Question 1

Rewarding only short-term results leads to a potentially dangerous disregard of the long-term ones.

Accepted Answer

Rewarding only short-term results can lead individuals or organizations to prioritize immediate gains over long-term sustainability or success. This can ultimately lead to negative consequences in the future.

Question 2

In any given situation, performance appraisal approach guarantees better results than Management by Objectives (MBO).

Accepted Answer

Both approaches have their own advantages and limitations. It depends on the organization's goals, culture, and management style as to which approach to use. Performance appraisal focuses on assessing employee performance against predetermined standards, while MBO involves setting clear objectives and goals, and evaluating employee performance against those objectives. Each approach may work better in certain situations depending on organizational needs and goals.

Question 3

Participation in the early stages of the planning process will allow the employees to implement the strategies with less suspicion and resistance.

Accepted Answer

When employees are included in the planning process from the start, they are more likely to feel a sense of ownership and buy-in to the strategies being developed, and therefore are less likely to resist or suspect them later on.

Question 4

A well-crafted implementation plan always rescues a poorly designed strategy.

Accepted Answer

While a well-crafted implementation plan can certainly improve a poorly designed strategy, it cannot fully rescue it. The strategy itself must also be revised and improved to effectively reach its goals.

Question 5

Some of the failure of TQM is related to the inability of the companies to affect the appropriate cultural change.

Accepted Answer

TQM requires a cultural shift towards continuous improvement and customer focus, which can be difficult for some companies to achieve. Without this change, TQM implementation may fail to produce the desired outcomes.

Question 6

_____________ is the set of decisions and activities undertaken in order to turn the implemented strategies into commercial success that is to grasp the best possible results.

Accepted Answer

Strategy execution refers to the set of activities and decisions that need to be undertaken to turn the implemented strategies into commercial success. It involves the alignment of the company's resources and systems, setting up the right structure, identifying key performance indicators, and regular monitoring and evaluation of progress towards strategic goals. Internal evaluation matrix and budget are important elements of the strategy execution process, but they are not the complete set of decisions and activities needed to achieve commercial success. Therefore, strategy execution is the best choice.

Question 7

_________ is the set of activities and decisions necessary to turn the organization's corporate and business strategies into reality.

Accepted Answer

Strategy implementation is the set of activities and decisions necessary to turn the organization's corporate and business strategies into reality.

Question 8

Instruments or mechanisms by which strategies begin to be operationalized within the organization such as program, budget, and procedure are called _________.

Accepted Answer

Implementation tools are the instruments or mechanisms through which strategies start to be put into action within an organization, including programs, budgets, and procedures.

Question 9

All of the following are unconventional acts practiced to close the strategy-to-execution gap except _________.

Accepted Answer

Ignoring cultural aspects is not an unconventional act that helps to close the strategy-to-execution gap. In fact, understanding and addressing cultural factors is crucial for successful strategy execution. Choices A, B, and D are unconventional acts that can aid in closing the strategy-to-execution gap.

Question 10

___________ is a statement of the activities necessary for accomplishing the strategy that you have chosen.

Accepted Answer

A program is a statement of activities necessary for accomplishing a chosen strategy. It outlines the specific actions that will be taken to achieve the objectives of the strategy. Implementation tools, budgets, and procedures may be included within the program, but they are not the same as a program.

Question 11

___________ consists of sequential steps that describe precisely how a particular task necessary to carrying out the program is accomplished.

Accepted Answer

A procedure consists of a specific set of sequential steps that describe the task necessary to carry out the program. Implementation tool refers to the software, hardware or other tools used to create the program. Budget refers to the financial plan for the program, and program refers to the overall plan or set of activities designed to achieve a specific goal.

Question 12

An accurately-designed __________ should aid in implementation by identifying expenses and benefits which are expected to be realized in carrying out the organization's program.

Accepted Answer

A budget is a financial plan that outlines the expected expenses and revenues of an organization during a specific period. It is a crucial implementation tool as it helps in identifying the costs and benefits of carrying out the organization's program. With an accurately-designed budget, the organization can easily track its expenditure and ensure that it stays within the available funds. This helps to avoid overspending, which can negatively impact the program's success. Therefore, a well-planned budget is essential in aiding the implementation of an organization's program.

Question 13

__________ is where the organization's structure is laid out and the names of the individual organization members are displayed.

Accepted Answer

An organizational chart is a visual representation of an organization's structure, with boxes representing different departments or positions and lines indicating lines of authority and communication. It also displays the names and titles of individual members within the organization.

Question 14

Mars Inc. outlined the foundations of culture and legacy as a business to five main principles in action. They consist of ___________.

Accepted Answer

Mars Inc's five main principles in action consist of Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency, and Freedom. These principles emphasize the importance of high-quality products, responsible business practices, mutually beneficial relationships with stakeholders, efficient operations, and freedom to innovate and make decisions.

Question 15

_____________ relates to the slow building of consensus and long decision times by talking to the stakeholders, gathering information and feedback, etc.

Accepted Answer

Nemawashi is a Japanese term that relates to the slow building of consensus and long decision times by talking to the stakeholders, gathering information and feedback, etc. Therefore, option B is the correct answer. The other options are not related to this concept.

Question 16

A method developed by Kurt Lewin that organizations employ in effecting change is called _____________.

Accepted Answer

Kurt Lewin's method for effecting change is called force field analysis, which is a tool used to analyze the forces for and against a proposed change. It helps to identify the factors that need to be addressed to successfully implement the change.

Question 17

The concentration of management and decision-making power at the top of an organization's hierarchy is called _____________, whereas organizations that continually expand their ability and transform themselves to shape their future are _____________.

Accepted Answer

The concentration of management and decision-making power at the top of an organization's hierarchy is called Centralized organizations, as mentioned in the question. On the other hand, organizations that continually expand their ability and transform themselves to shape their future are called Learning organizations, which matches option D. Therefore, D is the correct choice.

Question 18

The key elements to have successful TQM implementation are:
(i) Ethics, (ii) Integrity, (iii) Trust, (iv) Training, (v) Teamwork, (vi) Recognition, (vii) political support and (viii) marketing

Accepted Answer

The key elements for successful Total Quality Management (TQM) implementation include ethics, integrity, trust, training, teamwork, and recognition. These elements focus on organizational culture and employee engagement, which are crucial for TQM. Political support and marketing are not typically considered core elements of TQM implementation.

Question 19

Based on the respective functions of the eight key elements to have a successful TQM implementation, they can be categorized into the following four major groups _____________.

Accepted Answer

The eight key elements are: 
1) Ethics - Foundation 
2) Integrity - Foundation 
3) Trust - Foundation 
4) Training - Building Bricks 
5) Teamwork - Building Bricks 
6) Leadership - Roof 
7) Recognition - Binding Mortar 
8) Communication - Binding Mortar

Based on their respective functions, they can be categorized into Foundation (1, 2, 3), Building Bricks (4, 5), Roof (6), and Binding Mortar (7, 8). The only choice that reflects this categorization is C.

Question 20

Based on the functions, ethics, integrity, and trust elements can be categorized into the following group _____________.

Accepted Answer

Ethics, integrity, and trust can be considered foundational elements of an organization's culture and values. Just like a building needs a strong foundation to support its structure, an organization needs a strong ethical foundation to support its operations and decision-making.

Quiz 7: Implementing and Executing Strategies in the Business and Functional Levels