Question 1

What did Mary Parker Follett urge managers to do?

Accepted Answer

Mary Parker Follett urged managers to motivate employees rather than simply demand performance, emphasizing the importance of understanding human relations and cooperation in the workplace.

Question 2

According to Chester I. Barnard, willingness to serve, common purpose, and _____________ are the principal elements in an organization or cooperative system.

Accepted Answer

Chester I. Barnard identified communication, along with willingness to serve and common purpose, as a principal element in an organization or cooperative system, emphasizing its role in facilitating coordination and cooperation.

Question 3

How has traditional human relations doctrine been criticized?

Accepted Answer

Traditional human relations doctrine has been criticized for being both vague and simplistic. It oversimplifies complex social and cultural factors that influence human behavior and interactions in organizations.

Question 4

Management is studied by ____ theorists by putting things together and assuming that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Accepted Answer

Systems theorists view organizations as complex systems made up of interrelated parts that work together to achieve a common goal. They believe that the interactions among these parts are more important than the parts themselves and that the whole system is greater than the sum of its parts. This perspective emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationships and interdependencies among various elements of an organization in order to manage it effectively.

Question 5

A(n) ____ is a self-sufficient entity, whereas, a(n) ____ depends on the surrounding environment for survival.

Accepted Answer

A closed system is self-sufficient and does not require exchange with the environment to function, whereas an open system depends on interactions with the environment for its survival.

Question 6

American Express experienced a 10% increase to service margins in their global customer service division's call center by revamping the division with the theory: __________.

Accepted Answer

By focusing on employee satisfaction, American Express was able to create a more positive and productive work environment in their global customer service division's call center, leading to better service margins.

Question 7

A characteristic of the contingency approach to management is

Accepted Answer

The contingency approach to management emphasizes the importance of considering the unique situation and context of an organization in determining the most effective management approach. This approach takes an open-system perspective, recognizing that organizations operate in a dynamic environment and must be adaptable to change. The other options (A, C, D, and E) do not reflect key characteristics of the contingency approach. Bivariate analysis is a statistical technique, not a management approach. A closed-system view assumes that the organization operates independently of its environment, which is contrary to the contingency approach. Highly theoretical research orientation may be a characteristic of some contingency theorists, but it is not a defining characteristic of the approach. Finally, a Theory X view assumes that employees are inherently lazy and must be coerced to work, which is inconsistent with the contingency approach's emphasis on situational factors.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the contingency approach?

Accepted Answer

The contingency approach is all about recognizing that there is no single best way to manage, and that different situations call for different management approaches. Therefore, situational management is the best choice to describe the contingency approach.

Question 9

Emily Jefferson is a supervisor for a local bank who sums up her management philosophy by saying "My people are basically lazy and it is my job to tell them what, when, and how to do things. In fact, they want to be told what to do." What label would McGregor have applied to Ms. Jefferson's management style?

Accepted Answer

Ms. Jefferson's management philosophy aligns with McGregor's Theory X, which assumes that people dislike work, avoid responsibility, and need to be coerced, controlled, or directed. This philosophy emphasizes a top-down approach to management where managers give detailed instructions and closely monitor their employees' work.

Question 10

Olivia is a storeowner who tells a management class that she tries to match the appropriate management technique to the situation. What is her general approach to management?

Accepted Answer

Olivia's approach to management is based on the contingency theory, which suggests that there is no one "best" management approach and that the most effective approach depends on the specific circumstances and situations. Matching the appropriate management technique to the situation is a key tenet of contingency theory.

Question 11

Organizations should be considered ____ systems.

Accepted Answer

Organizations are open systems as they interact with their environment and depend on external resources and inputs to function effectively. They also influence the environment through their outputs and have the ability to adapt to changes in the environment. Closed systems, on the other hand, do not interact with their environment and have no external inputs or outputs. Specialized, functional, and independent are not accurate descriptions of organizations as they do not fully capture the complexity and interdependence of organizational systems.

Question 12

Since management is not practiced in a vacuum, systems theorists recommend inside-out or

Accepted Answer

Systems theorists recommend synthetic thinking or an inside-out approach to management because it considers the organization's internal environment, external environment, and how they both interact with each other. This approach helps managers to design effective systems that align with the organization's goals and strategies. So, out of the given options, synthetic thinking is the best fit for this scenario.

Question 13

Managers now have greater appreciation for the importance of seeing the whole picture because of the influence of the

Accepted Answer

The systems approach emphasizes seeing the organization as a whole system, consisting of interrelated and interdependent parts. This approach has brought about a greater appreciation for the importance of understanding the entire organization and its various subsystems and their interdependencies.

Question 14

The contingency approach lies midway between the systems approach and

Accepted Answer

The contingency approach acknowledges the importance of both situational factors and specific organizational variables. This approach recognizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to management problems and that different situations require different management approaches. Therefore, the contingency approach lies midway between the purely situational approach (which emphasizes situational factors) and the systems approach (which emphasizes organizational variables).

Question 15

Andrea Wells believes that many people in the general population have imagination, ingenuity, and creativity. This is what kind of an assumption?

Accepted Answer

This assumption aligns with the Theory Y management style, which believes that people are motivated by their own internal desires and have the potential to be creative and innovative.

Question 16

According to Chester I. Barnard's early systems theory, a natural gap exists between ____ and the organization's common purpose.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Chester I. Barnard's early systems...

Question 17

Which statement most accurately captures the meaning of chaos theory?

Accepted Answer

Chaos theory suggests that there is order among seemingly random patterns. It acknowledges that there may be complex, unpredictable behaviors in systems, but that there are underlying principles and patterns that govern them. This means that seemingly chaotic events can still be studied and understood.

Question 18

Which approach makes it clear to managers that people are the key to productivity?

Accepted Answer

The behavioral approach emphasizes the importance of understanding human behavior in the workplace and creating a positive work environment to increase productivity. This approach recognizes that people are not just cogs in a machine, but individuals with unique motivations and needs. Therefore, it makes it clear to managers that people are the key to productivity.

Question 19

Chey, a district manager at Direct Divisions Inc., remarks that "my employees are creative, imaginative, and capable of self-direction and self-control." What label would McGregor have applied to Chey's management style?

Accepted Answer

McGregor's Theory Y assumes that employees are creative, imaginative, and possess self-direction and self-control, which aligns with Chey's management style.

Question 20

____ portrays the organization as a living and thinking system.

Accepted Answer

Organizational learning is the concept that organizations are living and thinking systems that can adapt and learn from their experiences. It emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and the ability to change and innovate within the organization.

Quiz 2: The Evolution of Management Thought