Question 1

Diversity is an absolute phenomenon that specifies that a group or organization is or is not diverse.

Accepted Answer

Diversity is a relative concept that can vary in definition and application, depending on factors such as context, culture, and individual perspectives. It is not an absolute state but rather a spectrum of characteristics, experiences, and identities within a group or organization.

Question 2

____ is a key part of the manager's job.
A) Understanding the organizational hierarchy
B) Authoritarianism
C) Being manipulative
D) Maintaining an effective alignment between the organization and the environment
E) Being cognizant of the environment in which his or her supervisors operate

Accepted Answer

Maintaining an effective alignment between the organization and the environment is crucial for the success of any organization, and it is a key part of a manager's job. This involves keeping up with changes in the external environment and adapting the organization's strategies accordingly. It also includes ensuring that the organization's internal structure and processes are aligned with its goals and values.

Question 3

When a locally owned construction firm fears new competition from a national chain such as Toll Brothers moving in,it is experiencing a change in its
A) internal environment.
B) external environment.
C) physical work environment.
D) government regulations.
E) organizational culture.

Accepted Answer

The fear of new competition from a national chain like Toll Brothers indicates a change in the external environment of the locally owned construction firm. The external environment refers to all the factors outside of an organization, such as competition, government regulations, technology, and market trends, that can impact its operations and success. In this case, the firm is facing a threat from a new competitor, which could have a significant impact on its performance, hence indicating a change in the external environment.

Question 4

Organizations today are becoming less diverse and multicultural.

Accepted Answer

Organizations are actually becoming more diverse and multicultural as companies recognize the benefits of having a diverse workforce and a global perspective. However, there may still be challenges in creating truly inclusive environments and addressing unconscious biases.

Question 5

Twenty years ago most business failures were attributed to poor inventory management.Today point-of-sales terminals are used at the checkout counters of most retail stores.These terminals allow retailers to know what is selling,to see what needs to be reordered,and to better satisfy customers while not over investing in inventory.Point-of-sales terminals have greatly influenced how retailers interact with the ____ dimension of the general environment.
A) task
B) sociocultural
C) technological
D) political
E) economic

Accepted Answer

Point-of-sales terminals represent a technological advancement that enables retailers to better manage their inventory and interact with customers, which is part of the technological dimension of the general environment.

Question 6

In 2011,unemployment was the highest it had been in more than a decade.This is part of the ____ dimension of organizations.
A) legal
B) sociocultural
C) technological
D) political
E) economic

Accepted Answer

Unemployment rates and economic conditions are a part of the economic dimension of organizations, which includes factors such as inflation rates, GDP, interest rates, and supply and demand.

Question 7

General Motors sold an auto parts company because profitability was low.The primary environmental dimension considered was
A) economic.
B) technological.
C) sociocultural.
D) political-legal.
E) domestic.

Accepted Answer

Since the reason for the sale was low profitability, the primary environmental dimension considered was economic.

Question 8

The interest rates are an important aspect of which environment?
A) Political-legal
B) Economic
C) Sociocultural
D) Task
E) None of these choices

Accepted Answer

Interest rates are a key component of the economic environment, as they influence borrowing and lending behavior, investment decisions, and overall economic activity. Interest rates are set by central banks and can have a significant impact on the inflation rate and exchange rate of a country.

Question 9

When entrepreneur Gene Reilly's dog couldn't drink water,he developed a canine sports drink,which he marketed and called Rebound.Which of the following is part of the general environment for Reilly's company?
A) Dog owners
B) The American Kennel Association
C) The company that supplies the plastic bottles in which the drink is sold
D) The lending institution that gave Reilly his start-up capital
E) The sociocultural belief that says it is all right for people to give dogs human characteristics

Accepted Answer

The sociocultural environment, part of the general environment, influences how a society views certain actions and products. The belief that it's acceptable to anthropomorphize dogs (give them human characteristics) directly impacts the acceptance and success of a product like a canine sports drink. This belief shapes consumer behavior and market demand, making it a significant external factor for Reilly's company.

Question 10

The ____ dimension refers to the methods available for converting resources into products and services.
A) task
B) sociocultural
C) technological
D) political
E) economic

Accepted Answer

The technological dimension refers to the methods available for converting resources into products and services. This involves aspects such as automation, innovation, research and development, and technological advancements. The other dimensions (task, sociocultural, political, and economic) may impact the technological dimension, but they are not directly related to it.

Question 11

A(n)____ would come under the heading of the economic element of the general environment.
A) increase in the number of single-parent families
B) increase in unemployment
C) large increase in immigration
D) increase in the mean age of the population
E) significant decrease in the birthrate

Accepted Answer

An increase in unemployment is an economic element and can impact the overall business environment by affecting the demand for goods and services, customer spending power, and inflation rates. It can also affect business operations by leading to a decrease in sales and revenue for companies. The other options may fall under social or demographic elements of the general environment.

Question 12

When HTC offered the first cell phone with a button dedicated to Facebook,it was responding to changes in the ____ environmental dimension.
A) economic
B) technological
C) international
D) political-legal
E) domestic

Accepted Answer

The introduction of a button dedicated to Facebook on a cell phone is a technological change.

Question 13

The general environment of organizations has all EXCEPT which dimension?
A) Economic
B) Technological
C) Sociocultural
D) Political-legal
E) Domestic

Accepted Answer

The given options for the general environment of organizations include economic, technological, sociocultural, and political-legal dimensions. Therefore, the dimension "Domestic" is not a part of the general environment of organizations.

Question 14

An erratic economy increases uncertainty.

Accepted Answer

An erratic economy is characterized by frequent fluctuations, making it difficult to predict future trends and leading to a higher level of uncertainty for businesses, investors, and consumers.

Question 15

Which of the following statements does NOT describe a characteristic of an organization's external environment?
A) It includes specific,identifiable organizations and factors of interest to the organization.
B) It is composed of general and task components.
C) The boundary between the organization and its environment is quite specific and clearly defined.
D) It contains some nonspecific dimensions and forces that can affect organization activities.
E) It includes everything outside of the organization that might potentially affect it.

Accepted Answer

The statement "The boundary between the organization and its environment is quite specific and clearly defined" does not describe a characteristic of an organization's external environment. In reality, the boundary between the organization and its environment is often blurry and constantly changing, as organizations are impacted by a wide variety of internal and external factors that overlap and interact with one another. The other statements are all true characteristics of an organization's external environment.

Question 16

Which of the following events would NOT have a significant impact on an organization's general environment?
A) A German firm develops an improved two-cycle automobile engine.
B) The unemployment rate drops below 4 percent.
C) An industry's labor union refuses to agree to a new contract.
D) The mean age of the population shows a gradual increase.
E) The Supreme Court supports rigid interpretation of antitrust laws.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following events would NOT...

Question 17

An organization's general environment
A) includes a set of broad dimensions.
B) includes forces in its surroundings.
C) refers to the overall context of the environment.
D) is not necessarily associated with specific organizations.
E) All of these choices

Accepted Answer

The organization's general environment includes a set of broad dimensions, such as economic, technological, sociocultural, political-legal, and international forces in its surroundings. It refers to the overall context of the environment and is not necessarily associated with specific organizations. Therefore, all of these choices are correct.

Question 18

The downgrade of U.S.federal debt created wild swings in the stock market.The uncertainty led to consumer caution and less spending.This is an example of the ____ dimension.
A) legal
B) sociocultural
C) technological
D) political
E) economic

Accepted Answer

The situation described in the question, where the stock market experienced wild swings and consumer caution led to less spending, is related to economic factors, such as the downgrade of the U.S. federal debt. Therefore, the best choice is E, economic dimension.

Question 19

McAfee announced the detection of electronic spying by a foreign nation on the International Olympic Committee before the Olympics.This is part of the ____ environment of the IOC.
A) legal
B) sociocultural
C) technological
D) political
E) economic

Accepted Answer

The detection of electronic spying falls under the technological environment of the IOC, as it relates to the use of technology and its impact on the organization's operations.

Question 20

When Catherine,Duchess of Cambridge started wearing pantyhose,sales in the UK increased 85%.That is an example of which environment?
A) Task
B) Political-legal
C) Sociocultural
D) Technological
E) Economic

Accepted Answer

The increase in sales of pantyhose due to the Duchess of Cambridge's influence indicates the impact of sociocultural environment on consumer behavior. It reflects how celebrities and influencers have the power to influence buying decisions of consumers.

Quiz 3: Understanding the Organizations Environment

Diversity is an absolute phenomenon that specifies that a group or organization is or is not diverse.

____ is a key part of the manager's job.

When a locally owned construction firm fears new competition from a national chain such as Toll Brothers moving in,it is experiencing a change in its

Organizations today are becoming less diverse and multicultural.

In 2011,unemployment was the highest it had been in more than a decade.This is part of the ____ dimension of organizations.

General Motors sold an auto parts company because profitability was low.The primary environmental dimension considered was

The interest rates are an important aspect of which environment?

When entrepreneur Gene Reilly's dog couldn't drink water,he developed a canine sports drink,which he marketed and called Rebound.Which of the following is part of the general environment for Reilly's company?

The ____ dimension refers to the methods available for converting resources into products and services.

A(n) ____ would come under the heading of the economic element of the general environment.

When HTC offered the first cell phone with a button dedicated to Facebook,it was responding to changes in the ____ environmental dimension.

The general environment of organizations has all EXCEPT which dimension?

An erratic economy increases uncertainty.

Which of the following statements does NOT describe a characteristic of an organization's external environment?

Which of the following events would NOT have a significant impact on an organization's general environment?

An organization's general environment

The downgrade of U.S.federal debt created wild swings in the stock market.The uncertainty led to consumer caution and less spending.This is an example of the ____ dimension.

McAfee announced the detection of electronic spying by a foreign nation on the International Olympic Committee before the Olympics.This is part of the ____ environment of the IOC.

When Catherine,Duchess of Cambridge started wearing pantyhose,sales in the UK increased 85%.That is an example of which environment?