Deck 7: Constraints Onmanagers

Question 1

Wendell interviews many middle-level managers and discovers that these individuals believe that external factors constrain managers' influence over outcomes. The mid-level managers have a(n) ________ view of management.

A) traditional
B) omnipotent
C) omniscient
D) symbolic

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Internal constraints that influence managers' decisions and actions come from the ________.

A) attitudes of customers
B) culture of the organization
C) prevailing political conditions
D) fluctuations in the stock market

Answer 2

B

Question 3

In a short essay, differentiate between the symbolic view and the omnipotent view of management. Include specific examples of each view to support your answer.

Answer 3

a. In the omnipotent view, differences in an organization's performance are assumed to be due to decisions and actions of its managers. Good managers anticipate change, exploit opportunities, correct poor performance, and lead their organizations. When things go well and profits are up, managers take the credit and are rewarded-even if they had little to do with achieving the positive outcomes. When profits are down, top managers are often fired in the belief that "new blood" will bring improved results. Coaches are often released following a poor season as they are considered the "managers" of their teams.
b. The symbolic view holds that a manager's ability to affect performance outcomes is influenced and constrained by external factors. According to this view, it's unreasonable to expect managers to significantly affect an organization's performance. Instead, performance is influenced by factors over which managers have little control such as the economy, customers, governmental policies, competitors' actions, industry conditions, and decisions made by previous managers. This view is labeled "symbolic" because it's based on the belief that managers symbolize control and influence by developing plans, making decisions, and engaging in other managerial activities to make sense out of random, confusing, and ambiguous situations. However, the actual part that managers play in organizational success or failure is limited.
In the 1990s Cisco Systems was the picture of success. Growing rapidly, it was widely praised by analysts for its "brilliant strategy, masterful management of acquisitions and superb customer focus." As Cisco's performance declined during the early part of the 21st century, analysts said that its strategy was flawed, its acquisition approach was haphazard, and its customer service was poor. The symbolic view would suggest that declining performance was due to the external circumstances beyond the control of the managers.

Question 4

The soccer league in England is notorious for the number of team managers fired over the course of a single season, which stands at no fewer than eight managers on average, owing to poor team form and consequently, poor results. It is evident from this information that the league endorses a(n) ________ view of management.

A) symbolic
B) omnipotent
C) impotent
D) omniscient

Question 5

Calvin's goals for the coming year include specific targets for increasing market share and quantity of units shipped. If he succeeds, he will be handsomely rewarded. If he fails, he is likely to be replaced. Judging from this, it would appear that Calvin's employer subscribes to the ________.

A) symbolic view of management
B) omnipotent view of management
C) impotent view of management
D) omniscient view of management

Question 6

The ________ view of management is consistent with the stereotypical picture of the take-charge business executive who can overcome any obstacle in carrying out the organization's objectives.

A) omnipotent
B) impotent
C) omniscient
D) symbolic

Question 7

Wendell notices that the company's top executives share a belief that managers are directly responsible for the organization's success or failure. This belief reflects a(n) ________ view of management.

A) traditional
B) omnipotent
C) omniscient
D) symbolic

Question 8

The view of managers as omnipotent is consistent with the stereotypical picture of the take-charge business executive who can overcome any obstacle in carrying out the organization's objectives.

Question 9

Elmo Research & Development has been going through a rough patch lately. Turnover has been high and employee morale is at an all-time low. Though employees and competitors hold management responsible for the decline, the CEO does not let the managers go or change the management style. Which of the following could explain this attitude?

A) The CEO holds the omnipotent view of management, which asserts that external factors have a significant effect on performance outcomes.
B) Because the organization has a "take-charge" management style, the employees are responsible for organizational policies.
C) The CEO is unresponsive to the criticisms from stakeholders.
D) The CEO holds the view that managers have only a limited role in organization success or failure.

Question 10

The symbolic view of management is based upon the belief that managers symbolize ________.

A) control and influence by developing plans and making decisions
B) every aspect of an organization's performance, from the top level to the operational level
C) the fluctuating fortunes of the organization as they alternate between profits and losses
D) the take-charge executive who overcomes any obstacle to see that the organization achieves its goals

Question 11

Which of the following most accurately reflects the symbolic view of management?

A) Managers are directly responsible for an organization's success or failure.
B) Managers have to ensure that every obstacle is overcome on the way to achieving the organization's goals.
C) External forces are responsible for an organization's success or failure.
D) Employees are directly responsible for an organization's success or failure.

Question 12

If mortgage interest rates increase, this would be an example of changing ________ conditions in a firm's external environment.

A) economic
B) political
C) sociocultural
D) financial

Question 13

The ________ component of an organization's external environment is concerned with trends in population characteristics such as age, race, gender, education level, geographic location, income, and family composition.

A) economic
B) political
C) demographic
D) sociocultural

Question 14

Which one of the following represents the two views of managerial impact on the success or failure of the organization?

A) omnipotent and symbolic
B) omnipotent and reflective
C) symbolic and interactive
D) reflective and interactive

Question 15

The dominant view in management theory suggests that ________.

A) an organization's success or failure is due to external forces outside managers' control
B) managers' roles are increasingly becoming peripheral and staff manage their own areas of expertise
C) managers are directly responsible for an organization's success or failure
D) managers cannot significantly affect an organization's performance because they are constrained by the abilities of their employees

Question 16

Which of the following factors is an economic component of an organization's external environment?

A) The employees of the organization have, on average, 2.3 children.
B) The average customer of a firm has a high school education.
C) The firm's customers' disposable income falls in the range of $25,000-$40,000.
D) Most of the firm's customers live in the Midwest.

Question 17

The symbolic view of management impact is useful in explaining the high turnover among sports coaches, who can be considered the "managers" of their teams.

Question 18

In the symbolic view of management, managers are seen as directly responsible for an organization's success or failure.

Question 19

Which of the following factors is a demographic component of an organization's external environment?

A) lifestyles and behavior
B) political stability
C) geographic location
D) stock market fluctuations

Question 20

According to the symbolic view, managers have a(n) ________ effect on substantive organizational outcomes.

A) limited
B) extensive
C) influential
D) subtle

Question 21

Which of the following factors is a sociocultural component of an organization's external environment?

A) Most of the firm's customers have at least one year of college.
B) The government of the country holds elections whenever confidence in the current regime falters.
C) Over time, society has become more accepting of alternative lifestyles.
D) The average number of hours worked per year is increasing.

Question 22

The Metropolis News has experienced a decline in the number of subscriptions to its printed newspaper over the last five years. It seems people prefer news feeds sent to their smartphones rather than a printed paper delivered to their homes. Which component in the external environment does this change represent?

A) economic
B) political
C) demographic
D) sociocultural

Question 23

Which of the following are the two dimensions of environmental uncertainty?

A) degree of change and degree of complexity
B) degree of change and degree of volume
C) degree of complexity and degree of impact
D) degree of impact and degree of timing

Question 24

Which one of the following represents the highest level of environmental uncertainty?

A) Mario's restaurant competes against 325 others in the city; the city's ethnic mix is constantly changing.
B) Maria's is still the only restaurant in a small town. She took it over from her mother and still uses the same equipment.
C) Millie's customers expect to see new menu items regularly and want Millie to install Wi-Fi.
D) Marty has to deal with the local council, the health department, the franchisor, the zoning commission-the list keeps growing. He is grateful there are no new competitors moving in.

Question 25

D&B Designs has been in the landscape design business in Pleasantville for the past twenty years. As the "first mover" in the market, the company has built a strong market share over the years and is the best-known firm in the area. The company strength increased steadily, and now stands at fifty employees. Which of the following, if true, would make the company's business environment more uncertain?

A) Homeowners in the area take pride in their gardens and are avid do-it-yourself gardeners.
B) Demand for landscaping services dips every autumn and winter.
C) A long-time competitor quit the landscape design business last year.
D) Zoning laws in the area change as each new city council comes into power.

Question 26

Moreno's Pub Burgers has enjoyed its status as the Numero Uno hamburger restaurant in Pleasantville for the past ten years. Its only competitor is a national fast food chain preferred by children rather than adults. Which of the following, if true, would make Moreno's business environment more uncertain?

A) The fast food chain closes.
B) A new employer moves into the area, bringing hundreds of jobs and more families.
C) Moreno's buys the lot next door to expand its parking.
D) Because of the growth of Pleasantville's population, more hamburger chains build facilities in Pleasantville.

Question 27

Which of the following describes a dynamic environment?

A) Sales vary with the seasons.
B) Production methods change about once every 5 years.
C) Competitors move into and out of the industry frequently.
D) Product demand increases every year on a steady upward trend.

Question 28

Faced with incomplete information about the future national economic conditions, many employers have eschewed the tradition of hiring full-time, permanent employees in favor of ________.

A) hiring only high school graduates willing to work for lower wages
B) a reduced work week of no more than 30 hours per week per employee
C) off-shoring as many jobs as possible to reduce costs associated with government-mandated programs
D) a flexible work arrangement that includes freelancers and temporary workers

Question 29

Suppose the government of Abolonia imposed a national sales tax on its citizens that reduced their disposable income. Which component of the external environment would this affect?

A) global
B) cultural
C) demographic
D) economic

Question 30

Which of the following, if true, represents a demographic change that will affect decisions future managers make?

A) The unemployment rate is likely to continue to fall.
B) The percentage of Hispanics in the candidate pool will increase.
C) More job candidates are likely to have tattoos and body piercings.
D) More jobs will be performed by robots.

Question 31

The generational cohort that has had the most influence on the American economy is ________.

A) the Millennials born between 1994 and 2010
B) the Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964
C) Generation X born between 1964 and 1978
D) Generation Y born between 1978 and 1994

Question 32

If the components in an organization's environment exhibit minimal change, such an environment is said to be ________.

A) volatile
B) dynamic
C) stable
D) simple

Question 33

If the components of an organization's environment change frequently, the organization is operating in a ________ environment.

A) stable
B) simple
C) dynamic
D) complex

Question 34

________ are called the iGeneration, because they've grown up with technology that customizes everything to the individual.

A) Post-Millennials
B) Pre-Millennials
C) Baby Boomers
D) Gen Y-ers

Question 35

The citizens of Abolonia believe no top executive should ever earn more than 40 times the average wage of the company's employees. This is an example of ________.

A) how changes in the demographics limit the discretion managers have
B) how societal attitudes in the economic context create constraints on the decisions managers make
C) how government regulation affects the salaries executives can earn
D) a trend in the sociocultural environment that limits disposable income in the economic environment

Question 36

Thanks to iTunes and similar websites, sales of compact discs have declined severely, forcing entertainers to seek alternative revenue streams. This represents a change in the ________ component of the external environment.

A) psychological
B) behavioral
C) sociocultural
D) economic

Question 37

Gerber makes and sells baby products. A shift in the birth rate would represent a change in the ________ component of this firm's external environment.

A) psychographic
B) demographic
C) political
D) cultural

Question 38

Assume the global economy rebounds rapidly from the Great Recession. What constraint is this likely to have on decisions managers make?

A) The number of qualified candidates available for hire will become smaller.
B) Managers will be asked to eliminate positions to cut labor costs.
C) The hourly compensation average will have to fall; managers will be asked to offer less to job candidates.
D) Positions will be easier to fill as college graduates settle for lower paying jobs.

Question 39

Which of the following groups includes individuals who were born between the years 1978-1994?

A) the Gen X-ers
B) the Gen Y-ers
C) the Baby Boomers
D) Pre-Millennials

Question 40

Home prices in the area in which your real estate office operates have increased only gradually for the past several years. However, you have noticed that demand for housing in the area usually spikes in summer. Which of the following best describes your business environment?

A) stable and simple
B) dynamic and simple
C) stable and complex
D) dynamic and complex

Question 41

Which one of the following most accurately reflects the difference between strong cultures and weak cultures?

A) Strong cultures tend to encourage employees to try new approaches to changing conditions, while weak cultures do not.
B) In strong cultures, organizational values are held by top management, while in weak cultures, values are diffused throughout the organization.
C) Strong cultures have less influence on employee behavior than do weak cultures.
D) Company values are more deeply held and widely shared in strong cultures than in weak cultures.

Question 42

________ has been described as the shared values, principles, traditions, and ways of doing things that influence the way organization members act.

A) Corporate hierarchy
B) Business configuration
C) Organization culture
D) Industrial psychology

Question 43

Stephen notices that management is very concerned with the effects of outcomes on employees in the organization. This means that the management emphasizes the ________ dimension of the organization's culture.

A) stability
B) people orientation
C) aggressiveness
D) innovation and risk taking

Question 44

A dynamic environment is characterized by the absence of new competitors, few technological breakthroughs by current competitors, and little activity by pressure groups to influence the organization.

Question 45

The term ________ is used to collectively refer to any constituencies in an organization's environment that are affected by its decisions and actions.

A) competitors
B) shareholders
C) unions
D) stakeholders

Question 46

Environmental uncertainty refers to the number of components in an organization's environment and the extent of the knowledge that the organization has about those components.

Question 47

A dynamic and simple environment is characterized by the greatest level of environmental uncertainty.

Question 48

Managers have greater influence over organizational performance when relationships with the stakeholders are obvious and secure.

Question 49

An organization's competitors and employees are considered to be stakeholders who are affected by the organization's decisions and actions.

Question 50

Which one of the following statements highlights the shared aspect of culture?

A) Organizational culture is concerned with how members perceive the culture and describe it, not with whether they like it.
B) Organizational culture is not something that can be physically touched or seen, but employees perceive it on the basis of what they experience within the organization.
C) The original source of the culture of an organization reflects the vision of the organization's founders.
D) Even though individuals may have different backgrounds or work at different organizational levels, they tend to describe the organization's culture in similar terms.

Question 51

People's beliefs about conditions of economic inequality illustrate how societal attitudes can constrain managers' decisions and actions.

Question 52

Define environmental uncertainty. Briefly discuss the dimensions of environmental uncertainty.

Question 53

Which one of the following represents an important constituent of a small-town bake shop selling desserts and coffee?

A) wheat farmers in Kansas
B) the state department of revenue
C) the bakery's regular customers
D) the local campus of the community college

Question 54

Managers of high-performing companies tend to consider the interests of the most profitable stakeholder groups as they make decisions.

Question 55

In which one of the following environments do managers in an organization have the greatest influence on organizational outcomes?

A) stable and complex environments
B) dynamic and simple environments
C) stable and simple environments
D) dynamic and complex environments

Question 56

If you were talking to Todd, an average person, and asked him what the term culture meant, he would reply that it is ________.

A) the formal rules of an organization
B) the nature of products/services offered by the company
C) the shared values and practices of the firm
D) a set of operational procedures for the company

Question 57

Assume that medical science is able to extend the life expectancy in the United States by 20 years, on average. Give examples of how this will affect the decisions managers make. Respond in terms of the economic, demographic, political/legal, and sociocultural contexts.

Question 58

A person desiring to understand the culture of an organization would examine ________.

A) its formal rules
B) the nature of products/services offered by the company
C) the shared values and practices of the firm
D) a set of operational procedures for the company

Question 59

Which of the following environments is characterized by the highest level of environmental uncertainty?

A) a stable and complex environment
B) a dynamic and simple environment
C) a stable and simple environment
D) a dynamic and complex environment

Question 60

Which one of the following represents the lowest level of environmental uncertainty?

A) Mario's restaurant competes against 325 others in the city; the city's ethnic mix is constantly changing.
B) Maria's is still the only restaurant in a small town. She took it over from her mother and still uses the same equipment.
C) Millie's customers expect to see new menu items regularly and want Millie to install Wi-Fi.
D) Marty has to deal with the local council, the health department, the franchisor, the zoning commission-the list keeps growing. He is grateful there are no new competitors moving in.

Question 61

Which one of the following would make Mary realize that the company where she works has a strong culture?

A) Values are limited to the top management.
B) Upper management sends contradictory messages about what is important.
C) Most employees are aware of company history.
D) Shared values and behaviors are not connected.

Question 62

________ is a process that helps new employees learn the organization's way of doing things.

A) Inculcation
B) Socialization
C) Enculturation
D) Transculturation

Question 63

________ often act(s) as a common denominator that bonds an organization's members.

A) Rituals
B) Symbols
C) Artifacts
D) Language

Question 64

The day before Disney World in Florida was to open, the sod around one of the resort hotels had not been laid. CEO Michael Eisner took off his suit coat and tie, rolled up his sleeves, and began laying sod. He instructed his managers to do likewise but many objected, saying they did not know how to lay sod. "It's not hard, boys," said Eisner. "The green side goes up." This is an example of a ________ that reinforces culture.

A) tradition
B) ritual
C) artifact
D) story

Question 65

Which one of the following dimensions of organizational culture refers to the degree to which organizational decisions and actions emphasize maintaining the status quo?

A) stability
B) attention to detail
C) innovation and risk taking
D) people orientation

Question 66

Organizational ________ typically contain narratives about significant events or people in the organization.

A) stories
B) rituals
C) language
D) material artifacts

Question 67

The original source of an organization's culture usually reflects ________.

A) the present conditions in which the organization functions
B) the composition of its productive workforce
C) the degree of success that the organization has achieved
D) the vision or mission of the organization's founder

Question 68

Which one of the following is an example of a material artifact or symbol?

A) The lines on the parking lot are repainted every year.
B) The offices of upper management are carpeted; the offices of administrative personnel have tile floors.
C) The company sponsors a local youth sports team.
D) Incoming calls are answered by a live person.

Question 69

Bethany works for an international accounting firm noted for its superior quality of work. Employees check and double-check their work. The culture of this firm emphasizes ________.

A) attention to detail
B) outcomes
C) people
D) teams

Question 70

Martha is concerned with the degree to which managers focus on results rather than the techniques and processes used to achieve those results. In other words, Martha is concerned that the company will emphasize ________ over other dimensions of the organizational culture.

A) stability
B) aggressiveness
C) attention to detail
D) outcome orientation

Question 71

If Nanette is able to strengthen the culture of her organization, which one of the following could she reasonably expect as a result?

A) an increase in absenteeism
B) a decrease in employee turnover
C) an increase in her stock trading price
D) a decrease in health insurance costs

Question 72

Google has often been cited as a model for employee satisfaction. Google takes extensive care to ensure employees have the best available conditions to perform, ranging from free snack bars, free massages, innovation rooms, spas-on-site, and many more such measures. Which dimension of organizational culture is Google said to emphasize through such measures?

A) stability
B) aggressiveness
C) people orientation
D) attention to detail

Question 73

Which one of the following is a disadvantage of having a strong organizational culture?

A) high employee turnover
B) decreased organizational performance
C) low loyalty towards the organization
D) inability to respond to changing conditions

Question 74

An organization's culture can be perpetuated by ________.

A) selecting candidates for employment who share the organizations values
B) displaying artifacts that exemplify the culture
C) taking advantage of employees' suggestions for improvement
D) expecting managers to produce results

Question 75

________ help anchor the present in the past, provide explanations and legitimacy for current practices, exemplify what is important to the organization, and provide compelling pictures of an organization's goals.

A) Rituals
B) Symbols
C) Stories
D) Artifacts

Question 76

Which one of the following is a characteristic of an organization with a strong culture?

A) Management strives to delink shared values from behaviors as much as possible.
B) Culture conveys consistent messages about what is important to the organization.
C) The core set of organizational values is zealously guarded by the management.
D) Emphasis is laid on the future of the organization, rather than acquainting employees with company history or past heroes.

Question 77

If Melody wanted to build a strong culture, which of these actions would help most?

A) She and other managers should often tell stories about the company "heroes" and encourage employees to emulate their behavior.
B) She should allow employees to pursue activities they believe will contribute to future company growth.
C) She should encourage employees to continue their education and establish a tuition assistance program.
D) She should hold an annual retreat at which upper management develops a values statement.

Question 78

Employees at Ottobath Corporation are encouraged to submit their ideas for improvements to processes and for new products. Ottobath likely possesses a high degree of ________.

A) people orientation
B) team orientation
C) innovation and risk taking
D) aggressiveness

Question 79

Which of the following is an example of a corporate ritual?

A) Joe and Ed swap stories about the company's history and past heroes who have made significant contributions to the company.
B) Company executives use company-specific jargon or slogans intended to inspire other employees to perform better.
C) Every customer who buys a new car at Eby Ford and Lincoln rings a gong and is rewarded with applause from the entire sales staff.
D) In the reception lobby is an assortment of material artifacts such as trade magazines, industry awards, photos of the employees-of-the-month, and samples of products.

Question 80

The term ________ refers to repetitive sequences of activities that express and reinforce the important values and goals of the organization.

A) organizational culture
B) corporate rituals
C) corporate rites
D) employee mentoring