Question 1

The process of assigning job activities and related authority to specific individuals in the organization is termed ________.
A) delegation
B) centralization
C) job specification
D) task identification
E) task significance

Accepted Answer

Delegation is the process of giving job activities and related authority to specific individuals in the organization. Centralization refers to the degree to which decision-making is concentrated in the hands of a few key individuals. Job specification refers to the detailed description of the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a particular job. Task identification refers to the process of identifying specific tasks required to accomplish a job. Task significance refers to the degree to which a job has a substantial impact on others within the organization or in society as a whole.

Question 2

Which of the following obstacles to delegation is related to the supervisor?
A) fear that subordinates will not perform a job well
B) reluctance to accept delegated authority
C) reluctance to exercise authority that may complicate working relationships
D) fear that the supervisor will be unavailable for guidance
E) belief that the supervisor doesn't have confidence in employees

Accepted Answer

Supervisors may fear that subordinates will not perform a job well, which is a common obstacle related to the supervisor's own concerns and lack of trust in their team's abilities.

Question 3

The accountability concept implies that reward or punishment is dependent upon performance.

Accepted Answer

Accountability means being responsible for one's actions and the consequences that come with them. In the context of performance, accountability implies that rewards or punishment (or consequences) are tied to how well or poorly someone performs their duties or responsibilities. This creates an incentive for individuals to perform well and be accountable for their actions.

Question 4

Line authority is the right to make decisions and to give orders concerning the production, sales, or finance-related behavior of subordinates.

Accepted Answer

Line authority gives the power to make decisions and give orders related to production, sales, or finance.

Question 5

Delegation is the process of assigning job activities and related authority to specific individuals in the organization.

Accepted Answer

Delegation involves transferring responsibilities and authority to specific individuals, which helps to improve efficiency and accountability in the organization.

Question 6

Explain the concepts of line, staff, and functional authority.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the concepts of line, staff, and...

Question 7

________ consists of the right to give orders within a segment of the organization where this right is normally nonexistent.
A) Staff authority
B) Line authority
C) Decentralization
D) Functional authority
E) Informal authority

Accepted Answer

Functional authority is the right given to individuals in specialized areas or functions (such as HR or Finance) to give orders and make decisions within their area of expertise, even though they do not have line authority over employees outside of their department. This allows them to ensure that decisions made in their area of responsibility are aligned with the organization's overall goals and objectives.

Question 8

In which of the following roles do staff personnel help establish a mechanism for evaluating the effectiveness of organizational plans?
A) advisory role
B) service role
C) control role
D) functional role
E) counseling role

Accepted Answer

The control role involves establishing mechanisms for evaluating the effectiveness of organizational plans, making sure that the plans are being executed as intended, and identifying areas for improvement. Staff personnel, who are responsible for providing support and expertise to line managers, assist in this role by helping to design and implement evaluation systems. The other roles listed are not specifically related to evaluation and monitoring of plans.

Question 9

Authority is the right to perform or command.

Accepted Answer

Authority is defined as the power or right to give orders, enforce rules, take action, or make final decisions. Therefore, authority can be seen as a valid right to perform or command.

Question 10

When staff personnel are viewed as suppliers and line personnel as customers, staff personnel are performing the ________.
A) service role
B) advisory role
C) counseling role
D) controlling role
E) administrative role

Accepted Answer

When staff personnel are viewed as suppliers and line personnel as customers, staff personnel are performing the service role, providing expertise and support to line personnel who are the primary producers of the organization's products or services.

Question 11

Functional authority ________.
A) is delegated to individuals who possess neither staff nor line authority
B) generally covers only specific task areas
C) is assigned to individuals for an indefinite period of time
D) is the most fundamental type of authority within an organization
E) is granted in the absence of line or staff authority

Accepted Answer

Functional authority generally covers only specific task areas, such as finance or marketing. It is not the most fundamental type of authority within an organization, and it can be delegated to individuals who also possess line or staff authority. Functional authority is also assigned for a specific period of time, rather than indefinitely.

Question 12

Which of the following is a guideline for making delegation effective?
A) Avoid giving employees freedom to pursue tasks in their own way.
B) Refrain from entrusting employees with whole projects or tasks.
C) Allow employees to set their own standards for performance.
D) Delegate tasks on the basis of employee interests at all times.
E) Give employees the authority necessary to accomplish tasks.

Accepted Answer

Giving employees the authority necessary to accomplish tasks is a key guideline for effective delegation. This ensures that employees have the resources and power needed to complete the delegated tasks successfully. Option A is incorrect as employees should be given some liberty to approach the task creatively while still achieving the desired outcome. Option B would result in micro-management of employees reducing the efficiency of the delegated task. Option C, Allowing employees to set their own standards for performance could be tricky you need to have clear expectations to ensure quality control. Option D is incorrect as task delegation should be based on employee competence suitability for the delegated task, not just on interests.

Question 13

Which of the following is the first step in the delegation process?
A) assigning specific duties to the individual
B) giving the subordinate the right and power to accomplish assigned duties
C) creating the obligation for the subordinate to perform the assigned duties
D) collecting feedback from the subordinate
E) training employees to complete tasks efficiently

Accepted Answer

The first step in the delegation process is assigning specific duties to the individual, as it establishes what tasks need to be accomplished.

Question 14

The HR department of a large IT firm is responsible for recruiting and training qualified employees for all the other departments within the organization. In essence, they are the suppliers of workers, and the various organizational departments needing workers are their customers. Under the given circumstance, identify the role played by the human resource department.
A) control role
B) functional role
C) service role
D) advisory role
E) counseling role

Accepted Answer

The HR department is playing a service role by providing recruitment and training services to other departments within the organization. They are serving as the suppliers of workers and fulfilling the needs of their internal customers.

Question 15

Differentiate between responsibility, accountability, and authority.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Differentiate between responsibility, accountability, and authority....

Question 16

In which of the following roles do staff personnel act as representatives, or agents, of top management?
A) control role
B) advisory role
C) service role
D) counseling role
E) functional role

Accepted Answer

The answer of In which of the following roles do...

Question 17

Which of the following is an advantage of delegation?
A) It helps supervisors to hide their professional inadequacies.
B) It significantly reduces the amount of time taken to complete a task.
C) It frees up the supervisor to perform other organizational tasks.
D) It allows the supervisor to forgo personal responsibility for delegated tasks.
E) It provides employees with a False sense of authority.

Accepted Answer

Delegation frees up the supervisor to perform other organizational tasks, which can lead to more efficient and effective use of their time. Choices A, D, and E are disadvantages of delegation and choice B is not necessarily always true as it depends on the circumstances of the task being delegated.

Question 18

________ refers to the management philosophy whereby individuals are liable for how well they use their authority or perform their activities, and live up to the responsibility of performing predetermined activities.
A) Reinforcement
B) Line authority
C) Accountability
D) Delegation
E) Centralization

Accepted Answer

Accountability refers to the idea that individuals are responsible for the successful completion of their tasks and activities. It involves taking ownership of one's actions and decisions and being held responsible for the outcomes. This management philosophy encourages individuals to take personal responsibility for their work and to strive for excellence.

Question 19

The three steps in the delegation process are ________.
A) creating accountability, promoting acceptance, and facilitating performance
B) assigning specific duties, granting authority, and creating responsibility
C) assigning responsibility, creating accountability, and assigning specific duties
D) creating responsibility, granting authority, and promoting acceptance
E) assigning specific rules, creating responsibility, and promoting acceptance

Accepted Answer

The three steps in the delegation process are assigning specific duties, granting authority, and creating responsibility. Assigning specific duties involves explaining the task and what needs to be accomplished. Granting authority involves providing the necessary resources and power to complete the task. Creating responsibility involves establishing expectations and consequences for the delegated task.

Question 20

Which of the following should managers NOT do to eliminate obstacles to the delegation process?
A) maximize the impact of delegated authority on established working relationships
B) help delegates cope with problems whenever necessary
C) build subordinate confidence in the use of delegated authority
D) willingly consider the ideas of others seriously
E) allow employees to learn from their mistakes without suffering unreasonable penalties

Accepted Answer

Instead of maximizing the impact of delegated authority on established working relationships, managers should focus on finding a balance between delegation and maintaining positive working relationships among team members. Focusing solely on the impact of delegation can lead to resentment and conflict among team members.

Quiz 9: Responsibility, Authority, and Delegation

The process of assigning job activities and related authority to specific individuals in the organization is termed ________.

Which of the following obstacles to delegation is related to the supervisor?

The accountability concept implies that reward or punishment is dependent upon performance.

Line authority is the right to make decisions and to give orders concerning the production, sales, or finance-related behavior of subordinates.

Delegation is the process of assigning job activities and related authority to specific individuals in the organization.

Explain the concepts of line, staff, and functional authority.

________ consists of the right to give orders within a segment of the organization where this right is normally nonexistent.

In which of the following roles do staff personnel help establish a mechanism for evaluating the effectiveness of organizational plans?

Authority is the right to perform or command.

When staff personnel are viewed as suppliers and line personnel as customers, staff personnel are performing the ________.

Functional authority ________.

Which of the following is a guideline for making delegation effective?

Which of the following is the first step in the delegation process?

Differentiate between responsibility, accountability, and authority.

In which of the following roles do staff personnel act as representatives, or agents, of top management?

Which of the following is an advantage of delegation?

________ refers to the management philosophy whereby individuals are liable for how well they use their authority or perform their activities, and live up to the responsibility of performing predetermined activities.

The three steps in the delegation process are ________.

Which of the following should managers NOT do to eliminate obstacles to the delegation process?