Exam 2: Management Theory: Essential Background for the Successful Manager

You have just received a call from ABC Manufacturing to schedule an interview. You want to be prepared and impress them with your skills not only the ones on your résumé, but your soft skills too. Describe how you will prepare for the interview.

A computer manufacturer is seeking to cut costs by designing an inventory system that reduces the number of finished products in stock due to overproduction and to set in place a production schedule that better matches customers' orders. These plans are an example of ________ in action.

When faced with a business problem, Lauren, a young shoe store owner, discusses business problems with Kurt, the assistant manager and an employee for over 30 years. Lauren believes Kurt "has seen it all" and knows there are few really new ideas; plus the business has done many simple things, such as offering friendly service, to create and maintain a competitive edge. Lauren's management style is best described as

Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert Sutton believed that evidence-based management is founded on the belief that facing the hard facts about what works and accepting the nonsense that passes for sound advice will help organizations perform better.

The systems viewpoint regards the various parts making up the whole system as

A local grocer routinely develops and acquires new knowledge, and the employees communicate what they learn to other employees, so the company is able to modify its behavior to reflect what they have learned. This organization is an example of a learning organization.

Which management viewpoint assumes that people are rational?

Describe how airlines use management science to determine flight schedules, numbers of pilots and flight attendants, amount of fuel, and number of snacks needed?

Order the schools of thought in the behavioral viewpoint from earliest to most recent.

Oleg, the CEO of a large global production company, is excited about the introduction of statistics and computer simulations in the design stage of the company's products. Oleg is using

Which management viewpoint saw humans as cogs within a machine?

This question has two parts; be sure to answer both. First, articulate why the classical viewpoint is important, providing an example of a successful company that has benefited from applying the theories of the classical viewpoint. Second, imagine that you manage a scientific lab that develops women's health and beauty products. Give two examples of how you might apply the classical viewpoint in the lab.

Bradley, an executive chef in a large hotel, recently attended a training conference sponsored by several top professionals in his field, where he learned numerous ways his restaurant and hotel can better serve customers. Bradley is excited that management asked him to present this information to the hotel staff so that the restaurant and hotel can make needed improvements. Bradley's hotel is a(n) ________ organization.

Ron, a plant manager, wants to institute a compensation system in which more efficient workers earn higher wages. Ron is proposing to institute a differential rate system.

Operations management focuses on managing the production and delivery of an organization's products or services

This question has two parts; be sure to answer both. First, describe the four parts of a system. Next, imagine that you own a one-person business. You create beautiful, elaborate wedding cakes (for which you charge a large sum of money). What are the components of your wedding cake business system?

The behavioral science approach relies on scientific research for developing theories about human behavior that can be

Hiro, the manager of a convenience store, is interested in implementing the principles of administrative management, which involves

The three contemporary management perspectives are the ________ viewpoints.

When a manager assesses a particular situation and decides what to do according to the individual and environmental situation, the manager is utilizing the ________ viewpoint.