Deck 8: Motivation: From Concept to Applications

Question 1

Which of the following is not one of the core job dimensions in the job characteristics model (JCM)?

A) task significance
B) feedback
C) autonomy
D) status
E) skill variety

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Which one of the following is not one of the guidelines for enriching jobs based on the job characteristics model?

A) form telecommuting units
B) establish client relationships
C) open feedback channels
D) combine tasks
E) expand jobs vertically

Answer 2

A

Question 3

How do most employees react to job enrichment?

A) decreased production
B) increased absenteeism
C) increased job satisfaction
D) decreased job satisfaction
E) increased turnover

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which of the following defines skill variety?

A) the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work
B) the degree to which work activities generates direct and clear information about performance
C) the degree to which a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling and procedure
D) the degree to which a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people
E) the degree to which a job requires a variety of different activities

Question 5

Which of the following defines autonomy?

A) the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work
B) the degree to which work activities generates direct and clear information about performance
C) the degree to which a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling and procedure
D) the degree to which a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people
E) the degree to which a job requires a variety of different activities

Question 6

A trucking company routinely makes all of its office staff work for a week in the warehouse area: loading trucks, cleaning trucks, and doing other work which they are capable of. This program is an example of which of the following?

A) job rotation
B) job enlargement
C) job enrichment
D) job sharing
E) flex time

Question 7

Beyond redesigning the nature of the work itself and involving employees in decisions, another approach to making the work environment more motivating is to alter work arrangements. Which of the following is designed to give an employee greater control of their schedule?

A) flex time
B) job sharing
C) job rotation
D) telecommuting
E) job enrichment

Question 8

Aberdone Company has redesigned the jobs of the workers in accounts receivables. Instead of simply billing customers, they are now responsible for what used to be management tasks, such as for following up on non-payment, determining when bills will be sent to a collection agency, and what accounts receivables can be written off as non-collectable. What term would best be used to describe how the company is enriching the job dimensions?

A) task combination
B) vertical job expansion
C) formation of natural work units
D) establishing client relationships
E) opening feedback channels

Question 9

A firm introduces job enrichment in order to motivate its employees. Evidence would suggest that which of the following is the most likely result of this change?

A) reduced absenteeism and turnover costs
B) lower fixed costs
C) a drop in quality
D) a decrease in productivity
E) an increase in productivity

Question 10

Job enrichment increases the degree to which the worker controls the ________.

A) planning, execution, and evaluation of his or her work
B) planning, execution, and evaluation of company plans
C) horizontal integration of his or her tasks
D) feedback that a worker receives from his or her supervisor and peers
E) evaluation of his or her peers

Question 11

An arrangement that allows two or more individuals to split a traditional 40-hour-a-week job is called ________.

A) flex time
B) job sharing
C) job rotation
D) telecommuting
E) job enrichment

Question 12

What is the main strength of job rotation?

A) It eliminates management involvement.
B) It increases motivation.
C) It increases productivity.
D) It decreases training costs
E) It decreases supervisor work load.

Question 13

Which of the following defines task identity?

A) the degree to which a job requires completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work
B) the degree to which work activities generates direct and clear information about performance
C) the degree to which a job provides the worker freedom in scheduling and procedure
D) the degree to which a job has an impact on the lives or work of other people
E) the degree to which a job requires a variety of different activities

Question 14

Dashay is an emergency medical technician. Yesterday she was called to an emergency in a home where a man suffered a heart attack. She was able to resuscitate the man, and while her partners were transporting him to the ambulance she spent 10 minutes calming the 12 year old daughter, who was at home alone with the father. Although exhausted at the end of the day, Dashay felt very good about the father's prognosis and celebrated with a dinner out. Based on this description, it's safe to say that Dashay's job is high in which job characteristic?

A) task identity
B) feedback
C) autonomy
D) task significance
E) skill variety

Question 15

Nikhil is a design manager for a production company. He independently assigns teams, chooses projects, researches trends, and is able to work from home two to three days a week. He provides a status report to the design director once a month. Based on this description, it's safe to say that Nikhil's job is high in which job characteristic?

A) task identity
B) feedback
C) autonomy
D) task significance
E) skill variety

Question 16

According to the job characteristics model, which of the following results in the maximum internal rewards for an individual?

A) when they are given tangible rewards
B) when they learn that they personally have performed well on a task that they care about
C) when they initiate a program that enables them to work with a variety of like-minded colleagues
D) when their training is realized and their expectations are met
E) when they are singled out for praise for successfully completing an arduous task

Question 17

Liz is single with no children. She is a night person, and can not function until after her morning coffee, a slow waking up and getting ready, and watching or listening to the morning news. She detests the morning traffic rush, and is in a horrible mood if she has to deal with it. When looking for a 40 hour a week job, which of the following schedules would be most appealing for Liz?

A) enter at 8:00 a.m. and leave at 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
B) enter and leave any time between 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
C) enter at 8:00 a.m. and leave at 7:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, Fridays off
D) enter at 6:00 a.m. and leave at 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
E) enter at 9:00 a.m. and leave at 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

Question 18

In the job characteristics model (JCM), what three core job dimensions combine to create meaningful work?

A) autonomy, task identity, and feedback
B) skill variety, autonomy, and task significance
C) skill variety, autonomy, and feedback
D) feedback, task identity, and task significance
E) skill variety, task identity, and task significance

Question 19

What is another term for cross-training?

A) work enrichment
B) job sharing
C) work enlargement
D) job enhancement
E) job rotation

Question 20

Sue wants to go back to work after having taken a few years off while the kids were young. Her husband earns a good living, and they both want Sue to be available for the children's events and at home after school. School gets out at 2:20. When looking for a job, which of the following schedules would be most appealing for Sue?

A) enter at 8:00 a.m. and leave at 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
B) enter and leave any time between 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
C) enter at 8:00 a.m. and leave at 7:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, Fridays off
D) enter at 6:00 a.m. and leave at 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
E) enter at 9:00 a.m. and leave at 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

Question 21

What is the name for employees who sit on a company's board of directors and represent the interests of the firm's employees?

A) board representatives
B) works councils
C) quality circles
D) union representatives
E) board leaders

Question 22

Which of the following is the principal drawback from job sharing?

A) drawing on multiple talents for one job
B) increased benefits costs for two employees
C) difficulty in finding compatible partners
D) too much job flexibility is hard to manage
E) difficulty in coordinating schedules

Question 23

Experience shows that the greatest value of representative participation is which of the following?

A) increased motivation
B) increased satisfaction
C) symbolic
D) decreased absenteeism
E) increased commitment

Question 24

What is the goal of representative participation?

A) for workers to own the firms where they work
B) to help workers' self-esteem
C) to provide greater motivation and productivity
D) to redistribute power within the organization
E) to empower high-level managers

Question 25

What does legislation require almost every company in Western Europe to do?

A) have a form of representative participation
B) provide employee ownership
C) provide flex time
D) set up quality circles
E) have flexible benefit options

Question 26

Research shows that works councils tend to be ineffective for which of the following reasons?

A) Members of works council tend to side with management when making decisions for fear of being punished.
B) Works councils represent the wishes of employees that are often at odds with the best direction of an organization.
C) Works councils are dominated by management and their input has little impact on employees or the organization.
D) Works councils insert an extra element into decision making which slows the response of an organization to changing conditions.
E) Members of works councils are, in general, not qualified to make large decisions concerning the direction of an organization.

Question 27

After completing cooking school with outstanding grades and recommendations, Joe and Gary both looked forward to working in restaurants. Joe found work as a short-order cook in a cramped diner. On many shifts he worked alone, and had to cook a large number of meals on outdated equipment. Gary found work in a modern hotel kitchen. He had a small staff helping him prepare a small number of elaborate meals to order. Gary became a highly regarded chef, while Joe left the restaurant industry. This example illustrates that an individual needs what in order to perform well?

A) ability and technical skills
B) motivation to perform
C) supportive work context
D) adequate compensation
E) feedback from superiors

Question 28

What is the distinct characteristic common to all participative management programs?

A) joint decision making
B) autonomy
C) empowerment
D) productivity enhancement
E) quality awareness

Question 29

Which of the following is an example of a piece-rate plan?

A) time and a half for overtime
B) $2 for each unit produced
C) productivity bonus
D) commission
E) none of the above

Question 30

Which of the following are all forms of variable-pay programs?

A) piece-rate, merit-based pay, gainsharing
B) profit-sharing, lump-sum bonuses, extended vacations
C) wage incentive plans, flex time, piece-rate
D) retirement benefits, extended vacations, wage incentive plans
E) wage rate increases, bonuses, flex time

Question 31

Which of the following has not been shown to be a benefit of flex time?

A) reduced absenteeism
B) improved productivity
C) increased meaningfulness
D) increased satisfaction
E) improved promptness

Question 32

Which of the following is Theory X consistent with?

A) the autocratic style of managing people
B) participative management
C) job enrichment
D) the cognitive evaluation theory
E) none of the above

Question 33

Which of the following is a not a management benefit of telecommuting?

A) larger labor pool for recruitment
B) higher productivity of employees
C) decreased office expenditures
D) improved morale in general
E) decreased benefits expenses

Question 34

Which of the following is a job that does not lend itself to telecommuting?

A) an attorney who spends most of her time researching on the computer
B) a writer of copy for an advertising firm
C) a car salesman who demonstrates the features of a new model of car
D) a telemarketer who uses the phone to contact clients
E) a product support specialist who fields calls from irate customers

Question 35

Which of the following is not true?

A) Theory Y aligns with the participative management style.
B) Employee involvement programs provide intrinsic motivation.
C) Theory X aligns with the autocratic management style.
D) Employee involvement is incompatible with two-factor theory.
E) Implementing decisions can help satisfy an employee's needs for achievement.

Question 36

Which of the following is not one of the most widely used variable-pay programs?

A) piece-rate wages
B) merit-based pay
C) flat pay
D) employee stock ownership
E) profit-sharing plans

Question 37

Participative management is a method of management where ________.

A) subordinates make corporate decisions and management helps carry out those decisions
B) upper management participates in the organization's strategic planning
C) subordinates share a degree of decision-making power with their immediate superiors
D) low-level workers meet occasionally with the CEO to discuss problems within their department
E) low-level workers are responsible for making corporate policy decisions

Question 38

Janice and Shunil are both senior software analysts. They have worked together on projects for six years and get along great. Janice is pregnant and anticipating the arrival of her first child. Shunil would like to experiment with opening his own business as a home media installation consultant. They both need some income. Which of the following alternative job structures would be best for Janice and Shunil?

A) flex time
B) telecommuting
C) job rotation
D) job sharing
E) job enrichment

Question 39

Research studies conducted on the participation-performance relationship show that the use of participation ________.

A) enhances job satisfaction
B) increases motivation
C) has only a modest influence on employee productivity
D) greatly influences employee attitudes
E) lowers costs considerably

Question 40

What term is used for a participative process that uses the entire capacity of employees and is designed to encourage increased commitment to the organization's success?

A) MBO
B) employee involvement
C) reengineering
D) OB Mod
E) job sharing

Question 41

What are modular benefit plans?

A) essential benefits and a menu-like selection of other benefits
B) pre-designed packages of benefits
C) they allow employees to set aside funds up to the dollar amount offered in the plan to pay for services
D) a scheme designed for single employees with no dependents
E) a scheme designed for employees with families

Question 42

Which of the following is a form of recognition?

A) personal congratulations
B) job enlargement
C) job sharing
D) flexible benefit packages
E) profit sharing

Question 43

Deanna just got a job after four years of working part time to raise her children. The whole family has been covered under her husband's excellent and affordable benefits package up until now. The family plan is more expensive with her new company, but 100% of her benefits are part of her new salary. Which of the following benefits plans is Deanna most likely to choose?

A) one plan fits all
B) none
C) modular core plan
D) modular core-plus plan
E) extra vacation time

Question 44

What is the term used for the situation where employees are allowed to pick and choose from among a menu of benefit options?

A) flexible pay
B) benefit menu options
C) flexible benefits
D) benefit participation
E) flex time

Question 45

Much of the compensation of traders at Synalco, a metals trading company, is in the form of stock options. The amount of options distributed is based on the company's net profits. What sort of compensation plan is this?

A) profit sharing
B) gainsharing
C) merit based
D) ESOP
E) employee ownership

Question 46

Why are flexible benefit plans consistent with expectancy theory's thesis?

A) They allow organizations to minimize costs associated with benefits.
B) They provide a suite of tangible rewards that can be offered as motivation.
C) Organizational rewards should be linked to each individual employee's goals.
D) They make employment at firms providing such programs more attractive.
E) The motivation to gain extra benefits promotes productivity.

Question 47

What is the term used for a pay plan where pay levels are based on how many skills employees have or how many jobs they can do?

A) a variable pay plan
B) flexible pay
C) skill-based pay
D) gainsharing
E) ESOP

Question 48

What sort of plan is a company-established benefit plan where employees acquire stock as part of their benefits?

A) MBO program
B) job redesign
C) ESOP
D) quality circle
E) piece-rate

Question 49

Laura only makes minimum wage, but she loves her job. Her supervisor regularly compliments her and she has been chosen employee of the month twice this year. Which of the following is Laura's attitude most likely a function of?

A) recognition
B) motivation
C) goal setting
D) involvement
E) reactance

Question 50

How is gainsharing an improvement on profit sharing?

A) It focuses on productivity gains rather than profits.
B) It rewards specific behaviors.
C) It does not distribute profits, only gains in profits.
D) It rewards behaviors that are less influenced by external factors.
E) Superior employees can receive incentive awards even when the organization isn't profitable.

Question 51

What is the name for an incentive plan where improvements in group productivity determine the total amount of money that is allocated?

A) ESOP
B) gainsharing
C) profit sharing
D) piece rates
E) employee ownership

Question 52

What percentage of today's workforce is single with no dependents, and thus requiring fewer benefits.

A) 5
B) 10
C) 40
D) 25
E) 70

Question 53

Research on employee stock ownership programs indicates that they are clearly successful in doing which of the following?

A) increasing employee satisfaction
B) reducing salaries
C) reducing stress
D) increasing productivity
E) increasing employee expectations

Question 54

Corina works full time for a pharmaceutical company, but her husband is a freelance writer who works from home and helps care for their baby daughter. Which of the following benefits plans is Corina most likely to choose?

A) one plan fits all
B) none
C) modular core plan
D) modular core-plus plan
E) extra vacation time

Question 55

Why would an employee choose a flexible spending plan over a standard modular plan?

A) the quality of benefits are greater
B) the benefits are more immediate
C) their take-home pay is higher
D) their taxes are increased
E) they only need limited benefits

Question 56

Financial incentives are the greatest motivator in the short term perspective, but over time ________ is more motivation

A) benefits
B) money
C) recognition
D) bonuses
E) stock options

Question 57

A certain corporation ties its compensation for front-line operations managers to developing their skills in leadership, workforce development, and functional excellence. What is this sort of compensation scheme called?

A) job-based pay
B) training-based pay
C) individual merit-based pay
D) skill-based pay
E) development-based pay

Question 58

What is an advantage of bonuses over merit pay?

A) Employees don't view bonuses as pay.
B) Pay levels are based on employees' skills.
C) Bonuses are paid based on a formula.
D) Bonuses are based on an objective output.
E) Employees are rewarded for recent performance.

Question 59

In what sort of companies is gainsharing most popular?

A) large manufacturing companies
B) large service organizations
C) small, non-unionized manufacturing companies
D) small, privately-held companies
E) non-profit organizations

Question 60

Which of the following is not a typical option in a flexible benefit program?

A) additional life insurance
B) disability insurance
C) expanded health coverage.
D) flexible spending accounts
E) mortgage relief

Question 61

Employee involvement programs could provide employees with intrinsic motivation by increasing opportunities for growth and responsibility.

Question 62

Job rotation, flex time, and job sharing are all designed to increase employee flexibility.

Question 63

Researchers report that which of the following was considered by employees to be the most powerful workplace motivator?

A) recognition
B) money
C) opportunity for advancement
D) autonomy
E) vacation time

Question 64

In job rotation, the nature of the work performed is changed.

Question 65

Jobs that have the intrinsic elements of variety, identity, significance, autonomy, and feedback are more satisfying and generate higher performance from people than jobs that lack these characteristics.

Question 66

Which of the following countries has the highest rate of telecommuting in the world?

A) United States
B) Britain
C) China
D) Netherlands
E) Canada

Question 67

The dimensions of the JCM that create meaningfulness include task identity, skill variety, and task significance.

Question 68

Piece-rate wages are a traditional form of variable pay compensation.

Question 69

Jobs that are high on motivating potential must be high on at least one of the three factors that lead to experienced meaningfulness, and they must be high on both autonomy and feedback.

Question 70

Today, what are offered by almost all U.S. corporations and are becoming the norm in other countries?

A) employee involvement
B) variable-pay programs
C) ESOPs
D) flexible benefits
E) employee recognition programs

Question 71

The JCM model consists of task significance, feedback, meaningfulness, and autonomy.

Question 72

Which of the following is not a problem with recognition programs?

A) The rewards are intrinsic.
B) They motivate less than money in the short term.
C) They are subject to corruption.
D) Managers can manipulate the system.
E) The rewards are subjective.

Question 73

Participation typically has only a modest influence on variables such as motivation and job satisfaction.

Question 74

The overall evidence on job enrichment generally shows that it increases satisfaction, reduces absenteeism, and reduces turnover costs.

Question 75

Participative management implies joint decision making and equal decision-making roles.

Question 76

Job enrichment increases the degree to which the worker controls the execution of company plans.

Question 77

The scheduling options of flex time, job sharing, and telecommuting are all approaches to make the workplace environment more motivating.

Question 78

Why were managers in India rated low by employees?

A) They changed their pay to piece-rate pay.
B) They changed the traditional benefits package to a flexible benefits plan.
C) They tried to empower their employees through employee involvement programs.
D) They refused to allow them to telecommute.
E) Their jobs had more intrinsic motivators than extrinsic motivators.

Question 79

Variable-pay compensation pays people for the time they spend on the job and seniority.

Question 80

If one is interested in changing employee attitudes or in improving organizational performance, representative participation would be a good choice.