Question 1

Karl spent a morning evaluating his production staff and recorded their movements with a stopwatch. He realized he could reduce the distance workers walked to complete a process by simply changing the direction of flow of the product. Which element of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth's work is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of the Gilbreths' use of motion studies to eliminate unnecessary or repetitive motions from work.

Question 2

How did the Industrial Revolution change jobs and organizations?

Accepted Answer

The Industrial Revolution brought about new machines and technologies that allowed for low-paid, unskilled workers to replace the high-paid, skilled artisans who previously performed the work. This led to a significant shift in the types of jobs available and the organization of work.

Answer: D (although this is not a strong option)
 While some skilled work may have been performed in homes during the Industrial Revolution, the larger trend was towards factory production and centralized organization of work. Therefore, this choice is not the best answer.

A and B are not accurate choices as they do not reflect the significant changes in jobs and organizations that occurred during the Industrial Revolution.

Question 3

According to Weber,what best characterizes a bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

Weber's definition of bureaucracy includes a focus on specialized knowledge, expertise, and experience being the basis for control and decision-making within the organization. This contrasts with options A and D, which focus more on operational processes, and option B, which emphasizes connections and politics over merit-based decision making.

Question 4

A contractor assessed an overdue job. As he looked at the job site,he saw one worker moving bricks by carrying two at a time from where they were unloaded to where they were needed. He saw another climbing up a ladder with a few shingles,climbing down to get more,and then repeating the process. What approach could the contractor use to determine how the workers could perform their tasks more efficiently?

Accepted Answer

Time and motion studies involve observing and noting down each step in a process to identify areas where efficiency can be improved. It would be the most appropriate approach for the contractor to use in this scenario to determine how the workers can perform their tasks more efficiently.

Question 5

What is the intention of bureaucracy as defined by Weber?

Accepted Answer

According to Weber, the intention of bureaucracy is to achieve an organization's goal in the most efficient way possible by implementing strict rules, regulations, and procedures. The central focus is on achieving goals and maximizing efficiency. Bureaucracy is meant to eliminate subjective decision-making and create a rational system of administration. Choices B, C, and D do not accurately reflect Weber's definition of bureaucracy.

Question 6

William used to allow his packaging employees freedom to prepare custom orders as they liked,and each had their own way of packing boxes. A consultant was hired and William's department became more efficient when the packagers learned and followed a specific packaging process. Which type of management influenced the change in William's department?

Accepted Answer

The change in William's department was influenced by scientific management, as the consultant introduced a specific packaging process for the employees to follow, which improved efficiency. Scientific management emphasizes the use of scientific methods to improve work processes and increase efficiency.

Question 7

Which management theorist drew on his own experiences as a CEO to create his theory of management?

Accepted Answer

Henri Fayol drew on his own experiences as the CEO of a mining company to develop his theory of management, which he outlined in his book "General and Industrial Management."

Question 8

Beverly is unhappy with her production supervisor. Beverly would normally finish 200 products per shift but she is purposely finishing less than 100 by working at a much slower pace. What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of soldiering, which is when an employee intentionally works at a slower pace than they are capable of in order to avoid standing out or to show disapproval towards their supervisor.

Question 9

Patrick rewards his best production workers and treats all workers fairly. When Patrick encouraged all production staff to model the most efficient ones,he rewarded the entire department when their production numbers increased. To which human relations approach is this most closely related?

Accepted Answer

Patrick's approach involves using group dynamics to ensure organizational goals are met, as he encouraged all production staff to model the most efficient workers and rewarded the entire department when production numbers increased. This approach emphasizes teamwork and collaboration to achieve common goals. The other choices (B, C, and D) do not accurately reflect Patrick's approach.

Question 10

Who is best known for developing the 5 functions of managers and the 14 principles of management?

Accepted Answer

Henri Fayol is best known for developing the 5 functions of managers (planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating and controlling) and the 14 principles of management which are widely used and taught in modern management theory. Max Weber was known for his work on bureaucratization, Frank Gilbreth was known for his work in time and motion studies, and Elton Mayo was known for his work on the Hawthorne Studies.

Question 11

Which management theorist would most likely have used his understanding of how work is done to help surgeons eliminate unnecessary motions,operate more efficiently,and save more lives by closely studying how surgeries were performed?

Accepted Answer

Frank Gilbreth was a management theorist who focused on motion study to improve efficiency in work processes. He co-developed the "therblig" system, which analyzed the smallest movements in a work process to identify ways to eliminate unnecessary motions and improve efficiency. His expertise would be valuable in helping surgeons analyze their work processes and identify ways to operate more efficiently and effectively.

Question 12

Anthony was a skilled woodworker whose exquisite handiwork was sought after by many for custom furniture. However,due to the invention of cutting machines and processes,the need for Anthony's skills decreased quickly. Which period of time did Anthony exist in?

Accepted Answer

The invention of cutting machines and processes that decreased the need for skilled woodworkers like Anthony occurred during the Industrial Revolution, which lasted from around 1750 to 1900. Therefore, Anthony likely existed during this period.

Question 13

Anthony's new business is growing rapidly and his staff has increased from just he and his wife to over 50 full-time workers. In order to create structure,Anthony gives each employee specific work processes,assigned objectives,and one manager each employee reports to. Which element of bureaucratic organization is Anthony working on?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Anthony's new business is growing rapidly and...

Question 14

What is Frederick Taylor famous for?

Accepted Answer

Frederick Taylor is known for creating the principles of scientific management. These principles emphasized the use of scientific methods to increase efficiency and productivity in the workplace. Taylor developed time and motion studies as part of this approach, but his overall contribution was the application of science to management practices. He did not define the functions of managers or create the 14 principles of management.

Question 15

Kathy is the production manager for a computer assembly company. Kathy is evaluating her best workers so that their assembly methods can be formalized and documented for all workers to follow. Which goal of scientific management is Kathy pursuing?

Accepted Answer

Kathy is pursuing the goal of finding the one best way to perform each task, which is a key objective of scientific management.

Question 16

What was Max Weber developing in Europe at about the same time as management theorists were developing scientific management principles in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Max Weber was developing bureaucratic management in Europe at about the same time as management theorists were developing scientific management principles in the United States, which focused on increasing efficiency and productivity through standardized procedures and task specialization. Bureaucratic management, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of clear roles, rules, and procedures in achieving organizational efficiency and effectiveness.

Question 17

Which of the following ideas is associated with Max Weber's bureaucratic management?

Accepted Answer

Max Weber's bureaucratic management emphasized a clear chain of command where authority flows from the top down. This means that every employee knows who they report to and who they are responsible for. This allows for clear lines of communication and efficiency in decision-making.

Question 18

Caroline is the trade show supervisor for a furniture manufacturer. Caroline and her staff have 12 hours to set up the booth's walls,flooring,lighting,and signage before the sample furniture arrives. Caroline uses a whiteboard to illustrate to her staff the order that the booth will be constructed in and the time each part must be completed by. What type of chart did Caroline most likely use to guide her staff?

Accepted Answer

Caroline most likely used a Gantt chart, which is a type of chart that illustrates the schedule and timing of a project or task. It shows the start and end dates of each task and how they overlap with each other. This type of chart is commonly used for project management and can help ensure that all tasks are completed on time.

Question 19

In which of the following situations would a Gantt chart be appropriate to use?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In which of the following situations would...

Question 20

Which management theorist would most likely have said,"The greatest waste in the world comes from needless,ill-directed,and ineffective motions"?

Accepted Answer

Frank Gilbreth is known for his work in motion study and is most associated with the quote about waste coming from needless, ill-directed, and ineffective motions. He, along with his wife Lillian Gilbreth, focused on efficiency and improving worker productivity through the analysis of work motions.

Quiz 18: History of Management