Deck 10: Motivating Employees and Teams

Question 1

Who developed the hierarchy of human needs?

A) Maslow
B) Taylor
C) Mayo
D) Herzberg

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Determining how the physical work environment affects productivity was the objective of which of the following?

A) Taylor's scientific management
B) Maslow's hierarchy of needs
C) Herzberg's theory
D) the first Hawthorne study

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which movement was born from the insights from the Hawthorne studies?

A) human relations
B) piece-rate
C) social acceptance
D) group dynamics

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Frederick W. Taylor's research led to the emergence of scientific management, which is defined as which of the following?

A) studying the human factors that motivate workers
B) the application of scientific principles to the management of work and workers
C) researching optimal tools for motivating employees
D) using the workplace to conduct scientific research on human behaviour

Question 5

When Sara was recognized by the store manager for exceeding her past year's objectives, and when the announcement of her promotion to assistant store manager was made, this fulfilled which level on the hierarchy of needs?

A) safety
B) social
C) esteem
D) self-actualization

Question 6

Which of the following involves the idea that satisfaction and dissatisfaction are different scales altogether?

A) equity theory
B) scientific management
C) two-factor theory
D) the reinforcement theory

Question 7

Janna owns a business that sells handmade jewellery. Under which of the following systems does she pay her employees a certain amount for each bracelet and necklace they produce, regardless of the amount of time it takes to make?

A) wage system
B) quota system
C) piece-rate system
D) commission plan

Question 8

Taylor's methods of scientific management mainly addressed productivity, whereas the Hawthorne studies uncovered the importance of which of the following?

A) lighting
B) productivity
C) employee motivation
D) piece-rate payments

Question 9

Which of the following is a component of Taylor's methods of scientific management?

A) using time-motion studies to optimize methods for completing a task
B) giving employees management attention
C) keeping employees happy and satisfied
D) providing employees advancement opportunities

Question 10

The results of an employee satisfaction survey at The Cline Company show that employees are generally dissatisfied. If managers at The Cline Company wanted to increase employee satisfaction, which of the following would be effective in doing so?

A) award employees plaques based on their years of service
B) increase employees' hourly pay
C) increase employees' job responsibilities
D) provide recognition in the company newsletter when employees reach their sales targets

Question 11

Dave was in class listening to a lecture when his stomach started to rumble because he hadn't eaten any breakfast. He couldn't concentrate on the lecture, instead he kept watching anyone in the class that was eating a snack. Dave couldn't focus because he had not satisfied which of the following needs according to Maslow?

A) safety
B) social
C) self-actualization
D) physiological

Question 12

Under Herzberg's theory, when motivation factors are present in the work environment workers will be satisfied, but workers can become dissatisfied when which of the following factors are absent?

A) expectancy
B) maintenance
C) equity
D) motivation

Question 13

According to two-factor theory, if Dow Chemical were to emphasize achievement, recognition, responsibility, and advancement for its employees, it would be emphasizing which of the following?

A) equity
B) motivation factors
C) dissatisfiers
D) maintenance factors

Question 14

Theo is a summer intern at a Ford assembly plant. Managers at the plant recently introduced an employee suggestion box, where employees could submit ideas on how to improve the plant. Theo overhears one of the managers commenting that production at the plant has increased by 5%, and the only employee suggestions that have been implemented are an additional 15-minute break once workers reached half of their daily quota and new items added in the break-room vending machine. Theo knows that production has increased for which of the following reasons?

A) According to scientific management, employees will work harder when they are able to give suggestions on how to improve their working conditions.
B) The implementation of ideas from the employee suggestion box makes workers feel like they are an important part of the organization, as demonstrated by the Hawthorne studies.
C) As the Hawthorne studies demonstrated, employees will work harder and increase production if they are given a daily quota.
D) Scientific management suggests that pay is not the only motivator, so the addition of new snacks and an extra break make employees increase their production.

Question 15

According to two-factor theory, if Dow Chemical were to emphasize interpersonal relationships, job security, and working conditions, it would be emphasizing which of the following?

A) motivation factors
B) equity
C) maintenance factors
D) outcomes

Question 16

A sense of belonging is a characteristic of which level in the hierarchy of needs?

A) social
B) esteem
C) self-actualization
D) safety

Question 17

In the first set of Hawthorne experiments dealing with lighting, what was the main conclusion?

A) the pressure of social acceptance affects productivity
B) the level of lighting determines whether productivity will increase
C) employees work harder when they received added attention
D) the piece-rate method affects productivity

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of Herzberg's motivation factors?

A) responsibility
B) pay
C) working conditions
D) job security

Question 19

Although Taylor's scientific management approach led to increased productivity it did not address which of the following, resulting in productivity increasing only to a certain point?

A) job specialization
B) piece-rate pay
C) quotas
D) motivation

Question 20

Who developed the two-factor theory?

A) Mayo
B) Herzberg
C) Maslow
D) Taylor

Question 21

Leanne received a special cash award for her perfect attendance over the past two years. By giving this reward, her company is practising which of the following?

A) self-actualization
B) positive reinforcement
C) extinction
D) disciplinary reinforcement

Question 22

Every time a student is late to her class, Professor Hall writes the student's name on the board. This is an example of which of the following?

A) negative reinforcement
B) extinction
C) positive reinforcement
D) punishment

Question 23

Which of the following is one of Herzberg's maintenance factors?

A) achievement
B) working conditions
C) recognition
D) advancement

Question 24

You know that your team's least favourite part of the month is manual inventory time. To motivate your team, you tell them that if they meet the sales goal for the month, they don't have to do inventory. Which of the following does this exemplify?

A) positive reinforcement
B) negative reinforcement
C) extinction
D) scientific management

Question 25

Students who have perfect attendance are given 10 extra points on their final exams. What does this exemplify?

A) positive reinforcement
B) extinction
C) negative reinforcement
D) maintenance factors

Question 26

Although employees at a local grocery store are satisfied, they seem unmotivated. The store manager has several ideas on how to increase his employees' motivation. Which of the following is the best choice?

A) change the employee dress code to allow shorts in summer months
B) have weekly team-building activities to strengthen interpersonal relationships
C) increase workers' hourly pay
D) create an employee-of-the-month program

Question 27

Reinforcement theory is based on the premise that behaviour that is _____ is likely to be repeated, and behaviour that is _____ will occur less often.

A) motivated; maintained
B) maintained; motivated
C) punished; maintained
D) rewarded; punished

Question 28

Vikram's boss demoted him when he did not meet sales goal for the month. What does this demotion exemplify?

A) positive reinforcement
B) negative reinforcement
C) punishment
D) extinction

Question 29

Adding a reward for a desired behaviour is called positive reinforcement. What is the term for withholding a reward to discourage a behaviour?

A) extinction
B) punishment
C) negative reinforcement
D) scientific management

Question 30

According to equity theory, what are you likely to do when you perceive equity between your reward ratio and someone else's?

A) search for another job
B) ask for a raise
C) work harder
D) leave things as they are

Question 31

Which of the following encourages desired behaviour by eliminating an undesirable task or situation?

A) positive reinforcement
B) negative reinforcement
C) expectancy
D) neutral reinforcement

Question 32

Which of the following refers to discouraging a behaviour by withholding a reward?

A) punishment
B) reprimand
C) elimination
D) extinction

Question 33

A manager who makes sure that rewards are distributed to employees fairly based on their performance and that each employee clearly understands the basis for their own pay is using which of the following?

A) scientific management
B) equity theory
C) two-factor theory
D) expectancy theory

Question 34

Your supervisor typically brings donuts to the weekly meeting as a reward for everyone being on time. For the last two weeks some members were late, so your supervisor stopped bringing donuts to future meetings. Which of the following does this exemplify?

A) negative reinforcement
B) extinction
C) punishment
D) two-factor theory

Question 35

According to two-factor theory, the presence of which of the following is unlikely to create job satisfaction, but will help avoid dissatisfaction?

A) achievement
B) recognition
C) responsibility
D) job security

Question 36

In your college sociology class, students who receive 100% on their weekly homework do not have to take the weekly quiz. Which of the following does this exemplify?

A) positive reinforcement
B) motivation factors
C) negative reinforcement
D) extinction

Question 37

The equity theory states that people are motivated by which of the following?

A) only their achievements
B) receiving pay equal to that of all other employees
C) receiving promotions
D) receiving a reward in accordance with their contribution

Question 38

Which of the following forms of reinforcement is considered the most effective?

A) positive reinforcement
B) continual, repetitive reinforcement
C) negative reinforcement
D) extinction

Question 39

Geneva receives high praise from her boss when she attracts a new client to the firm. This praise leads Geneva to work hard to obtain more new clients. For Geneva, the praise from her boss represents which of the following?

A) positive reinforcement
B) internal reinforcement
C) negative reinforcement
D) maintenance

Question 40

To encourage volunteers to continue giving their time, the Red Cross thanks volunteers with public recognition. This is an example of which of the following?

A) negative reinforcement
B) extinction
C) positive reinforcement
D) maintenance factors

Question 41

You manage a team of four employees at a retail store. Each employee is motivated by different things. Melissa is motivated by money, Kosuke is motivated by time off, Edita is motivated by interesting work, and Andreas is motivated by challenging goals. You've been tasked by your corporate office to increase monthly sales by 20% this month, which is attainable but ambitious. You decide to encourage the team by offering an extra vacation day if they increase sales by 20%. According to expectancy theory, what is the likely response?

A) The team will be motivated because they believe the sales goal is attainable.
B) Kosuke and Andreas will be motivated to reach the sales goal, but Melissa and Edita will not.
C) The team will be motivated only if they perceive that each team member is working equally hard toward the goal.
D) Only Kosuke will be motivated to reach the sales goal, and the rest of the team will not increase their effort.

Question 42

Soni was just told that if she can double her sales numbers, she'll get a $50,000 bonus at the end of the year. That bonus would really help because Soni is saving up for a bigger house. However, doubling sales numbers seems impossible to her. According to expectancy theory, what is Soni's likely response?

A) She will be motivated because she values the reward.
B) She will be motivated because this is the same bonus offered to her co-workers.
C) She will not be motivated because $50,000 is not enough.
D) She will not be motivated because the outcome does not seem likely to her.

Question 43

You had some personal problems that interfered with your focus and efforts at work this month. Luckily, your fellow workers picked up the slack, and the branch had a record sales month. All of the team members, including you, were given a $2500 bonus. According to equity theory, what is your likely response?

A) to not work as hard
B) to ask for a promotion or a raise
C) to increase your efforts next month to justify the reward
D) to leave things as they are

Question 44

You and three team members just won the sales competition at work and received $5000 each as a bonus. The team worked well together, and everyone put in equal effort. According to equity theory, what is your likely response?

A) to not work as hard
B) to ask for a promotion or a raise
C) to increase your efforts next month to justify the reward
D) to leave things as they are

Question 45

As the lead analyst at an investment firm, you perceive that you put in more time and effort than your team members. When the year-end bonus was announced, each team member received a $15,000 cash bonus. According to equity theory, what is your likely response?

A) to work harder
B) to ask for a promotion or raise
C) to rationalize that your team members deserve the reward
D) to recalculate your rewards ratio

Question 46

The expectancy theory says that people are motivated by which of the following?

A) how much they want a certain outcome and the chance they have of achieving it
B) only the possible outcome
C) receiving pay equal to that of all other employees
D) job security and working conditions

Question 47

You manage a team of four employees at a retail store. Each employee is motivated by different things. Melissa is motivated by money, Kosuke is motivated by time off, Edita is motivated by interesting work, and Andreas is motivated by challenging goals. You've been tasked by your corporate office to increase monthly sales by 20% this month, which is attainable but ambitious. You decide to encourage the team by offering a $100 bonus if they increase sales by 20%. According to expectancy theory, what is the likely response?

A) The team will be motivated because they believe the sales goal is attainable.
B) The team will be motivated only if they perceive that each team member is working equally hard toward the goal.
C) Only Melissa will be motivated to reach the sales goal, and the rest of the team will not increase their effort.
D) Melissa and Andreas will be motivated to reach the sales goal, but Kosuke and Edita will not.

Question 48

The VP at your company says that if productivity goals are met this year, you will be promoted to operations director. You have never cared about titles as a reward and don't really want the extra responsibility that comes with the new position. According to which theory will you NOT be motivated by your VP's offer?

A) two-factor
B) Maslow's
C) equity
D) expectancy

Question 49

Suppose you are a marketing manager at a small nonprofit in your city. The CEO of the nonprofit has determined that the organization needs to improve its community outreach by partnering with local schools. Your boss calls a meeting with you to share that your role in this task involves creating an effective promotional campaign. Which stage of MBO does this represent?

A) developing an action plan
B) calculating the rewards ratio
C) setting goals
D) implementing an action plan

Question 50

Imagine you are superintendent for your local school system. One teacher in the high school, Mr. Ma, has been complaining that he earns much less than his counterparts. Teachers in the high school work the same hours and have the same number of students. According to equity theory, which of the following reasons could you give Mr. Ma that would likely cause him to accept the difference in pay?

A) the other teachers have masters degrees in education
B) the other teachers put in the same effort as he does
C) the other teachers started teaching in the last year or two
D) the other teachers have students with higher grade point averages

Question 51

Your CEO just called to say that you have been promoted to regional sales manager. You'll now get to fly all over South America and Asia, seeing clients. But you are burned out on travel and actually want to stay home more. According to which theory will you NOT be motivated by your CEO's offer?

A) two-factor
B) expectancy
C) equity
D) Hawthorne's

Question 52

You were just offered the position of VP of Sales as a reward for all your success as a sales representative. Although the position pays a little more, you would now work mainly at headquarters. You don't like working in an office and love travelling the world. According to expectancy theory, what is your likely response to this offer?

A) You will be motivated because you needed a change.
B) You will be motivated because working conditions are a motivation factor.
C) You will not be motivated because you do not value the outcome.
D) You will not be motivated because it doesn't fulfil esteem needs.

Question 53

The team you manage reduced defects by 20% last month. Much of this was due to the leadership of your floor supervisor, who launched a process improvement initiative. As a reward, you give each team member a $2500 bonus. In addition, you give only the floor supervisor a plaque and two extra paid days off. This makes some team members unhappy because they perceive inequity. Which of the following is the best solution?

A) eliminate the rewards for everyone including the floor supervisor
B) give everyone including the floor supervisor equal rewards
C) eliminate the extra rewards you gave the floor supervisor
D) ensure you have communicated the basis of the rewards to the team

Question 54

Which of the following is true about equity theory?

A) We compare our rewards with others' to determine equity.
B) We compare our contribution with others' to determine equity.
C) It will always motivate us to change something.
D) It is based on our perception of equity, which may be inaccurate.

Question 55

According to equity theory, the function of the rewards ratio is to measure which of the following?

A) the value of our rewards relative to our contribution
B) the monetary value of recognition and job titles
C) the amount of money we receive compared to others
D) the value of our rewards

Question 56

Gary was told that he could be promoted to marketing manager if the team can launch three new products in the next year. He likes the title and would love the $20,000 per year raise. But the team has never launched more than one product in a year before, so it seems highly unlikely they could launch three. According to expectancy theory, what is Gary's likely response?

A) He will not be motivated because the outcome seems unlikely.
B) He will not be motivated because he perceives inequity in that title.
C) He will be motivated purely because of the title and pay raise.
D) He will be motivated because recognition is a maintenance factor.

Question 57

Suppose you and your friend Nastasia sign up to be lifeguards at the local YMCA for the summer. Although you are both CPR certified and have the same amount of lifeguarding experience, Nastasia makes $1 more per hour than you. According to equity theory, which of the following actions are you likely to take?

A) do nothing
B) work harder
C) ask for a raise
D) offer to work more hours

Question 58

Tom works on a landscaping team and has twice the output of other members of this team. Tom just found out that all team members are paid the same. According to equity theory, what is his likely reaction?

A) to ask for a raise
B) to work harder
C) to rationalize the rewards of his team members
D) to leave things as they are

Question 59

You manage a team of four employees at a retail store. Each employee is motivated by different things. Melissa is motivated by money; Kosuke is motivated by time off; Edita is motivated by interesting work; and Andreas is motivated by challenging goals. You've been tasked by your corporate office to increase monthly sales by 20% this month, which is attainable but ambitious. You decide to encourage the team by offering to bring in donuts and coffee if they increase sales by 20%. According to expectancy theory, what is the likely response?

A) The team will be motivated because they believe the sales goal is attainable.
B) The team will be motivated only if they perceive that each team member is working equally hard toward the goal.
C) No one on the team will be motivated because they do not value the reward.
D) Kosuke and Andreas will be motivated to reach the sales goal, but Melissa and Edita will not.

Question 60

As a manager, you get to know what motivates employees so that you can offer outcomes and rewards they value. You also make sure outcomes and rewards are achievable and assist employees in achieving them. Your belief that these practices should help employees stay motivated is based on which of the following?

A) equity theory
B) scientific management
C) maintenance theory
D) expectancy theory

Question 61

Which type of team is often temporary in nature and used for projects or new product development, with members from different departments in the organization?

A) functional
B) cross-functional
C) self-managed
D) virtual

Question 62

Typically your process improvement team at work is creative and generates innovative solutions. But recently a team leader emerged, and the team almost automatically agrees to every idea she suggests. When you try to provide an opposing point of view, you get shot down immediately. This demonstrates which potential disadvantage of teamwork?

A) groupthink
B) synergy
C) social loafing
D) team conflict

Question 63

Every year, Barbara and her boss meet to discuss what Barbara should accomplish for the next year. This gives Barbara "ownership" in the process, which is a successful motivator. This is an example of which of the following theories?

A) expectancy theory
B) two-factor theory
C) maintenance theory
D) goal-setting theory

Question 64

Jackson has noticed that his top machinist is getting bored in his job because it has involved the same set of tasks for 10 years. Jackson decides to reconfigure the production line so this employee can be assigned a new mix of tasks that better fit his skill set and the organization's needs. This is an example of which of the following?

A) job rotation
B) job analysis
C) job sampling
D) job redesign

Question 65

You typically work in the marketing department, but you are currently assigned to a team with employees from operations, finance, and research. Based on this information, you are on which type of team?

A) functional team
B) dysfunctional team
C) cross-functional team
D) self-managed team

Question 66

You work on a team where the leadership role is rotated among team members, and you hold each other mutually responsible for meeting team objectives. Based on this information, you are on which type of team?

A) functional team
B) MBO team
C) cross-functional team
D) self-managed team

Question 67

At midyear, a store manager finds that the store's sales goals are 10% short of the objectives set at the beginning of the year. She sets up a meeting with her sales associates to discuss. Which stage of MBO does this exemplify?

A) reviewing performance
B) developing an action plan
C) calculating the rewards ratio
D) implementing an action plan

Question 68

Which of the following includes the process of job redesign, where work is restructured to better fit the skill set of the worker and needs of the organization?

A) behaviour modification
B) job enrichment
C) job enlightenment
D) job enlargement

Question 69

In which technique do managers and their employees collaborate on setting goals and reviewing performance?

A) motivation by organization
B) maintaining better output
C) management by objectives
D) motivation by openness

Question 70

Simone has worked as an editorial assistant at a magazine publisher for the last six months. Her boss is impressed with her dedication and hard work, and suggests that Simone learn about other parts of the publishing business. He has arranged for Simone to spend time working in design and layout, advertising sales, and production. What is this type of job enrichment called?

A) job sharing
B) job rotation
C) job enlargement
D) job redesign

Question 71

You have found that the collaboration you have with your cross-functional team at work often leads to faster and more thorough results compared to when you're working alone. This is an example of how teams do which of the following?

A) provide synergy
B) increase creativity
C) satisfy needs
D) improve accuracy

Question 72

Simone has worked as an editorial assistant at a magazine publisher for the last six months. Her boss is impressed with her dedication and hard work, and assigns her the additional task of serving as a liaison for freelance writers. What is this type of job enrichment called?

A) job enlargement
B) job rotation
C) job redesign
D) job analysis

Question 73

As the purchasing manager of a regional hospital in your city, you have been tasked with reducing costs by 10%. You meet with your manager to develop a step-by-step plan that will help you accomplish this goal. Which stage of MBO does this reflect?

A) developing an action plan
B) setting goals
C) implementing an action plan
D) calculating the rewards ratio

Question 74

You currently work in the accounts receivable department but have started getting bored. Your manager notices and recommends that you spend a week per month in accounts payable and a week per month in credit management. What is this form of job enrichment called?

A) job sharing
B) job rotation
C) job analysis
D) job sampling

Question 75

One advantage of teamwork is that members can check one another's work. This demonstrates that teamwork often does which of the following?

A) promotes groupthink
B) increases creativity
C) satisfies needs
D) improves accuracy

Question 76

What does the initialism MBO stand for?

A) managing by organizing
B) management by objectives
C) motivation by objective
D) management by orders

Question 77

Which of the following is true about job enrichment?

A) It usually reduces training costs because jobs are broken down into small tasks.
B) It usually reduces training costs because employees do fewer tasks overall.
C) It increases the number and/or variety of tasks performed by employees.
D) It increases the amount of specialization in the employee's job.

Question 78

You enjoy the increased creativity that comes from working with the product launch team at work. But one team member spends most meetings texting, and rarely volunteers for any meaningful tasks on the project. This demonstrates which potential disadvantage of teamwork?

A) groupthink
B) synergy
C) social loafing
D) team conflict

Question 79

Which of the following motivational techniques involves expanding a worker's assignments to include additional but similar tasks?

A) job enlargement
B) job enhancement
C) job rotation
D) job sharing

Question 80

Kendra meets with her manager midyear to discuss the progress she is making toward her goals. Unfortunately, Kendra's manager does not think Kendra has made appropriate progress. He decides to offer Kendra additional training on a computer program that would be helpful in achieving her goals. What stage of MBO does this reflect?

A) developing an action plan
B) reviewing performance
C) implementing an action plan
D) calculating the rewards ratio