Question 1

At Chevrolet, teams of workers make their own job assignments, plan their own work, control their material and inventory needs, and select new team members. This is an example of job

Accepted Answer

The description given in the statement points towards the concept of job enrichment, where workers are given more control and decision-making power over their work and job responsibilities. The other options, such as job switching, redesign, sharing, and rotation, do not accurately describe the given scenario.

Question 2

Before manager Kim can begin the MBO process with her associates, what step needs to be taken?

Accepted Answer

The MBO process typically involves setting goals that align with the overall goals and objectives of the organization. Therefore, it is necessary for top management to provide annual goals or guidance to managers like manager Kim before she can begin the process with her associates. Once she has the organization's goals, she can work with her associates to set individual goals that contribute to achieving them.

Question 3

Raul, an engineer with a leading manufacturer, could not figure out why he was so motivated in his job. However, in conversation he pointed out a few things that may have contributed to such motivation. First, top managers were sharing company goals with employees. Second, his manager recently met with Raul's engineering group to discuss the goals relevant to their jobs. Third, his manager requested that each person think about how he or she could personally help achieve these goals. As he followed through on his manager's request, Raul found himself becoming clearer about the role he is expected to play in reaching the organization's goals. This manufacturer is using ____ to help its managers boost employee motivation.

Accepted Answer

The manufacturer is using Management by Objectives (MBO) to help its managers boost employee motivation. MBO involves setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals and objectives for employees and then monitoring their progress towards these goals. In this case, the top managers are sharing company goals with employees, Raul's manager discussed the goals relevant to their jobs, and requested that each person think about how they could personally help achieve these goals, which are all aspects of MBO. MBO is a popular approach to management as it focuses on the measurable outcomes that employees and managers can work towards together.

Question 4

Tom Willis, owner-manager of J&P Manufacturing Company, has tried just about everything to motivate his employees. He has added new fringe benefits, including legal services; he has improved safety conditions; and he has increased employee pay by 7 percent across the board. None of these actions seem to have worked. Now Tom wonders what he should do next. Which of the following would you suggest?

Accepted Answer

Enriching jobs by providing more challenging tasks, increased responsibilities, and opportunities for growth and development is a more effective way of motivating employees than simply offering external rewards such as pay increases or additional benefits. By enhancing the nature of the work itself, employees will feel more engaged and satisfied with their jobs. This can lead to increased productivity, better performance, and lower turnover rates.

Question 5

The expectancy theory says that people are motivated

Accepted Answer

The expectancy theory states that motivation is based on the expectation of an individual regarding the outcome of their effort, combined with their estimation of the probability of that outcome. In other words, people are motivated by the extent to which they desire a particular objective and the likelihood of achieving it. The other options listed are either too narrow or not accurate descriptions of the expectancy theory.

Question 6

Securing the acceptance of top management is the first step in an MBO program. Which of the following is not one of the four remaining steps?

Accepted Answer

Reassigning the employee is not one of the remaining steps in an MBO program after securing top management's acceptance. The four remaining steps are establishing preliminary goals, having the manager and subordinate work together to determine how the subordinate can work toward accomplishing company objectives, conducting a periodic review, and conducting an evaluation.

Question 7

A contemporary manager who wants employees to have more control over their work might implement either

Accepted Answer

MBO (Management by Objectives) is a system that involves setting objectives for individuals or teams and using performance progress to evaluate and reward them. This system would give employees more control over their work because they would have a say in the objectives they are working towards and how they achieve them. Job enrichment is also a good choice because it involves giving employees more challenging and meaningful tasks to perform, which can increase their sense of control and job satisfaction. Theory X and Theory Y are not relevant to this scenario as they are theories about management styles, not specific systems for giving employees more control.

Question 8

If you were a manager who made sure that rewards were distributed to your employees fairly based on their performance and that each employee clearly understood the basis for his or her own pay, you would be using

Accepted Answer

The manager is using equity theory, which suggests that people are motivated when they believe they are being treated fairly in comparison to others. This includes ensuring rewards are distributed fairly based on performance and that employees understand why they are being paid a certain amount.

Question 9

The technique in which managers and subordinates collaborate on setting goals and reviewing performance is

Accepted Answer

The technique described is commonly referred to as management by objectives (MBO), in which managers and employees work together to establish clear and measurable goals, and then regularly review progress towards those goals. This approach can lead to increased employee motivation and a stronger focus on achieving business objectives.

Question 10

One Ford Motor Company slogan is "Quality Is Job One." To implement that concept, Ford instituted a form of quality circles. In addition to improved product quality, these quality circles could be expected to

Accepted Answer

Quality circles involve employees in the decision-making process and give them a voice in improving processes and outcomes. This increased participation and empowerment can lead to increased motivation and job satisfaction among employees.

Question 11

A manager who believes that employee motivation depends on how much we want something and on how likely we think we are to get it is using

Accepted Answer

The manager's belief that employee motivation is based on the perceived likelihood of achieving a desired outcome aligns with Vroom's expectancy theory, which suggests that individuals are motivated by their expectations of achieving desired outcomes and the valence (value) they place on those outcomes.

Question 12

Every year, Barbara and her boss sit down together and discuss what Barbara should accomplish for the next year. Barbara's boss takes time to meet with all his employees like this to motivate them to accomplish their objectives. These actions rely on

Accepted Answer

This scenario best aligns with goal-setting theory, which involves setting specific and challenging goals that are then used to motivate individuals and increase their performance. Barbara and her boss are setting objectives for the upcoming year, which is a prime example of goal-setting theory in action.

Question 13

A sales manager has implemented a program for his salespeople that involves a meeting with each salesperson, during which the sales manager gives the salesperson the yearly quota for the salesperson's territory. The sales manager has missed the key concept in management by objectives, which is

Accepted Answer

The key concept in management by objectives (MBO) is mutual goal setting between the manager and the employee, which fosters a sense of ownership and commitment to achieving the goals.

Question 14

Victor Vroom's expectancy theory is based on the very simple assumption that

Accepted Answer

Victor Vroom's expectancy theory is based on the idea that motivation depends on two things: how much a person wants something (expectancy) and how likely they are to actually get it (instrumentality). The theory also states that if a person believes their efforts will lead to desired outcomes (valence), they will be more motivated to achieve their goals.

Question 15

Joyce works hard and puts in many extra hours. For this, she can anticipate a pay raise, a promotion, or an expanded sales territory. However, getting a promotion is most important to Joyce. According to the useful guidelines of the ____ theory, Jim, her manager, must recognize that (1) she is putting in hard work and long hours to obtain a promotion, (2) what motivates Joyce will change over time, and (3) he must clearly show Joyce how to attain the desirable reward.

Accepted Answer

The scenario describes Joyce's desire for a promotion as her main motivator, which aligns with the expectancy theory. The theory suggests that individuals are motivated by the belief that their efforts will lead to their desired rewards (in this case, a promotion). The scenario also mentions that what motivates Joyce may change over time, which is a key aspect of the expectancy theory. Additionally, the scenario emphasizes the importance of clear communication and guidance from Jim in order for Joyce to attain her desired reward, which is also consistent with the expectancy theory.

Question 16

All of the following are accurate statements about the expectancy theory except that

Accepted Answer

The expectancy theory is not necessarily easy to apply, as it involves complex calculations and considerations of individual employee beliefs, values, and expectations.

Question 17

At midyear, Lilliana, the manager of a store, realizes that the new outlet mall with 300 stores down the street is taking much of the sales away from her store, so she will need to revise the sales goals of her sales associates. Lilliana is in what stage of the MBO process?

Accepted Answer

The answer of At midyear, Lilliana, the manager of a...

Question 18

MBO stands for

Accepted Answer

MBO stands for Management By Objectives, which is a method of management that involves setting specific, measurable, and achievable goals for employees to work towards. This approach focuses on aligning individual employee goals with overall organizational objectives, and emphasizes regular feedback and assessment to track progress and make adjustments as needed.

Question 19

The director of personnel at Eastern corporate headquarters wants to institute an MBO system nationwide. She should begin by

Accepted Answer

The success of an MBO system relies heavily on top management’s support and participation. Therefore, the director of personnel should ensure that top management endorses and participates in the system before implementing it nationwide. Without top management's support, employees may view the MBO system as just another management fad that will soon fade away.

Question 20

Under the equity theory, when a worker feels under-rewarded, he or she may take all of the following actions except

Accepted Answer

Forgetting about feeling under-rewarded is not an action that falls under the equity theory. The other options such as reducing input, asking for a raise, leaving the work situation or doing a new comparison are all possible actions that a worker may take if they feel under-rewarded.

Quiz 10: Motivating and Satisfying Employees and Teams