Principles Of Management Quiz

1. _____ developed the idea and principles of a bureaucracy.

Although today we associate the word "bureaucracy" with inefficiency and indifference to clients, it was originally put forth by Max Weber as an ideal organization design yielding maximum efficiency.

Explanation

Although today we associate the word "bureaucracy" with inefficiency and indifference to clients, it was originally put forth by Max Weber as an ideal organization design yielding maximum efficiency.

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2. Since you do NOT have the budget to give one of your direct reports a pay raise for consistent, outstanding performance, you make sure to compliment the employee throughout the year for her efforts and tell her that you will recommend her for a promotion when an opportunity appears in the department. How are you reinforcing performance?

Extinction

Negative reinforcement

Positive reinforcement

Punishment

The correct answer is positive reinforcement. As her supervisor, you are trying to reinforce her excellent performance with compliments. Since you do not have to the authority to provide a pay raise or immediate promoiton, this attempt at positive reinforcement will only work if your direct report values it enough. For example, if she is resentful that she hasn't received a pay raise after all the extra hours she's devoted to the job, then compliments alone may not work.

Explanation

The correct answer is positive reinforcement. As her supervisor, you are trying to reinforce her excellent performance with compliments. Since you do not have to the authority to provide a pay raise or immediate promoiton, this attempt at positive reinforcement will only work if your direct report values it enough. For example, if she is resentful that she hasn't received a pay raise after all the extra hours she's devoted to the job, then compliments alone may not work.

3. Juan Gonzales is a management trainee in a maquiladora plant (also called an "in bond" plant) on the Texas side of the Texas-Mexico border. He was born in Mexico and has worked in the US for the past 4 months. For his first performance appraisal review, Juan arrives 20 minutes late for the meeting with his American supervisor, Bill Wilson. Juan offers no explanation or apology for his lateness. Bill, irritated that Juan's tardiness has thrown off his morning schedule of meetings, immediately begins to discuss Juan's past performance at the plant and future goals and expectations. Juan and Bill discuss desired changes in Juan's performance, review past successes, and talk about upcoming changes in job duties. Juan senses Bill's annoyance in the meeting but doesn't understand why his boss is aggravated. Would you describe Juan's view of time as monochronic or polychronic?

Monochronic

Polychronic

Juan's behavior suggests a polychronic view of time. A monochronic view represents time as linear, limited, precise, and schedule driven. However, showing up 20 minutes late with no explanation suggests Juan views time as flexible and fluid, indicating a polychronic attitude toward time.

Explanation

Juan's behavior suggests a polychronic view of time. A monochronic view represents time as linear, limited, precise, and schedule driven. However, showing up 20 minutes late with no explanation suggests Juan views time as flexible and fluid, indicating a polychronic attitude toward time.

4. Kelly recently resigned from a six-figure job as an account manager at a pharmaceuticals firm. The job entailed working long hours and significant amounts of travel. After 10 years at the firm, she decided the stress of the job just wasn't worth it anymore and that it was more important to spend more time with her 2 young children. What type of coping strategy is Kelly using?

Control strategy

Escape strategy

Symptom management strategy

An escapte strategy amounts to avoiding the problem. A symnptom management approach involves managing the consequences of the stress. A control strategy consists of using behaviors and cognitions to get to the source of the problem and solve it. Kelly directly addressed the source of her stress (the job) in an active way. She's using a control strategy to deal with this issue.

Explanation

An escapte strategy amounts to avoiding the problem. A symnptom management approach involves managing the consequences of the stress. A control strategy consists of using behaviors and cognitions to get to the source of the problem and solve it. Kelly directly addressed the source of her stress (the job) in an active way. She's using a control strategy to deal with this issue.

5. Ellen is Jerry's direct supervisor. Adam is Ellen's direct supervisor. Jerry went directly to Adam to ask permission to take his lunch break 30 minutes earlier than normal. Adam, believing this is a reasonable request, approves the change. later, Adam was informed that the other 2 people in Jerry's department had also resceduled their lunch breaks. Thus, the department would be totally vacant from 12:00 to 1:00. Ellen, the bypassed manager, would have known about the other re-scheduled lunch breaks. Which principle of authority is being violated here?

Parity principle

Unity of command principle

Scalar principle

Span of control

According to the parity principle, employeees must have both authority and responsibility. In accordance with the scalar principle, authority flows through the chain of managers one link at a time. In this example, Jerry skipped a link the chain of command when he bypassed Ellen's authority by going directly to her supervisor, Adam. In other words, he violated the sclar principle. As a result, the office workflows were interrupted.

Explanation

According to the parity principle, employeees must have both authority and responsibility. In accordance with the scalar principle, authority flows through the chain of managers one link at a time. In this example, Jerry skipped a link the chain of command when he bypassed Ellen's authority by going directly to her supervisor, Adam. In other words, he violated the sclar principle. As a result, the office workflows were interrupted.