as it encompasses all aspects of differences among people including but not limited to race, ethnicity, culture, socio-economic status, age, gender, religion, and sexual orientation.

Question 17

Approximately ________ per cent of youth in South Africa under the age of 35 have never worked.
A) 40
B) 50
C) 35
D) 25
E) 30

Accepted Answer

Approximately 40 per cent of youth in South Africa under the age of 35 have never worked.

Question 18

A form of business that transforms resources into an intangible output and creates time or place utility for its customers is called a(n)
A) manufacturing organisation.
B) biotechnology firm.
C) information technology firm.
D) service organisation.
E) hybrid organisation.

Accepted Answer

A service organisation creates an intangible output (a service) that often involves creating time or place utility for its customers. Manufacturing organisations transform tangible resources into physical goods, biotechnology and information technology firms may create intangible outputs but do not necessarily create time or place utility for customers. Hybrid organisations may have elements of both a manufacturing business and a service business, but the question asks for the best fit phrase, which is a service organisation.

Question 19

An ice cream maker requires approximately two months from the time a new flavour is decided on in the corporate boardroom to the time it is produced and available to consumers in stores.This time is called
A) competitive advantage time.
B) information technology time.
C) cycle time.
D) production time.
E) made-to-order time.

Accepted Answer

The time period required for a new flavour to be decided on in the corporate boardroom and then produced and made available to consumers in stores is called cycle time. This refers to the entire process, including planning, production, and delivery of the product. This term is often used in manufacturing and production but can be applied to other industries as well. Choices A, B, D, and E are not applicable in this context.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about technology is NOT true?
A) Technology is a major driver for organisational change.
B) It has widespread effects on the behaviour of people in the organisation.
C) Technology provides a competitive advantage.
D) It combines and transforms resources into outcomes.
E) It is causing a shift towards a service-based economy.

Accepted Answer

Technology does not combine and transform resources into outcomes.

Quiz 2: The Changing Environment of Organisations

Which statement accurately describes a downside of information technology?

Which of the following is a component of deep-level diversity?

The oversight of a public corporation by its board of directors is called

The duty of the board of directors of a public corporation is to

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of valuing diversity?

Car makers design and produce new model cars much more quickly now than they did in the past.This is an example of

Which of the following statements about information technology is NOT true?

A knowledge worker's career path may run parallel to a management career path.The benefit of this path for the worker is

AMD makes computer chips that are installed in various computers.AMD is an example of a(n)

Not paying attention to diversity can be costly to organisations in all of the following ways EXCEPT that it can

Which of the following is NOT an example of a dimension of diversity?

Which of the following statements about knowledge workers is NOT true?

Which of the following is a component of surface-level diversity?

A form of business that combines and transforms resources into tangible outcomes that are then sold to others is called a(n)

One way to address privacy concerns on the Internet is to

__________ refers to the variety of observable and unobservable similarities and differences among people.

Approximately ________ per cent of youth in South Africa under the age of 35 have never worked.

A form of business that transforms resources into an intangible output and creates time or place utility for its customers is called a(n)

An ice cream maker requires approximately two months from the time a new flavour is decided on in the corporate boardroom to the time it is produced and available to consumers in stores.This time is called

Which of the following statements about technology is NOT true?