Question 1

Agency theory suggests that information may be concealed to advance self-interests.

Accepted Answer

Agency theory posits that individuals and organizations may act in their own self-interest and withhold information to achieve their objectives, even if it is detrimental to the overall performance of the agency. This can create a principal-agent problem, where the principal (such as shareholders or owners) must rely on the agent (such as a manager or CEO) to act in their best interest, but the agent may have competing interests that lead to information asymmetry and potential conflicts of interest.

Question 2

The term _____ refers to an integrated approach to organizational performance management that results in delivery of ever-improving value to customers and stakeholders, contributing to organizational sustainability.
A) fitness for use
B) gap analysis
C) performance excellence
D) accreditation

Accepted Answer

The term "performance excellence" encompasses an integrated approach to organizational performance management that focuses on delivering ever-improving value to customers and stakeholders, contributing to organizational sustainability. Choice A is related to quality management and refers to the ability of a product or service to meet the needs of its users. Choice B refers to the process of comparing actual performance with desired performance to identify areas for improvement. Choice D refers to a formal recognition of an organization's adherence to standards or best practices.

Question 3

The prize constituted by Japan to recognize quality initiatives in business is named after _____.
A) Edwards Deming
B) Malcolm Baldrige
C) Frederick Taylor
D) Noriaki Kano

Accepted Answer

The prize is named after W. Edwards Deming, an American statistician, professor, author, lecturer, and consultant, who is credited with helping to lead the Japanese post-war industrial revival. The Deming Prize is one of the highest awards on TQM (Total Quality Management) in the world and it recognizes both individuals and businesses for their contributions to quality and dependability.

Question 4

In an ancillary manufacturing unit, the bolt manufacturing section has a value of 0.095 as the target, 0.005 as the tolerance. Which of the following is the acceptable range of values in production?
A) Between 9.500 and 1.005
B) Between 0.009 and 0.001
C) Between 0.900 and 0.010
D) Between 0.090 and 0.100

Accepted Answer

The acceptable range of values in production for the bolt manufacturing section is calculated by adding and subtracting the tolerance from the target value. Therefore, the acceptable range is between 0.090 (0.095 - 0.005) and 0.100 (0.095 + 0.005). Option D is the only range that includes these values.

Question 5

Leaders in agency theory provide a quality vision and play a strategic role in the organization.

Accepted Answer

Agency theory primarily focuses on resolving issues between principals and agents, where the principal delegates work to an agent, and it deals with the conflicts that arise from differing goals or risk tolerance levels, rather than providing a vision or playing a strategic role.

Question 6

With respect to the quality dimensions of manufactured products, _____ refer(s) to a product's primary operating characteristics.
A) reliability
B) features
C) performance
D) durability

Accepted Answer

Performance refers to a product's primary operating characteristics, such as how well it performs its intended function. Reliability refers to a product's ability to function without failure over time, features refer to additional aspects of a product beyond its primary function, and durability refers to a product's ability to withstand wear and tear over time.

Question 7

_____ introduced statistical quality control to Japanese workers after World War II as part of General MacArthur's rebuilding program.
A) Edwards Deming and Joseph Juran
B) F.W. Taylor
C) Malcolm Baldrige and Henry Ford
D) Noriaki Kano

Accepted Answer

Edwards Deming introduced statistical quality control to Japanese workers after World War II as part of General MacArthur's rebuilding program. Joseph Juran also played a significant role in promoting quality control in Japan during this time. F.W. Taylor is known for his contributions to the development of scientific management, Malcolm Baldrige is known for his work on quality management and the Baldrige Award, and Noriaki Kano is known for his contributions to quality management and the development of the Kano Model.

Question 8

In 1987, Congress established the _____ to raise awareness of quality and recognize national role models, spawning a remarkable interest in quality among American businesses.
A) President's Quality Award
B) Peak Performance Award
C) Deming Prize
D) Baldrige Award

Accepted Answer

The Baldrige Award was established by Congress in 1987 to raise awareness of quality and recognize national role models, and it has been instrumental in promoting and recognizing quality practices in American businesses. The other options (A, B, and C) either do not exist or are not related to the establishment of an award to recognize and promote quality practices.

Question 9

The organismic model of organizations views an organization as a tool or a machine designed solely to create profits for its owners.

Accepted Answer

The organismic model of organizations views an organization as a living organism that interacts with its environment and adapts to changes in order to survive and thrive. This model emphasizes the importance of teamwork, communication, and internal coordination in achieving organizational goals. Profit is seen as an important outcome, but not the sole purpose of the organization.

Question 10

The mechanical organizational model assumes that systems goals such as the need to survive displace performance goals, such as profit.

Accepted Answer

The mechanical organizational model assumes that performance goals, such as profit, are the primary and ultimate goals of the system. Survival is seen as a result of achieving those goals.

Question 11

In the organismic model of organizations, organizations are considered to be autonomous entities.

Accepted Answer

In the organismic model of organizations, organizations are viewed as living systems that are open to, and interact with, their environment, rather than being autonomous entities isolated from their surroundings.

Question 12

As part of the evolving understanding of quality management, many began to use the term _____ to contrast the difference between managing for quality in all organizational processes and focusing solely on manufacturing quality .
A) micro-quality
B) strategic quality
C) Big Q
D) lead Q

Accepted Answer

The term "Big Q" is used to contrast the difference between managing for quality in all organizational processes and focusing solely on manufacturing quality. It signifies a strategic and comprehensive approach to quality management. The other options (micro-quality, strategic quality, and lead Q) are not widely recognized terms in the field of quality management.

Question 13

_____ refers to the degree to which physical and performance characteristics of a product match preestablished standards.
A) Reliability
B) Conformance
C) Features
D) Aesthetics

Accepted Answer

Conformance refers to how well a product matches preestablished standards, including physical and performance characteristics. Reliability refers to the product's ability to perform consistently over time, while features refer to additional functions or capabilities beyond basic performance. Aesthetics relate to the visual appearance of the product.

Question 14

_____ refer(s) to a product's primary operating characteristics.
A) Benefits
B) Conformance
C) Aesthetics
D) Performance

Accepted Answer

Performance refers to a product's primary operating characteristics, such as speed, power, and efficiency. Benefits refer to the advantages that a product provides to the customer, while conformance refers to how well the product meets established standards. Aesthetics refer to a product's appearance and sensory characteristics.

Question 15

_____ is the subjective assessment of a product resulting from image, advertising, or brand names.
A) Perceived quality
B) Reliability
C) Performance
D) Aesthetics

Accepted Answer

Perceived quality is the subjective assessment of a product resulting from image, advertising, or brand names. It is the customer's perception of the overall quality of the product, regardless of its actual attributes or performance. While reliability, performance, and aesthetics are all important factors in determining the perceived quality of a product, it is ultimately the customer's overall impression of the brand that shapes their perception.

Question 16

Agency theory assumes that risks are to be minimized and shared between the two parties.

Accepted Answer

Agency theory proposes that risks associated with the principal-agent relationship should be minimized and shared between the two parties involved. This ensures that both parties work towards a common goal and that the interests of each party are protected. Therefore, option A is the correct choice.

Question 17

In the cultural organizational model, learning needs are driven not by adaptation to environmental forces but in response to individual needs.

Accepted Answer

In the cultural organizational model, learning needs are driven by individual needs, interests, and aspirations rather than just adaptation to environmental forces.

Question 18

In the organismic model of organizations, work is reduced to elementary tasks with a focus on efficiency, conformity, and compliance.

Accepted Answer

The organismic model of organizations emphasizes the importance of hierarchy, specialization, and formal rules and procedures. It places less emphasis on efficiency and more on stability and control through conformity and compliance, but it does not necessarily reduce work to elementary tasks. The opposite is true in the mechanistic model of organizations, which is characterized by highly specialized, repetitive tasks with a focus on efficiency and standardized procedures.

Question 19

In the cultural organizational model, managers relinquish control and share power in order to meet the needs of the many individuals.

Accepted Answer

In the cultural organizational model, there is a strong emphasis on empowering individuals and teams, and managers often adopt a more collaborative and participatory approach to decision-making. This involves relinquishing some control and sharing power in order to better meet the needs of the many individuals within the organization.

Question 20

Frederick W. Taylor's concept of _____ greatly influenced the nature of quality in manufacturing organizations.
A) scientific management
B) the Hawthorne effect
C) Theory X
D) the observer-expectancy effect

Accepted Answer

Frederick W. Taylor's concept of scientific management emphasized the use of scientific methods to increase efficiency and productivity in manufacturing organizations. This approach included standardizing work processes and measuring performance, which ultimately led to improvements in quality. Therefore, scientific management greatly influenced the nature of quality in manufacturing organizations.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Quality and Performance Excellence

Agency theory suggests that information may be concealed to advance self-interests.

The term _____ refers to an integrated approach to organizational performance management that results in delivery of ever-improving value to customers and stakeholders, contributing to organizational sustainability.

The prize constituted by Japan to recognize quality initiatives in business is named after _____.

In an ancillary manufacturing unit, the bolt manufacturing section has a value of 0.095 as the target, 0.005 as the tolerance. Which of the following is the acceptable range of values in production?

Leaders in agency theory provide a quality vision and play a strategic role in the organization.

With respect to the quality dimensions of manufactured products, _____ refer(s) to a product's primary operating characteristics.

_____ introduced statistical quality control to Japanese workers after World War II as part of General MacArthur's rebuilding program.

In 1987, Congress established the _____ to raise awareness of quality and recognize national role models, spawning a remarkable interest in quality among American businesses.

The organismic model of organizations views an organization as a tool or a machine designed solely to create profits for its owners.

The mechanical organizational model assumes that systems goals such as the need to survive displace performance goals, such as profit.

In the organismic model of organizations, organizations are considered to be autonomous entities.

As part of the evolving understanding of quality management, many began to use the term _____ to contrast the difference between managing for quality in all organizational processes and focusing solely on manufacturing quality .

_____ refers to the degree to which physical and performance characteristics of a product match preestablished standards.

_____ refer(s) to a product's primary operating characteristics.

_____ is the subjective assessment of a product resulting from image, advertising, or brand names.

Agency theory assumes that risks are to be minimized and shared between the two parties.

In the cultural organizational model, learning needs are driven not by adaptation to environmental forces but in response to individual needs.

In the organismic model of organizations, work is reduced to elementary tasks with a focus on efficiency, conformity, and compliance.

In the cultural organizational model, managers relinquish control and share power in order to meet the needs of the many individuals.

Frederick W. Taylor's concept of _____ greatly influenced the nature of quality in manufacturing organizations.