Deck 19: Groups and Organizations: How Do We Work Together for Sustainability

Question 1

The origin story of the World Wildlife Fund shows the power of

A) social networks.
B) organizational structure.
C) organizational culture.
D) triple bottom line.

Answer 1

social networks.

Question 2

Four people from your neighborhood meet once a week on Saturday mornings to run together. This is an example of a(n)

A) social group.
B) social network.
C) organizational structure.
D) organization.

Answer 2

social group.

Question 3

The other people in your environmental science class would be considered part of a(n)

A) social network.
B) social context.
C) organization.
D) All of these are correct.

Answer 3

organization.

Question 4

An infectious disease can be spread to many people in a community, even to people that do not interact directly. The routes these diseases use to spread are defined as

A) an organization.
B) social context.
C) social groups.
D) social networks.

Question 5

Tim has a friend and classmate named Shane. Shane has a friend in his neighborhood named Paul. Tim and Paul are separated by how many degrees of separation?

A) one
B) two
C) three
D) four

Question 6

Microsoft published a study in 2008. Researchers at the company analyzed electronic messages sent and found that any two people are distanced by around 7 degrees of separation. This would suggest that you are linked to any other person by 7 or fewer acquaintances.

A) in your town
B) in your country
C) in the world
D) within your social network

Question 7

If a company says it is focused on the triple bottom line, what three factors are taken into account?

A) profits, company size, and investor participation
B) profits, revenue, and worker productivity
C) profits, renewable energy usage, and company location
D) profits, environmental impact, and social equity

Question 8

Why do companies often use influencers to promote products?

A) They are wealthy.
B) They purchase many items.
C) They are often held in high regard within their communities.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 9

In 1999, three investors start a local coffee shop. By 2004, the original shop has expanded to six locations but is still owned by the three original investors. In 2011, the chain has now expanded to 640 locations in eight states, the original investors decide they will take the company public, and it is traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange. How would this company be defined in 2004?

A) privately (or closely) held
B) publicly traded
C) a benefit corporation
D) funded by venture capital

Question 10

In 1999, three investors start a local coffee shop. By 2004, the original shop has expanded to six locations but is still owned by the three original investors. In 2011, the chain has now expanded to 640 locations in eight states, the original investors decide they will take the company public, and it is traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange. How would this company be defined in 2011?

A) privately (or closely) held
B) publicly traded
C) a benefit corporation
D) funded by venture capital

Question 11

By being designated as a nonprofit organization, an organization

A) is not allowed to make a profit.
B) is not allowed to obtain grant funding.
C) does not have shareholders.
D) must limit how much it pays its employees.

Question 12

Which of the following is true in regard to a benefit corporation?

A) It has a shift from a focus solely on shareholder profit.
B) It is a legal status for business organization.
C) It is allowed to pursue more environmentally driven objectives.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 13

In what way are organizations often more influential than individuals?

A) the size of their social networks
B) the reach of their social networks
C) the functions they serve
D) All of these are correct.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is correct regarding for-profit and nonprofit organizations?

A) Both require a steady flow of income to continue operations.
B) Both have a primary focus of generating the most income possible.
C) Both often have shareholders.
D) Both have a small group of owners.

Question 15

If a company becomes certified as a B Corp organization, which of the following is true?

A) The company is one of the 100 most profitable in the United States.
B) The company is focused on social and environmental goals.
C) The company has provided the most benefit for its shareholders.
D) The company has been registered as nonprofit.

Question 16

Why is it more impactful for a large multinational corporation to set sustainability goals than a smaller company?

A) It can influence a larger supply chain.
B) It has more influence on other businesses.
C) It has larger social networks.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 17

Which type of organization often relies on donations for revenue?

A) nonprofit organization
B) benefit corporation
C) privately held for-profit organization
D) None of these are correct.

Question 18

Corporate social responsibility has been emphasized for which type of organizations?

A) nonprofit organizations
B) benefit corporations
C) privately held for-profit organizations
D) publicly traded for-profit organizations

Question 19

Which of the following is a similarity comparing privately held and publicly traded companies?

A) Both have shareholders.
B) Both have managers and employees.
C) Both are controlled by a small number of individuals.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 20

Which term below best describes this statement from the public broadcasting system, "To create content that educates, informs, and inspires"?

A) organizational culture
B) mission statement
C) corporate strategy
D) strategy

Question 21

The difference between an organization's mission statement and its strategy is in

A) the organization's goals.
B) the details included in the plans.
C) the focus on sustainability.
D)how resources are allocated

Question 22

Susan has just been hired at an advertising firm. When she begins her orientation, a coworker discusses the patterns of behavior that are expected from her in regard to sustainability. The details of the company's recycling program are described; as an employee, Susan is expected to follow all the recycling rules and guidelines. This describes the

A) organizational culture.
B) organizational structure.
C) mission statement.
D) strategy.

Question 23

Susan has just been hired at an advertising firm. When she begins her orientation, a coworker discusses a new department that has been created to oversee the company's sustainability efforts. Susan will need to report her rate of recycling to this department. This describes the

A) organizational culture.
B) organizational structure.
C) mission statement.
D) strategy.

Question 24

Sustainability strategies are best integrated into an organization when they complement

A) shareholder wishes.
B) the owner's vision.
C) long-term organizational goals.
D) existing strategies.

Question 25

A company wants to generate new sustainability ideas directly from its workers. This will require a change to the company's

A) organizational structure.
B) mission statement.
C) triple bottom line.
D) social network.

Question 26

Interface carpet and many other companies have found the changes made to increase sustainability can have what additional impacts?

A) These changes have reduced costs.
B) These changes have increased profits.
C) These changes provide a way to differentiate their products from others.
D) All of these are correct.

Question 27

Method cleaning products are discussed in Chapter 19. The company's organizational strategy differed from other companies by focusing on

A) providing the lowest-priced cleaning products.
B) using social media.
C) environmental and social measures.
D) partnerships with large retailers, including Target.

Question 28

Lasting change within an organization requires support from

A) only the highest level of management.
B) all areas of influence.
C) a majority of the shareholders.
D) the board of directors.

Question 29

What is a divestment in an investment portfolio?

A) the purchase of assets associated with divesting
B) only buying assets of companies with a focus on sustainability
C) removing a particular kind of asset
D) focusing investment in one area or type of company

Question 30

Individuals at the lower levels of an organizational hierarchy can often best see solutions because they

A) have direct interactions with product production.
B) have the most contact with the board of directors.
C) set organizational culture and structure.
D) are shareholders in the company.

Question 31

Inventors funded by Greenpeace developed Greenfreeze refrigerators. How did producing this product help Greenpeace meet its organizational goals?

A) These refrigerators used a new type of coolant that would not deplete the ozone.
B) These allowed for higher profits for the organization.
C) The refrigerators were a method of boycott.
D) They sold the patented technology to increase revenues.

Question 32

Chapter 19 discusses an unlikely collaboration between Patagonia and Walmart. What was the goal of this collaboration?

A) to increase Patagonia's supply chains
B) to sell Patagonia apparel in Walmart stores
C) to collaborate on a new line of outdoor clothing
D) to set standards for sustainability in apparel production

Question 33

Groups outside organizations can influence change through which of the following mechanisms?

A) protests
B) boycotts
C) publicity campaigns
D) All of these are correct.

Question 34

Why is it that privately held companies can often take bigger risks than those that are publicly traded?

Question 35

What is one example of a nonprofit organization described in Chapter 19? How does its values and goals differ from similar for-profit organizations?

Question 36

Two companies sell a similar product. One has a strong focus on sustainability, but its product costs 25% more than the other product. Which would you purchase, and why? Justify your response.

Question 37

If you were starting a job as an entry-level employee at a company, describe two ways you could influence the company to increase its sustainability.

Question 38

Information about a company can spread much faster today than in the past, particularly due to social media and the internet. What are some advantages and disadvantages of this? Be sure to include at least one advantage and one disadvantage.