Question 1

The backbone of the process of identifying, studying, and implementing best practices is

Accepted Answer

A)  business process reengineering. 
B)  a corporate culture that has a core value of operating excellence. 
C)  benchmarking. 
D)  Six Sigma quality control techniques. 
E)  the innovative application of TQM techniques. 
A)  business process reengineering. 
B)  a corporate culture that has a core value of operating excellence. 
C)  benchmarking. 
D)  Six Sigma quality control techniques. 
E)  the innovative application of TQM techniques. C

Question 2

Which of the following statements about Six Sigma quality programs is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  While Six Sigma programs often improve the efficiency of numerous operating processes, there is evidence that the approach can stifle innovative activities. 
B)  Six Sigma is a philosophy of managing a set of business practices that emphasizes continuous improvement in all phases of operations and 100 percent accuracy in performing tasks. 
C)  Six Sigma's DMAIC process is a particularly good vehicle for improving performance when there are only small variations in how well an activity is performed. 
D)  The focus of Six Sigma programs is on the development of new products or new business processes but not on improving existing products or business processes. 
E)  Six Sigma is a system of statistical procedures for eliminating 92 percent of the variability in how a task is performed. 
A)  While Six Sigma programs often improve the efficiency of numerous operating processes, there is evidence that the approach can stifle innovative activities. 
B)  Six Sigma is a philosophy of managing a set of business practices that emphasizes continuous improvement in all phases of operations and 100 percent accuracy in performing tasks. 
C)  Six Sigma's DMAIC process is a particularly good vehicle for improving performance when there are only small variations in how well an activity is performed. 
D)  The focus of Six Sigma programs is on the development of new products or new business processes but not on improving existing products or business processes. 
E)  Six Sigma is a system of statistical procedures for eliminating 92 percent of the variability in how a task is performed. A

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a method that company managers can use to promote operating excellence in performing value chain activities?

Accepted Answer

A)  Utilize benchmarking. 
B)  Adapt best practices. 
C)  Install TQM and/or Six Sigma quality control techniques. 
D)  Undertake business process reengineering. 
E)  Adopt standard industry techniques. 
A)  Utilize benchmarking. 
B)  Adapt best practices. 
C)  Install TQM and/or Six Sigma quality control techniques. 
D)  Undertake business process reengineering. 
E)  Adopt standard industry techniques. E

Question 4

Well-conceived, state-of-the-art information and operating systems

Accepted Answer

A)  are essential because business process reengineering efforts, TQM, Six Sigma, and benchmarking programs can't be carried out effectively without them. 
B)  not only enable better strategy execution but also strengthen organizational capabilities (perhaps enough to provide a competitive edge over rivals). 
C)  make it simple and easy to spot cost overruns and inefficiencies. 
D)  are valuable tools for shortening a company's value chain, boosting workforce morale and productivity, and simplifying the task of adopting best practices. 
E)  help managers run a tight ship and preserve strong, centralized control over internal activities. 
A)  are essential because business process reengineering efforts, TQM, Six Sigma, and benchmarking programs can't be carried out effectively without them. 
B)  not only enable better strategy execution but also strengthen organizational capabilities (perhaps enough to provide a competitive edge over rivals). 
C)  make it simple and easy to spot cost overruns and inefficiencies. 
D)  are valuable tools for shortening a company's value chain, boosting workforce morale and productivity, and simplifying the task of adopting best practices. 
E)  help managers run a tight ship and preserve strong, centralized control over internal activities.

Question 5

A motivation and incentive system that is aimed at spurring stronger employee commitment to good strategy execution

Accepted Answer

A)  should focus on incorporating more positive than negative motivational elements. 
B)  should be tied first and foremost to whether employees satisfactorily perform their assigned duties in an ethical and honorable manner. 
C)  must involve deliberately assigning employees heavy workloads and tight deadlines. 
D)  needs to put top priority on making employees happy and secure in their jobs. 
E)  must avoid the potential for negative consequences if performance is subpar. 
A)  should focus on incorporating more positive than negative motivational elements. 
B)  should be tied first and foremost to whether employees satisfactorily perform their assigned duties in an ethical and honorable manner. 
C)  must involve deliberately assigning employees heavy workloads and tight deadlines. 
D)  needs to put top priority on making employees happy and secure in their jobs. 
E)  must avoid the potential for negative consequences if performance is subpar.

Question 6

Which of the following exemplifies good strategy execution?

Accepted Answer

A)  The policy document of Dominos ensures consistency in service behavior patterns across outlets. 
B)  The policy document of Pizza Today allows for differences in product range and quality across outlets. 
C)  The policy document of Boston Pizza leaves ample scope for each member of the staff to act independently. 
D)  The policy document of Little Caesars discusses strategy but not the routines for running the outlets. 
E)  The policy document of Pizza Inn is averse to standardization of the way activities are performed. 
A)  The policy document of Dominos ensures consistency in service behavior patterns across outlets. 
B)  The policy document of Pizza Today allows for differences in product range and quality across outlets. 
C)  The policy document of Boston Pizza leaves ample scope for each member of the staff to act independently. 
D)  The policy document of Little Caesars discusses strategy but not the routines for running the outlets. 
E)  The policy document of Pizza Inn is averse to standardization of the way activities are performed.

Question 7

Discuss why it is generally undesirable for approaches to motivation, compensation, and people management to avoid the use of negative consequences or punishment if performance targets are not achieved or if particular people are habitual underperformers. Does striking a balance between rewards and punishment generally work better?

Accepted Answer

Absence of negative consequences in a wo

Question 8

A well-designed reward system

Accepted Answer

A)  ties rewards to performance outcomes directly linked to good strategy execution and the achievement of financial and strategic objectives. 
B)  should be free of elements that induce stress, anxiety, tension, pressure to perform, and job insecurity. 
C)  puts the primary emphasis on denying rewards to those who fail to perform tasks in the prescribed fashion. 
D)  emphasizes weeding out employees who are average performers. 
E)  strives for a 50-50 balance between positive and negative rewards and a 50-50 balance between monetary and nonmonetary rewards. 
A)  ties rewards to performance outcomes directly linked to good strategy execution and the achievement of financial and strategic objectives. 
B)  should be free of elements that induce stress, anxiety, tension, pressure to perform, and job insecurity. 
C)  puts the primary emphasis on denying rewards to those who fail to perform tasks in the prescribed fashion. 
D)  emphasizes weeding out employees who are average performers. 
E)  strives for a 50-50 balance between positive and negative rewards and a 50-50 balance between monetary and nonmonetary rewards.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of a compensation and reward system designed to help drive successful strategy execution?

Accepted Answer

A)  tying incentives to performance outcomes directly linked to good strategy execution and financial performance 
B)  keeping the time between achieving the target performance outcome and the payment of the reward as short as possible 
C)  making sure the performance targets that each individual or team is expected to achieve involve outcomes that the individual or team can personally affect 
D)  generous rewards for people who turn in outstanding performances 
E)  a reward system that involves 50 percent nonmonetary rewards and a work environment that avoids placing pressure on managers and employees to perform at high levels 
A)  tying incentives to performance outcomes directly linked to good strategy execution and financial performance 
B)  keeping the time between achieving the target performance outcome and the payment of the reward as short as possible 
C)  making sure the performance targets that each individual or team is expected to achieve involve outcomes that the individual or team can personally affect 
D)  generous rewards for people who turn in outstanding performances 
E)  a reward system that involves 50 percent nonmonetary rewards and a work environment that avoids placing pressure on managers and employees to perform at high levels

Question 10

The broad areas that internal information business systems need to cover include all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  financial performance data. 
B)  corporate culture data. 
C)  customer data. 
D)  operations data. 
E)  employee data. 
A)  financial performance data. 
B)  corporate culture data. 
C)  customer data. 
D)  operations data. 
E)  employee data.

Question 11

While Six Sigma programs often improve the efficiency of many operating activities and processes, there is evidence that innovation can be stifled by Six Sigma programs. True or false? Explain.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Which of the following takes the route of business process reengineering to attain operational excellence?

Accepted Answer

A)  AT&T works toward creating a total quality culture by continuously reviewing the performance of every value chain activity. 
B)  Acer Phones uses advanced statistical methods to remove the causes of defects at its manufacturing units. 
C)  Ericsson introduces continuous-improvement business philosophy at its customer care centers. 
D)  Cellkon pulls the pieces of an activity out of different departments to create a cross-functional work group. 
E)  Honeywell strives to incrementally reduce defects through an ongoing assessment process. 
A)  AT&T works toward creating a total quality culture by continuously reviewing the performance of every value chain activity. 
B)  Acer Phones uses advanced statistical methods to remove the causes of defects at its manufacturing units. 
C)  Ericsson introduces continuous-improvement business philosophy at its customer care centers. 
D)  Cellkon pulls the pieces of an activity out of different departments to create a cross-functional work group. 
E)  Honeywell strives to incrementally reduce defects through an ongoing assessment process.

Question 13

Providing top-down guidance can aid the task of implementing strategy

Accepted Answer

A)  provided they promote greater use of and commitment to best practices and total quality management. 
B)  because really effective internal policies and procedures are not easily duplicated by other firms. 
C)  because astutely conceived policies or procedures can result in competitive advantage. 
D)  by helping align the actions and behavior of company personnel with the requirements for good strategy execution, placing limits on independent action, and helping overcome resistance to change. 
E)  by making it easier to impose tight budget controls and avoid wasting scarce resources. 
A)  provided they promote greater use of and commitment to best practices and total quality management. 
B)  because really effective internal policies and procedures are not easily duplicated by other firms. 
C)  because astutely conceived policies or procedures can result in competitive advantage. 
D)  by helping align the actions and behavior of company personnel with the requirements for good strategy execution, placing limits on independent action, and helping overcome resistance to change. 
E)  by making it easier to impose tight budget controls and avoid wasting scarce resources.

Question 14

Provide a minimum of three examples of nonmonetary motivation and rewards practices that possess the capability to foster good strategy execution. Explain how they act to produce such a result.

Accepted Answer

In addition to monetary or financial rew

Question 15

In creating a strategy-supportive reward structure, it is important to define jobs and assignments in terms of the results to be accomplished not just in terms of the duties to be performed. True or false? Explain and justify your answer.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Motivational and incentive compensation practices that aim at winning the commitment of company personnel to good strategy execution typically

Accepted Answer

A)  use only positive rewards and never involve the use of tension, fear, job insecurity, stress, or anxiety. 
B)  entail decidedly positive rewards for meeting or beating performance targets, but also impose sufficiently negative consequences when actual performance falls short of the target. 
C)  aim at creating a no-pressure/no-adverse-consequences work environment. 
D)  entail paying the highest wages and salaries in the industry for all jobholder positions and also stressing nonmonetary rewards, like cash bonuses for high-performing employees. 
E)  put top priority on making employees happy and secure in their jobs. 
A)  use only positive rewards and never involve the use of tension, fear, job insecurity, stress, or anxiety. 
B)  entail decidedly positive rewards for meeting or beating performance targets, but also impose sufficiently negative consequences when actual performance falls short of the target. 
C)  aim at creating a no-pressure/no-adverse-consequences work environment. 
D)  entail paying the highest wages and salaries in the industry for all jobholder positions and also stressing nonmonetary rewards, like cash bonuses for high-performing employees. 
E)  put top priority on making employees happy and secure in their jobs.

Question 17

Apple decides to reallocate resources by curtailing online ad budgets and investing heavily in scratch-resistant Sapphire, the material that differentiates the Apple Watch from rival wearable computing device brands. What is MOST LIKELY the reason for Apple's reallocation of resources?

Accepted Answer

A)  making critical value chain activities less effective 
B)  supporting the new strategic initiative of the brand 
C)  signaling commitment to online sales of the brand 
D)  signaling commitment to offline sales of the brand 
E)  impeding the efforts of rivals to hoard Sapphire 
A)  making critical value chain activities less effective 
B)  supporting the new strategic initiative of the brand 
C)  signaling commitment to online sales of the brand 
D)  signaling commitment to offline sales of the brand 
E)  impeding the efforts of rivals to hoard Sapphire

Question 18

It is often said that benchmarking is the backbone of the process of identifying, studying, and implementing best practices. Explain the role of benchmarking.

Accepted Answer

The role of benchmarking is to look outw

Question 19

Merely fine-tuning the execution of a company's existing strategy normally requires

Accepted Answer

A)  big shifts of resources from one area to another. 
B)  a larger allocation of resources to the effort. 
C)  trimming costs and shifting resources to activities that have a higher priority. 
D)  creativity in finding ways for cost reductions, i.e. ways to do less with less. 
E)  cost-cutting in key value chain activities. 
A)  big shifts of resources from one area to another. 
B)  a larger allocation of resources to the effort. 
C)  trimming costs and shifting resources to activities that have a higher priority. 
D)  creativity in finding ways for cost reductions, i.e. ways to do less with less. 
E)  cost-cutting in key value chain activities.

Question 20

A "best practice" refers to a

Accepted Answer

A)  policy or procedure that is unusually effective. 
B)  method of performing an activity or business process that consistently delivers superior results compared to other approaches and that at least one company has demonstrated works particularly well in terms of delivering operating excellence. 
C)  strategy-critical activity that results in sustainable competitive advantage. 
D)  value chain activity that is a company's distinctive competence. 
E)  particular value chain activity that management has given top priority to performing in world-class fashion. 
A)  policy or procedure that is unusually effective. 
B)  method of performing an activity or business process that consistently delivers superior results compared to other approaches and that at least one company has demonstrated works particularly well in terms of delivering operating excellence. 
C)  strategy-critical activity that results in sustainable competitive advantage. 
D)  value chain activity that is a company's distinctive competence. 
E)  particular value chain activity that management has given top priority to performing in world-class fashion.

The backbone of the process of identifying, studying, and implementing best practices is

Which of the following statements about Six Sigma quality programs is true?

Which of the following is NOT a method that company managers can use to promote operating excellence in performing value chain activities?

Well-conceived, state-of-the-art information and operating systems

A motivation and incentive system that is aimed at spurring stronger employee commitment to good strategy execution

Which of the following exemplifies good strategy execution?

A well-designed reward system

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of a compensation and reward system designed to help drive successful strategy execution?

The broad areas that internal information business systems need to cover include all of the following EXCEPT

While Six Sigma programs often improve the efficiency of many operating activities and processes, there is evidence that innovation can be stifled by Six Sigma programs. True or false? Explain.

Which of the following takes the route of business process reengineering to attain operational excellence?

Providing top-down guidance can aid the task of implementing strategy

Provide a minimum of three examples of nonmonetary motivation and rewards practices that possess the capability to foster good strategy execution. Explain how they act to produce such a result.

In creating a strategy-supportive reward structure, it is important to define jobs and assignments in terms of the results to be accomplished not just in terms of the duties to be performed. True or false? Explain and justify your answer.

Motivational and incentive compensation practices that aim at winning the commitment of company personnel to good strategy execution typically

Apple decides to reallocate resources by curtailing online ad budgets and investing heavily in scratch-resistant Sapphire, the material that differentiates the Apple Watch from rival wearable computing device brands. What is MOST LIKELY the reason for Apple's reallocation of resources?

It is often said that benchmarking is the backbone of the process of identifying, studying, and implementing best practices. Explain the role of benchmarking.

Merely fine-tuning the execution of a company's existing strategy normally requires

A "best practice" refers to a

What Is Strategy and Why Is It Important

Leading the Process of Crafting and Executing Strategy

Evaluating a Companys External Environment

Evaluating a Companys Resources and Competitive Position

The Five Generic Competitive Strategies: Which One to Employ

Supplementing the Chosen Competitive Strategy: Other Important Business Strategy Choices

Strategies for Competing in Foreign Markets

Diversification: Strategies for Managing a Group of Businesses

Ethical Business Strategies, Social Responsibility, and Environmental Sustainabil ITY

Building an Organization Capable of Good Strategy Execution

Corporate Culture and Leadership: Keys to Good Strategy Execution

Filters

Exam 11: Managing Internal Operations: Actions That Promote Good Strategy Execution

The backbone of the process of identifying, studying, and implementing best practices is

Which of the following statements about Six Sigma quality programs is true?

Which of the following is NOT a method that company managers can use to promote operating excellence in performing value chain activities?

Well-conceived, state-of-the-art information and operating systems

A motivation and incentive system that is aimed at spurring stronger employee commitment to good strategy execution

Which of the following exemplifies good strategy execution?

A well-designed reward system

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of a compensation and reward system designed to help drive successful strategy execution?

The broad areas that internal information business systems need to cover include all of the following EXCEPT

While Six Sigma programs often improve the efficiency of many operating activities and processes, there is evidence that innovation can be stifled by Six Sigma programs. True or false? Explain.

Which of the following takes the route of business process reengineering to attain operational excellence?

Providing top-down guidance can aid the task of implementing strategy

Provide a minimum of three examples of nonmonetary motivation and rewards practices that possess the capability to foster good strategy execution. Explain how they act to produce such a result.

In creating a strategy-supportive reward structure, it is important to define jobs and assignments in terms of the results to be accomplished not just in terms of the duties to be performed. True or false? Explain and justify your answer.

Motivational and incentive compensation practices that aim at winning the commitment of company personnel to good strategy execution typically

Apple decides to reallocate resources by curtailing online ad budgets and investing heavily in scratch-resistant Sapphire, the material that differentiates the Apple Watch from rival wearable computing device brands. What is MOST LIKELY the reason for Apple's reallocation of resources?

It is often said that benchmarking is the backbone of the process of identifying, studying, and implementing best practices. Explain the role of benchmarking.

Merely fine-tuning the execution of a company's existing strategy normally requires

A "best practice" refers to a

What Is Strategy and Why Is It Important

Leading the Process of Crafting and Executing Strategy

Evaluating a Companys External Environment

Evaluating a Companys Resources and Competitive Position

The Five Generic Competitive Strategies: Which One to Employ

Supplementing the Chosen Competitive Strategy: Other Important Business Strategy Choices

Strategies for Competing in Foreign Markets

Diversification: Strategies for Managing a Group of Businesses

Ethical Business Strategies, Social Responsibility, and Environmental Sustainabil ITY

Building an Organization Capable of Good Strategy Execution

Corporate Culture and Leadership: Keys to Good Strategy Execution

Filters