Q&A Hero

Q: In a short essay, identify the principles of management identified by Henri Fayol that are most important for efficiency and productivity of the entire organization.

Q: A quality of being an effective mentor is actively steering protgs into important projects, teams, and jobs.

Q: IBM initiated an on-demand staffing strategy to meet the changing technological needs of its customers.

Q: In a short essay, identify the principles of management identified by Henri Fayol that are most important for the satisfaction and welfare of employees.

Q: Studies indicate that approximately 40% of the global workforce is engaged.

Q: In a short essay, identify the principles of management identified by Henri Fayol that are most important for establishing a manager's control over employees.

Q: Boring jobs, low pay, inadequate supervision, and poor working conditions are likely to lead to job withdrawal.

Q: In a short essay, describe how the work of Abraham Maslow influenced management.

Q: In a short essay, discuss the work of Henri Fayol and Max Weber as it relates to the general administrative approach to management.

Q: According to research, the turnover rate is relatively the same across all industries in the U.S.

Q: In a short essay, discuss scientific management.

Q: For many employees, professional growth opportunities act as an incentive to remain with a firm because such programs indicate that a company cares about its workers.

Q: ________ refers to being psychologically involved in, connected to, and committed to getting one's job done. A) Mentoring B) Engagement C) Development D) Talent assessment

Q: In a short essay, discuss the impact that the publication of Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations had on management.

Q: In a short essay, discuss the impact that the Industrial Revolution had on management.

Q: A manager who frequently reminds employees how their efforts contribute to accomplishing the company's goals will most likely ________. A) trigger creativity B) minimize disagreements C) eliminate early retirements D) boost employee engagement

Q: Poor attendance and voluntary turnover are most likely characteristics of ________. A) decreasing employee engagement B) minimal job expectations C) shrinking labor markets D) poor supervision

Q: In today's organization, almost all employees have access to the mainframe computers that make up the company's computing resources.

Q: Employers that focus on talent management are primarily interested in retaining ________. A) educated workers B) senior-level employees C) mission-critical employees D) workers with global experience

Q: A contingency variable that can affect managing style is organization size.

Q: Which of the following terms refers to the automated end-to-end process of planning, recruiting, developing, managing, and compensating employees throughout the organization? A) performance management B) human resource management C) management by objectives D) talent management

Q: The contingency approach to management states that there is a single best way to manage all organizations.

Q: All of the following methods are used by firms to recruit and retain retirement-age workers EXCEPT ________. A) implementing phased retirement programs B) allowing workers to telecommute C) using psychometric selection tests D) reducing work responsibilities

Q: The idea of an organization as a system was borrowed from psychological concepts.

Q: Contemporary approaches to management see the organization as a closed system in which all inputs and outputs stay within the system.

Q: All of the following are true statements about retirement EXCEPT ________. A) most employees who plan to work after 65 must do so for financial reasons B) most employees expect to continue working after normal retirement age C) most employees who plan to work after 65 want a part-time position D) many retirement age workers want to stay active through working

Q: A load chart can tell you how many workers are busy at a given point in time.

Q: Why are an increasing number of firms focusing on retirement planning? A) concerns about future labor shortages B) surveys of current employee attitudes C) modifications to the promotion process D) increases in health insurance premiums

Q: To find the planned duration of a project on a Gantt chart, simply look at the width of the bar that represents actual progress.

Q: An employer may transfer an employee for all these reasons EXCEPT ________. A) to vacate a position that is no longer needed B) personal enrichment C) to find a better fit position for the employee D) to give a displaced employee a chance for another assignment

Q: In the Six Sigma system, the higher the sigma value, the greater number of defects you would expect from a product.

Q: According to the court system, promotions based on subjective assessments ________. A) support employers in adverse impact claims B) violate the Americans with Disabilities Act C) must be supported by objective evidence D) are valid under the Civil Rights Act of 1991

Q: ISO 9000 certification provides proof that a quality operations system is in place in a facility.

Q: Tanya accused a male superior of sexual harassment. Later, Tanya was turned down for a promotion because the accused superior persuaded Tanya's current supervisor not to promote Tanya. This is most likely an example of ________. A) demotion B) retaliation C) dissonance D) defensive behavior

Q: Product quality and service quality are two different things.

Q: All of the following are characteristic of a formal promotion process EXCEPT ________. A) open positions are posted B) promotion criteria are made available C) job postings are circulated to all employees D) promotions are based on unpublished requirements

Q: Many experts believe that for firms to compete globally they must focus solely on the quantity of production and reducing costs.

Q: Which of the following is the simplest and most often used method for predicting the future performance of a candidate for promotion? A) prior performance B) aptitude tests C) assessment centers D) psychological exams

Q: What can diminish the promotion process? A) rewards B) responsibilities C) secrecy D) job descriptions

Q: One place in which technology has little impact is the fast-food restaurant business.

Q: Competence rather than seniority is most likely the basis for promotion when ________. A) corporate competitiveness is necessary B) union agreements are involved C) civil service regulations apply D) compensation packages are limited

Q: In PERT, the time difference between the critical path and any other path is called ________. A) slack time B) critical time C) network time D) lost time

Q: Which of the following terms refers to reassignments to similar positions in other parts of a firm? A) transfers B) layoffs C) dismissals D) promotions

Q: The critical path in a PERT is the ________ sequence of events that is required to complete the project in the ________ period of time. A) longest; longest B) shortest; shortest C) longest; shortest D) shortest; longest

Q: Which of the following terms refers to advancements to positions of increased responsibility? A) transfers B) appraisals C) promotions D) recruitments

Q: A load chart is a ________ that schedules capacity by ________. A) graph; activity B) PERT; workstation C) modified Gantt chart; workstation D) modified Gantt chart; activity

Q: Reality shock can most likely be prevented by providing new employees with ________. A) flexible schedules B) performance appraisals C) reassignments D) accurate job previews

Q: To find out how many activities are taking place at a given time in a Gantt chart, ________. A) read across a single row B) read down a single column C) count the total number of bars D) count the total number of actual progress bars

Q: Each work activity in a Gantt chart is represented by two horizontal bars that identify the ________. A) goal and the date B) the date and the manager's name C) goal and actual progress D) actual progress and manager's name

Q: Which of the following is most likely to occur when a new employee's high expectations and enthusiasm confront the reality of a boring job? A) halo effect B) reality shock C) disparate rejection D) cognitive dissonance

Q: In the Six Sigma system, this is the highest level of quality. A) Zero Sigma B) One Sigma C) Four Sigma D) Six Sigma

Q: How are firms using technology for career development programs? A) using online testing systems to screen applicants B) providing mentors and coaches with online training systems C) monitoring employees' performance with electronic performance support systems D) using talent management systems to integrate employees' appraisal and training information

Q: ISO 9000 is a series of standards that ensure that products ________. A) are of minimal quality B) conform to customer requirements C) conform to industry rules D) exceed government requirements

Q: Michele's firm does not have a formal mentoring program. However, entry-level employees, such as Michele, are encouraged to form relationships with experienced workers. Michele wants to make sure that she has an effective mentor relationship. Which of the following mentor relationship guidelines would NOT be recommended to Michele? A) Clarify in advance how often you want to meet. B) Use an agenda to guide discussion topics. C) Clarify what you expect in terms of advice. D) Select a direct supervisor as a mentor.

Q: Based on research studies, which of the following is most likely a true statement about mentoring programs? A) Traditional mentoring programs are more effective for male than for female employees. B) When the mentor and protg work in different departments, mentoring is more effective. C) Protgs have more respect for mentors who work two levels above their own rank in a firm. D) Required mentoring relationships are more effective than informal mentoring relationships.

Q: Northrup Grumman Corporation empowers employees to ________ about products throughout the manufacturing process as a means of monitoring quality. A) accept decisions B) reject decisions C) make accept/reject decisions D) obey decisions

Q: When a customer service customer gets frustrated from being put on hold during a service call for 30 minutes, the company is having problems with which service quality dimension? A) timeliness B) consistency C) convenience D) courtesy

Q: All of the following are characteristics of effective mentors EXCEPT ________. A) developing a trustworthy relationship B) guiding protgs into important projects C) focusing on the protg's daily tasks D) setting high standards for protgs

Q: ABC Consulting has a formal mentoring program in which senior-level managers are paired with less-experienced employees. Which of the following employees most likely needs a mentor? A) Raj, who is uncertain how to navigate office politics B) Jason, who does not perform tasks as quickly as required C) Michele, who is experiencing personal problems at home D) Haley, who is working and attending graduate school simultaneously

Q: High-quality service that gives customers a cheerful and helpful experience is called ________. A) consistency B) accuracy C) courtesy D) convenience

Q: Dick's Sporting Goods is a sports and fitness retailer with over 300 stores in 34 states. After beginning as a small bait and tackle shop in 1948, Dick's has grown to become a leader in the sports and fitness retail industry. Many career opportunities are available in Dick's in areas as diverse as IT, product development, merchandising, and store management. Top management at Dick's realizes the importance of hiring and retaining quality employees. As a result, the firm has decided to implement policies, practices, and programs that support employees' career needs. Which of the following, if true, would best support the argument that the firm should institute a flexible career track program? A) Executive positions at Dick's Sporting Goods are rewarded for a combination of seniority and competence. B) Situational interviews are used at Dick's Sporting Goods to screen potential store managers. C) Executive positions at Dick's Sporting Goods are predominantly held by men. D) Over half of all Dick's Sporting Goods stores are run by female managers.

Q: A product such as an iPhone that has a design that is appealing to customers is said to have good ________. A) durability B) aesthetics C) features D) conformance

Q: Frank is a manager at a firm that does not have a career development program, but he wants to support the career development needs of his subordinates. All of the following are ways that Frank can support the career needs of his employees EXCEPT ________. A) offering employees training opportunities B) providing employee orientation to new hires C) using high-performance work system methods D) discussing career goals during regular performance appraisals

Q: High-quality service that gives customers an experience that doesn't vary from time to time is called ________. A) convenience B) accuracy C) completeness D) consistency

Q: Which of the following best explains the meaning of the term "glass ceiling"? A) formal corporate policies that prevent women from receiving the training needed to advance their careers B) spoken opinions by corporate leaders that women lack the knowledge and skills required for career advancement C) structural yet subtle barriers in corporate environments that inhibit the rise of talented women to leadership positions D) inadequate educational opportunities which ultimately limit the network opportunities available to women in the workforce

Q: Durability and features are measures of ________. A) product quality B) service quality C) product value D) service value

Q: A high-quality product that doesn't break down and doesn't suffer from significant performance deterioration over a long period of time is said to have ________. A) conformance B) aesthetics C) features D) durability

Q: Smith Industries has established a career development program for its employees that offers career coaching and workshops. However, a recent employee survey indicates that many women still feel dissatisfied about their career opportunities at the firm. Which of the following would most likely improve the attitudes of female employees at Smith Industries? A) Smith installs an electronic performance support system for telecommuters. B) Smith provides hardship allowances to all minority employees. C) Smith increases the number of performance appraisals. D) Smith implements a flexible career track system.

Q: Chelsea Bank employs a diverse group of employees, and the firm wants all of its workers to have equal career advancement opportunities. Which of the following most likely undermines Chelsea Bank's attempt to meet the career development needs of its diverse workforce? A) scheduling meetings at flexible times such as in the early morning or late evening B) offering career advancement seminars for women and minorities C) identifying mentors for women and minorities D) adopting flexible year-round work schedules

Q: Courtesy and timeliness are measures of ________. A) product quality B) service quality C) product appeal D) service cost

Q: Miranda wants to make partner at her law firm. However, she is worried because 70-hour work weeks are the norm for someone striving to make partner. Miranda wants to be fair to her family as well as excel at work. The best way for the law firm to address this problem is by ________. A) providing Miranda with a female career coach B) persuading Miranda to temporarily work in a less competitive law firm C) offering a flexible career track that allows Miranda to periodically reduce her work load D) providing a career planning workshop to help Miranda determine a more appropriate occupation

Q: In evaluating quality, the performance of a product is measured in ________. A) how the product looks and feels B) how well the product operates C) how long it takes the product's operation to deteriorate D) what special characteristics a product has

Q: Apple's problems with the battery of the highly successful iPod show how important ________ is for a product. A) efficiency B) design C) quality D) productivity

Q: What is most likely the best tool managers can use to support employees' career development needs? A) orientation sessions B) career-oriented appraisals C) interest inventories D) graphic-rating scales

Q: Which of the following would most likely increase employee commitment? A) document the psychological contract B) create Web-based efficiency programs C) establish a career development program D) promise lifetime employment to managers

Q: In today's manufacturing operations, managers often monitor capacity, order status, and product quality ________ made. A) before the product is B) while the product is being C) after the product is D) both before and after the product is

Q: A device with e-enabled maintenance control saves money by doing this when it malfunctions or needs maintenance. A) fixing itself B) alerting others with e-messages C) self-destructing D) sounding an alarm

Q: All of the following are typical activities of career coaches EXCEPT helping employees to ________. A) make 1-5 year career plans B) identify development needs C) obtain networking opportunities D) negotiate with firms for higher salaries

Q: Managers who are carrying out value chain management invest ________ than managers of conventional organizations. A) less time and energy B) more time and energy C) more of their own money D) more of the company's money

Q: All of the following are types of career development initiatives implemented by employers EXCEPT ________. A) 401(k) plans B) career coaches C) appraisal committees D) orientation programs