St. Johns University

BUSINESS 401A

Chapter-1

1)Which of the following statements about organizational behaviour (OB) is false?

1. 1. OB is relevant only in employment situations.
   2. OB can shed light on the interactions among family members.
   3. OB can be used in community settings like children’s daycare centres.
   4. OB can be applied to any organization in order to make it run more effectively.
   5. OB focuses on 3 levels of behaviour that can occur in any organization.
2. Which of the following situations would likely receive the least benefit from studying Organizational Behaviour(OB)

techniques?

1. 1. voluntary community groups b.large family situations and interactions

c. post-secondary education student study groups d.religious organizations

e. pre-teen paper routes

3. A field of study that investigates the impact of individuals, groups, and structure on behaviour within organizations is known

as

1. 1. psychology. b.sociology. c.social psychology. d.anthropology.

e. organizational behaviour.

4. A consciously coordinated social unit composed of a group of people that function on a relatively continuous basis to achieve a

common set of goals is known as a(n)

4. 1. work group. b.team. c.organization. d.society. e.task force.
5. Which of the following topics is generally considered to be outside the field of OB?
   1. therapy b.absenteeism c.employment turnover d.productivity e.job satisfaction

6 Organizational behaviour is generally defined as a field of study that

1. investigates how organizations effectively face competition.
2. investigates the impact that individuals, groups, and structure have on behaviour within organizations.
3. attempts to understand and solve problems regarding individual behaviour on and off the job.
4. seeks ways and means to match human effort with technology.
5. examines how the structure of different organizations contributes to, or inhibits, effective communication.

7. What are the three levels of behaviour in organizations that OB is concerned with?
   1. experience, goals and configuration
   2. individual, group, and structure
   3. structure, social units and teams d.group, structure and political e.interpersonal, personal and group

8. Which of the following is not considered an organization?
   1. church b.university c.military unit

d. all 45 year old adults in a community

e. municipal, provincial and federal government agencies

9. A(n)                              is a consciously coordinated social unit composed of two or more people that functions on a relatively

continuous basis to achieve a common goal or set of goals.

9. 1. organization b.unit c.team d.ethnic group e.informal group
10. Individuals face various challenges in organizational settings. Which of the following organizational challenges is OB be best

suited for

a. maintaining stock prices. b.profit projection.

c. setting common goals. d.time management. e.protocol on the job.

11. As employees move beyond their traditional function of labour, what roles are they asked to play?

1. making job satisfaction an extremely high priority
2. focusing on making workplaces pleasant environments
3. sharing in decision-making processes
4. managing global competition e.following orders

12. When managers empower their employees they are

1. re-engineering the workplace.
2. establishing a new program of TQM.
3. developing new styles of leadership.
4. developing ways of more effectively controlling work.
5. putting employees in charge of what they do.

13. Which of the following is the most accurate description of ethics?

1. Ethics are easy to implement at the organizational level as best illustrated at Enron Corporation.
2. Ethics look at past personal traumas.
3. Ethics is common sense that informs us as to whether our actions are right or wrong.
4. Ethics is the study of moral values that guide our behaviour.
5. Ethics help us do the “right” thing.

14. Toronto-based Dell Canada’s technical service lines are handled by technicians located in India. This is an example of

a. repatriation. b.immigration. c.emigration. d.nationalism.

e. outsourcing.

15. Which of the following is true about empowerment?

1. was embraced by classical OB experts
2. managers learn how to give up control
3. allows employees to delegate more to peers d.focuses primarily on job productivity e.employees to do less work

16. Which of the following is true about ethics?

1. is easy to implement at the organizational level, as best illustrated at Enron Corporation
2. is the study of consciously coordinated social units c.aims to understand motivations for individual behaviours

d. informs us as to whether a job is intrinsically rewarding e.helps us do the “right” thing

17. A characteristic of Johan’s department is that there is a broad mix of people in terms of gender, race

and ethnicity. This is known as

1. diversity.
2. empowerment. c.groupthink. d.ethics. e.individual differences.

18. Giselle is using a spreadsheet to measure each employee’s efficiency and effectiveness. This is known as the employee’s

1. performance.
2. productivity.
3. diversity.
4. culture.

19. Working with others and workplace diversity are challenges at the                                                          

level.

1. ethical
2. individual
3. group
4. organizational
5. motivational

20. Everyone loves to work for Peter because he gives them complete responsibility for what they do. This is known as

a. motivation. b.individual differences. c.empowerment. d.diversity. e.ethics.

21. Zeke is an employee who achieves his goals. This shows Zeke is

a. performing. b.efficient. c.effective. d.motivated. e.diverse.

22. Workforce diversity is

1. counter-productive to job satisfaction.
2. the variance among workers’ pay scales.
3. the distribution of workers by hair colour.
4. the differences among employees based on age.
5. the ratio of assistants to managers.

23. Employee productivity, developing effective employees, and developing a positive work environment are challenges at the

                          level.

1. ethical
2. individual
3. group
4. organizational
5. motivational

24. Whereas                               requires organizations to be flexible in working with organizations and people from different countries,

                          requires employees to be flexible when working with others within the organization.

1. workforce diversity; globalization
2. globalization; workforce diversity
3. culture; diversity
4. culturization; workforce diversity
5. globalization; culturization

25. Sanjay is a very motivated employee who typically does work that is not part of his formal job responsibilities but which

furthers the objectives of the organization. This is known as

1. groupthink.
2. organizational citizenship behaviour.
3. diversity. d.individual differences. e.efficiency.

26. Why should you increase your understanding of workforce diversity?

a. to be politically correct b.the Canadian workplace is becoming more homogenous

3. to eliminate differences amongst employees
4. the Canadian workplace is becoming more heterogeneous
5. to communicate more proficiently

27. The practice of sharing more power with employees is known as

a. risk taking. b.empowerment. c.sociology d.psychology. e.contingency.

28. How organizations develop human strengths, foster vitality and resilience, and unlock potential is called

a. orientation. b.groupthink. c. positive organizational scholarship.

d. human dynamics. e.organizational politics.

29. In all of his undertakings at work, Norm is a leader who looks to do the right thing. This refers to his

a. efficiency. b.effectiveness. c.performance.

d. ethics. e.motivation.

30. Tina is known to produce large amounts of work without having to exert much effort. Tina is

a. diverse. b.efficient. c.effective. d.motivated. e.ethical.

31. A high rate of employee turnover increases

a. bottom up management. b.recruiting costs.

c. positive organizational scholarship. d.workplace diversity. e.individual difference.

32. Tom noticed that there is a wide variety of personalities, perception and attitudes among his staff members, which he believes

affects how they behave. These are known as

a. empowerment. b.job satisfaction. c.groupthink. d.individual differences.

e.motivation.

33.                           is achievement of goals.

1. Efficiency
2. Effectiveness

34. Which of the following is an example of being an efficient organization or employee?

1. operating a hospital at the lowest possible cost while achieving higher output
2. being the most pleasant real estate broker in Toronto
3. being a telemarketer who makes the required number of calls each day
4. being a sales person who acquires the most clients of anyone in the company
5. being an instructor who teaches larger classes than other instructors

35. SCENARIO 1-1Allison and Gail are both university students studying for a final exam in OB. Both students have a goal

of making a grade of 90% or better despite the time pressures they face. Gail studied diligently for six hours and made a

grade of 92%. Allison studied diligently for nine hours and also made a grade of 92%.

Which of the students was effective?

1. only Gail
2. only Allison
3. neither Gail or Allison
4. both Gail and Allison
5. It is impossible to tell from the information given.

36. SCENARIO 1-1

Allison and Gail are both university students studying for a final exam in OB. Both students have a goal of making a grade of 90%

or better despite the time pressures they face. Gail studied diligently for six hours and made a grade of 92%. Allison studied

diligently for nine hours and also made a grade of 92%. Which of the following statements is most accurate?

1. Gail is more efficient than Allison.
2. Allison is more efficient than Gail.
3. Gail is more effective than Allison.
4. Allison is more effective than Gail.
5. It is impossible to predict efficiency or effectiveness in this case.

37. SCENARIO 1-1

Allison and Gail are both university students studying for a final exam in OB. Both students have a goal of making a grade of 90%

or better despite the time pressures they face. Gail studied diligently for six hours and made a grade of 92%. Allison studied

diligently for nine hours and also made a grade of 92%. Gail appears to be the more productive student because

1. her efficiency seemed to be better than Allison’s.

2. her effectiveness seemed to be better than Allison’s.
3. her IQ is higher than Allison’s.
4. Allison didn’t seem to think that time is an important factor.
5. It is impossible to tell from the information given.

38. If today’s managers positively address and manage workforce diversity, which of the following increases?

1. employee turnover
2. miscommunications
3. interpersonal conflicts
4. creativity and innovation
5. ineffective decision making

39. SCENARIO 1-2

Sheena Black, manager of operations at New Age Manufacturing and Services Inc., is facing the challenge of keeping the

company’s manufacturing operations profitable while keeping costs down and employees satisfied with their jobs. Over the years,

Sheena has developed a leadership style that she calls a “walk-about” manager

—she spends time on the plant floor observing and

assisting employees and other managers as necessary. She has also adopted a series of contingency plans to guide problem solving

in unusual situations.

Sheena Black knows that her organization’s success is dependent upon understanding the various disciplines which have

contributed to the field of organizational behaviour. She knows that the next several years will require some major changes not

only in the technology used by the company, but in the establishment of programs and initiatives to assist other managers and

employees in overcoming workplace challenges. Sheena has identified the following priorities she will need to address:

• Empowering employees to enable them to assume greater responsibility and share decision making;
• Facilitating a2n improved climate of quality and excellence to challenge competitors in the marketplace;
• Developing a new style of leadership and management which will value diversity and respect individuals in a supportive type of

environment; and

• Carefully examining the whole realm of working conditions and devising strategies to create better job satisfaction and keep

employee loyalty.

Sheena is also aware that training must become a major focus so that employees can develop new skills and managers can learn

new ways of dealing with the problems of combining technology and human effort.

William Smith, Sheena’s boss, suggested that Sheena examine employee turnover and the effects and costs of turnover to the

company. Upon careful examination of the financial records in her department,

Sheena noted that the following was a major cost

1. design and development of new evaluation forms.
2. orientation programs for new employees.
3. resistance to new employees by the HR department.
4. recruitment, selection and training of new employees.
5. resentment of new employees by existing employees.

40. SCENARIO 1-2

Sheena Black, manager of operations at New Age Manufacturing and Services Inc., is facing the challenge of keeping the

company’s manufacturing operations profitable while keeping costs down and employees satisfied with their jobs. Over the years,

Sheena has developed a leadership style that she calls a “walk-about” manager

—she spends time on the plant floor observing and

assisting employees and other managers as necessary. She has also adopted a series of contingency plans to guide problem solving

in unusual situations.

Sheena Black knows that her organization’s success is dependent upon understanding the various disciplines which have

contributed to the field of organizational behaviour. She knows that the next several years will require some major changes not

only in the technology used by the company, but in the establishment of programs and initiatives to assist other managers and

employees in overcoming workplace challenges. Sheena has identified the following priorities she will need to address:

• Empowering employees to enable them to assume greater responsibility and share decision making;
• Facilitating a2n improved climate of quality and excellence to challenge competitors in the marketplace;
• Developing a new style of leadership and management which will value diversity and respect individuals in a supportive type of

environment; and

• Carefully examining the whole realm of working conditions and devising strategies to create better job satisfaction and keep

employee loyalty.

Sheena is also aware that training must become a major focus so that employees can develop new skills and managers can learn

new ways of dealing with the problems of combining technology and human effort.

Sheena decided to improve company effectiveness by increasing employee job satisfaction. Sheena can accomplish this by

encouraging her managers to

1. downsize and layoff staff.
2. add new rules and regulations to govern employee behaviour.
3. emphasize to employees that efficiency and profitability are the only goals.
4. increase the use of technology.
5. empower employees, and behave ethically in all situations.

41. SCENARIO 1-2

Sheena Black, manager of operations at New Age Manufacturing and Services Inc., is facing the challenge of keeping the

company’s manufacturing operations profitable while keeping costs down and employees satisfied with their jobs. Over the years,

Sheena has developed a leadership style that she calls a “walk-about” manager

—she spends time on the plant floor observing and

assisting employees and other managers as necessary. She has also adopted a series of contingency plans to guide problem solving

in unusual situations.

Sheena Black knows that her organization’s success is dependent upon understanding the various disciplines which have

contributed to the field of organizational behaviour. She knows that the next several years will require some major changes not

only in the technology used by the company, but in the establishment of programs and initiatives to assist other managers and

employees in overcoming workplace challenges. Sheena has identified the following priorities she will need to address:

• Empowering employees to enable them to assume greater responsibility and share decision making;
• Facilitating a2n improved climate of quality and excellence to challenge competitors in the marketplace;
• Developing a new style of leadership and management which will value diversity and respect individuals in a supportive type of

environment; and

• Carefully examining the whole realm of working conditions and devising strategies to create better job satisfaction and keep

employee loyalty.

Sheena is also aware that training must become a major focus so that employees can develop new skills and managers can learn

new ways of dealing with the problems of combining technology and human effort.

As Sheena worked to develop a practical approach to the identified priorities, her frustration began to increase. She discovered that

different managers had different views about how technology should be added in to the company processes. Organizational

Behaviour would explain these different opinions as challenges

1. of globalization.
2. of behaving ethically.
3. at the individual and group level.
4. at the individual level.
5. at the group level.

42. Why do organizations that have OCB outperform those that do not?

1. OCB promotes the effective functioning of the organization.
2. OCB employees are easier to supervise.
3. OCB increases job satisfaction, increasing productivity.
4. OCB decreases recruitment, selection and training, because turnover is less.
5. OCB is rewarded by increased opportunities for promotions.

43. The OB subject of “motivation” has been most influenced by which behavioural science discipline?

1. psychology
2. social psychology c.sociology d.political science e.anthropology

44. Which behavioural science discipline contributes to OB’s understanding of group decision-making processes?

1. anthropology
2. psychology
3. social psychology
4. sociology
5. political science

45. SCENARIO 1-3

You are an OB specialist at XYZ University and have been charged with the task of bringing together faculty from different

behavioural disciplines to author a new textbook in organizational behaviour. You have faculty from the fields of psychology,

sociology, social psychology, anthropology, and political science. The key tasks here are to consider the various ideas and structure

them in such a manner as to provide a clear and plausible description of organizational behaviour and how it applies to the work

environment.

You should expect that the faculty member from which field will probably contribute information about inter-group behaviour?

1. sociology
2. psychology
3. social psychology
4. anthropology

5. political science

46. SCENARIO 1-3

You are an OB specialist at XYZ University and have been charged with the task of bringing together faculty from different

behavioural disciplines to author a new textbook in organizational behaviour. You have faculty from the fields of psychology,

sociology, social psychology, anthropology, and political science. The key tasks here are to consider the various ideas and structure

them in such a manner as to provide a clear and plausible description of organizational behaviour and how it applies to the work

environment.

Information on which of the following would be a contribution from the faculty member from psychology?

1. conflict
2. power
3. perception and learning
4. intra-organizational politics
5. political environment

47. SCENARIO 1-3

You are an OB specialist at XYZ University and have been charged with the task of bringing together faculty from different

behavioural disciplines to author a new textbook in organizational behaviour. You have faculty from the fields of psychology,

sociology, social psychology, anthropology, and political science. The key tasks here are to consider the various ideas and structure

them in such a manner as to provide a clear and plausible description of organizational behaviour and how it applies to the work

environment.

Who would you expect to address issues of communication?

1. the psychologist
2. the anthropologist
3. the political scientist
4. the social psychologist
5. the sociologist

48. SCENARIO 1-3

You are an OB specialist at XYZ University and have been charged with the task of bringing together faculty from different

behavioural disciplines to author a new textbook in organizational behaviour. You have faculty from the fields of psychology,

sociology, social psychology, anthropology, and political science. The key tasks here are to consider the various ideas and structure

them in such a manner as to provide a clear and plausible description of organizational behaviour and how it applies to the work