Question 1

Those in staff positions have the authority and responsibility to advise people in line positions:

Accepted Answer

Staff positions are advisory positions and do not have direct authority over line positions. However, they do have the responsibility to advise and provide guidance to people in line positions. This means they can give recommendations but cannot issue direct orders.

Question 2

Employees who have the authority and responsibility to issue orders to people who report to them are known to be in which position?

Accepted Answer

Line positions are directly involved in the day-to-day operations of a company and have the authority and responsibility to issue orders to those who report to them. Staff positions provide support and advice to line positions, while clerical positions perform administrative tasks. Stakeholders are individuals or groups that have an interest in the success of a company but do not necessarily have decision-making authority.

Question 3

A category manager:

Accepted Answer

A category manager has profit-and-loss responsibility for an entire product line. They are responsible for managing the product lifecycle and ensuring that the product line is profitable. They also work to optimize the product mix, pricing, and promotions to achieve the best financial results.

Question 4

Colgate moved from brand management (Colgate toothpaste)to category management (toothpaste product line).Under Colgate's new system,a category manager would have:

Accepted Answer

Under category management, the category manager is responsible for the profit and loss of all products within the category, in this case the toothpaste product line. This is different from brand management, where the brand manager is only responsible for a single brand (in this case, Colgate toothpaste). Therefore, option B is the correct choice.

Question 5

As a new employee,your manager asked you to complete an action item list for an upcoming marketing project.Confused,you hesitated a moment before realizing that an action item list is pretty much the same as a:

Accepted Answer

A program schedule and an action item list both involve outlining specific tasks and deadlines for a project to be completed. The other options listed are not accurate descriptions of an action item list.

Question 6

The key to all scheduling techniques is to:

Accepted Answer

Distinguishing tasks that must be done sequentially from those that can be done concurrently is essential in scheduling. This helps in determining the order and time required for completing each task, which in turn helps in allocating resources and time more efficiently. It also helps in identifying dependencies between tasks and avoiding delays or conflicts. Avoiding tasks that must be done sequentially or concurrently may not always be possible, depending on the nature of the project or task. Allowing for a delay factor may also be useful, but it is not the key to effective scheduling.

Question 7

GE organizes their structure by marketing,finance,and R&D.GE's structure is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

GE organizes its structure based on functions such as marketing, finance, and R&D. This type of grouping is referred to as functional grouping, where each function operates independently but works together towards the overall goals of the company. Product line grouping would mean the company is organized by its different product lines or categories, geographical grouping would mean GE is structured according to the different regions it operates in, while market-based grouping indicates that the company is structured based on the different market segments it serves.

Question 8

Within DuPont's textile fibre department,there is a separate product manager for rayon,acetate,Orlon,nylon,and Dacron.The product manager for DuPont nylon would be responsible for:

Accepted Answer

The product manager for DuPont nylon would be responsible for making long-range plans for nylon, as it is a specific product within the textile fibre department. They would need to develop strategies to increase sales, improve product quality, and stay ahead of competitors in the nylon market. The other options are not necessarily within the scope of the product manager's responsibilities for a specific product line.

Question 9

The IBM maintains a "one-product-fits-all" mentality,but each sales representative sold the company's entire line of products to different customers in a single industry,such as manufacturers or banks.This structure is known as:

Accepted Answer

The scenario describes market-based groupings, where sales representatives sell the company's entire line of products to different customers in a single industry, such as manufacturers or banks, based on the market or industry they operate in. This allows for a more focused approach and expertise in serving specific markets or industries. The "one-product-fits-all" mentality, on the other hand, suggests a lack of product line grouping, where products are grouped according to their similarity or compatibility. Geographical grouping and functional grouping are other types of organizational structures that may not be applicable in this scenario.

Question 10

General Mills has three divisions in Canada: Eastern,Central,and Western Canada.General Mills organizes their structure using:

Accepted Answer

General Mills has organized their structure based on the location of their divisions in Canada. Eastern, Central, and Western Canada represent different areas of the country and therefore different markets, which could require different strategies and approaches.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a step in developing program schedules such as Gantt charts?

Accepted Answer

Developing program schedules such as Gantt charts involves identifying the main tasks, assigning responsibilities to complete each task, and determining how long it will take to complete each task. However, determining the cost of completing the task is not a step in developing a program schedule. It is part of the cost management process.

Question 12

A matrix organization:

Accepted Answer

A matrix organization combines a market-based structure with product groupings. In this type of organization, employees are grouped by both function and product, allowing for a dynamic and flexible structure. This structure is often used in organizations that are working on complex projects and require a high level of coordination and communication between teams.

Question 13

Within DuPont's textile fibre department,there is a separate product manager for rayon,acetate,Orlon,nylon,and Dacron.Each product manager is responsible for selling to the various markets in which the textile could be used such as clothing,furniture,or floor coverings.Its other product divisions have similar structures.DuPont uses _____ to organize the company.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Within DuPont's textile fibre department,there is a...

Question 14

Employees who have the responsibility to advise people in line positions but cannot issue them direct orders are usually in which position?

Accepted Answer

Staff positions have the responsibility to advise people in line positions, but they cannot issue them direct orders. Line positions have the authority to make decisions and issue orders to those in lower levels of the organization. Stakeholders are individuals or groups who have an interest in the company but are not employees, and management includes those individuals who have the authority to make decisions and issue orders.

Question 15

Ingram Micro is the biggest computer wholesaler in the world.It has two divisions.One provides supplies for companies that manufacture computer products,such as IBM and Microsoft.To them it sells motherboards,monitors,etc.The other has been developed to serve the needs of the resellers and retailers who sell computers to businesses and individual customers.To them,it sells user-ready computers.Ingram Micro uses a simplistic version of what kind of organizational structure for marketing?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Ingram Micro is the biggest computer wholesaler...

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a staff position for Bush Refrigeration Company,a company that sells refrigeration units on a lease-to-buy plan to small flower shops,delis,and restaurants?

Accepted Answer

A legal advisor would be considered a staff position in a company as they provide support and advice to management and other employees regarding legal matters. The CEO and Vice President are typically considered executive positions and the delivery/installation staff would be considered operational or support staff.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a divisional grouping used by marketing managers to implement plans and achieve their organizational objectives?

Accepted Answer

Marketing channel grouping is not a divisional grouping commonly used by marketing managers. The other three (geographical, product line, and market-based grouping) are commonly used to implement plans and achieve organizational objectives.

Question 18

Deloitte Consulting categorizes their customers by banking,healthcare,private,and entrepreneurs.Deloitte is basing its organizational structure on:

Accepted Answer

Deloitte Consulting categorizes its customers based on customer segments, which means it organizes its structure based on the types of customers it serves. This helps Deloitte to focus on the specific needs of each customer segment and provide tailored services to meet those needs.

Question 19

Whirlpool uses an organizational structure with the following headings: Small Appliance,Large Appliance,Outdoor Equipment,and Electronics.What format of organizational structure is Whirlpool based on?

Accepted Answer

Whirlpool is using a product-based organizational structure, where each heading represents a different product category.

Question 20

An organizational structure that is based on specific customer segments,such as the banking,health care,or manufacturing segments,is using:

Accepted Answer

Market-based grouping is based on specific customer segments, so this is the correct option. Product line grouping is based on different product offerings or categories, geographical grouping is based on different regions or locations, and functional grouping is based on different departments or functions within the organization.

Quiz 19: Pulling It All Together: The Strategic Marketing Process