Question 1

In the context of the systems theory, understanding _____ helps a manager know which sets of circumstances dictate which management actions.
A) inputs
B) physical needs
C) economies
D) contingencies
E) outputs

Accepted Answer

Contingencies are factors that determine the appropriateness of managerial actions. Understanding contingencies helps a manager know which sets of circumstances dictate which management actions.

Question 2

_____, a major organizational behaviorist, recommended greater autonomy and better jobs for workers.
A) Rensis Likert
B) Douglas McGregor
C) Michael Porter
D) Jim Collins
E) Chris Argyris

Accepted Answer

A major organizational behaviorist includes Chris Argyris, who recommended greater autonomy and better jobs for workers.

Question 3

A manager assume workers are lazy and irresponsible and require constant supervision and external motivation to achieve organizational goals. Which of the following theories of management does the manager subscribe to?
A) Theory X
B) Sociotechnical systems
C) Bureaucracy
D) Human relations
E) Systems theory

Accepted Answer

According to McGregor, Theory X managers assume workers are lazy and irresponsible and require constant supervision and external motivation to achieve organizational goals.

Question 4

In the context of the systems theory, factors that determine the appropriateness of managerial actions are known as _____.
A) systems
B) resources
C) tasks
D) inventories
E) contingencies

Accepted Answer

Contingencies are factors that determine the appropriateness of managerial actions. Understanding contingencies helps a manager know which sets of circumstances dictate which management actions.

Question 5

In the context of contemporary approaches to management, the use of _____ has been limited because many aspects of a management decision cannot be expressed through mathematical symbols and formulas.
A) organizational behavior
B) systematic management
C) quantitative management
D) human relations
E) administrative management

Accepted Answer

Several explanations account for the limited use of quantitative management. Many managers have not been trained in using these techniques. Also, many aspects of a management decision cannot be expressed through mathematical symbols and formulas. Finally, many of the decisions managers face are nonroutine and unpredictable.

Question 6

Who is sometimes criticized for his controversial practices such as selling off underperforming divisions and forced rankings of employees by performance?
A) Sam Walton
B) Gary Hamel
C) Jack Welch
D) Herb Kelleher
E) Jim Collins

Accepted Answer

Ex-CEO Jack Welch transformed General Electric from a $13 billion company into a $500 billion company over a 20-year period. He is sometimes criticized for his controversial practices (e.g., selling off underperforming divisions and forced rankings of employees by performance).

Question 7

In the context of contemporary approaches to management, managers may use _____ to compare alternatives and eliminate weaker options.
A) quantitative management
B) organizational behavior
C) sociotechnical systems theory
D) contingency perspective
E) administrative management

Accepted Answer

Despite the promise quantitative management holds, managers do not rely on these methods as the primary approach to decision making. Typically they use these techniques as a supplement or tool in the decision process. Many managers will use results that are consistent with their experience, intuition, and judgment, but they often reject results that contradict their beliefs. Also, managers may use the process to compare alternatives and eliminate weaker options.

Question 8

_____ is a contemporary management approach that studies and identifies management activities that promote employee effectiveness by examining the complex and dynamic nature of individual, group, and organizational processes.
A) Quantitative management
B) Organizational behavior
C) Systems theory
D) Contingency perspective
E) Sociotechnical systems theory

Accepted Answer

Organizational behavior is a contemporary management approach that studies and identifies management activities that promote employee effectiveness by examining the complex and dynamic nature of individual, group, and organizational processes.

Question 9

In the context of the systems theory, human resources, capital, and raw material are examples of _____.
A) contingencies
B) inputs
C) economies
D) control systems
E) outputs

Accepted Answer

Organizations are open systems, dependent on inputs from the outside world, such as raw materials, human resources, and capital.

Question 10

Which of the following is a criticism of the classical approaches to management?
A) The relationship between the organization and its external environment is ignored.
B) Most managers are not trained to use these techniques.
C) Many aspects of a management decision cannot be expressed through mathematical symbols and formulas.
D) Many of the decisions managers face are nonroutine and unpredictable.
E) There is only "one best way" to manage and organize because circumstances vary.

Accepted Answer

The classical approaches as a whole were criticized because they (1) ignored the relationship between the organization and its external environment and (2) usually stressed one aspect of the organization or its employees at the expense of other considerations.

Question 11

Which of the following is true of the sociotechnical systems theory?
A) Most organizations did not adopt the sociotechnical systems theory for management problems until the 1940s and 1950s.
B) It was the first major approach to emphasize informal work relationships and worker satisfaction.
C) It was put into action in the late 1980s and 1990s when each of the large U.S. automakers created cooperative ventures with the major Japanese automakers.
D) It emphasized the perspective of senior managers within the organization.
E) It emphasized a structured, formal network of relationships among specialized positions in an organization.

Accepted Answer

Sociotechnical systems theory was put into action back in the late 1980s and 1990s when each of the large U.S. automakers-General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler-created cooperative ventures with the major Japanese automakers.

Question 12

When a manager treats employees as lazy, unmotivated, and in need of tight supervision; then the employees eventually meet the manager's expectations by acting that way. According to Douglas McGregor, this is known as a:
A) contingency.
B) an open system.
C) physiological need.
D) self-fulfilling prophecy.
E) bureaucratic approach.

Accepted Answer

An important implication for managers who subscribe to Theory X is known as a self-fulfilling prophecy. This occurs when a manager treats employees as lazy, unmotivated, and in need of tight supervision; then the employees eventually fulfill the manager's expectations by acting that way. This cycle can have several negative implications for managers, employees, and organizations.

Question 13

In the context of contemporary approaches to management, research on _____ promoted the use of teamwork and semiautonomous work groups as important factors for creating efficient production systems.
A) organizational behavior
B) quantitative management
C) sociotechnical systems theory
D) human relations
E) administrative management

Accepted Answer

While research on sociotechnical systems theory was a precursor to the total quality management (TQM) movement, it also promoted the use of teamwork and semiautonomous work groups as important factors for creating efficient production systems.

Question 14

The values, goals, skills, and attitudes of managers and workers in the organization are examples of _____.
A) economies
B) outputs
C) physical needs
D) tasks
E) contingencies

Accepted Answer

Situational characteristics are called contingencies. The contingencies include:• Circumstances in the organization's external environment.• The internal strengths and weaknesses of the organization.• The values, goals, skills, and attitudes of managers and workers in the organization.• The types of tasks, resources, and technologies the organization uses.

Question 15

The _____ refutes universal principles of management by stating that a variety of factors, both internal and external to the firm, may affect the organization's performance.
A) contingency perspective
B) scientific management approach
C) human relations approach
D) organizational behavior approach
E) sociotechnical systems theory

Accepted Answer

Building on systems theory ideas, the contingency perspective refutes universal principles of management by stating that a variety of factors, both internal and external to the firm, may affect the organization's performance.

Question 16

McGregor advocated a _____, suggesting that managers who encourage participation and allow opportunities for individual challenge and initiative would achieve superior performance.
A) bureaucratic approach
B) Theory Y perspective
C) Theory X perspective
D) human relations approach
E) contingency perspective

Accepted Answer

McGregor advocated a Theory Y perspective, suggesting that managers who encourage participation and allow opportunities for individual challenge and initiative would achieve superior performance.

Question 17

The ex-CEO of General Electric, _____, is widely viewed as having mastered "all of the critical aspects of leadership: people, process, strategy and structure."
A) Jim Collins
B) Jack Welch
C) Gary Hamel
D) Peter Drucker
E) Peter Senge

Accepted Answer

Ex-CEO Jack Welch transformed General Electric from a $13 billion company into a $500 billion company over a 20-year period. He is widely viewed as having mastered "all of the critical aspects of leadership: people, process, strategy and structure."

Question 18

In the context of organizational behavior, _____ stressed the value of participative management.
A) Chris Argyris
B) Adam Smith
C) Henri Fayol
D) Rensis Likert
E) Peter Drucker

Accepted Answer

A major organizational behaviorist includes Rensis Likert, who stressed the value of participative management.

Question 19

In the context of modern contributors, _____ discovered that great companies are managed by "level 5 leaders" who often display humility while simultaneously inspiring those in the organization to apply self-discipline and self-responsibility while pursuing high standards.
A) Jim Collins
B) Jack Welch
C) Herb Kelleher
D) Michael Porter
E) Gary Hamel

Accepted Answer

In 2001 Jim Collins authored an influential book titled Good to Great in which he and his research team analyzed 1,435 companies to understand why some companies reach high levels of sustained performance while other companies fail to reach greatness. He discovered that great companies are managed by "level 5 leaders" who often display humility while simultaneously inspiring those in the organization to apply self-discipline and self-responsibility while pursuing high standards.

Question 20

Which of the following is an explanation that accounts for the limited use of quantitative management?
A) It is difficult to discontinue the use of this process once it has been established.
B) Many of the decisions managers face are nonroutine and unpredictable.
C) Managers are oriented more toward things than toward people.
D) Most managers are not aware of the pressing concerns of their job.
E) Management decisions are unsystematic.

Accepted Answer

Several explanations account for the limited use of quantitative management. Many managers have not been trained in using these techniques. Also, many aspects of a management decision cannot be expressed through mathematical symbols and formulas. Finally, many of the decisions managers face are nonroutine and unpredictable.

Quiz 2: The Evolution of Management

In the context of the systems theory, understanding _____ helps a manager know which sets of circumstances dictate which management actions.

_____, a major organizational behaviorist, recommended greater autonomy and better jobs for workers.

A manager assume workers are lazy and irresponsible and require constant supervision and external motivation to achieve organizational goals. Which of the following theories of management does the manager subscribe to?

In the context of the systems theory, factors that determine the appropriateness of managerial actions are known as _____.

In the context of contemporary approaches to management, the use of _____ has been limited because many aspects of a management decision cannot be expressed through mathematical symbols and formulas.

Who is sometimes criticized for his controversial practices such as selling off underperforming divisions and forced rankings of employees by performance?

In the context of contemporary approaches to management, managers may use _____ to compare alternatives and eliminate weaker options.

_____ is a contemporary management approach that studies and identifies management activities that promote employee effectiveness by examining the complex and dynamic nature of individual, group, and organizational processes.

In the context of the systems theory, human resources, capital, and raw material are examples of _____.

Which of the following is a criticism of the classical approaches to management?

Which of the following is true of the sociotechnical systems theory?

When a manager treats employees as lazy, unmotivated, and in need of tight supervision; then the employees eventually meet the manager's expectations by acting that way. According to Douglas McGregor, this is known as a:

In the context of contemporary approaches to management, research on _____ promoted the use of teamwork and semiautonomous work groups as important factors for creating efficient production systems.

The values, goals, skills, and attitudes of managers and workers in the organization are examples of _____.

The _____ refutes universal principles of management by stating that a variety of factors, both internal and external to the firm, may affect the organization's performance.

McGregor advocated a _____, suggesting that managers who encourage participation and allow opportunities for individual challenge and initiative would achieve superior performance.

The ex-CEO of General Electric, _____, is widely viewed as having mastered "all of the critical aspects of leadership: people, process, strategy and structure."

In the context of organizational behavior, _____ stressed the value of participative management.

In the context of modern contributors, _____ discovered that great companies are managed by "level 5 leaders" who often display humility while simultaneously inspiring those in the organization to apply self-discipline and self-responsibility while pursuing high standards.

Which of the following is an explanation that accounts for the limited use of quantitative management?