Question 1

__________is described as the process of choosing a solution from available alternatives.
A) Production blocking
B) Decision making
C) Satisficing
D) Maximizing

Accepted Answer

Decision making is the process of selecting a solution from a range of options. Production blocking refers to a problem in group decision making where individuals are delayed in sharing their ideas due to others already speaking. Satisficing refers to settling for a satisfactory, rather than optimal, solution. Maximizing refers to seeking the best possible outcome.

Question 2

Jimmy is the sales manager of, Packaday, a packaging and shipping company. He has created a plan that will increase Packaday's customer base by 2.5 percent in the next two months. In this scenario, Jimmy has set a _____.
A) recurrent goal
B) passive goal
C) visionary goal
D) proximal goal

Accepted Answer

Jimmy has set a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goal to increase the customer base by 2.5% in the next two months, which makes it a proximal goal. This goal is short-term and has a specific outcome, making it easier to track progress and make necessary adjustments along the way.

Question 3

_____ are responsible for the creation of tactical plans.
A) Chief Financial Officers
B) First-level managers
C) Middle managers
D) Top managers

Accepted Answer

Tactical plans are the plans created to achieve the objectives set in the strategic plans. Middle managers are responsible for developing tactical plans because they are the ones closest to the day-to-day operations and have a better understanding of the resources available to achieve the goals. The top managers set the overall strategic direction, while the first-level managers focus on implementing operational plans. Chief Financial Officers may be involved in the financial aspects of tactical plans, but they are not solely responsible for creating them.

Question 4

Which among the following is the most specific type of standing plans.
A) Policies
B) Procedures
C) Single-use plans
D) Rules and regulations

Accepted Answer

Rules and regulations are the most specific type of standing plans as they provide clear and detailed instructions on what actions are to be taken in specific situations.

Question 5

Dale, a design engineer at a machinery manufacturing company, prepares a plan with a detailed estimate of the overheads and resources required for setting up a stall at a machinery exhibition next month. In this scenario, Dale has most likely prepared a _____.
A) single-use plan
B) strategic plan
C) standing plan
D) tactical plan

Accepted Answer

The answer of Dale, a design engineer at a machinery...

Question 6

Which of the following is a decision-making method that can be used to create c-type conflict by assigning an individual or a subgroup the role of critic?
A) Dialectical inquiry
B) The nominal group technique
C) Devil's advocacy
D) The Delphi technique

Accepted Answer

Devil's advocacy is a decision-making technique in which an individual or a subgroup is assigned the role of devil's advocate or critic. Their role is to challenge the assumptions and proposals made by the rest of the group, which can create conflict and encourage the group to consider alternative perspectives.

Question 7

Treptron Inc., a software company, has a standing plan that details the specific set of steps to be undertaken when an employee delivers consistently poor performance during his or her probation period. Given this information, the standing plan in this scenario can be referred to as a(n) _____.
A) artifact
B) prototype
C) procedure
D) heuristic

Accepted Answer

The standing plan in this scenario can be referred to as a procedure because it outlines a specific set of steps to be taken in a particular situation. Artifacts are typically physical objects that have cultural, historical, or archaeological significance. A prototype is an initial version of a product or software that is designed for testing and evaluation purposes. A heuristic is a problem-solving strategy that involves using practical or logical methods to reach a solution.

Question 8

Jim is the operations manager of a car manufacturing company in the United States. He wants to set up production plants in three other countries by the end of the current year. After he has set this goal, which of the following is the next step he should ideally take in order to achieve this goal?
A) Determine the profits the production plants will make
B) Track progress toward goal achievement
C) Develop commitment to the goal
D) Reward hard working employees for their work

Accepted Answer

Before Jim can track progress or determine profits, he needs to make sure that all relevant stakeholders are committed to the goal. This includes upper management, employees, and potentially even government officials or representatives in the countries where the production plants will be set up. Without commitment, it will be difficult to make progress or achieve the goal in a timely and effective manner. Once commitment has been established, Jim can move on to tracking progress and determining potential profits. Rewarding hard-working employees can also come later as a means of maintaining motivation and engagement, but this should not be the first step.

Question 9

Which of the following is the first step in the process of management by objectives?
A) Collectively selecting goals
B) Discussing possible goals
C) Jointly developing tactical plans
D) Reviewing progress regularly

Accepted Answer

The first step in management by objectives is discussing possible goals. In this step, managers and subordinates work together to brainstorm potential goals for the organization. Only after this step is completed can the group move on to collectively selecting goals, jointly developing tactical plans, and reviewing progress regularly.

Question 10

Henncom, a company that manufactures computer spare parts, runs its operations in a small office. Owing to the increase in the demand for its products, the company needs to hire more employees. Instead of opting for the temporary solution of reducing each employee's workspace to accommodate more employees, Carl, the operations manager, decides to go with the optimal solution of shifting the company to larger premises. In this scenario, Carl is most likely _____.
A) maximizing
B) counterconditioning
C) overregularizing
D) satisficing

Accepted Answer

Carl is maximizing by choosing the optimal solution of shifting the company to larger premises instead of going for a temporary solution that would reduce each employee's workspace. Maximizing involves choosing the best possible option among alternatives.

Question 11

A drawback of planning is that:
A) it fails to provide direction to managerial activities.
B) it causes detachment, which leads planners to plan for things they do not understand.
C) it discourages employees to put in additional efforts when following a plan.
D) it decreases persistence among employees, and leads to slackness.

Accepted Answer

Planning can cause detachment, leading planners to make plans for things they do not fully understand, as they may be removed from the actual operations or realities of the situation.

Question 12

Plastbolt, a company that manufactures and supplies plastic bottles, wants to acquire a smaller company. It plans to invest in two smaller plastic manufacturing companies and buy the one that it finds yields better returns. In this scenario, Plastbolt is most likely using _____.
A) reverse planning
B) options-based planning
C) time-based planning
D) rigid planning

Accepted Answer

Plastbolt is using options-based planning, which involves identifying multiple options and investing resources in each to determine which one yields the best returns.

Question 13

Vernon, the chief human resources officer at a consultancy firm, prepares a plan formally detailing the dos and don'ts of the company. In the plan, he describes the restrictions on certain actions and how the actions must be performed. The regulations discussed in the given scenario are most likely a type of _____.
A) standing plan
B) impromptu plan
C) tactical plan
D) single-use plan

Accepted Answer

A standing plan is a set of policies, procedures, and regulations that are designed to be used repeatedly to handle recurring problems. The plan described by Vernon is a set of policies designed to guide the actions of employees in the long term, making it a standing plan. The other options do not fit the scenario described as well: An impromptu plan is one created on the spot to deal with an unexpected situation, a tactical plan is a plan created to achieve specific short-term objectives, and a single-use plan is created for a one-time project or event.

Question 14

Chad is the human resources manager of a chain of stationery stores. The company intends to open two new outlets, and Chad plans to recruit staff for both the outlets by the end of the month. In this scenario, Chad's staffing target serves as a _____.
A) capstone goal
B) passive goal
C) distal goal
D) proximal goal

Accepted Answer

Chad's staffing target serves as a proximal goal as it is a short-term goal that needs to be achieved within a specific timeframe, which is the end of the month.

Question 15

Budgets are a type of__________.
A) strategic plans
B) tactical plans
C) operational plans
D) visionary plans

Accepted Answer

Budgets are detailed financial plans that outline projected expenses and revenues for a specific period. They are used to control and monitor the financial performance of an organization and are considered part of the operational planning process. Strategic plans are high-level plans that set the overall direction and goals of an organization, while tactical plans are short-term plans that outline specific actions to achieve a goal. Visionary plans are not a recognized type of planning.

Question 16

The senior managers of Clockence, a clock manufacturing company, have a disagreement about the quantity of inventory to be allotted to each production team. Each of them views the problem differently, but they are willing to discuss it and arrive at the best possible solution. In this scenario, the conflict among the senior managers at Clockence best exemplifies _____.
A) a-type conflict
B) affective conflict
C) c-type conflict
D) channel conflict

Accepted Answer

The conflict among the senior managers at Clockence best exemplifies c-type conflict, which is based on differences in opinion or ideas. In this case, the managers have different viewpoints on inventory allocation, but they are willing to discuss and resolve the issue. A-type conflict is based on personal differences and often involves negative emotions, while affective conflict is characterized by tension and friction among people. Channel conflict refers to conflicts between different distribution channels, such as conflicts between manufacturers and retailers. None of these types of conflicts apply to the situation at Clockence.

Question 17

Autowizic Inc., an automobile manufacturing company, plans to move its operations to a different city by the end of the year. It sets a target of moving one department by the end of each month, so that all the departments can be moved within a year. In this scenario, Autowizic's plan of moving its operations to a different city by the end of the year is an example of a _____.
A) provisional goal
B) foundational goal
C) proximal goal
D) distal goal

Accepted Answer

Autowizic's plan of moving its operations to a different city by the end of the year is a long-term goal, also known as a distal goal, because it has a longer time frame and requires multiple steps to achieve. The target of moving one department by the end of each month is a short-term goal, also known as a proximal goal, because it is achievable in a shorter time frame and contributes to the achievement of the distal goal.

Question 18

A _____ is a type of operational plan that saves managers' time because once the plan is created, it can be used repeatedly to handle frequently recurring events.
A) standing plan
B) budget plan
C) single-use plan
D) tactical plan

Accepted Answer

A standing plan is a type of operational plan that is designed for handling frequently recurring events. It saves managers time because once the plan is created, it can be used repeatedly without having to start from scratch every time. The other options, budget plan, single-use plan, and tactical plan, are not necessarily designed for handling frequently recurring events.

Question 19

Kyle, the human resources manager of an electrical company, is preparing an estimate of the recruitment requirements, training overheads, and induction expenditure for the next six months to present to the chief human resources officer of the company. In this scenario, Kyle is most likely creating a(n) _____.
A) strategic plan
B) single-use plan
C) tactical plan
D) operational plan

Accepted Answer

Kyle is creating a tactical plan, which is a short-term plan that outlines the specific actions needed to implement a broader strategic plan. In this case, Kyle is outlining the recruitment and training needs for the next six months, which is a tactical goal.

Question 20

Todd's manager rejected his leave application because project deadlines were getting closer. Todd considered this a personal offence and got into an argument with his manager. In this scenario, the disagreements between Todd and his manager can best be classified as _____.
A) c-type conflict
B) cognitive conflict
C) a-type conflict
D) constructive conflict

Accepted Answer

The conflicts between Todd and his manager are best classified as a-type conflict, as they are characterized by personal animosity, hostility, and a lack of cooperation or trust. This is evident from Todd's perception of the rejection of his leave application as a personal offence, leading to an argument with his manager. A-type conflicts are detrimental to team morale, individual well-being, and organizational performance, as they often escalate into open hostility, aggressive behavior, and intractable disputes.

Quiz 5: Planning and Decision Making

__________is described as the process of choosing a solution from available alternatives.

Jimmy is the sales manager of, Packaday, a packaging and shipping company. He has created a plan that will increase Packaday's customer base by 2.5 percent in the next two months. In this scenario, Jimmy has set a _____.

_____ are responsible for the creation of tactical plans.

Which among the following is the most specific type of standing plans.

Dale, a design engineer at a machinery manufacturing company, prepares a plan with a detailed estimate of the overheads and resources required for setting up a stall at a machinery exhibition next month. In this scenario, Dale has most likely prepared a _____.

Which of the following is a decision-making method that can be used to create c-type conflict by assigning an individual or a subgroup the role of critic?

Treptron Inc., a software company, has a standing plan that details the specific set of steps to be undertaken when an employee delivers consistently poor performance during his or her probation period. Given this information, the standing plan in this scenario can be referred to as a(n) _____.

Jim is the operations manager of a car manufacturing company in the United States. He wants to set up production plants in three other countries by the end of the current year. After he has set this goal, which of the following is the next step he should ideally take in order to achieve this goal?

Which of the following is the first step in the process of management by objectives?

A drawback of planning is that:

Plastbolt, a company that manufactures and supplies plastic bottles, wants to acquire a smaller company. It plans to invest in two smaller plastic manufacturing companies and buy the one that it finds yields better returns. In this scenario, Plastbolt is most likely using _____.

Chad is the human resources manager of a chain of stationery stores. The company intends to open two new outlets, and Chad plans to recruit staff for both the outlets by the end of the month. In this scenario, Chad's staffing target serves as a _____.

Budgets are a type of__________.

A _____ is a type of operational plan that saves managers' time because once the plan is created, it can be used repeatedly to handle frequently recurring events.

Todd's manager rejected his leave application because project deadlines were getting closer. Todd considered this a personal offence and got into an argument with his manager. In this scenario, the disagreements between Todd and his manager can best be classified as _____.