Exam 2: The Management Environment

The most powerful technological innovation to influence business in the past decade has been the rise of the knowledge worker.

Many organizations today are increasing the decision- making discretion of workers by redesigning their jobs. Management calls this practice empowerment.

Application of Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Kevin knew that it was likely his corporation was going to ask him to go abroad and manage the new chemical factory they were building. He was excited about the prospects but also apprehensive. He had never traveled before and, as far as he was concerned, there was only one way to do anything- the "American way." He decided some research was in order to at least get an idea about other countries. In his reading, he learned that some cultures place a high priority on a loose social framework, where they feel primarily responsible for themselves and their immediate family. He also learned that in some societies, employees show a great deal of respect for those in authority, and titles and rank carry much weight. Some countries have little job mobility and practice lifetime employment. He also learned that some countries are characterized by assertiveness and materialism. Now he wondered if there was any framework to help organize his thoughts. -A culture that is characterized by assertiveness and materialism would be demonstrating which dimension of national culture?

The work of Hofstede on national culture indicated that national culture does not have a major impact on employees' work- related values and attitudes.

Linking staffing levels to organizational goals is known as

In France, status is often the result of all the following factors except

Describe the three dominant views of ethics.

"Quality of life" refers to cultures that value things such as assertiveness and the acquisition of money and material goods.

An international business advances to stage III. Which of the following new strategies are used (Stage I)usually become involved?

Application of Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Kevin knew that it was likely his corporation was going to ask him to go abroad and manage the new chemical factory they were building. He was excited about the prospects but also apprehensive. He had never traveled before and, as far as he was concerned, there was only one way to do anything- the "American way." He decided some research was in order to at least get an idea about other countries. In his reading, he learned that some cultures place a high priority on a loose social framework, where they feel primarily responsible for themselves and their immediate family. He also learned that in some societies, employees show a great deal of respect for those in authority, and titles and rank carry much weight. Some countries have little job mobility and practice lifetime employment. He also learned that some countries are characterized by assertiveness and materialism. Now he wondered if there was any framework to help organize his thoughts. -Based on his research, Kevin discovered that which of the following Globe cultural dimensions was not contained in Hofstede's original of national culture?

Which of the following is not one of the four specific dimensions of national culture according to Hofstede?

Application of Contemporary Management Practices Jenny had been reading several management periodicals for her class assignment. She was confused by all the terms she had come across in her search for changes that were reshaping contemporary organizations. The first article had described a new business owner who had taken a large calculated risk to initiate his new business venture where he had become quite successful at the age of 26. The next article dealt with a process that managers were using for quality control at a local cheese producing plant. The company was constantly monitoring the cheese- making process and little by little improving the quality of its cheese. The next article was in direct contrast. This roller blade manufacturer had decided that its product needed to be completely remade in order to keep up with the competition. So it had basically started from scratch and developed a new revised product. Several of the articles Jenny had read talked about companies laying off numerous employees, and the practice was not limited to the United States. It was occurring worldwide. Finally, several articles had also mentioned that businesses were hiring fewer core employees and using more contingent workers. Many larger businesses were hiring people to fill in for those employees off for an extended time period, such as for a new dad off for 12 weeks after the birth of a child. -The new business owner could best be described by which of the following?

The national boundaries of world businesses today are becoming increasingly well- defined and controlled as global competition increases.

Which of the following is a characteristic of the new economy?

The main focus of the Theory of Justice view of ethical behavior is____________ .

Which of the following is not a component of total quality management?

Discuss Hofstede's cultural dimensions.

Application of Corporate Social Responsibility Kerri was confused. Her management class was focusing on social responsibility, and her assignment was to find business cases demonstrating social responsibility. She had several examples, but now she was not sure which case was an example of which concept. Her first business dealt with the tuna industry, which in response to pressure from environmentalists, had stated dolphins would no longer be caught with the tuna. Her second business dealt with a company whose primary focus was on profit maximization for its stockholders. The primary focus of this company was legal compliance and profit maximization. Her third business was in the tobacco industry that each year gives thousands of dollars to the arts. Her fourth business also dealt with the tobacco companies and the fact they were no longer advertising near local schools. Legislation had been enacted in order to prevent cigarettes from being promoted in locations where children under the age of 18 would be likely to see the advertisements. -A firm's obligation to pursue long- term goals that are good for society is known as

Compare and contrast what managers a generation ago valued compared to today's managers.

Application of Corporate Social Responsibility Kerri was confused. Her management class was focusing on social responsibility, and her assignment was to find business cases demonstrating social responsibility. She had several examples, but now she was not sure which case was an example of which concept. Her first business dealt with the tuna industry, which in response to pressure from environmentalists, had stated dolphins would no longer be caught with the tuna. Her second business dealt with a company whose primary focus was on profit maximization for its stockholders. The primary focus of this company was legal compliance and profit maximization. Her third business was in the tobacco industry that each year gives thousands of dollars to the arts. Her fourth business also dealt with the tobacco companies and the fact they were no longer advertising near local schools. Legislation had been enacted in order to prevent cigarettes from being promoted in locations where children under the age of 18 would be likely to see the advertisements. -The first business is an example of a business that has