Question 1

Designing a Control System (Scenario)
Gina realizes her department needs to make some changes in its control system. The department is one of five in her division, and she is not sure which approach will work best for the organization. She could base her department's performance on their distinct product, making it a profit centre and evaluating it against overall company results. She could also make better use of the policies, regulations, and procedures that are already in place. To date, Gina has not strictly enforced many of the regulations established by the head office because her department is self-regulating. The work groups set their goals and insure those goals are achieved. Everyone is well aware of the expected standards and work behaviours, and there is little tolerance for workers who do not meet the group norms.
-Gina also recognizes that it is not enough to just set up the control system.As an effective manager,she also needs to ________.
A)follow up and ensure that everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing
B)ensure that employees are given tasks that they can handle
C)ensure that productivity levels stay the same for stability
D)do the most important tasks herself to make sure they get done correctly

Accepted Answer

As an effective manager, Gina needs to follow up and ensure that everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing. This will help her to track the progress of the department and identify any issues that need to be addressed. It will also help her to ensure that the policies, regulations, and procedures that are in place are being followed. The other options, such as assigning tasks that employees can handle or ensuring productivity levels stay the same, are important but are not directly related to designing a control system. Additionally, doing the most important tasks herself is not a sustainable approach and does not promote delegation or empowerment of employees.

Question 2

Managers should use subjective measures when ________.
A)work activities cannot be expressed in quantifiable terms
B)organizational processes and activities are complex
C)immediate managerial action is required
D)organizational efficiency is in question

Accepted Answer

Subjective measures should be used when work activities cannot be expressed in quantifiable terms, such as creativity or customer satisfaction. In cases where the processes and activities are complex or when immediate action is required, objective measures may not be sufficient. When organizational efficiency is in question, objective measures can provide more accurate and reliable information.

Question 3

The control process is a two-step process that compares actual performance against a standard and then taking managerial action to correct deviations or inadequate standards.

Accepted Answer

The control process is typically a three-step process that involves establishing standards, comparing actual performance against these standards, and taking corrective action if necessary.

Question 4

Designing a Control System (Scenario)
Gina realizes her department needs to make some changes in its control system. The department is one of five in her division, and she is not sure which approach will work best for the organization. She could base her department's performance on their distinct product, making it a profit centre and evaluating it against overall company results. She could also make better use of the policies, regulations, and procedures that are already in place. To date, Gina has not strictly enforced many of the regulations established by the head office because her department is self-regulating. The work groups set their goals and insure those goals are achieved. Everyone is well aware of the expected standards and work behaviours, and there is little tolerance for workers who do not meet the group norms.
-The control system that Gina chooses should ultimately be one that ________.
A)monitors everything that happens in the department
B)monitors only the important activities in the department
C)helps the organization effectively and efficiently reach its goals
D)requires minimal management involvement

Accepted Answer

The control system that Gina chooses should ultimately be one that helps the organization effectively and efficiently reach its goals. It should not only focus on monitoring everything that happens in the department or only the important activities in the department, but rather on aligning the department's performance with the overall company results to achieve the organization's goals. Minimal management involvement might not be the best approach in this scenario as some level of control and guidance is necessary to ensure that the department is effective in achieving its goals.

Question 5

In the control process,which step follows "measuring actual performance"?
A)establishing standards
B)obtaining employee input to performance gaps
C)comparing actual performance against a standard
D)checking performance measurement for reliability

Accepted Answer

The step that follows "measuring actual performance" is comparing it against a standard to see if there are any deviations or variations. This step helps in identifying any performance gaps and taking corrective actions to bridge them. Establishing standards comes before measuring actual performance, obtaining employee input to performance gaps comes after comparing actual performance against a standard, and checking performance measurement for reliability is done during the measuring actual performance step. Therefore, the correct choice is C.

Question 6

Appropriate controls can help managers look for ________ and areas for improvement.
A)unmotivated employees
B)specific performance gaps
C)equipment failures
D)failing technologies

Accepted Answer

Appropriate controls, such as performance metrics and feedback processes, can help managers identify specific performance gaps within their organization, allowing them to target areas for improvement. Controls may also help identify issues with equipment or technologies, but these are not the primary focus of control measures. Unmotivated employees may be identified through performance feedback, but controls themselves are not likely to directly address motivational issues.

Question 7

Managers engage in controlling activities to protect the organization and its assets.

Accepted Answer

Controlling activities such as monitoring performance, enforcing policies and procedures, and conducting audits help managers ensure that the organization and its assets are protected from potential risks and losses.

Question 8

Jaspreet's job is to compare each department's monthly budget to its actual expenditures.Jaspreet is performing part of the ________ function.
A)planning
B)organizing
C)budgeting
D)controlling

Accepted Answer

Jaspreet's job of comparing department's monthly budget to actual expenditures is part of the controlling function of management. Controlling involves measuring performance against goals and taking corrective action if necessary.

Question 9

An effective control system ensures that activities are completed in ways that ________.
A)motivate employees
B)maximize profits
C)lead to the attainment of organizational goals
D)maximize production output

Accepted Answer

An effective control system is designed to ensure that activities are carried out in ways that are in line with achieving the organization's goals. While motivating employees and maximizing profits are important considerations, they are not the primary purpose of a control system. Similarly, maximizing production output may not always be the most desirable outcome if it comes at the expense of quality or safety.

Question 10

Which information source used to measure performance provides information that is NOT filtered through others?
A)statistical reports
B)personal observation
C)written reports
D)oral reports

Accepted Answer

Personal observation allows an individual to directly see and interpret performance information without it being filtered through others. Statistical reports may be compiled by someone else, and written and oral reports may reflect the biases or interpretations of those who created them.

Question 11

Many managers are reluctant ________ because they fear something will go wrong for which they would be held responsible.
A)to institute strict controls
B)to empower employees
C)to give up personal observations
D)to stop monitoring profits

Accepted Answer

Empowering employees involves the delegation of responsibilities, decision-making power, and autonomy to subordinates. Managers who are reluctant to do so may fear that the employees will make mistakes or fail to meet organizational goals, which may reflect poorly on the manager's leadership abilities.

Question 12

Having a control system reduces the scope of employee empowerment and autonomy.

Accepted Answer

A control system can actually enhance employee empowerment and autonomy by providing clear guidelines and objectives, allowing employees to make informed decisions within a structured framework.

Question 13

The criterion that determines the effectiveness of a control system is how well it reduces unnecessary costs.

Accepted Answer

The criterion that determines the effectiveness of a control system can vary depending on the purpose of the control system. While reducing unnecessary costs may be a desired outcome in certain situations, it is not always the only or most important criterion. Other measures of effectiveness may include improving efficiency, increasing productivity, enhancing quality, or ensuring compliance with regulations or standards.

Question 14

Which of the following management responsibilities determines if organizational goals are being achieved?
A)motivating employees
B)formulating business strategy
C)measuring firm performance
D)making profit year after year

Accepted Answer

Measuring firm performance is the best choice as it involves assessing if the organization is achieving its goals and objectives. The other options - motivating employees, formulating business strategy, and making profit year after year are important management responsibilities as well, but they are not directly related to determining if organizational goals are being achieved.

Question 15

The control process assumes that ________.
A)employees require clear directions from management
B)performance standards are already in place
C)employee monitoring costs are necessary part of doing business
D)strategic plans are fixed

Accepted Answer

The control process assumes that performance standards are already in place for employees to meet. This is the basis for measuring and evaluating employee performance. The other options are not necessarily assumed by the control process.

Question 16

Controlling is the process of monitoring,comparing,and correcting work performance.

Accepted Answer

Controlling involves monitoring work performance, comparing it to standards or goals, and making corrections as necessary to ensure that the desired outcomes are achieved.

Question 17

In a short essay,explain the reasons why control is important for managers.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a short essay,explain the reasons why...

Question 18

An effective control system can provide information and feedback on employee performance and ________.
A)ensure profits increase annually
B)eliminate the need for continual measurement
C)increase the company's competitiveness in the marketplace
D)minimize the chance of potential problems

Accepted Answer

An effective control system can help minimize the chance of potential problems by identifying issues and providing feedback to employees so they can take corrective action. While improving profitability and competitiveness may be potential benefits of a control system, they are not the primary focus. Additionally, the idea that a control system could eliminate the need for continual measurement is not accurate, as measurement is integral to the control process.

Question 19

Which of the following observations is TRUE of organizational controlling?
A)An effective control system facilitates employee empowerment.
B)Forming an organizational structure is a crucial control activity.
C)Human resource management is a subset of the controlling process.
D)Organizational strategies are formed during the controlling stage.

Accepted Answer

An effective control system in an organization indeed facilitates employee empowerment by setting clear guidelines and objectives, allowing employees to understand their roles and responsibilities better, and giving them the autonomy to make decisions within those parameters. This leads to a more engaged and motivated workforce.

Question 20

Designing a Control System (Scenario)
Gina realizes her department needs to make some changes in its control system. The department is one of five in her division, and she is not sure which approach will work best for the organization. She could base her department's performance on their distinct product, making it a profit centre and evaluating it against overall company results. She could also make better use of the policies, regulations, and procedures that are already in place. To date, Gina has not strictly enforced many of the regulations established by the head office because her department is self-regulating. The work groups set their goals and insure those goals are achieved. Everyone is well aware of the expected standards and work behaviours, and there is little tolerance for workers who do not meet the group norms.
-In selecting the best control system,Gina understands that ________.
A)everything in the department must ultimately be monitored
B)control must precede planning
C)what gets measured is less important than how it is measured
D)planning must precede control

Accepted Answer

Control systems are designed to measure and correct the activities of the organization to ensure that enterprise objectives and plans devised to attain them are accomplished. Therefore, planning, which involves setting objectives and deciding on a course of action, must come before control, which ensures that plans are being followed and objectives are being met.

Quiz 17: Evidence-Based Decision Making

Managers should use subjective measures when ________.

The control process is a two-step process that compares actual performance against a standard and then taking managerial action to correct deviations or inadequate standards.

In the control process,which step follows "measuring actual performance"?

Appropriate controls can help managers look for ________ and areas for improvement.

Managers engage in controlling activities to protect the organization and its assets.

Jaspreet's job is to compare each department's monthly budget to its actual expenditures.Jaspreet is performing part of the ________ function.

An effective control system ensures that activities are completed in ways that ________.

Which information source used to measure performance provides information that is NOT filtered through others?

Many managers are reluctant ________ because they fear something will go wrong for which they would be held responsible.

Having a control system reduces the scope of employee empowerment and autonomy.

The criterion that determines the effectiveness of a control system is how well it reduces unnecessary costs.

Which of the following management responsibilities determines if organizational goals are being achieved?

The control process assumes that ________.

Controlling is the process of monitoring,comparing,and correcting work performance.

In a short essay,explain the reasons why control is important for managers.

An effective control system can provide information and feedback on employee performance and ________.

Which of the following observations is TRUE of organizational controlling?