Question 1

A management perspective that emerged during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries that emphasised a rational,scientific approach to the study of management and sought to make organisations efficient operating machines is known as ________________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A management perspective that emerged during the...

Question 2

_______________ forces pertain to the availability,production and distribution of resources in a society.

Accepted Answer

Economic forces refer to the impact of factors such as supply and demand, competition, and regulation on the availability, production and distribution of resources in a society. It is concerned with how individuals and organizations allocate scarce resources to satisfy their needs and wants, and how the market as a whole coordinates these decisions.

Question 3

An example of a political force would be:

Accepted Answer

A change in legislation concerning workplace relations is a clear example of a political force, as it involves government action that can impact organizations and individuals involved in the workforce. This type of political force can affect employment laws, workplace safety regulations, and other legal responsibilities for businesses. The other options do not involve direct government action or policy changes, making C the most appropriate choice.

Question 4

Over the past two decades,managerial tools such as 'activity-based management','scenario planning' and 'virtual teams' have become popularly adopted in organisations.Such tools are considered to be:

Accepted Answer

The term "fashion" refers to a trend that becomes popular within a certain time period and then gradually fades away. The adoption of managerial tools such as activity-based management, scenario planning, and virtual teams can be considered as a fashion since their popularity has increased over the past two decades and they may eventually be replaced by newer trends.

Question 5

During the early twentieth century,the prevailing management perspective,which emphasised rationality and a scientific approach,was the _________ perspective.

Accepted Answer

The classical perspective emphasised the rationality and scientific approach to management during the early twentieth century. The scientific perspective, while also emphasising scientific approach and rationality, is more focused on individual worker efficiency and productivity than overall management practices. The behavioural perspective emerged later, focusing on individual and group behaviour within organisations. The quantitative perspective emphasises the use of mathematical and statistical approaches to management decision-making. Pareto is not a management perspective, but rather a concept related to the distribution of wealth and resources.

Question 6

According to Weber's view on bureaucracy,organisations should be based on which of these?

Accepted Answer

According to Weber's view on bureaucracy, organisations should be based on rational authority, which is based on rules and expertise rather than personal loyalty or references, or charismatic authority. Educational expertise is also important for officials within the bureaucratic system.

Question 7

If an organisationis interested in basing their management on an impersonal yet rational basis,emphasising clearly defined authority and responsibility,then that organisation is following the __________ perspective.

Accepted Answer

The perspective that emphasizes clearly defined authority and responsibility, and is based on an impersonal yet rational basis is the bureaucratic perspective. This perspective was developed by Max Weber, who believed that organizations should be structured hierarchically and have clearly defined rules, procedures, and roles. This perspective emphasizes efficiency and effectiveness through standardized procedures and clear lines of authority. The administrative perspective, on the other hand, emphasizes the development of a management theory and the creation of a management process that includes planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling. The scientific perspective emphasizes the use of scientific methods to improve efficiency and productivity. The classical perspective includes both the scientific and administrative perspectives, along with the bureaucratic perspective.

Question 8

Each of the following is a characteristic of scientific management except:

Accepted Answer

Scientific management emphasized standardization and specialization of tasks, so training was not idiosyncratic but rather focused on particular skills necessary for each job.

Question 9

All of the following are criticisms of scientific management except:

Accepted Answer

Scientific management emphasizes the careful study of tasks and jobs to identify the most efficient way of performing them. Therefore, it does appreciate the careful study of tasks and jobs; hence option A is incorrect. The other options are valid criticisms of scientific management.

Question 10

A subfield of the classical management perspective that emphasises scientifically determined changes in management practices is known as the:

Accepted Answer

The subfield that emphasises scientifically determined changes in management practices is known as scientific management. The other options (A, C, D, E) do not specifically focus on scientifically determined changes in management practices.

Question 11

A subfield of the classical management perspective that emphasises management on an impersonal,rational basis is known as:

Accepted Answer

The subfield of classical management perspective that focuses on management on an impersonal, rational basis is known as the bureaucratic perspective. This perspective emphasizes the application of a formal set of rules and procedures to ensure uniformity and consistency in organizational operations. It emphasizes the need for centralized decision-making and strict adherence to organizational policies and procedures. Max Weber is considered the father of bureaucratic theory.

Question 12

Which of the following would qualify as employee-empowerment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following would qualify as...

Question 13

The idea that employee selection and retention should be based on a rational decision-making process,and not on loyalty or 'who you know' is a characteristic of:

Accepted Answer

Bureaucratic organizations emphasize a structured, formal network of relationships among specialized positions in the organization. This approach, theorized by Max Weber, advocates for hiring and promotion based on merit and expertise rather than personal connections or loyalty, aiming for efficiency and rationality in the management process.

Question 14

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

The other four characteristics listed are all typical features of a bureaucracy, but the idea that satisfied workers will be more productive is not necessarily specific to bureaucracies.

Question 15

Variables such as interest rates,inflation and trade tariffs are all examples of _________ forces.

Accepted Answer

These variables are examples of economic forces, not covered by the options provided. Interest rates, inflation, and trade tariffs directly relate to the economy and financial systems rather than technology, politics, social aspects, or socio-education.

Question 16

The economic stimulus package in Australia in 2008,exemplifies the effect of:

Accepted Answer

The economic stimulus package in 2008 was a response to the global financial crisis, which was primarily an economic issue. The package aimed to boost economic activity and prevent recession, illustrating the impact of economic forces.

Question 17

Each of the following is a characteristic of Theory X,except:

Accepted Answer

Characteristics of Theory X include the belief that people are inherently lazy (A), require coercion to work (C), and prefer to be directed rather than taking responsibility (D). However, Theory X does not suggest that people cannot learn to accept and seek responsibility (B), which is a characteristic of Theory Y.

Question 18

The situation where each employee receives orders from one,and only one superior is known as:

Accepted Answer

Unity of command is a principle of management that states that each employee should receive orders from one, and only one superior. This is important for creating clear communication channels and avoiding confusion or conflicting directives.

Question 19

Standardisation of work and wage incentives are characteristics of:

Accepted Answer

Standardisation of work and wage incentives are two key principles of scientific management, which was developed by Frederick Winslow Taylor. This approach aimed to improve efficiency and productivity by scientifically analyzing and optimizing work processes and incentivizing workers through pay increases based on performance.

Question 20

A subfield of the classical management perspective that focuses on the total organisation rather than the individual worker is known as:

Accepted Answer

The administrative principle, as a subfield of the classical management perspective, focuses on the total organisation rather than the individual worker, emphasizing the application of authority and official rules to achieve effective coordination of organisational activities. A bureaucratic organisation is the most common form of administrative organization that embodies the principles of the administrative framework. Scientific management, on the other hand, focuses on individual worker productivity and analytical job designs, while the humanist perspective prioritizes social and psychological factors to improve productivity and organisational performance. The classical perspective is a broader term used to refer to the overall body of management ideas and theories that emerged during the industrial revolution.

Quiz 2: The Evolution of Management Thinking