Question 1

What are the two types of external organizational environments?
A)general and the specific
B)public and private
C)global and the national
D)organizational and the interpersonal
E)market-specific and the product-specific

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the two types of external...

Question 2

In terms of external organizational environments, the ____ environment affects all organizations while the ____ environment is unique to each company.
A)global; national
B)customer-driven; production-driven
C)general; specific
D)informal; formal
E)specific; general

Accepted Answer

The general environment affects all organizations as it includes broad factors like economic, technological, and sociocultural trends. The specific environment is unique to each company and includes factors like customers, competitors, and suppliers.

Question 3

Because external environments can be dynamic, confusing, and complex, managers use a three-step process to make sense of the changes in their external environments. Those steps are (1)environmental scanning, (2)interpreting environmental factors, and (3)acting on threats and opportunities.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately describes the three-step process that managers use to make sense of their external environments.

Question 4

Successful organizational cultures seem to be based solely upon consistency (i.e., "strength" of the organizational culture).

Accepted Answer

Successful organizational cultures are based on more than just consistency; they also require adaptability, strong leadership, clear values, and alignment with the organization's goals and strategies.

Question 5

A company facing a simple environment would ____.
A)most likely be in the first stage of the environmental cycle
B)exhibit proof of the punctuated equilibrium theory
C)be unable to succeed due to lack of innovation
D)be influenced by only factors in its specific environment
E)have few external factors in the environment that affect it

Accepted Answer

A simple environment would mean that there are few external factors that affect the company, making it easier for the company to navigate and succeed.

Question 6

Suppose that a Mexican car manufacturer wants to export cars to Guatemala. The fact that the distribution of income within Guatemala is highly unequal and that about 75 percent of the population is below the poverty line would be a(n)____ component in the manufacturer's general environment.
A)technological
B)socio-cultural
C)economic
D)political/legal
E)demographic

Accepted Answer

The fact that a large percentage of the population in Guatemala is below the poverty line is an economic component of the country's general environment. This information would be important for the Mexican car manufacturer to consider when deciding whether it would be profitable to export cars to Guatemala, and what price point would be appropriate. Socio-cultural, technological, political/legal, and demographic factors could also be relevant, but they are not specifically mentioned in the scenario.

Question 7

Advocacy groups cannot directly regulate organization practices.

Accepted Answer

Advocacy groups work to influence and persuade organizations to change their practices, but they do not have the legal authority to directly regulate them. Only government regulators have that power.

Question 8

According to the ____theory, companies go through long, simple periods of environmental stability, followed by short, complex periods of dynamic, fundamental environmental change, finishing with a return to environmental stability.
A)environmental change theory
B)theory of environmental dynamics
C)punctuated equilibrium theory
D)theory of resource scarcity
E)environmental cycle

Accepted Answer

The theory described is the punctuated equilibrium theory, which proposes that companies experience long periods of stability (equilibrium), punctuated by short bursts of environmental change. This theory suggests that organizational change is not constant and ongoing, but rather occurs in irregular bursts.

Question 9

Over the past 20 years, which of the following is an industry that has experienced both the stable and dynamic environments predicted by punctuated equilibrium theory?
A)the airline industry
B)the baking industry
C)the video game industry
D)the breakfast cereal industry
E)the landscaping industry

Accepted Answer

The U.S. airline industry is used in the text as an example of punctuated equilibrium, or a long, simple period of stability followed by short periods of dynamic, fundamental change.

Question 10

Organizational heroes can be used to make sense of organizational events and changes.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Organizational heroes can be used to make...

Question 11

In terms of environmental complexity, ____ environments have few environmental factors, whereas ____ environments have many environmental factors.
A)non-competitive; competitive
B)simple; complex
C)stable; dynamic
D)scarce; abundant
E)market-oriented; product-oriented

Accepted Answer

Simple environments have few environmental factors to consider, while complex environments have many factors to consider. The other answer choices do not specifically refer to environmental complexity.

Question 12

All events outside a company that have the potential to influence or affect it occur in the ____ environment.
A)specific
B)external
C)formal
D)potential
E)national

Accepted Answer

The external environment refers to all events and factors that exist outside the company but can have an impact on the company's operations and performance. This includes economic conditions, competitors, government regulations, technological advancements, social and cultural factors, and more. The other choices are not accurate descriptions of this type of environment.

Question 13

Managers can make sense of their changing external environments by completing all three of the following steps: environmental scanning, interpreting environmental factors, and acting on threats and opportunities.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Managers must first scan their external environment to identify any changes or trends, then interpret these factors to understand how they may impact their organization, and finally take action to address any threats or capitalize on opportunities.

Question 14

Extensive research demonstrates clearly that organizational culture is strongly related to organizational success.

Accepted Answer

There is only preliminary research showing that organizational culture is related to organizational success.

Question 15

A primary source of organizational culture is the company founder.

Accepted Answer

The company founder typically sets the tone and values for the organization, which can shape the overall culture.

Question 16

Organizational culture refers to the set of key values, beliefs, and attitudes shared by organizational members.

Accepted Answer

Organizational culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, and attitudes that shape behavior within an organization. It influences how employees interact with each other, customers, and stakeholders, and affects the overall performance and success of the organization.

Question 17

The term behavioral multiplication refers to the process of having managers and employees perform new behaviors that are central to and symbolic of the new organizational culture that a company wants to create.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral multiplication refers to the concept where the behaviors of key influencers or leaders within an organization are mimicked or adopted by others, thus multiplying the impact of those behaviors across the organization. It does not specifically refer to performing new behaviors to create a new organizational culture, but rather the spread of existing behaviors through influence and example.

Question 18

When used together, the combination of behavioral substitution, behavioral addition, and changing visible artifacts is extremely likely to achieve the desired changes in organizational culture.

Accepted Answer

Corporate cultures are very difficult to change. Consequently, there is no guarantee that these techniques will work.

Question 19

After the company founders are gone, stories and heroes can help to sustain the founder's values, attitudes, and beliefs in the organizational culture.

Accepted Answer

Stories and heroes can serve as powerful symbols and examples for employees, reminding them of the founder's vision and inspiring them to continue to uphold the company's values and culture even after the founders are no longer present.

Question 20

Which of the following companies is most likely operating in a dynamic environment?
A)a video game manufacturer
B)a bakery
C)a brewery, winery, or distillery in the liquor industry
D)a manufacturer of pet food
E)a cereal manufacturer

Accepted Answer

A dynamic environment is one in which the rate of change is fast. A video game maker faces short product life cycles and rapid changes in technology.

Quiz 2: Organizational Environments and Culture

What are the two types of external organizational environments?

In terms of external organizational environments, the environment affects all organizations while the environment is unique to each company.

Because external environments can be dynamic, confusing, and complex, managers use a three-step process to make sense of the changes in their external environments. Those steps are (1)environmental scanning, (2)interpreting environmental factors, and (3)acting on threats and opportunities.

Successful organizational cultures seem to be based solely upon consistency (i.e., "strength" of the organizational culture).

A company facing a simple environment would ____.

Suppose that a Mexican car manufacturer wants to export cars to Guatemala. The fact that the distribution of income within Guatemala is highly unequal and that about 75 percent of the population is below the poverty line would be a(n) ____ component in the manufacturer's general environment.

Advocacy groups cannot directly regulate organization practices.

According to the ____theory, companies go through long, simple periods of environmental stability, followed by short, complex periods of dynamic, fundamental environmental change, finishing with a return to environmental stability.

Over the past 20 years, which of the following is an industry that has experienced both the stable and dynamic environments predicted by punctuated equilibrium theory?