Deck 1: What Is Organizational Behavior?

Question 1

Ellen Ortiz works as a sales manager at a telecom firm. The company has recently launched a new product in the market. Her work in the next few weeks involves sharing knowledge about the product with her team members. She will also need to inspire them to reach their sales targets and clarify any doubts about the new product. Which of the following roles is Ortiz playing?

A) leader
B) liaison
C) disseminator
D) spokesperson
E) negotiator

Answer 1

A
Explanation: A leadership role comprises hiring, training, motivating, and disciplining employees.

Question 2

The ability to understand, communicate with, motivate, and support other people, both individually and in groups, may be defined as ________.

A) human skills
B) technical skills
C) conceptual skills
D) cognitive skills
E) analytical skills

Answer 2

A
Explanation: The ability to understand, communicate with, motivate, and support other people, both individually and in groups, may be defined as human skills. Managers get things done through other people, and it is crucial for them to have good human skills.

Question 3

Regina George works as a campaign manager in a not-for-profit organization in Hampshire. For the upcoming campaign against genetic engineering, she is networking with managers who are working on the issue of food safety. Through her network of contacts, she strives to gain information about the stakeholders in the food industry and other lobby groups. Which of the following roles is George most likely to be playing according to Mintzberg's classification of managerial roles?

A) figurehead
B) leader
C) liaison
D) entrepreneur
E) resource allocator

Answer 3

C
Explanation: The liaison role involves maintaining a network of contacts who provide favors and information.

Question 4

The role of a(n) ________ is a type of informational role according to Mintzberg's classification of managerial roles.

A) figurehead
B) disseminator
C) liaison
D) entrepreneur
E) negotiator

Question 5

Which of the following functions do managers undertake as part of planning functions?

A) defining an organization's goals
B) implementing strategies for achieving goals
C) executing plans to integrate activities
D) accomplishing goals of a project
E) employing strategies to coordinate tasks

Question 6

According to Mintzberg's classification of managerial roles, the role of a(n) ________ is to make or approve significant organizational decisions and assign human, physical, and monetary assets.

A) disseminator
B) liaison
C) entrepreneur
D) resource allocator
E) disturbance handlers

Question 7

Johanna Reid, a campaign manager at a child rights organization, recently started working on an illiteracy project. During the project, she needs to motivate team members to attain their project milestones and direct them through different phases of the project. Which of the following kinds of functions will these tasks be covered under?

A) planning
B) organizing
C) scrutinizing
D) evaluating
E) leading

Question 8

According to Henry Mintzberg, a factory supervisor giving a group of high school students a tour of the plant may be termed as a ________.

A) leader
B) figurehead
C) resource allocator
D) negotiator
E) disturbance handler

Question 9

Lesley Torres is a project manager for the campaign "Action against Deforestation in Indonesia." She recently faced a glitch when the campaign could not be launched publicly according to schedule. Torres monitored the schedule to find the cause of the delay before speeding up the implementation process by allocating more members for the implementation phase. By doing this, which of the following functions is she performing?

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

Question 10

The role of a(n) ________, according to Mintzberg's classification of managerial roles, is to transmit information to outsiders about an organization's plans, policies, actions, and results and to serve as an expert in the organization's industry.

A) spokesperson
B) disturbance handler
C) entrepreneur
D) leader
E) liaison

Question 11

According to Mintzberg's classification of managerial roles, the role of a(n) ________ is to transmit information received from outsiders or from other employees to members of the organization.

A) entrepreneur
B) resource allocator
C) spokesperson
D) leader
E) disseminator

Question 12

According to Mintzberg's classification of managerial roles, which of the following is a kind of decisional role?

A) negotiator
B) disseminator
C) liaison
D) spokesperson
E) monitor

Question 13

Which of the following is true regarding technical skills?

A) They can be learned only through formal education.
B) They encompass the ability to apply specialized knowledge.
C) They are not required at all kinds of jobs.
D) They are monopolized by professionals.
E) They comprise the ability to understand and motivate people.

Question 14

________ get things done through other people. They make decisions, allocate resources, and direct the activities of others to attain goals.

A) Assistants
B) Managers
C) Secretaries
D) Interns
E) Apprentices

Question 15

Sally Mitchell works as a manager at an environmental organization. She is currently working on a global warming project and decides which tasks related to creating awareness about the issue need to be done. In addition, she is also deciding which members of her team will work on engaging with the public and which will work on lobbying with the government. She is also assigning people as team members to ensure that tasks are undertaken on time. Which of the following categories of functions is Mitchell undertaking?

A) planning
B) organizing
C) scrutinizing
D) controlling
E) envisioning

Question 16

Discuss the growing importance of interpersonal skills in the workplace.

Question 17

Annette Simpson works for a fashion house in Paris and is preparing for the company's upcoming line of winter clothing. She is currently researching online to know what is in vogue this season. In addition, she is also networking with contacts from the press and fashion magazine editors to understand the changing tastes of consumers. Which of the following roles is Simpson playing according to Mintzberg's classification of managerial roles?

A) figurehead
B) leader
C) symbol head
D) monitor
E) spokesperson

Question 18

According to Mintzberg's classification of managerial roles, a(n) ________ searches the organization and its environment for opportunities and initiates projects to bring about change.

A) spokesperson
B) disturbance handler
C) entrepreneur
D) resource allocator
E) negotiator

Question 19

A survey of over 2,100 CFOs across 20 industries indicated that a lack of interpersonal skills is the top reason why some employees fail to advance.

Question 20

According to Mintzberg's classification of managerial roles, which of the following is a kind of interpersonal role?

A) monitor
B) disseminator
C) spokesperson
D) entrepreneur
E) liaison

Question 21

According to Fred Luthans and his associates' study of 450 managers, ________ made the largest contribution to the success of managers in terms of speed of promotion within their organization.

A) networking
B) decision making
C) planning
D) controlling
E) staffing

Question 22

How do Mintzberg's roles of a liaison, spokesperson, and entrepreneur differ from one another? Explain.

Question 23

According to Fred Luthans and his associates, managers involved in traditional management activities undertook which of the following tasks?

A) motivating
B) socializing
C) decision making
D) training
E) politicking

Question 24

Joann Hayes is currently working on a project to tackle climate change. During the project, she needs to find different options to replace the use of non-renewable energy and check the feasibility of different renewable energy options before choosing the most practical one. Which of the following skills does Hayes primarily need to use for these tasks?

A) human skills
B) interpersonal skills
C) conceptual skills
D) communication skills
E) interactive skills

Question 25

According to Fred Luthans and his associates, managers who are involved in networking activities are most likely to undertake which of the following?

A) planning
B) decision making
C) controlling
D) politicking
E) staffing

Question 26

What is organizational behavior?

Question 27

According to Mintzberg, how does the monitor role differ from the disseminator role?

Question 28

A degree in architecture will provide a student with the human skills required for a job.

Question 29

Melissa Woods was recently hired as the campaign manager at an environmental organization. She has a degree in environmental sustainability and possesses substantial knowledge about the issue of global warming. She has the knowledge to lead the public relations team of the organization. However, a few months later, the board of directors of the organization expressed dissatisfaction with Melissa's performance and asked her to resign. Which of the following, if true, best explains this situation?

A) Melissa had no prior experience in research and development.
B) Melissa had weak interpersonal and networking skills to run the project.
C) Melissa focused on the results her team achieved rather than how they achieved those results.
D) Melissa is not up-to-date about the feasibility of using different modes of renewable energy.
E) Melissa had a diverse network of contacts established from her previous job.

Question 30

An organization is a consciously coordinated social unit composed of two or more people.

Question 31

360.org, an organization working toward curbing climate change, recently conducted an interview with Jessica for the position of a public relations officer. However, interviewers Brenda and Laura are divided over whether Jessica should be given the job. Brenda believes that Jessica does not have in-depth knowledge about the issue of global warming and its impact. On the other hand, Laura feels that Jessica would be perfect for the job because she has strong networking and interpersonal skills. Which of the following, if true, would strengthen Laura's argument?

A) Gaining the support of corporate giants would comprise a large part of the job.
B) Jessica will need to prepare extensive reports about the issue of climate change.
C) The role will require Jessica to give presentations to environmental experts on renewable modes of energy.
D) Jessica had negligible experience in research and development.
E) Jessica has weak analytical skills to solve problems associated with implementing options of renewable energy.

Question 32

Samantha Reeves works as a sales manager at Synergy Bank. Explain the nature of tasks she would be performing according to Mintzberg's concept of leadership role.

Question 33

360.org, an organization working toward curbing climate change, recently conducted an interview with Jessica for the position of a public relations officer. However, interviewers Brenda and Laura are divided over whether Jessica should be given the job. Brenda believes that Jessica does not have in-depth knowledge about the issue of global warming and its impact. On the other hand, Laura feels that Jessica would be perfect for the job because she has strong interpersonal skills. Which of the following, if true, would weaken Laura's argument?

A) Jessica was unable to fare well in the written test which analyzed her conceptual skills.
B) Jessica listened intently to the interviewers' questions before answering them.
C) Jessica was unable to communicate clearly why she was right for the job.
D) Jessica was very friendly and courteous with the receptionist while greeting her.
E) Jessica was high on confidence about getting the job because of her strong networking skills.

Question 34

The planning function involves defining an organization's goals and establishing an overall strategy for achieving those goals.

Question 35

Which of the following best defines organizational behavior?

A) It involves the study of groups of people coming together for collective bargaining.
B) It involves the study of what people do in a company and how it affects the company's performance.
C) It involves analyzing different people in an industry with independent profit-centered motives.
D) It involves developing exclusively the knowledge of managers and senior-level employees.
E) It is a field which is not influenced by factors in the external world.

Question 36

Which of the following does systematic study use to look at relationships to attribute causes and effects?

A) intuition
B) feelings
C) data
D) instinct
E) premonition

Question 37

How are the management functions of planning, organizing, and leading different from one another? Explain.

Question 38

Organizational behavior applies the knowledge gained about individuals, groups, and the effect of structure on behavior in order to make organizations work more effectively.

Question 39

What are conceptual skills? How are they different from human skills?

Question 40

Which of the following determinants of behavior does organizational behavior study?

A) profits
B) job satisfaction
C) perks
D) individuals
E) collective bargaining

Question 41

Analyzing relationships, determining causes and effects, and basing conclusions on scientific evidence, all constitute aspects of ________ study.

A) organizational
B) intuitive
C) theoretical
D) systematic
E) case-based

Question 42

What is evidence-based management (EBM)?

Question 43

Evidence-based management complements systematic study by basing managerial decisions on the best available scientific evidence.

Question 44

Which of the following is a difference between sociology and psychology?

A) Sociology studies humans and animals whereas psychology focuses exclusively on humans.
B) Sociology studies people in relation to their social culture whereas psychology focuses on the individual.
C) Sociology incorporates research from social sciences, philosophy, and natural sciences; psychology does not.
D) Sociology uses various methods of empirical investigation whereas psychology uses limited critical analyses.
E) Sociology uses only qualitative techniques whereas psychology uses both qualitative and quantitative techniques.

Question 45

In order to predict human behavior, it is best to supplement intuitive opinions with information derived from ________.

A) common sense
B) direct observation
C) systematic study
D) speculation
E) organizational theory

Question 46

Which of the following fields of study is most likely to involve studying organizational culture, formal organization theory, and structure?

A) sociology
B) psychology
C) anthropology
D) psychiatry
E) social psychology

Question 47

Psychology seeks to measure, explain, and sometimes change the behavior of humans and other animals.

Question 48

________ is the study of societies to learn about human beings and their activities.

A) Anthropology
B) Psychology
C) Sociology
D) Psychiatry
E) Social psychology

Question 49

Which of the following disciplines blends concepts from both psychology and sociology to focus on people's influence on one another?

A) social psychology
B) cosmology
C) parapsychology
D) anthropology
E) psychiatry

Question 50

You are bringing together faculty from different behavioral disciplines to author a new textbook in organizational behavior. Represented are professors from psychology, sociology, social psychology, anthropology, political science, and industrial engineering. Which faculty member is most likely to furnish information about personality, learning, and motivation?

A) sociology
B) psychology
C) anthropology
D) political science
E) industrial engineering

Question 51

Myriam is analyzing the gender roles of men and women in management in the United States and comparing them to the gender roles in management in Japan. She is surveying fifty male and fifty female managers in each country to compare their daily behavior. Myriam's study exemplifies how ________ contributes to OB.

A) anthropology
B) psychology
C) archaeology
D) political science
E) corporate strategy

Question 52

________ seeks to measure, explain, and sometimes change the behavior of humans and other animals.

A) Meteorology
B) Anthropology
C) Sociology
D) Lexicology
E) Psychology

Question 53

Why is it important to complement intuition with systematic study in our attempts to understand behavior within organizations?

Question 54

Which of the following is true regarding systematic study?

A) It attributes causes and effects based on intuition.
B) It involves supporting decisions based on gut feelings.
C) It analyzes relationships based on previous experiences.
D) It involves analyzing relationships based on scientific data.
E) It involves taking action based on instinct.

Question 55

Austin Reed is a graduate student helping to organize a study on individual job satisfaction. The study focuses on the top five causes of satisfaction or dissatisfaction on the job. His department is surveying 200 individuals in 100 different types of organizations. Austin is most likely a graduate student in the department of ________.

A) psychology
B) anthropology
C) political science
D) entomology
E) archaeology

Question 56

________ refers to basing managerial decisions on the best available scientific proof.

A) Emergency management
B) Personal knowledge management
C) Property management
D) Evidence-based management
E) Knowledge management

Question 57

________ refers to a gut feeling not necessarily supported by research.

A) Intuition
B) Reasoning
C) Rationality
D) Logic
E) Inference

Question 58

The practice known as management by walking around is limited by available hours, focus, and application.

Question 59

While sociology focuses on the individual, psychology studies people in relation to their social environment or culture.

Question 60

One major study area of social psychology is change, how to implement it, and how to reduce barriers to its acceptance.

Question 61

Raymond Mayer is conducting a study on discrimination against campaign activists based on gender. In his study, he noted that male executives who visited Indonesian villages to promote the use of renewable energy received a highly positive response. In contrast, women who visited the same villages received an antagonistic response. However, Mayer stated that his findings only applied to villages. In this study, the presence of a village is considered a ________ variable.

A) global
B) general
C) dependent
D) non-reactive
E) contingency

Question 62

Gould Furniture is one of the leading furniture companies in Indonesia. In the past, the company had a homogeneous workforce of Indonesian employees. The company is desperate to cut operating and manufacturing costs and, hence, is considering outsourcing part of the manufacturing process to low-cost Vietnam. However, local community leaders across the country are strongly opposing this decision. They believe that exporting jobs to other countries is detrimental to their country in every way possible. Which of the following, if true, is the flaw in the local community leaders' opinion?

A) The country has one of the lowest rates of employment in Asia.
B) Over 85 percent of Indonesia's revenue comes from agriculture.
C) The furniture market contributes to 20 percent of deforestation in the country.
D) The government of Indonesia provides substantial subsidies to start-up companies.
E) Gould Furniture has alliances with local furniture companies in Vietnam.

Question 63

A common characteristic of service jobs is that they ________.

A) need substantial interaction with an organization's customers
B) offer much higher pay in comparison with other non-service jobs
C) have fewer working hours than other jobs
D) require very little job knowledge compared to other jobs
E) provide more perks and benefits to employees

Question 64

Which of the following is a result of globalization?

A) organizations being bound by national borders
B) lower production of goods in developing nations
C) highly homogeneous workforce
D) shared social value among all cultures
E) jobs moving to nations with low-cost labor

Question 65

Which of the following is true regarding contingency variables?

A) They refer to situational factors that moderate the relationship between two or more variables.
B) They make simple, accurate, and sweeping generalizations about concepts in organizational behavior.
C) They indicate that everyone is motivated by money and financial perks.
D) They refer to scientific factors which are based on universal truths.
E) They remain constant irrespective of any change in the environment.

Question 66

Which of the following is not a reality for today's workforce?

A) Many workers never get away from the virtual workplace.
B) Organizations are asking employees to put in longer hours.
C) Employees have fewer outside commitments.
D) Issues related to well-being have dropped as the number of employees who work at home rises.
E) The line between work and non-work time has become blurred.

Question 67

Recent studies show ________.

A) the line between work and non-work is becoming less blurred
B) most employees are achieving a better work-life balance
C) money and recognition define career success above all else
D) the majority of men and women rank autonomy as the number one indicator of career success
E) attaining a balance between personal life and work is a primary career goal

Question 68

________ variables are variables that moderate the relationship between two or more variables.

A) Global
B) General
C) Dependent
D) Non-reactive
E) Contingency

Question 69

How have the fields of psychology and sociology contributed to our understanding of organizational behavior?

Question 70

Entomology is the study of societies to learn about human beings and their activities.

Question 71

Compare and contrast the fields of psychology, social psychology, and sociology.

Question 72

Human beings are simple in nature and, thus, simple, universal principles explain all kinds of organizational behavior.

Question 73

Managers who oversee the movement of jobs to countries with low-cost labor are most likely to ________.

A) provide poor customer service to the majority of global customers
B) face the difficult task of balancing the interests of different groups
C) manage a culturally homogeneous workforce
D) operate in niche markets
E) lose competitive advantage by exporting jobs

Question 74

Which of the following is an example of a position in a service job?

A) human resource executive
B) administrative executive
C) flight attendant
D) environmental campaigner
E) production line worker

Question 75

________ refers to the heterogeneity of organizations in terms of gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and inclusion of other diverse groups.

A) Workforce associability
B) Workforce diversity
C) Cultural similarity
D) Organizational congruity
E) Operational homogeneity

Question 76

Why do only a few absolutes apply to organizational behavior?

Question 77

Organizational behavior cannot offer reasonably accurate explanations of human behavior or make valid predictions.

Question 78

A key issue for managers in good economic times is ________.

A) employee stress
B) how to retain employees
C) employee decision making
D) helping employees cope

Question 79

The bookselling industry was revolutionized by ________.

A) Mintzberg's Theory of Management
B) evidence-based management
C) Luthan's findings on management behavior
D) intuition
E) the availability of Big Data

Question 80

Which of the following terms best describes organizations that allow people to communicate and work together even though they may be thousands of miles apart?

A) networked organizations
B) hierarchical organizations
C) matrix organizations
D) stable organizations
E) flat organizations