Question 1

The manager of a chain of dry-cleaning stores gathers the competitions' advertisements for analysis and review. She needs this data to help the chain devise its own advertising strategy. In what role is the manager acting?

Accepted Answer

The manager is acting in the informational role by gathering and reviewing data to help the chain devise its own advertising strategy. This role involves collecting and analyzing information from both internal and external sources to make informed decisions.

Question 2

Which of the following is an element of controlling?

Accepted Answer

Measuring performance standards is a fundamental element of controlling. It involves comparing actual performance to planned performance and taking corrective actions to address any deviations. Choice A (designing jobs) falls under the category of organizing, choice B (managing change) falls under the category of leading, and choice D (coordinating work activities) falls under the category of organizing and leading.

Question 3

Managers typically follow five steps in the decision-making process. Which of the following steps is first?

Accepted Answer

The first step in the decision-making process is to recognize or define the problem or opportunity. This step involves identifying the need for a decision, determining what specifically needs to be decided, and clarifying the goals that the decision is intended to achieve. The other steps, such as gathering information and evaluating potential decisions, can only be done effectively once the problem or opportunity has been clearly defined. Establishing a budget is only relevant in certain types of decisions, and evaluating strengths and weaknesses comes after the potential decisions have been identified.

Question 4

What is the term for having a reporting system that identifies areas where performance standards are not being met so that managers can detect problems before they get out of hand?

Accepted Answer

A feedback system is designed to identify areas where performance standards are not being met, allowing managers to detect and address problems early.

Question 5

What is the specialized knowledge and ability that a person brings to a job such as computer programming?

Accepted Answer

Technical skill refers to the specialized knowledge and abilities that a person brings to a job, such as computer programming. It is a specific type of skill set that is crucial for success in certain professions. Subordinate and hierarchical skills are not applicable in this context, and while functional skills may be valuable, they do not necessarily require the same level of technical expertise as programming.

Question 6

Allocation of resources, approval of projects, and authorization of budgets are all activities that a manager performs in which management role?

Accepted Answer

Allocation of resources, approval of projects, and authorization of budgets are all activities that a manager performs in a decisional role. Decisional roles involve making choices and strategies, and managers perform them when they allocate resources, make plans, and set budgets.

Question 7

Textron Corporation is establishing a legal division. The newly appointed head of the division is organizing, hiring people, and operating the division. Which management roles is the division head performing?

Accepted Answer

The division head is performing the decisional role by making decisions related to organizing, hiring people, and operating the division.

Question 8

In which management role does the manager act as liaison and develop and maintain contacts outside his or her own departments?

Accepted Answer

In the interpersonal role, the manager serves as a figurehead and a liaison between the organization and the outside world. This role involves developing and maintaining contacts outside the manager’s own department, as well as building relationships with stakeholders, customers, suppliers, and other individuals or groups. The other roles - functional, informational, and decision making - do not involve as much external communication and networking as the interpersonal role does.

Question 9

When manager Mariah Pitner delivered the company's financial report to local bankers and analysts, in what role was she acting?

Accepted Answer

Mariah Pitner was acting in an informational role by delivering the financial report to local bankers and analysts.

Question 10

What are the three basic roles of management?

Accepted Answer

The three basic roles of management are interpersonal, decisional, and informational, which are best represented by choice C. Interpersonal roles involve dealing with people both inside and outside the organization, decisional roles involve making choices and allocating resources, and informational roles involve gathering and analyzing information to inform decision-making. Option A is incorrect because operational is not a basic role of management, but rather a part of each of the three basic roles. Option B is incorrect because educational and intrapersonal are not basic roles of management. Option D is incorrect because educational is not a basic role of management.

Question 11

A manager of a factory that employs 230 women and 185 men grants a female employee 6 weeks of disability leave and assigns her workload to an employee who has been trained on how to operate nearly every machine in the factory. Which decision type does this illustrate?

Accepted Answer

This decision is an example of a programmed decision, which involves routine problem solving or procedures that have been established for handling repetitive and predictable situations. Assigning the workload to an employee already trained for such tasks is a standard procedure, not an unusual or strategic decision.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT part of the analytical decision-making process?

Accepted Answer

Consulting with employees and management may be part of the process of gathering information, but it is not a distinct step in the analytical decision-making process.

Question 13

Which of the following roles of a manager consists of relationships with other people as figurehead, leader, and liaison?

Accepted Answer

The roles of a figurehead, leader, and liaison involve interacting with other people, making it an interpersonal role. Option A (intrapersonal) involves self-reflection and self-awareness. Option C (decisional) involves making decisions and taking actions. Option D (informational) involves processing and sharing information. Therefore, option B is the best choice.

Question 14

What is the first step in controlling?

Accepted Answer

The first step in controlling is to establish performance standards, which serve as the basis for assessing actual performance. Only after standards are established can managers monitor performance, take corrective action, and explain the meaning of goals.

Question 15

Lily Jacobs is hosting a luncheon in her role as honourary chair of the local United Way campaign. Which managerial role is she fulfilling?

Accepted Answer

Lily is fulfilling an interpersonal managerial role by hosting the luncheon as the honourary chair of the United Way campaign.

Question 16

As a decisional manager, what would Lia Morris do?

Accepted Answer

Lia Morris, as a decisional manager, would most likely represent the company at negotiating processes. This is because decisional managers are responsible for making decisions and representing the company in external negotiations and partnerships. Seeking advertising information, releasing company information, and transmitting articles are more likely tasks for informational or interpersonal managers.

Question 17

Raja Hossein monitors the quality of staplers manufactured under the brand name Bostitch. If a stapler doesn't meet the company's standards, an employee in his department puts the stapler in a reject pile. Which of the following functions is Hossein performing?

Accepted Answer

Raja Hossein is performing the controlling function by monitoring the quality of staplers and rejecting those that don't meet the company's standards.

Question 18

Feedback is an important part of which function of management?

Accepted Answer

Feedback is an essential part of the controlling function of management, as it allows managers to monitor performance and make any necessary adjustments or corrections. Through feedback, managers can ensure that objectives are being met and that resources are being used effectively. Feedback can come from various sources, including employees, customers, and other stakeholders, and it is crucial for continuous improvement and success.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT one of the three basic roles of management?

Accepted Answer

The three basic roles of management are decisional, interpersonal, and informational. The operational role generally refers to the day-to-day activities of managing tasks and resources, but it is not considered one of the three core roles.

Question 20

Karen Copeland is a manager who communicates effectively, successfully motivates and leads her workers, and allows them leeway in making decisions. Which of the following does she have?

Accepted Answer

Karen Copeland's ability to communicate effectively, motivate and lead her workers, and give them decision-making power shows that she has strong human relations skills.

Quiz 9: Management and Leadership in Today’s Organizations