Question 1

Within groups and departments in informal networks, gossip travels along
A) the single strand.
B) the probability chain.
C) the cluster chain.
D) the grapevine.

Accepted Answer

The grapevine is the most common form of informal communication network in organizations, where gossip and rumors spread through informal channels within groups and departments. The single strand, probability chain, and cluster chain are not relevant or as commonly used in describing informal networks in organizations.

Question 2

An organisation can change its culture by changing material symbols and varying routines and rituals.

Accepted Answer

Material symbols, such as logos or office design, and routines and rituals, such as regular team meetings or company events, all contribute to the overall culture of an organization. By changing these elements, the culture can be influenced and shifted in a new direction.

Question 3

Decentralised communication will result in a reduction in initiative and lower productivity in the workplace.

Accepted Answer

Decentralised communication, such as collaborative tools and remote work, can actually increase initiative and productivity in the workplace by allowing for more autonomy and flexibility.

Question 4

What is the major challenge for management?
A) To find a balance between control, motivation, efficiency and effectiveness
B) To identify the various communication processes
C) To identify the needs of individuals and the organisation
D) To give appropriate feedback within an organisation

Accepted Answer

Finding a balance between control, motivation, efficiency, and effectiveness has always been the major challenge for management. It is because these factors are interrelated and a good manager needs to ensure that they are balanced to achieve the desired goals of the company. Effective management requires coordination, cooperation, planning, motivation, and efficient communication to achieve the organization's objectives. Therefore, choice A is the best option.

Question 5

To be effective in communicating within an organisation, one needs to
A) identify the divisions and departments in an organisation.
B) identify the organisation's characteristics.
C) identify the degree of formality or informality within the organisation.
D) identify organisational, individual and cultural factors within the organisation.

Accepted Answer

Identifying organisational, individual and cultural factors within the organisation is the most important in order to understand the communication dynamics and tailor the message accordingly. While knowing the divisions and departments, the characteristics and the degree of formality may assist in communication, they are not as critical as understanding these factors.

Question 6

An established culture is sustained exclusively through selection practices, the actions of top management, socialisation and communication.

Accepted Answer

An established culture is sustained through a combination of selection practices, actions of top management, socialisation, and communication. All four factors are crucial in maintaining a culture within an organization.

Question 7

Organisational cultures are similar across different organisations.

Accepted Answer

Organisational cultures vary significantly across different organisations depending on their values, beliefs, and practices. While some aspects of culture, such as communication styles or dress codes, may be similar across organisations, overall culture can vary widely.

Question 8

How is 'Organisational culture' defined?
A) By the values the organisation represents.
B) By the common understandings among members.
C) By the pattern of shared assumptions, beliefs and norms uniting members of an organisation.
D) Through how members of an organisation should behave.

Accepted Answer

Organisational culture is defined as the pattern of shared assumptions, beliefs and norms uniting members of an organisation. It reflects the values, expectations, and beliefs that influence the behavior of individuals within the organization. The other options, while related to organisational culture, do not provide a complete definition on their own.

Question 9

According to early organisational theorists, what was the purpose of communication?
A) To study how staff communicate in an organisation.
B) To take into account the human relations aspects in organisations.
C) To achieve work efficiency and production goals.
D) To study how people communicate across cultures.

Accepted Answer

Early organisational theorists believed that the purpose of communication was to achieve work efficiency and production goals. They considered communication as a tool to coordinate and control the activities of the organisation and to achieve its objectives.

Question 10

In which way is the culture of an organisation communicated and reinforced?
A) By unique terms and ways of using words
B) Through stories, material symbols, language and rituals
C) Through the history of the organisation
D) By attending the training classes of an organisation

Accepted Answer

The culture of an organization is primarily communicated and reinforced through stories, material symbols, language, and rituals. These elements shape the collective mindset of the employees and help them align with the values and beliefs of the organization. While unique terms and ways of using words may be a part of the culture, they alone are not enough to communicate and reinforce it. History and attending training classes may also be a part of the culture, but they do not explicitly communicate and reinforce it.

Question 11

A first-line supervisor might 'filter' or withhold unpleasant information from her manager. This is an example of:
A) tact, diplomacy and picking the right moment.
B) the misuse of an upward communication channel.
C) managing upwards, managing your boss.
D) challenging managerial authority.

Accepted Answer

Withholding information from a manager is a misuse of the upward communication channel as it hinders the flow of information. While tact, diplomacy, and managing upwards are important components of effective communication, actively withholding information is not an appropriate approach. Challenging managerial authority is also not applicable in this context.

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of communication within an informal structure in an organisation?
A) Sara receives formal documentation from her senior staff member, Akbul.
B) Managers Lucas and Jill are having a telephone conversation ahead of a business meeting.
C) Maria phones Ms Porter, her client, to follow up about a booking.
D) None of the above.

Accepted Answer

Managers Lucas and Jill having a telephone conversation is an example of communication within an informal structure in an organisation. This is because they are not using formal documentation, such as a memo or email, to communicate and they are not following a structured protocol for communication. Instead, they are having a conversation over the phone, which is a more relaxed and informal type of communication.

Question 13

What, according to Drucker (1973) and others, is the contemporary aim of communication?
A) Enhance the rapid development of information technology.
B) Increase knowledge acquisition, applications and services.
C) Change how people behave in the workplace.
D) Communicate more effectively with managers.

Accepted Answer

According to Drucker (1973) and others, the contemporary aim of communication is to increase knowledge acquisition, applications and services. This means that communication should be focused on providing information that can be applied to improve the organization's performance and services. It is not about enhancing technology or changing people's behavior, and while communicating effectively with managers is important, it is not the primary aim of communication.

Question 14

In which of the following situations is lateral communication more likely to occur?
A) Between friends and like-minded colleagues in an organisation.
B) Between competing individuals or divisions in an organisation.
C) When the organisation is organic or when project teams are in operation.
D) When either diagonal or downward communications are beginning to fail.

Accepted Answer

Lateral communication is more likely to occur when the organization is organic or when project teams are in operation. In such situations, there is a greater need for collaboration, coordination and communication between team members who are working on different aspects of the same project. Additionally, lateral communication is important in facilitating the flow of ideas and knowledge across the organization.

Question 15

There is insufficient evidence to show that the way a business functions can have a major impact on how communication takes place and on its effectiveness.

Accepted Answer

Various studies and research have shown that the way a business functions, its structure, culture, and communication processes, can significantly impact the effectiveness of communication within the organization. Factors such as hierarchical structures, lack of transparency, poor communication channels, and silos can all contribute to communication breakdowns and reduce efficiency. Therefore, it is essential for businesses to pay attention to their internal communication systems and strategies to improve overall performance.

Question 16

The communication purpose in early organisational theories was task-oriented whereas, in modern organisational theories, it is knowledge-oriented.

Accepted Answer

In early organisational theories, communication was focused on conveying information related to specific tasks and achieving efficiency in work processes. However, in modern organisational theories, communication is seen as crucial for sharing knowledge and creating a learning culture within the organization.

Question 17

Acknowledgement and feedback to individuals and groups on their achievements normally leads to increased job satisfaction.

Accepted Answer

Acknowledgement and feedback are powerful motivators and can increase an individual's morale and sense of accomplishment, which in turn leads to greater job satisfaction.

Question 18

Culture cannot be passed on and learnt.

Accepted Answer

Culture can be passed on through various means such as oral traditions, religious rituals, cultural celebrations, and formal education. It can also be learned through exposure to different cultures, travel, media, and personal interactions.

Question 19

A major impact on the effectiveness of communication in the workplace is determined by:
A) the behaviour of senior staff and the way an organisation is structured.
B) the type of background that employees have.
C) the level of education achieved by management.
D) the level of communication technologies deployed.

Accepted Answer

The behaviour of senior staff and the way an organisation is structured can have a significant impact on communication in the workplace as it sets the tone for the rest of the employees. A well-structured organisation that emphasizes open communication and clear expectations can lead to effective communication, whereas a disorganized or hierarchical structure can lead to poor communication. Background or education levels may play a role, but they are not as influential as the overall culture of the workplace. The level of communication technologies deployed can also impact communication, but this is less significant than the behaviour of senior staff and the organisational structure.

Question 20

How people work and how organisations are valued in contemporary economies are often changed by the exercise of authority, coordination and control in an organisation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How people work and how organisations are...

Quiz 6: Communication Across the Organisation

Within groups and departments in informal networks, gossip travels along

An organisation can change its culture by changing material symbols and varying routines and rituals.

Decentralised communication will result in a reduction in initiative and lower productivity in the workplace.

What is the major challenge for management?

To be effective in communicating within an organisation, one needs to

An established culture is sustained exclusively through selection practices, the actions of top management, socialisation and communication.

Organisational cultures are similar across different organisations.

How is 'Organisational culture' defined?

According to early organisational theorists, what was the purpose of communication?

In which way is the culture of an organisation communicated and reinforced?

A first-line supervisor might 'filter' or withhold unpleasant information from her manager. This is an example of:

Which of the following is an example of communication within an informal structure in an organisation?

What, according to Drucker (1973) and others, is the contemporary aim of communication?

In which of the following situations is lateral communication more likely to occur?

There is insufficient evidence to show that the way a business functions can have a major impact on how communication takes place and on its effectiveness.

The communication purpose in early organisational theories was task-oriented whereas, in modern organisational theories, it is knowledge-oriented.

Acknowledgement and feedback to individuals and groups on their achievements normally leads to increased job satisfaction.

Culture cannot be passed on and learnt.

A major impact on the effectiveness of communication in the workplace is determined by:

How people work and how organisations are valued in contemporary economies are often changed by the exercise of authority, coordination and control in an organisation.