Deck 8: Managing a New and Diverse Workforce

Question 1

Pam has been a highly valued production manager for a national grocery store chain for the last ten years, but she has been unable to move into the top management jobs, positions that are all held by men. What is Pam likely facing?

A) Poor evaluations
B) Career tracking
C) Reverse discrimination
D) Glass ceiling
E) Mother syndrome

Answer 1

D

Question 2

For which of the following characteristics must employers make reasonable accommodations?

A) Race
B) National origin
C) Gender
D) Age
E) Disability

Answer 2

E

Question 3

Intel attends recruiting events such as a Hispanic chamber of commerce convention in order to attract diverse applicants. At these events, Intel's minority workers explain Intel's support for diversity. Thus, Intel is able to easily recruit talented minority employees. Which argument for diversity is demonstrated in Intel's actions?

A) The systems flexibility argument
B) The problem-solving argument
C) The cost argument
D) The marketing argument
E) The resource acquisition argument

Answer 3

E

Question 4

Looking around the room at a recent committee meeting, Eileen noticed that most of the participants were white males, although they differed in their national origin, their age, their religion, and their lifestyle. Eileen's committee is

A) completely diverse.
B) not at all diverse.
C) exactly in the middle of the diversity continuum.
D) somewhat diverse, but on the low end of the continuum.
E) somewhat diverse, but on the high end of the continuum.

Question 5

Which of the following is one of the factors that has contributed to increased workforce diversity in the United States?

A) Increased entry into the workforce of women and minorities
B) Increased immigration into the United States
C) Organizations becoming aware of the competitive advantages of diversity
D) Legislation and legal actions
E) All of these

Question 6

Which of the following BEST describes the principle of equitable treatment?

A) All persons should be treated the same regardless of their differences.
B) All persons should be treated equally but differently because of their differences.
C) All persons should be treated the same because of their differences.
D) All persons should be treated differently even if they are the same.
E) Not all persons should be treated the same, even if they are the same.

Question 7

Andy, a director of human resource management with a restaurant firm says, "Diversity in our organization results in higher job performance and lower turnover." Andy is using which argument to justify how diversity contributes to competitiveness?

A) The resource acquisition argument
B) The problem-solving argument
C) The cost argument
D) The creativity argument
E) The systems flexibility argument

Question 8

Which of the following traits represent key components of diversity?

A) Sexual orientation
B) Special dietary preferences
C) Political ideology
D) Dual-career couples
E) All of these

Question 9

Which of the following is a major dimension of diversity?

A) Sexual preference
B) Personality
C) Political outlook
D) Gender
E) Management style

Question 10

Diversity always involves

A) employee's individual differences.
B) a quota system.
C) mandatory affirmative action plans.
D) legal constraints.
E) similarities in product offerings.

Question 11

Which law requires employers to treat people of different religions and national origins fairly in the workplace?

A) Richard Osborn Act
B) The Civil Rights Act of 1964
C) The Americans with Disabilities Act
D) Sarbanes-Oxley Act
E) Fair Credit Reporting Act

Question 12

The creativity argument suggests that more diverse organizations will be more competitive because they will

A) be better able to understand different market segments.
B) be characterized by multiple perspectives and ways of thinking.
C) be better able to respond to changes in environment.
D) become known among women and minorities as good places to work.
E) have higher levels of productivity and lower levels of turnover and absenteeism.

Question 13

John, a corporate accountant in a large computer manufacturing firm, celebrates Cinco de Mayo with his family every year because of his

A) age.
B) race.
C) ethnicity.
D) gender.
E) religion.

Question 14

The average age of the U.S. workforce is

A) increasing because of higher legal age limits for mandatory retirement.
B) increasing because of immigration of older workers from other countries.
C) increasing because more minorities are becoming part of the workforce.
D) decreasing because of earlier retirement ages.
E) decreasing because of immigration of younger workers from other countries.

Question 15

The systems flexibility argument suggests that more diverse organizations will be more competitive because they will

A) be better able to understand different market segments.
B) be characterized by multiple perspectives and ways of thinking.
C) be better able to respond to changes in environment.
D) become known among women and minorities as good places to work.
E) have higher levels of productivity and lower levels of turnover and absenteeism.

Question 16

The problem-solving argument suggests that more diverse organizations will be more competitive because they will

A) be better able to understand different market segments.
B) have a larger pool of unique information.
C) be better able to respond to changes in its environment.
D) become known among women and minorities as good places to work.
E) have higher levels of productivity and lower levels of turnover and absenteeism.

Question 17

Sometimes managers must realize that individual differences cause employees to act in very different ways, which suggests that workers cannot all be treated similarly. Which of the following is the BEST individual strategy for dealing with this issue?

A) Understanding
B) Communication
C) Empathy
D) Tolerance
E) Training

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT true about older workers?

A) Older workers tend to be more stable.
B) Accident rates are lower for older workers.
C) Older workers require higher levels of insurance coverage and medical benefits.
D) Older workers can make greater contributions to productivity.
E) Older workers tend to have more experience.

Question 19

Which of the following is the BEST definition of empathy?

A) Understanding that differences exist among people
B) Tolerating behavior of others even though you do not understand it
C) Openly discussing problems that you have with others
D) Understanding the perspectives of others who are different
E) Treating people fairly and equitably

Question 20

Which of the following kinds of treatments play a role in diversity management?

A) Preferential treatment
B) Equal treatment
C) Identical treatment
D) Equitable treatment
E) Differential treatment

Question 21

When a company's employees reflect the demographic makeup of the external labor market, then there is most likely ____ in the company.

A) pluralism
B) full structural integration
C) an absence of prejudice and discrimination
D) low levels of intergroup conflict
E) increased bias

Question 22

Which of the following BEST represents a multicultural organization?

A) A corporation that does business in many different countries
B) A company that hires people of all races
C) An organization where the top managers are all female
D) A business that does not discriminate in providing services to its customers
E) A firm that capitalizes on diversity and has few diversity problems

Question 23

The percentage of whites in the workforce is increasing, along with the increasing percentage of Hispanics.

Question 24

One of the main reasons for the existence of the glass ceiling is the reluctance on the part of some women to promote women into management positions.

Question 25

When every group in a company strives to understand other groups of people, then there is most likely ____ in the company.

A) pluralism
B) full structural integration
C) an absence of prejudice and discrimination
D) low levels of intergroup conflict
E) increased bias

Question 26

Scenario 8.1
Ray Caldwell is the human resource manager of a management consulting firm. The consultants are mostly white males and are a cohesive group. Very few conflicts exist between them and decisions are made quickly and without much disagreement. A number of the qualified applicants for new positions are multicultural and Ray wonders if he should consider hiring them. He is currently assessing the advantages and disadvantages of the firm's becoming more multicultural.
Refer to Scenario 8.1. Ray is concerned that if he hires female managers, they may not be given opportunities to advance to top management positions in the firm. Ray is concerned about

A) racial discrimination.
B) accommodations that might be legally required.
C) the glass ceiling.
D) diversity training.
E) communication barriers.

Question 27

Olive Garden restaurants actively work to recruit diverse applicants, accommodate diverse employees through flexible schedules and other means, and include diverse employees in decisions at every level of the organization. Which organizational strategy for dealing with diversity is shown in these actions by Olive Garden?

A) Organizational policies
B) Diversity training
C) Organizational practices
D) Individual differences
E) Organization culture

Question 28

The process by which a company adapts to its environment is called

A) organizational pluralism
B) organizational conflict
C) organizational integration
D) organizational synergy
E) organizational learning

Question 29

A company has a workforce that is 40 percent ethnic minority and 60 percent white. Their top managers are made up of 10 percent minority personnel. The local community is composed 40 percent of people from minorities. Which of the criteria for a multicultural organization is this company violating?

A) Pluralism
B) Low levels of internal conflict
C) Full integration of the informal network
D) Absence of discrimination
E) Full structural integration

Question 30

Scenario 8.1
Ray Caldwell is the human resource manager of a management consulting firm. The consultants are mostly white males and are a cohesive group. Very few conflicts exist between them and decisions are made quickly and without much disagreement. A number of the qualified applicants for new positions are multicultural and Ray wonders if he should consider hiring them. He is currently assessing the advantages and disadvantages of the firm's becoming more multicultural.
Refer to Scenario 8.1. If Ray wants to hire the ethnic group that is expected to increase by the greatest percentage of the U.S. workforce over the next decade, he would hire more

A) Hispanics.
B) African Americans.
C) whites.
D) Asians.
E) Native Americans.

Question 31

Sung says, "My employer assigns a mentor to each new hire. Employees can discuss racial or sexual harassment issues with the mentor in confidentiality. If there is any wrongdoing, my employer's rules require a thorough investigation." Sung's employer is using which organizational strategy for dealing with diversity?

A) Organizational policies
B) Diversity training
C) Organizational practices
D) Individual differences
E) Organization culture

Question 32

Scenario 8.1
Ray Caldwell is the human resource manager of a management consulting firm. The consultants are mostly white males and are a cohesive group. Very few conflicts exist between them and decisions are made quickly and without much disagreement. A number of the qualified applicants for new positions are multicultural and Ray wonders if he should consider hiring them. He is currently assessing the advantages and disadvantages of the firm's becoming more multicultural.
Refer to Scenario 8.1. Ray understands that an increase in diversity will require certain individual strategies for dealing with multiculturalism. Which of the following is NOT such a strategy?

A) Understanding
B) Separation
C) Empathy
D) Tolerance
E) Communication

Question 33

Employees who add value to the firm because of their expertise, background, or training are called ____ workers.

A) knowledge
B) conflict
C) integration
D) network
E) structural

Question 34

When employees in a company tolerate and empathize with other coworkers, then there is most likely ____ in the company.

A) pluralism
B) full structural integration
C) an absence of prejudice and discrimination
D) low levels of intergroup conflict
E) increased bias

Question 35

Scenario 8.1
Ray Caldwell is the human resource manager of a management consulting firm. The consultants are mostly white males and are a cohesive group. Very few conflicts exist between them and decisions are made quickly and without much disagreement. A number of the qualified applicants for new positions are multicultural and Ray wonders if he should consider hiring them. He is currently assessing the advantages and disadvantages of the firm's becoming more multicultural.
Refer to Scenario 8.1. Ray wants to find a good example of an organization that is truly multicultural. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of such an organization?

A) Pluralism
B) Low levels of internal conflict
C) No barriers to entry and participation in any organizational activity
D) Organizational roles identified with particular cultural groups
E) The diversity of the organization accurately reflecting its market

Question 36

The essence of EEO legislation encourages companies to recognize employees' individual differences as long as people are treated fairly.

Question 37

Scenario 8.1
Ray Caldwell is the human resource manager of a management consulting firm. The consultants are mostly white males and are a cohesive group. Very few conflicts exist between them and decisions are made quickly and without much disagreement. A number of the qualified applicants for new positions are multicultural and Ray wonders if he should consider hiring them. He is currently assessing the advantages and disadvantages of the firm's becoming more multicultural.
Refer to Scenario 8.1. Which of the following arguments can Ray NOT use for justifying the contribution of diversity to competitiveness?

A) Diversity leads to higher levels of productivity and lower levels of absenteeism.
B) Diversity creates a better understanding of different market segments and how to market products to them.
C) Diversity is likely to generate new ideas and better ways of doing things.
D) Diversity creates a larger pool of unique information that can be brought to bear on problems.
E) Diversity narrows the perspective of organizations, permitting them to make decisions more quickly.

Question 38

At an elementary school, administrators provide a class that teaches individuals how to appreciate individual differences in the organization. These efforts are known as ____ training.

A) diversity
B) conflict
C) integration
D) informal network
E) structure

Question 39

The problem-solving argument for diversity suggests that an increased pool of information is achieved when companies hire employees with different individual characteristics.

Question 40

The average age of the workforce in the United States is actually decreasing despite the large numbers of baby boomers who are remaining in the labor market.

Question 41

Discuss the characteristics of a multicultural organization.

Question 42

Some evidence suggests that, despite generational differences, there tends to be little conflict between older and younger women in the workplace.

Question 43

The marketing argument assumes that diverse companies will have a better understanding of their different market segments.

Question 44

The major policy through which a company can present its position on diversity is the mission statement.

Question 45

Summarize the six arguments that are used to describe how diversity contributes to competitiveness.

Question 46

What are some factors that have led to increased diversity in the workforce?

Question 47

What are some similarities among people in the workforce? What are some differences?

Question 48

While immigration and a living wage are key social issues that companies face, prison labor is considered to be more of a legal issue.

Question 49

Which is preferable, identical treatment or equitable treatment? Give examples to support your opinion.

Question 50

Some organizations provide language training as a way to reinforce diversity efforts.