Deck 1: Introducing Modern Management: Concepts and Skills

Question 1

________ includes determining tasks and groupings of work.It should not be rigid,but adaptable and flexible to meet challenges as circumstances change.

A)Organizing
B)Influencing
C)Controlling
D)Monitoring
E)Planning

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following situations best demonstrates an error made during the organizing stage of management?

A)LMN Tree has embarked on a new long-term project.Though the project is progressing,employees feel that there were many better ways to achieve the desired result.
B)Vista International took on a project at short notice and wasn't able to go into details of the strategy.As a result,some departments have clear objectives,while others do not.
C)The project team at Walton's is dissatisfied with the functioning of the department,but has no communication system through which they can convey their concerns to the management.
D)Though DLB's projects are usually very similar,employees have no way of comparing performance as there are no set standards.
E)Two teams at Crimson Blue had been working separately on a project for three weeks before they discovered that there was a lot of duplicated effort.

Answer 2

E

Question 3

When devising goals for his team to achieve,which of the following points should Kevin consider most important?

A)his career goals
B)individual abilities
C)internal politics
D)organizational goals
E)employee goals

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Management strives to encourage individual activity that will ________.

A)promote the individual's growth
B)always produce outstanding results
C)utilize the maximum amount of resources
D)lead to reaching organizational goals
E)always generate the highest revenue

Question 5

Seth,a manager in a growing organization,believes that creating departments leads to the formation of barriers in an organization.Not establishing departments appropriately can be a huge management mistake in the ________.

A)organizing process
B)influencing process
C)controlling process
D)monitoring process
E)planning process

Question 6

Which of the following statements is true for the management function?

A)It refers to the activities that make up the management process.
B)It is a one-time function in an organization.
C)It is a series of continuing and unrelated activities.
D)It involves and concentrates on reaching individual goals.
E)It does not consider the people aspect of organizations.

Question 7

Sara is a manager in a food processing company.Her primary function is to see that organizational goals are achieved.Which of the following must she discourage in order to promote this?

A)Ben spends a lot of time on Facebook,but gets his work done on time.
B)Ted organizes an interdepartmental soccer game every month.
C)Ashley's consumer relations activities for the company sometimes delay her work.
D)During lull periods at work,Sally works on her Master's thesis.
E)Clare is the top performer in the department,but has no interest in the industry.

Question 8

Gayle has not established appropriate performance standards for her team.This is a fault in the ________ function of management.

A)organizing
B)influencing
C)controlling
D)monitoring
E)planning

Question 9

Neil is the plant manager at Serieux Manufacturing.He has just been given the production targets for the month and has determined the activities necessary to achieve these.He now has to decide who will perform the various activities best so that the output will be maximized,and he must assign the activities to those workers.Neil is performing the ________ function of management.

A)organizing
B)influencing
C)controlling
D)monitoring
E)planning

Question 10

Which of the following is an error managers make during the organizing stage of management?

A)not exploring enough viable alternatives for reaching objectives
B)not establishing appropriate performance standards
C)establishing improper communication networks
D)not monitoring progress in carrying out plans
E)establishing inappropriate spans of management

Question 11

________ involves choosing tasks that must be performed to attain organizational goals,outlining how the tasks must be performed,and indicating when they should be performed.

A)Organizing
B)Influencing
C)Controlling
D)Monitoring
E)Planning

Question 12

Becky's department has seen a number of layoffs in the last two months,and employee morale is very low.This is affecting the work atmosphere and productivity is declining.In this situation,the department manager's primary task will be to ________.

A)organize
B)influence
C)control
D)monitor
E)plan

Question 13

Motivating employees to perform better so that they can achieve the organization's goals is known as ________.

A)organizing
B)influencing
C)controlling
D)monitoring
E)planning

Question 14

________ managers are those who lead manufacturing operations that produce the clothes we wear,the food we eat,and the automobiles we drive.

A)Personnel
B)Plant
C)Sales
D)Accounting
E)Human Resources

Question 15

Which of the following is an error managers make during the planning stage of management?

A)not establishing departments appropriately
B)not emphasizing coordination of organization members
C)not exploring enough viable alternatives for reaching objectives
D)not monitoring progress in carrying out plans
E)not taking the time to communicate properly with organization members

Question 16

________ can be defined as guiding the activities of organization members in appropriate directions.

A)Organizing
B)Influencing
C)Controlling
D)Monitoring
E)Planning

Question 17

________ is the management function through which managers compare present performance to pre-established performance standards.

A)Organizing
B)Influencing
C)Controlling
D)Monitoring
E)Planning

Question 18

Roland,a firm believer in management policies,always manages his team by the book.His team members agree that he is more of a manager than a leader.This indicates that Roland should work on ________ his team.

A)organizing
B)influencing
C)controlling
D)monitoring
E)planning

Question 19

Jacob,an upper-level manager,recently saw a project fail because he did not establish objectives for all important organizational areas during the initial stages.Jacob made a mistake during the ________ stage of the management process.

A)organizing
B)influencing
C)controlling
D)monitoring
E)planning

Question 20

Gathering information that measures recent performance within the organization is part of the ________ management function.

A)motivating
B)controlling
C)influencing
D)organizing
E)planning

Question 21

The four basic management functions are planning,organizing,influencing,and controlling.

Question 22

As a manager in a manufacturing plant,Rex is not utilizing all his resources during the production process,but due to the high demand for the plant's products,he can get an extremely high price per unit sold and thus absorb inefficiency costs.In this scenario,as a manager Rex is ________.

A)efficient without being effective
B)effective without being efficient
C)effective and efficient
D)neither effective nor efficient
E)highly efficient but not effective

Question 23

________ refers to all the organizational assets available for activation during the production process.

A)Supplies
B)Plans
C)Technologies
D)Strategies
E)Resources

Question 24

Capital resources can be a major factor in ________.

A)the net profits the organization generates at the end of the financial year
B)the ingredients used directly in the manufacturing of products
C)maintaining desired production levels
D)all the financial assets that the organization possesses
E)the amounts of money that managers use to purchase goods and services for the organization

Question 25

The more resources unused during the production process,the more ________ the manager.

A)inefficient
B)efficient
C)ineffective
D)effective
E)efficient and ineffective

Question 26

________ resources are those ingredients that are used directly in the manufacturing of products.

A)Hardware
B)Capital
C)Technology
D)Raw material
E)Monetary

Question 27

Ben is a manager at Transit Logistics,a logistics company involved in transportation and storage.He is in charge of monitoring the schedules of the truck drivers who transport the goods.In this scenario,the capital resource(s)of the organization is/are the ________.

A)work-schedule
B)transported goods
C)manager
D)drivers
E)trucks

Question 28

Green Energy Inc.(GEI)is involved in obtaining energy from natural resources.As a manager at this organization,Jim must use his resources and strive to be both effective and efficient.To be an effective manager,Jim must ________.

A)focus on GEI's monetary resources more than its human resources
B)expand GEI's capital and help the organization's growth,even if that is not their goal
C)update knowledge by organizing training for all managers
D)use GEI's resources to attain the organization's goals
E)maximize the use of GEI's human and capital resources

Question 29

Managerial efficiency is the proportion of total organizational resources that contribute to productivity during the manufacturing process.The ________ this proportion,the more ________ the manager.

A)lower;effective
B)higher;efficient
C)lower;efficient
D)higher;ineffective
E)higher;inefficient

Question 30

Planning is concerned with setting objectives for organizational success,while controlling is concerned with monitoring the actual performance of the organization's success.

Question 31

Which of the following situations demonstrates effectiveness but not efficiency?

A)Workers at MNS worked overtime for two weeks,but were unable to achieve their target production.
B)Managers at MNS aimed to complete a particular project by August,but only completed it in September.
C)The manager told Stella to do a report,even though Ray was better qualified for the task.However,Stella managed it successfully.
D)Following a number of layoffs,Gianna's team was very demotivated and hence the performance of the department suffered.
E)MNS aimed to complete construction of the new plant in two weeks,but a workers' strike delayed construction.

Question 32

George is identifying what tasks need to be completed and how many tasks each employee can effectively complete each day.George's activities are a part of the ________ function.

A)planning
B)organizing
C)influencing
D)evaluating
E)controlling

Question 33

When referring to efficiency during the manufacturing process,being efficient means that ________.

A)a small proportion of total resources contributes to productivity
B)a small proportion of total skilled employees contributes to productivity
C)an equal proportion of skilled and unskilled employees contributes to productivity
D)a large proportion of resources contributes to productivity
E)a small proportion of total human and capital resources contributes to productivity

Question 34

Which of the following is an error managers frequently make during the controlling function of management?

A)not establishing departments appropriately
B)not taking the time to communicate properly with organization members
C)establishing improper communication networks
D)not monitoring progress in carrying out plans
E)not exploring enough viable alternatives for reaching objectives

Question 35

Influencing as a managerial function is also commonly referred to as Motivating,Leading,Directing,or ________.

A)Driving
B)Controlling
C)Actuating
D)Monitoring
E)Designing

Question 36

Define management and explain how the four functions of management are related.

Question 37

Which managerial function is primarily focused on motivating,leading,directing,or actuating activities?

A)planning
B)organizing
C)influencing
D)evaluating
E)controlling

Question 38

________ resources refer to the machines used during the manufacturing process.

A)Hardware
B)Capital
C)Technology
D)Raw material
E)Monetary

Question 39

Discuss common mistakes managers may make when carrying out the various management functions.

Question 40

Planning involves choosing tasks that must be performed to attain organizational goals,outlining how the tasks must be performed,and indicating when they should be performed.

Question 41

According to Robert Katz,technical skills involve ________.

A)working with people,both individuals and groups,to achieve organizational goals
B)understanding how the organization relates to its environment
C)working with people,but not their attitudes and communication
D)applying specialized knowledge and expertise to work-related techniques and procedures
E)understanding how changes in one part of the organization affect the rest of it

Question 42

When the principles of management apply to all types of organizations and organizational levels,the principles are said to be ________.

A)practical
B)worthwhile
C)usable
D)universal
E)important

Question 43

According to Robert Katz,applying specialized knowledge and expertise to work-related techniques is a characteristic of ________.

A)interpersonal skills
B)human skills
C)conceptual skills
D)technical skills
E)strategic skills

Question 44

People-related activities within an organization include ________.

A)clarifying objectives of jobs in organizations
B)consulting when making decisions
C)proposing new strategies and vision
D)encouraging innovative thinking
E)short-term planning

Question 45

Which of the following activities include short-term planning,clarifying objectives of jobs in organizations,and monitoring operations and performance?

A)people-related activities
B)change-related activities
C)task-related activities
D)skill-related activities

Question 46

Sarah's team is relatively new and inexperienced.As the manager,she needs to motivate the team and encourage them to cooperate with each other to perform better.According to Katz,this involves using ________ skills.

A)technical
B)moral
C)conceptual
D)human
E)technological

Question 47

List the basic types of organizational resources.Give an example for each organizational resource in any one organization of your choice.

Question 48

Roger is assessing the amount of time and costs involved in completing today's production.Roger is assessing his unit's ________.

A)effectiveness
B)efficiency
C)performance
D)lost revenue
E)allocations

Question 49

Management principles are considered to be universal because ________.

A)production processes and strategies remain the same across organizations
B)employees in all organizations have the same skill sets
C)all organizations have the same organizational hierarchy
D)organizational goals and methods do not change from organization to organization
E)the principles of planning,organizing,influencing,and controlling are the same across organizations

Question 50

A manager is considered efficient and effective if the manager ________.

A)does not reach goals and does not waste resources
B)reaches goals and does not waste resources
C)does not reach goals and wastes resources
D)reaches goals and wastes resources
E)wastes resources on unattainable goals

Question 51

Management jobs vary but management principles are universal.They apply to all types of organization and organizational levels.

Question 52

If a manager reaches goals but wastes resources doing so,the manager is considered to be ________.

A)efficient and effective
B)neither effective nor ineffective
C)ineffective and efficient
D)effective and inefficient
E)inefficient and ineffective

Question 53

Which of the following skills become more important when a manager moves from lower-level management to upper-level management?

A)conceptual skills
B)technical skills
C)interpersonal skills
D)communication skills
E)presentation skills

Question 54

Nathan is the plant manager for Arwen Manufacturing.Though he does not work hands-on on the manufacturing process,he needs to know the ins and outs of the processes so that he can guide his employees effectively and help them if necessary.According to Robert Katz,this involves developing Nathan's ________ skills.

A)technical
B)moral
C)conceptual
D)human
E)interpersonal

Question 55

According to Robert Katz,human skills are required for ________.

A)designing work processes and procedures
B)understanding how the organization relates to its environment
C)understanding how changes in one part of the organization affect the rest of it
D)applying specialized knowledge and expertise to work-related techniques
E)working with individual and group interests

Question 56

Which of the following best describes the concept of management skill?

A)the specialized knowledge employees require to complete their tasks
B)the ability to carry out the process of reaching organizational goals by working with and through people and other organizational resources
C)the method by which managers plan for unforeseen projects
D)the efficiency and effectiveness with which managers interact with the environment outside the company
E)a product of the culture of a certain country that is limited to managers of that culture

Question 57

Sandra holds a top-level post in her organization and is a part of the top management at Silica Inc.A key policy governing the manufacturing processes was recently changed,and Sandra needs to analyze the effects of the change on the various departments of the company and predict the effect on the output.This process involves using her ________ skills.

A)technical
B)moral
C)conceptual
D)human
E)interpersonal

Question 58

In an organization,task-related activities include ________.

A)empowering others to solve problems
B)consulting when making decisions
C)providing recognition for achievements and contributions
D)encouraging innovative thinking
E)short-term planning

Question 59

Efficient means that a small proportion of total resources contributes to productivity during the manufacturing process;inefficient means that a large proportion of resources contributes to productivity.

Question 60

According to Robert Katz,conceptual skills involve ________.

A)working with people,both individuals and groups,to achieve organizational goals
B)working with processes or physical objects dealing with production
C)working with groups,but not individuals,to achieve organizational goals
D)applying specialized knowledge and expertise to work-related techniques
E)understanding how various functions of the organization complement one another

Question 61

In building a career,an individual should be focused on ________ to qualify for the next planned job and not simply taking a job with the highest salary.

A)making the most money
B)developing skills necessary
C)the application process
D)interviews
E)unit performance

Question 62

Megan has asked Danny to come to her office to discuss the many comments she has been hearing about his inability to get along with his employees.What advice can Megan offer to Danny in terms of enhancing and refining his managerial skills in this area?

Question 63

Briefly explain the three major activities that modern managers typically perform.

Question 64

Human skills,unlike technical skills,involve the ability to see the organization as a whole.

Question 65

Asking colleagues and other acquaintances about yourself and your behaviors that could be improved is a great way to develop your ________ managerial skills.

A)technical
B)human
C)conceptual
D)effective
E)efficient

Question 66

Which of the following is an example of a people-related activity in an organization?

A)Jonathan plans the team's schedule for the next three months.
B)Anoia Systems awards employees who perform well each month.
C)FRO keeps track of changes in government policy that could affect the company.
D)Faced with a volatile market,Tiffany has invited employees to provide suggestions to change the company strategy.
E)Claire monitors production to see if it meets company targets.

Question 67

Top-level managers tend to have strong ________ skills since they set the strategies for the firm as a whole and need to see how the organizational pieces all fit together.

A)technical
B)human
C)conceptual
D)interpersonal
E)change

Question 68

Technical skills involve the ability to apply specialized knowledge and expertise to work-related techniques and procedures.

Question 69

First-line managers tend to have strong ________ skills since they work with operational employees on a daily basis.

A)technical
B)human
C)conceptual
D)interpersonal
E)change

Question 70

Which of the following is the correct order representing the stages in a career?

A)establishment;exploration;maintenance;decline
B)exploration;maintenance;establishment;decline
C)establishment;maintenance;plateauing;decline
D)exploration;establishment;maintenance;decline
E)establishment;plateauing;exploration;maintenance

Question 71

What are human skills and why are they important at all levels of management? Which of these three skills - human,technical and conceptual - should a CEO of an organization focus on and why?

Question 72

________ skills are necessary across all levels of management.

A)Technical
B)Human
C)Conceptual
D)Task-related
E)Change-related

Question 73

When Danny is recognizing the achievements and contributions of his employees and also developing the skill and confidence of those same employees,he is involved in change-related activities.

Question 74

A manager's ability to take actions that increase the contributions of individuals within their organization is known as their ________ skills.

A)organizing
B)team
C)human resource management
D)leadership
E)communication

Question 75

In developing management skills,managers should keep in mind that the value of individual management skills will tend to vary from manager to manager,depending on the ________.

A)corresponding supervisor
B)specific organizational situations faced
C)amount of recognition and reward given
D)the skills of employees
E)attitudes of those involved

Question 76

In an organization,short-term planning,clarifying objectives of jobs in organizations,and monitoring operations and performance are task-related activities.

Question 77

As a manager's career advances from lower-level management to upper-level management,conceptual skills become more important and technical skills less important while at the same time their time spent planning increases and daily leading of operational employees decreases.

Question 78

Which of the following skills should Randy work on if his intentions are to develop his ability to see the organization as a whole and therefore better understand how a change in one part of the organization affects the rest of the organization?

A)political skills
B)economic skills
C)ethical skills
D)technological skills
E)conceptual skills

Question 79

As a first-line supervisor at his company,George will most likely need a high level of ________ skills as he directs his employees in the carrying out of their ________-related activities.

A)technical;people
B)technical;task
C)conceptual;task
D)human;change
E)conceptual;change

Question 80

Why is it often said managerial skills are too broad to be practical in a manager's daily task completion?