Question 1

Niels from Denmark has been hired to run the Portuguese division of Miranda Engineering. A potential problem with this set-up is:

Accepted Answer

When a foreign manager is hired to run a division in a different country, distinct subcultures may develop due to differences in cultural backgrounds and management styles.

Question 2

Miranda Engineering's employees all wear blue tops and trousers. The company logo is embroidered on each top. The company logo is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The company logo acts as a symbol, representing the company's identity and values. It is a visual representation used to signify the company and differentiate it from others.

Question 3

It has been known that Japanese workers start each day by singing the company song. This is an example of a:

Accepted Answer

Japanese workers starting each day by singing the company song is an example of a ritual. Rituals are a series of actions or type of behavior regularly and invariably followed by someone, often with symbolic significance, and in the context of corporate culture, they can serve to reinforce shared values and unity among employees.

Question 4

Niels , the new Managing Director of Miranda Engineering attempts to abolish merit pay. As a result his employees have gone on strike. Niels's action has apparently led to the establishment of a(n):

Accepted Answer

A counterculture emerges when a group within an organization actively opposes and rejects the dominant culture or practices, such as the employees striking against the abolition of merit pay.

Question 5

Sadiq, a management trainee for Paradiso Wholesale, is on his way to the management training school. He has been given a corporate history detailing the heroic efforts of Victor Vole, CEO and founder. The description of the founding and subsequent success of Paradiso is most likely a:

Accepted Answer

A saga is a narrative or story, often heroic in nature, that describes the history and achievements of a person or institution, fitting the description of the corporate history given to Sadiq.

Question 6

Sadiq wants to obtain more information about Paradiso's corporate culture. He should:

Accepted Answer

Talking to an 'old hand' will provide Sadiq with firsthand insights and personal experiences about Paradiso's corporate culture, which are more likely to be accurate and detailed.

Question 7

Lucy Codner is to be the newly appointed manager for Babsight Construction in Turkey. Her boss, Hakan Osman, tells her that her effective management style will directly transfer to Turkey since good management is good management everywhere. Lucy is most likely to have major problems with:

Accepted Answer

Hidden assumptions can significantly differ across cultures, affecting management practices and expectations. What is considered effective management in one culture may not align with the underlying beliefs and assumptions in another, leading to potential misunderstandings and conflicts.

Question 8

Cyril Kinnear reflects on some common themes he has identified from the stories he has been told about his firm, Miranda Engineering. One such theme is that the managers practise participative management and use financial criteria to rate their performance. The use of financial criteria for evaluating goal accomplishment is part of:

Accepted Answer

The use of financial criteria for evaluating goal accomplishment is part of external adaptation, as it involves adjusting to the external environment and measuring success in terms of financial performance.

Question 9

Cyril identifies is that the managers believe that they are uniquely trained and qualified by the annual seminars organized by the company's founder, Karyn Miranda. The firm's annual training seminars are a:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Cyril identifies is that the managers believe...

Question 10

Cyril's managers believe that their shared goals include increasing sales and efficiency through Management by Objectives. What is (are) the shared set of understandings about what is correct behaviour within the organization?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Cyril's managers believe that their shared goals...

Question 11

Define external adaptation and explain why it is important for understanding organizational culture.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define external adaptation and explain why it...

Question 12

Why do some writers feel that organizational culture stresses the collective at the expense of the individual?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why do some writers feel that organizational...

Question 13

Discuss the three levels of cultural analysis in organizations, giving examples and explaining how they might impact on organizational performance.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the three levels of cultural analysis...

Question 14

'A strong culture can be a double-edged sword'. Discuss this statement, using examples to illustrate your arguments.

Accepted Answer

The answer of 'A strong culture can be a double-edged...

Question 15

Common assumptions are the hardest things to understand about culture, but the most fundamental. Discuss this statement and use examples to explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Common assumptions are the hardest things to...

Question 16

Visual Diagram Questions
(These diagrams can be used to test understanding of concepts rather than mere recollection. The provision of the diagrams removes the pressure to remember but does draw on the ability to explain a visual image. Instructors should take care if using a mix of other questions with visual diagram questions to ensure that the diagram does not provide answers to other questions in a test or exam.)
-Explain what the following diagram illustrates. Provide explanations for each of the levels of the diagram and give examples of each.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Visual Diagram Questions
(These diagrams can be used...

Question 17

Visual Diagram Questions
(These diagrams can be used to test understanding of concepts rather than mere recollection. The provision of the diagrams removes the pressure to remember but does draw on the ability to explain a visual image. Instructors should take care if using a mix of other questions with visual diagram questions to ensure that the diagram does not provide answers to other questions in a test or exam.)
-In relation to organizational culture:
a) Explain what the table below is indicating.
b) Explain each element of the table.
c) Give examples of each.

Accepted Answer