Deck 6: Understanding the Management Process

Question 1

Which of the following is external to a firm and exists independently of a company?

A) strengths
B) weaknesses
C) goals
D) threats

Answer 1

D

Question 2

A company decides that it will become the market leader in the poultry business in five years, with a 40% share of the market. This statement would be classified as which of the following?

A) a vision
B) a mission
C) a strategy
D) a goal

Answer 2

D

Question 3

After creating a strategic plan, an executive at Microsoft then looks at how to configure her departments to most effectively reach the company's goals. Which function of management is this executive practising?

A) planning
B) controlling
C) leading and motivating
D) organizing

Answer 3

D

Question 4

After deciding to start her own business, Lorelei decides that she would like to have 20 new clients by the end of the second quarter. In order to do that, Lorelei will have to call on 30 new clients each week. Lorelei is engaging in which management function?

A) leading and motivating
B) organizing
C) planning
D) controlling

Question 5

Samsung's VP of research and development is analyzing the development timelines for each of the products slated to launch next year. She wants to make sure these launches are still on track to proceed as planned. Which function of management is the VP engaging in?

A) leading and motivating
B) planning
C) organizing
D) controlling

Question 6

Fairwood Construction has set a target of building 10 new houses a year. Halfway through the year it had built only three houses. The owner intends to take some corrective action to ensure the firm reaches its target. Which of the four functions of management does this describe?

A) organizing
B) leading and motivating
C) controlling
D) planning

Question 7

A local company has recently hired a new CEO. The new CEO decides that the company could perform much more efficiently if the shipping and receiving department was combined with the logistics and transportation department. Which management function is the new CEO performing?

A) organizing
B) leading and motivating
C) controlling
D) planning

Question 8

Sami has a very engaging management style, but some employees are still underperforming. She meets individually with each of them to find out what might help influence them toward meeting the team's common goals. Which function of management is Sami utilizing?

A) planning
B) controlling
C) leading and motivating
D) organizing

Question 9

Augustus, sales manager for a pharmaceutical sales company, sees that his team's sales numbers for the first quarter are well below the goal. He decides to hold a mandatory training session with the entire team, as well as individual meetings with each team member, in an attempt to increase the team's sales numbers. Which function of management does this exemplify?

A) leading and motivating
B) planning
C) organizing
D) controlling

Question 10

If Facebook sets a goal of having 1.5 billion active users by 2017, that falls within the which function of management?

A) planning
B) organizing
C) leading and motivating
D) controlling

Question 11

If Walmart were performing a SWOT analysis, its highly efficient distribution systems would be classified as which of the following?

A) opportunity
B) threat
C) weakness
D) strength

Question 12

If performing a SWOT analysis, which of the following is LEAST likely to be classified as a threat to an organization?

A) a newly implemented law
B) the company's inexperienced management team
C) newly developed technology in the marketplace
D) a competitor's actions

Question 13

A company like Rogers might establish a goal of reducing its inventory by 50% over the next year. To ensure that it reaches this goal, the company could monitor its progress on a quarterly or monthly basis. If the managers at Rogers discover they are not on track to achieve this goal, they can take corrective action. Which function of management is being described?

A) controlling
B) leading
C) organizing
D) planning

Question 14

A division manager has expanded her staff by 10% to help reach the company's sales goals for the year. But now she finds that morale is low, which could jeopardize chances of reaching that sales goal. She increases salaries by 15% as a result, and begins meeting weekly with the team. These activities fall primarily within which function of management?

A) leading and motivating
B) planning
C) organizing
D) controlling

Question 15

Planning, organizing, leading/motivating, and controlling comprise which of the following?

A) four organizational goals every firm wants to achieve
B) step-by-step management procedure
C) four basic functions in the management process
D) steps taken to achieve an organization's product launch plans

Question 16

The management team at Telus is reviewing new subscriber growth this quarter compared to last quarter. Which function of management is the team engaging in?

A) planning
B) controlling
C) leading and motivating
D) organizing

Question 17

When Starbucks states that by 2017 it plans to purchase 100% of its coffee from ethical sources, it is stating which of the following?

A) a goal
B) a plan
C) a strategy
D) a task

Question 18

Air Canada has established a goal of increasing profits by 12% next year. To ensure that the goal is reached, management monitors profits on a monthly basis. After three months, if profits have not increased by 3%, management will take corrective action to get the company on track. By doing so, management is carrying out which of its four functions?

A) planning
B) leading and motivating
C) organizing
D) controlling

Question 19

Starbucks' vice president is reviewing the company's goals for next year and realizes that expanding the marketing department by 20% is the only way to reach those goals. The decision to expand the marketing departments falls mainly within which function of management?

A) leading and motivating
B) planning
C) organizing
D) controlling

Question 20

A SWOT analysis is an identification and evaluation of a firm's strengths, weaknesses, and threats along with which of the following?

A) options
B) occasions
C) occurrences
D) opportunities

Question 21

Which level of management is associated with job titles such as president, vice president, and chief executive officer?

A) front-line
B) middle
C) top
D) supervisory

Question 22

Dwayne is a foreman for a construction crew that pours foundation for residential houses. Dwayne is which type of manager?

A) top
B) middle
C) supervisory
D) front-line

Question 23

Kelly manages all of the employees at her firm that are in charge of accounting and financial analysis functions. She reports to the CFO. In terms of her functional specialty, Kelly is which type of manager?

A) marketing
B) financial
C) first-line
D) operations

Question 24

Fitbit makes wearable fitness technology devices. While performing a SWOT analysis on the business, it becomes aware of market research stating that consumer demand for these types of devices will increase rapidly in the next few years. This would be classified as which of the following for the company?

A) opportunity
B) threat
C) weakness
D) strength

Question 25

Nathan is a plant manager for National Manufacturing Company. Based on his title, we can assume that Nathan is which type of manager?

A) front-line
B) middle
C) top
D) executive

Question 26

Air Canada is completing a SWOT analysis as part of its yearly strategic planning process. It finds out from factory managers that the machinists are threatening to go on strike if wages and benefits aren't increased soon. Until then, the machinists are threatening a work slowdown. This labour dissention would be classified as which of the following for the company?

A) opportunity
B) threat
C) weakness
D) strength

Question 27

While conducting a SWOT analysis, a Pita Pit executive notes that avocado prices have increased by over 40%, which would be classified as a threat. The same executive also suggests that Pita Pit could experiment with edamole, which is guacamole made from shelled edamame. This is classified as which of the following in the SWOT analysis?

A) weakness
B) opportunity
C) threat
D) strength

Question 28

Apple stores have some of the highest sales per square foot of any retailer. If you were completing a SWOT analysis, this would be classified as which of the following for the company?

A) opportunity
B) strength
C) weakness
D) threat

Question 29

If performing a SWOT analysis, Amazon's managers would classify its efficient distribution strategies as a strength and labour dissention at some of its distribution centres as which of the following?

A) weakness
B) threat
C) opportunity
D) strength

Question 30

Irfan is a division manager for a large chemical company. He frequently works to implement the strategies set by the CEO and supervises the activities of the first-line manager under him. Irfan is which type of manager?

A) middle
B) top
C) front-line
D) first-line

Question 31

Nabila is in charge of supply chain management at her firm. Nabila is which type of manager?

A) administrative
B) human resources
C) operations
D) financial

Question 32

A leading health care company just did a SWOT analysis and realized that, although its CEO has 30 years of experience in the industry, the rest of the executive team averages fewer than two years each in the industry. This would be classified as which of the following for the company?

A) opportunity
B) strength
C) weakness
D) threat

Question 33

Executives at Home Hardware stores are performing a SWOT analysis. They discover that stores are experiencing high turnover. At the same time, they discover an expected increase of spending nationwide on home improvement products. The high turnover would be classified as a weakness, and the increase in home improvement spending would be classified as which of the following?

A) weakness
B) strength
C) threat
D) opportunity

Question 34

Tariq is the controller for a publishing company. He oversees accounts receivable, department budgets, and reports on company sales and profits. Tariq is which type of manager?

A) finance
B) operations
C) human resources
D) administrative

Question 35

The CEO's role at General Electric requires a great deal of time spent on strategic planning for the organization. Which type of manager is the CEO?

A) operations
B) area
C) middle
D) top

Question 36

The new discount airline Swoop currently offers flights within Canada. If executives at Swoop were to perform a SWOT analysis, "flights to Europe" would be classified as which of the following?

A) opportunity
B) strength
C) threat
D) plan

Question 37

A maker of video game consoles is performing a SWOT analysis and discovers that its chief competitor hasn't upgraded its console in three years, and has no plan to do so in the next three years. Luckily, the company doing the SWOT analysis has an upgraded console coming out next year. This competitive situation would be classified as which of the following for the company?

A) strength
B) weakness
C) threat
D) opportunity

Question 38

Hiring and training are areas within which functional area of management?

A) administration
B) operations
C) finance
D) human resources

Question 39

The owners of Bahn Mi Boys Sandwiches are conducting a SWOT analysis. They list their "freaky fast service" as which of the following?

A) weakness
B) opportunity
C) strength
D) plan

Question 40

Coca-Cola makes Vitamin Water. While performing a SWOT analysis, it is discovered that sales of healthier functional beverages, such as Vitamin Water, are expected to grow much more quickly than sales of cola drinks in the next five years. The fast growth of the functional beverage market would be classified as an opportunity, and the slowing growth of the cola market would be classified as which of the following?

A) opportunity
B) strength
C) weakness
D) threat

Question 41

Shift managers at Pita Pit must train new workers on how to properly assemble food orders. What two management skills does this task most require?

A) conceptual and technical
B) conceptual and interpersonal
C) technical and supervisory
D) technical and interpersonal

Question 42

Which of the following is true regarding middle management in organizations?

A) Middle managers are the smallest group within an organization.
B) Middle managers implement strategic plans developed by top management.
C) Middle managers are usually former operating employees who were promoted to management.
D) Middle managers hold titles such as area supervisor or office manager.

Question 43

Kam has been described as a visionary. He has the ability to think in abstract terms and see how all the pieces of his company fit together. Kam has which type of skills?

A) technical
B) interpersonal
C) conceptual
D) people

Question 44

Nisha's lack of effective writing skills and her challenges in speaking to groups of people are causing stress in her job. She is becoming very aware that she needs to improve her skills in which of the following areas?

A) managerial
B) technical
C) conceptual
D) interpersonal

Question 45

Leadership can best be defined as the ability to do which of the following?

A) identify problems
B) relate to others
C) influence others
D) deal effectively with others

Question 46

Alexa was recently put in charge of a multi-million-dollar project. She selects several individuals to help with this effort and assigns each certain tasks to perform. In addition, she indicates that all decisions must be routed through her. Alexa is exhibiting which leadership style?

A) democratic
B) autocratic
C) laissez-faire
D) participative

Question 47

Scott is in charge of managing, advertising, and selling the company's products. Scott is which type of manager?

A) marketing
B) operations
C) administrative
D) financial

Question 48

Which of the following are specific skills needed to accomplish specialized activities such as drafting and welding?

A) standard operating
B) interpersonal
C) conceptual
D) technical

Question 49

Brenda is in charge of designing the production layout for a new Saturn plant and also in charge of supply chain management at the plant. In terms of her functional specialty, Brenda is which type of manager?

A) industrial
B) operations
C) administrative
D) materials

Question 50

Of the three levels of management, which requires the most balanced mix of the skills required for management?

A) executive
B) middle
C) top
D) first-line

Question 51

Jamilla is part of top management and oversees all marketing activities of the organization. Which of the following is likely to be her title?

A) marketing specialist
B) marketing manager
C) chief marketing officer
D) division marketing manager

Question 52

The former CEO of Scott Paper had a reputation for publicly humiliating subordinates who annoyed or disappointed him. Which type of skills did this manager need to improve?

A) conceptual
B) diagnostic
C) functional
D) interpersonal

Question 53

A manager who has the ability to see the big picture of an organization and to understand how the various parts of the organization can fit together has which type of skills?

A) leadership
B) interpersonal
C) conceptual
D) decisional

Question 54

A manager with which type of skills has the ability to deal effectively with people inside and outside the organization?

A) interpersonal
B) diagnostic
C) functional
D) technical

Question 55

To effectively perform their particular job, front-line managers at a Honda Autos factory will need more of which type of skills?

A) technical
B) conceptual
C) critical
D) operational

Question 56

Erin has methodically worked her way from being a front-line manager at the factory to the position of chief operations officer. Along the way, her need to demonstrate technical skills has decreased, while her need to demonstrate which type of skills has increased?

A) nontechnical
B) critical
C) operational
D) conceptual

Question 57

Jeff just graduated from college and was offered a sales job with an office equipment company. He will spend most of his time meeting with existing and potential customers. Which of the following skills will help him the most in his new job?

A) managerial
B) technical
C) conceptual
D) interpersonal

Question 58

On her latest performance review, Marika's manager noted the following: "Marika's technical skills are a strength to her department. She is able to effectively assist her subordinates if they have questions about their daily activities. Further, Marika's communication skills are top notch, and she is well liked by her employees and fellow co-workers. Moving forward, we would like Marika to grow in her ability to see the big picture and create strategic plans to implement organizational goals." Based on her performance review, Marika is likely which type of manager?

A) middle manager
B) front-line manager
C) top manager
D) executive manager

Question 59

Janelle is an operations manager for a manufacturing firm. She aspires to become chief operating officer at her company one day. Janelle knows that in order to move from her current position to COO, she will need to improve her skills in which of the following areas?

A) conceptual and managerial
B) managerial and technical
C) interpersonal and technical
D) conceptual and interpersonal

Question 60

At his son's school career day, Roberto explained that his job requires him to create a strategic plan for implementing his company's goals. He uses his conceptual skills to understand how various departments in the organization can work together to reach these goals. He also spends a lot of time communicating with others both inside and outside of his company. Based on Roberto's description of the skills he uses in his job, Roberto is likely which type of manager?

A) division manager
B) middle manager
C) front-line manager
D) top manager

Question 61

Which of the following involves developing a set of possible alternative solutions and choosing one alternative from among that set?

A) decision making
B) leadership
C) implementing
D) evaluating and regulating

Question 62

Warren Buffet hires people he knows can perform their job well without his help. He steps in only when necessary to help fix a problem and sometimes allows his subordinates to make mistakes so that his team can learn from them. Buffett's leadership style can be described as which of the following?

A) transactional
B) charismatic
C) laissez-faire
D) participative

Question 63

Which style of decision making has the downsides that decisions take longer and the team may react poorly if their input is not accepted?

A) democratic
B) laissez-faire
C) leadership
D) participative

Question 64

A brand manager at Procter & Gamble would like to raise the profile of a new shampoo the company has introduced. She thinks her best options may be a celebrity endorsement or a unique advertising campaign. She calls together her team to brainstorm more ideas. The brand manager is in which stage of the managerial decision-making process?

A) identifying the problem or opportunity
B) selecting an alternative
C) generating alternatives
D) reaching a consensus

Question 65

As Kyle conducts annual evaluations of his employees, he notices that Mari and Debbie have both been less productive since they were relocated to the same department. Kyle is in what stage of the managerial decision-making process?

A) generating alternatives
B) conducting evaluations
C) selecting an alternative
D) identifying the problem or opportunity

Question 66

When Robert Keening became president of Snow Bird Airlines he began brainstorming with groups of employees to get their opinions on how to turn around the airline's declining sales, which he had determined were due to increased competition. These meetings with employees represent which part of the decision-making process?

A) implementing a solution
B) trying to reach consensus
C) identifying the problem
D) generating alternatives

Question 67

Once a manager has identified a problem, he or she can generate alternatives to that problem. After this is done, the manager does which of the following?

A) implements the solution
B) evaluates the decision he or she made
C) brainstorms with his or her team
D) selects the best alternative

Question 68

Gary recently noticed that the plant he is managing is delivering only 30% of its products on time. To determine the reason for the problem, he assembles various department heads and the plant supervisor to get their input on the matter. Although the ultimate responsibility is his, he has no difficulty delegating decision-making authority to any member of this group. This style of leadership suggests that Gary is which type of leader?

A) participative
B) authoritative
C) autocratic
D) dependent

Question 69

When looking at the company's sales figures Marta sees that her salespeople have not achieved high sales in Japan, although she isn't sure why. She is at what stage in the managerial decision-making process?

A) generating alternatives
B) generating a problem
C) identifying the problem
D) implementing the solution

Question 70

Al recently became manager of a Dow Chemical plant. The plant has experienced significant increases in inventory and financial losses over the past two years due to poor supply-chain management practices. To begin solving this problem, Al invites suggestions from line workers, gathers managers from various levels of the plant to brainstorm, and talks with experts in the field of operations management. Which step in the managerial decision-making process is this?

A) identifying the problem
B) generating alternatives
C) selecting an alternative
D) conceptualizing a solution

Question 71

Crystal is the general manger for a large team of skilled and experienced programmers at a rapidly growing social media company. She wants to use a leadership style that fully utilizes the talents of her team and reduces the number of managers required to oversee the operation. Which leadership style would Crystal choose?

A) autocratic leadership
B) laissez-faire leadership
C) top-down leadership
D) technical leadership

Question 72

Quick decision making and a unified and consistent vision are advantages to which type of leadership?

A) charismatic leadership
B) autocratic leadership
C) top-down leadership
D) participative leadership

Question 73

Which leadership style advocates that a leader makes all decisions and tells subordinates what to do and how to do it?

A) participative
B) democratic
C) entrepreneurial
D) autocratic

Question 74

Greg is the general manager of a minor league hockey team that supplies players to an NHL team when there are injuries. He needs to hire a new coach. The coach has to make decisions quickly in the middle of a game where there is no time to discuss strategy. Which type of leadership style should the hockey coach be using with the players?

A) charismatic leadership
B) autocratic leadership
C) participative leadership
D) top-down leadership

Question 75

A critical flaw in the process of generating alternatives is to go with the first alternative that meets the minimum threshold for solving the problem. This is referred to as which of the following?

A) selecting
B) compromising
C) satisficing
D) structuring

Question 76

Jayden is reviewing the recently implemented sales strategy the company developed and is considering whether or not the company made the right decision. Jayden is in which stage of the managerial decision-making process?

A) adopting a different alternative
B) generating alternatives
C) selecting an alternative
D) implementing and evaluating the solution

Question 77

What is the first step in the managerial decision-making process?

A) evaluate the problem
B) create a problem opportunity
C) identify the problem or opportunity
D) identify a solution to the problem

Question 78

A manager sits down with his team and says, "Our reject rate has increased by 50% since last month. We're not sure why yet." This manager is in which stage of the decision-making process?

A) identifying the problem
B) selecting a solution
C) implementing the problem
D) generating alternatives

Question 79

Political factors, financial constraints, time limits, and legal obstacles may influence which stage of the managerial decision-making process?

A) conceptualizing solutions
B) implementing and evaluating the solution
C) generating alternatives
D) selecting alternatives

Question 80

Martha Stewart makes every decision for her lifestyle brand Martha Stewart Living, no matter how small. She is able to make quick decisions due to her consistent vision. Stewart's leadership style can be described as which of the following?

A) autocratic
B) participative
C) laissez-faire
D) charismatic