Question 1

Stage III in the organizational life-cycle is the
A) birth stage.
B) growth stage.
C) maturity stage.
D) decline stage.
E) death stage.

Accepted Answer

Stage III in the organizational life-cycle is the maturity stage, where the organization has reached a stable point and is able to maintain its position in the market while also dealing with competition. The organization is not growing at a rapid pace but is able to sustain its current level of performance. Therefore, option C is the best choice as it describes this stage accurately.

Question 2

The term used in strategy implementation that describes a statement of activities or steps needed to accomplish a single-use plan and whose use is to make the strategy action-oriented is
A) program.
B) guidelines.
C) budgets.
D) course of action.
E) procedures.

Accepted Answer

A program is a statement of activities or steps needed to accomplish a single-use plan, making the strategy action-oriented.

Question 3

Objectives which are personal and subjective and are typified by an entrepreneurial spirit describe what stage of corporate development?
A) Stage I company.
B) Stage II company.
C) Stage III company.
D) Stage IV company.
E) Stage V company.

Accepted Answer

Stage I companies are characterized by the presence of an entrepreneurial spirit, where objectives are personal and subjective. These companies are usually in their early stages of development and are focused on establishing a product or service in the market. They are also characterized by a lack of formal structures and processes, with decision-making often centralized with the founder or small group of individuals.

Question 4

Which structure simultaneously combines functional and product forms at the same level of the organization?
A) strategic business units
B) functional structure
C) network structure
D) divisional structure
E) matrix structure

Accepted Answer

The matrix structure combines functional and product forms at the same level of the organization, with employees reporting to both functional managers and product or project managers. This allows for better coordination and communication across functional areas and products or projects.

Question 5

According to Chandler and others, which factors MUST be closely aligned or else face the consequences of poor organizational performance?
A) management, workforce, and customers
B) operations, marketing, and finance
C) strategy, structure, and environment
D) rules, goals, and tasks
E) hierarchy, contacts, and integrators

Accepted Answer

According to Chandler and others, the factors strategy, structure, and environment must be closely aligned for an organization to achieve optimal performance. Poor alignment of these three factors can result in poor organizational performance.

Question 6

Which structure is described as a "non-structure" by its virtual elimination of in-house business functions?
A) strategic business units
B) functional structure
C) network structure
D) divisional structure
E) matrix structure

Accepted Answer

The network structure is described as a "non-structure" because it eliminates in-house business functions to a significant degree, relying heavily on outsourcing and partnerships with other organizations. Strategic business units, functional structure, divisional structure, and matrix structure are all traditional organizational structures that have defined internal business functions.

Question 7

In what stage does a corporation typically decentralize into profit or investment centers?
A) Stage I company.
B) Stage II company.
C) Stage III company.
D) Stage IV company.
E) Stage V company.

Accepted Answer

A Stage III company typically decentralizes into profit or investment centers as it grows and requires more specialized management and accountability.

Question 8

Who typically implements strategy in large, multi-industry corporations?
A) the board of directors
B) top management
C) middle management
D) first level management
E) everyone in the organization.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Who typically implements strategy in large, multi-industry...

Question 9

What term refers to the study of individual tasks in an attempt to make them more relevant to the company and to the employees)?
A) position matching
B) functional duties
C) job design
D) task conversion
E) responsibility shift

Accepted Answer

Job design refers to the study of individual tasks in an attempt to make them more relevant to the company and to the employees.

Question 10

The radical redesign of business processes to achieve major gains in cost, service, or time is called
A) total quality management.
B) reengineering.
C) management by objectives.
D) action planning.
E) statistical process control.

Accepted Answer

Radical redesign of business processes to achieve major gains in cost, service, or time is called reengineering. Total quality management (A) focuses on continuous improvement and customer satisfaction. Management by objectives (C) is a goal-setting process that involves collaboration between managers and employees. Action planning (D) is a process that involves setting specific actions to achieve a goal. Statistical process control (E) is a method of monitoring and controlling a process to ensure that it operates efficiently and effectively.

Question 11

The term used in strategy implementation that describes a system of sequential steps or techniques that describe in detail how a particular task or job is to be done is
A) program.
B) guidelines.
C) budgets.
D) course of action.
E) procedures.

Accepted Answer

Procedures are detailed, sequential steps or techniques that outline how to perform a specific task or job, making them essential for strategy implementation.

Question 12

Which management program aims to reduce manufacturing defects to only 3.4 per million?
A) Reengineering
B) Total quality management
C) Management by objectives
D) Six sigma
E) Strategic planning

Accepted Answer

Six Sigma is a management program that aims to reduce manufacturing defects to 3.4 per million opportunities by using data-driven methodologies and statistical analysis.

Question 13

Which statement below is NOT true of "strategy implementation?"
A) It is the process by which strategies and policies are put into action through the development of programs, budgets, and procedures.
B) Implementation is often considered after strategy has been formulated.
C) Strategy implementation is the sum total of the activities and choices required for the execution of a strategic plan.
D) Strategy implementation is not an important part of strategic management.
E) Strategy formulation and strategy implementation are two sides of the same coin.

Accepted Answer

Strategy implementation is a crucial part of strategic management, as it involves putting formulated strategies into action to achieve organizational goals.

Question 14

Alfred Chandler, known for his study of large American corporations, concluded that
A) organic structure is best for firms in a changing environment.
B) mechanistic structure is best for firms in a changing environment.
C) structure follows strategy.
D) strategy follows structure.
E) strategic business units are the key to effective decentralization.

Accepted Answer

Chandler's famous quote is "structure follows strategy", which means that a company's structure should be designed to support and implement its chosen strategy. This idea has been widely adopted in management theory and practice. Therefore, choice C is the best answer.

Question 15

A corporation run by a team of managers with functional specializations and which successfully operates in one industry is said to be a
A) Stage I company.
B) Stage II company.
C) Stage III company.
D) Stage IV company.
E) Stage V company.

Accepted Answer

A corporation with functional specializations and successful operation in one industry is typically a Stage II company. Stage I companies are typically led by an entrepreneurial founder, while Stage III, IV, and V companies are characterized by more complex structures and strategies, such as expansion into new markets or industries.

Question 16

Which management program asks the question: "If this were a new company, how would we run this place?"
A) Reengineering
B) Total quality management
C) Management by objectives
D) Six sigma
E) Strategic planning

Accepted Answer

Reengineering involves fundamentally rethinking and redesigning business processes to achieve significant improvements, often starting with the question of how a new company would operate.

Question 17

It is advisable to have management from all levels participate in the strategy formulation process
A) because it is a legal requirement.
B) because collective bargaining agreements often mandate worker participation.
C) to gain an insight as to what work needs to be done and to gain cooperation in the implementation of the strategy.
D) it is part of their job responsibilities to provide input regarding their respective area of expertise.
E) it helps boost the self-image and ego of all managers to be asked for advice.

Accepted Answer

To gain an insight as to what work needs to be done and to gain cooperation in the implementation of the strategy.

Question 18

To combat the adverse consequences of task specialization, what function does job enrichment perform?
A) By training the workers to do one job over and over again, they become experts on the one best way to do that job.
B) By moving workers through several jobs, they are exposed to increased variety.
C) By combining different tasks, a worker is given more of the same type of duties to perform.
D) By giving the worker more autonomy, the worker has control over job activities.
E) none of these

Accepted Answer

Job enrichment involves giving workers more autonomy and control over their job activities, which can help mitigate the negative effects of task specialization by increasing job satisfaction and motivation.

Question 19

Which type of structure enables a company to introduce and manage a similar line of products around the world?
A) geographic-area structure
B) matrix structure
C) product-group structure
D) international structure
E) functional structure

Accepted Answer

A product-group structure allows a company to organize its operations around specific product lines, enabling consistent management and introduction of similar products globally.

Question 20

Synergy can take place in all but which one of the following?
A) Shared know-how
B) Coordinated strategies
C) Six sigma
D) Shared tangible resources
E) Pooled negotiating power

Accepted Answer

Six Sigma is a set of techniques and tools for process improvement, not a form of synergy. Synergy typically involves combining resources or strategies to create a greater effect.

Quiz 8: Strategy Implementation: Organizing for Action

Stage III in the organizational life-cycle is the

The term used in strategy implementation that describes a statement of activities or steps needed to accomplish a single-use plan and whose use is to make the strategy action-oriented is

Objectives which are personal and subjective and are typified by an entrepreneurial spirit describe what stage of corporate development?

Which structure simultaneously combines functional and product forms at the same level of the organization?

According to Chandler and others, which factors MUST be closely aligned or else face the consequences of poor organizational performance?

Which structure is described as a "non-structure" by its virtual elimination of in-house business functions?

In what stage does a corporation typically decentralize into profit or investment centers?

Who typically implements strategy in large, multi-industry corporations?

What term refers to the study of individual tasks in an attempt to make them more relevant to the company and to the employees) ?

The radical redesign of business processes to achieve major gains in cost, service, or time is called

The term used in strategy implementation that describes a system of sequential steps or techniques that describe in detail how a particular task or job is to be done is

Which management program aims to reduce manufacturing defects to only 3.4 per million?

Which statement below is NOT true of "strategy implementation?"

Alfred Chandler, known for his study of large American corporations, concluded that

A corporation run by a team of managers with functional specializations and which successfully operates in one industry is said to be a

Which management program asks the question: "If this were a new company, how would we run this place?"

It is advisable to have management from all levels participate in the strategy formulation process

To combat the adverse consequences of task specialization, what function does job enrichment perform?

Which type of structure enables a company to introduce and manage a similar line of products around the world?

Synergy can take place in all but which one of the following?