Question 1

Generally, employees are most likely to stay with an organization if
A) the employer provides high salaries to technology professionals.
B) the organization's mission and values align with the employee's mission and values.
C) the firm is in a high-tech industry.
D) the mission and values of the organization change often.

Accepted Answer

Employees are more likely to remain with an organization if there is a strong alignment between their personal values and the organization's mission and values. This sense of shared purpose can foster a deeper commitment and loyalty to the company, beyond financial incentives or the specific industry of the organization.

Question 2

The 'two-plus-two-plus-two' program is used by GlaxoSmithKline for
A) developing human capital.
B) attracting intellectual capital.
C) attracting and developing social capital.
D) retaining production workers.

Accepted Answer

The 'two-plus-two-plus-two' program by GlaxoSmithKline is aimed at developing human capital, focusing on the growth and development of their employees' skills and abilities.

Question 3

Which of the following answer accurately summarizes the downsides of social capital?
A) high social capital may breed "groupthink," i.e., a tendency not to question shared beliefs.
B) socialization processes whereby individuals are socialized into the norms and values of the organization may become expensive.
C) individuals may become less willing to collaborate on joint projects.
D) high social capital may breed "groupthink," i.e., a tendency not to question shared beliefs and socialization processes whereby individuals are socialized into the norms and values of the organization may become expensive.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following answer accurately summarizes...

Question 4

Bridging relationships
A) create a high level of solidarity amongst its members.
B) bring together groups that may otherwise be unconnected.
C) have high levels of trust.
D) have people in the network willing to 'go the extra mile'.

Accepted Answer

Bridging relationships are about connecting disparate groups or individuals who might not otherwise have a relationship. This broadens the network and introduces diversity of thought and resources, rather than creating a tight-knit group with high solidarity, trust, or individuals going the extra mile for each other, which are characteristics more associated with bonding relationships.

Question 5

Structural holes can be described by:
A) the social gap between two groups
B) the sharing of information through an informal communication network called the grapevine
C) creating value through collaboration
D) the downsides of groupthink

Accepted Answer

Structural holes refer to the gap or absence of ties between two parts of a social network, which can create opportunities for information brokerage and control over information flow, thus the description as a social gap between two groups is accurate.

Question 6

To capture key employees from competitors, firms may attract the symbolic leader of a group within a competing firm and hope others will follow. This has been termed
A) the 'Columbus effect.'
B) the 'Pied Piper effect.'
C) strategically competitive hiring.
D) the 'tech exit' effect.

Accepted Answer

The term 'Pied Piper effect' is used to describe the strategy of attracting a symbolic leader from a competitor, with the expectation that other key employees will follow this leader to the new company, similar to the Pied Piper leading others with his music.

Question 7

The benefits of high social capital include
A) engagement and loyalty.
B) skill and ability.
C) values that are not a part of the company's culture.
D) low levels of persistence.

Accepted Answer

High social capital within organizations or communities often leads to increased engagement and loyalty among members, as strong networks and relationships foster a sense of belonging and commitment.

Question 8

Recent research by McKinsey Global Institute suggests that by 2020, the worldwide shortage of highly skilled, college-educated workers could reach
A) 2 million
B) an all-time low
C) 12 million
D) almost 40 million

Accepted Answer

Recent research by McKinsey Global Institute has indeed projected that by 2020, the global economy could experience a significant shortage of highly skilled, college-educated workers, with the figure potentially reaching almost 40 million. This shortage is attributed to various factors, including demographic changes, evolving job requirements, and educational disparities.

Question 9

The use of information technology (e.g., email) has increased in recent years in many organizations. This has helped to
A) increase social capital.
B) make more effective use of time in every situation.
C) restrict social network growth.
D) create smaller social networks.

Accepted Answer

The use of information technology, such as email, has facilitated communication and collaboration among individuals, thereby increasing social capital by enhancing connections and the flow of information within and across organizations.

Question 10

Social capital is a source of strength to many firms. Firms leverage their social capital in an effort to create competitive advantages. A firm's social capital is based on
A) an employee's individual abilities.
B) the relationships among a firm's employees.
C) a firm's allocation of financial resources.
D) an individual's knowledge.

Accepted Answer

Social capital refers to the networks, relationships, and connections among individuals within an organization, which can be leveraged for competitive advantage. It emphasizes the value of social networks and the interactions that occur within them, rather than individual abilities, financial resources, or individual knowledge.

Question 11

In a 360-degree evaluation and feedback system, __________ rate a person's skill and performance.
A) superiors
B) direct reports
C) colleagues
D) all of the choices are correct

Accepted Answer

In a 360-degree evaluation and feedback system, an individual's performance is assessed by a range of people including their superiors, direct reports, and colleagues. This comprehensive approach provides a more holistic view of an employee's performance.

Question 12

The creation of knowledge assets is typically characterized by
A) high upfront costs and subsequent high variable costs.
B) high fixed costs and high variable costs.
C) low upfront costs and high variable costs.
D) high upfront costs and low variable costs.

Accepted Answer

The creation of knowledge assets often involves significant initial investment in research, development, and intellectual property protection, which are high upfront (fixed) costs. However, once these assets are created, the cost to reproduce or distribute them (variable costs) is relatively low, especially in digital formats.

Question 13

Human capital and social capital are vital for superior firm performance. If a firm has strong human capital, the firm may exploit this by building social capital. This can be accomplished through
A) requiring workers to work independently of each other.
B) decreasing the interaction of departments within the firm.
C) encouraging the sharing of ideas between employees in the firm.
D) structuring the firm with rigid departmental and employee divisions.

Accepted Answer

Encouraging the sharing of ideas between employees in the firm helps in building social capital by fostering relationships, collaboration, and trust among employees, which can lead to superior firm performance.

Question 14

Many Microsoft employees have left to form venture capital and technology start-ups. In general, when such employees leave, they take with them
A) tangible assets.
B) patents.
C) physical assets.
D) intellectual capital.

Accepted Answer

When employees leave a company to start their own ventures, they typically take with them intellectual capital, which includes their knowledge, skills, and experience gained while working at the company.

Question 15

Which barrier to collaboration occurs when people are unwilling to share?
A) The not-invented-here barrier
B) The hoarding barrier
C) The search barrier
D) The transfer barrier

Accepted Answer

The hoarding barrier occurs when people are unwilling to share information or knowledge with others, often due to fear of losing power, recognition, or competitive advantage.

Question 16

Social capital has many potential benefits. However, some argue that social capital
A) is always beneficial to a firm.
B) may or may not be beneficial to a firm.
C) usually restricts the productivity of employees.
D) always hurts firm performance.

Accepted Answer

Social capital, which refers to the networks, norms, and social trust that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit, may or may not be beneficial to a firm. While it can lead to increased communication, trust, and collaboration, potentially enhancing firm performance, it can also create inefficiencies, foster groupthink, or limit diversity and innovation if not managed properly.

Question 17

Which barrier to collaboration occurs when people are unable to find what they are looking for?
A) The not-invented-here barrier
B) The hoarding barrier
C) The search barrier
D) The transfer barrier

Accepted Answer

The search barrier occurs when people cannot find the information or resources they are looking for, which hampers collaboration efforts.

Question 18

Which barrier to collaboration occurs when people are unable to work with the people they don't know well?
A) The not-invented-here barrier
B) The hoarding barrier
C) The search barrier
D) The transfer barrier

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which barrier to collaboration occurs when people...

Question 19

Which barrier to collaboration occurs when people are not willing to provide help to others?
A) The not-invented-here barrier
B) The hoarding barrier
C) The search barrier
D) The transfer barrier

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which barrier to collaboration occurs when people...

Question 20

Sharing knowledge within an organization helps to build social capital. This can be accomplished through
A) top-down management.
B) providing employees with daily newspapers.
C) hiring for skill.
D) one-on-one conversations.

Accepted Answer

One-on-one conversations are a direct and effective method for sharing knowledge within an organization, helping to build social capital by fostering personal connections and facilitating the exchange of information and ideas.

Quiz 4: Assessing the Intellectual Assets of the Firm

Generally, employees are most likely to stay with an organization if

The 'two-plus-two-plus-two' program is used by GlaxoSmithKline for

Which of the following answer accurately summarizes the downsides of social capital?

Bridging relationships

Structural holes can be described by:

To capture key employees from competitors, firms may attract the symbolic leader of a group within a competing firm and hope others will follow. This has been termed

The benefits of high social capital include

Recent research by McKinsey Global Institute suggests that by 2020, the worldwide shortage of highly skilled, college-educated workers could reach

The use of information technology (e.g., email) has increased in recent years in many organizations. This has helped to

Social capital is a source of strength to many firms. Firms leverage their social capital in an effort to create competitive advantages. A firm's social capital is based on

In a 360-degree evaluation and feedback system, __________ rate a person's skill and performance.

The creation of knowledge assets is typically characterized by

Human capital and social capital are vital for superior firm performance. If a firm has strong human capital, the firm may exploit this by building social capital. This can be accomplished through

Many Microsoft employees have left to form venture capital and technology start-ups. In general, when such employees leave, they take with them

Which barrier to collaboration occurs when people are unwilling to share?

Social capital has many potential benefits. However, some argue that social capital

Which barrier to collaboration occurs when people are unable to find what they are looking for?

Which barrier to collaboration occurs when people are unable to work with the people they don't know well?

Which barrier to collaboration occurs when people are not willing to provide help to others?

Sharing knowledge within an organization helps to build social capital. This can be accomplished through