Question 1

The millennials are characterized with the ease of multitasking, desire for immediate gratification, continuous contact with others, and less concern with knowing things than with knowing where to find out about things.

Accepted Answer

This is a commonly accepted characterization of the millennial generation.

Question 2

Offshoring is the return of jobs from foreign locations as companies establish new domestic operations.

Accepted Answer

Offshoring refers to the relocation of jobs and operations to foreign countries, while the scenario described in the statement is referred to as reshoring or onshoring.

Question 3

The baby boomers are "digital natives" who grew up in technology-enriched homes, schools, and friendship environments.

Accepted Answer

Baby boomers were born between 1946 and 1964, which means they did not grow up in technology-enriched environments. They experienced technology advancements later in life. "Digital natives" refers to individuals who were born in the age of technology (after the 1980s).

Question 4

High environmental uncertainty occurs when the rate of change in the environment is low and the complexity of the environment is low.

Accepted Answer

High environmental uncertainty occurs when the rate of change in the environment is high and the complexity of the environment is high.

Question 5

High-uncertainty environments require the ability of decision makers to respond quickly as new circumstances arise and new information becomes available.

Accepted Answer

In high-uncertainty environments, decision makers must be able to adapt and respond quickly to changes in order to make effective decisions.

Question 6

Internet censorship is the deliberate blockage and denial of public access to information posted on the Internet.

Accepted Answer

Internet censorship involves intentionally restricting access to information on the internet, which limits the information available to the public.

Question 7

The least challenging and certain situation is an environment that is both complex and dynamic.

Accepted Answer

The statement is incorrect. A complex and dynamic environment is often challenging and uncertain as it involves multiple variables and factors that are constantly changing, making it difficult to predict outcomes and create stable plans.

Question 8

Competitive advantage achieved through costs will help an organization earn profits with prices that one's competitors have difficulty matching.

Accepted Answer

Achieving a competitive advantage through lower costs allows an organization to offer lower prices than competitors, which can lead to increased sales and profits. Competitors may struggle to match these prices without sacrificing their own profits.

Question 9

The legal-political conditions in the global business environment are uniform across all countries.

Accepted Answer

Legal-political conditions in the global business environment vary greatly between countries due to differences in laws, regulations, political systems, and cultural norms.

Question 10

Rising labour costs, higher shipping costs, and public criticisms about destroying local jobs can cause global firms to return to their home countries.

Accepted Answer

Rising labour and shipping costs make it less profitable to manufacture goods abroad, while public pressure encourages companies to keep jobs in their home countries.

Question 11

The general environment comprises the actual organizations, groups, and persons with whom an organization interacts and conducts business.

Accepted Answer

The general environment refers to the broad, complex factors that affect all organizations indirectly, such as economic conditions, technological changes, sociocultural trends, and political/legal forces, rather than the specific entities an organization directly interacts with.

Question 12

Some of the important socio-cultural conditions of the general environment include more people of colour and more women entering the workforce, accompanied by decreases in both religious diversity and the number of workers coming from non-traditional families.

Accepted Answer

While it's true that more people of color and more women are entering the workforce, there has been an increase in religious diversity and more workers coming from non-traditional families, not a decrease.

Question 13

Generational cohorts consist of people born within a few years of one another and who experience somewhat similar life events during their formative years.

Accepted Answer

Generational cohorts are defined by shared experiences during a formative period, such as political or cultural events, and typically include people born within a 15-20 year span.

Question 14

Legal-political conditions in the general environment include norms, customs, and social values regarding human rights, trends in education and related social institutions, and demographic patterns in society.

Accepted Answer

Legal-political conditions in the general environment typically refer to the laws, regulations, and political climate that affect how businesses operate, including government policies, political stability, and legal issues such as intellectual property rights and labor laws. Norms, customs, social values, trends in education, and demographic patterns are more accurately described as part of the sociocultural segment of the general environment.

Question 15

Innovation is a low priority when executives and leaders try to steer organizations through complex and uncertain environments.

Accepted Answer

Innovation is often seen as a high priority in navigating complex and uncertain environments, as it can bring about new solutions and strategies that can help organizations adapt and thrive in changing circumstances. Many executives and leaders prioritize innovation in their decision-making processes.

Question 16

Creating positive change in organizations is easy, despite the complexity, uncertainty, anxiety, and risk involved.

Accepted Answer

Creating positive change in organizations can be challenging and often requires a strategic approach, effective communication, and engagement with stakeholders. It may also involve overcoming resistance, addressing power dynamics, and dealing with unforeseen obstacles or setbacks. Therefore, it is not always easy, and success cannot be guaranteed.

Question 17

Customers and owners are important resource input stakeholders in an organization's value creation, whereas suppliers and communities are important product output stakeholders in an organization's value creation.

Accepted Answer

Customers and suppliers are considered important resource input stakeholders as they provide essential inputs (customers provide revenue through purchases and suppliers provide materials or services) necessary for an organization's value creation. Owners are indeed important resource input stakeholders as they invest capital and resources. Communities, on the other hand, can be seen as both input and output stakeholders depending on their interaction with the organization (e.g., providing local workforce or being affected by the organization's operations).

Question 18

A sustainable business both meets the needs of customers and protects the natural environment for future generations.

Accepted Answer

A sustainable business is one that operates in a way that balances economic viability, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability. It seeks to meet the needs of its customers while also protecting the natural environment for future generations.

Question 19

The more uncertain the environment, the easier it is to analyze environmental conditions and predict future states of affairs.

Accepted Answer

The statement is false. In uncertain environments, it is difficult to analyze environmental conditions and predict future states of affairs because there are many variables and factors that are unknown or unpredictable.

Question 20

Inflation, income levels, and job outlook are part of the socio-cultural conditions in the general environment.

Accepted Answer

Inflation, income levels, and job outlook are part of the economic conditions in the general environment, not socio-cultural conditions. Socio-cultural conditions refer to societal values, norms, customs, and demographics.

Quiz 4: Environment, Innovation, and Sustainability