Q&A Hero

Q: How can you determine whether the CSR efforts reflect genuine beliefs or serve a marketing purpose? A) CSR initiatives are aligned with the organization's strategy B) The amount of money committed to the CSR initiatives has a positive correlation with the value the company places on CSR C) Organizations with genuine beliefs in CSR will involve their employees in the projects because of the personal benefits working on the initiative provide D) If companies heavily advertise their CSR initiatives, their commitment is probably only to the marketing aspect

Q: An organization is committed to various CSR initiatives in their business practices and they encourage employee involvement as well by coordinating volunteer events such as Habitat for Humanity, participating in the March of Dimes, and seeking out opportunities for employees to apply their workplace skills to help non-profit organizations. Through participation in these activities, an employee's ________ may change but their ________ is/are less likely to change. A) Morals; morale B) Morale; morals C) Organizational ethics; organizational commitment D) Organizational commitment; organizational ethics

Q: As U.S.-based organizations move into developing countries, they are no longer subject to U.S. employment law and the strict standards that would be required for the equivalent operation in the States and overhead and operating expenses are a fraction of what a State-side location's would be. Even with low pay and harsh working conditions, they find workers eager to fill positions, and that doesn't incentivize improvements in the working conditions. With competition driving down prices in the U.S. while costs are holding steady or rising, the trend has been to relocate manufacturing facilities and even some service centers from the US. to developing countries. There are obvious economic incentives in the reduced operating and labor costs, and the potential for tax breaks and incentives from the host country's government can make offshoring more attractive. Despite the economic benefits, there is evidence that should serve as a cautionary tale. What provides a warning that this is not a good practice to continue? A) Economic sustainability B) It is unethical C) Countries are mandating work standards D) Tragedy of the commons

Q: Which of the following is true of a B or Benefit corporation? A) Non-profit B) Established to ensure serving a social and/or environmental responsibility are/is considered along with profits during strategic decisions C) Employees have more integrity D) All of the above

Q: What is the major criticism of the shareholder model? A) Serving shareholders is the primary responsibility of businesses B) Organizations are a driving force of capitalism C) Organizations need to serve their employees before they attend to shareholders D) Organizations should remain privately held so they independently make decisions

Q: Which of the following is a tactic of ethical concern involving an organization and a government official? A) Favoritism B) Pay-to-play scheme C) Open voting D) Exclusive network tactic

Q: To maintain integrity in an organization, all of the following must be done except ________. A) Track and respond to ethical lapses at the individual level B) Utilize integrity as a criteria for hiring new employees C) Maintain oversight over the organization's actions D) Maintain systems to report ethical lapses quickly

Q: Organization Z consistently displays an organizational culture of integrity and high ethical standards. What aspect will not necessarily be present in Organization Z's culture? A) Employees have internalized Organization Z's ethics B) Rationales of consequences, including ethical implications, are examined in the decision making process C) Subordinates (respectfully) disagree and offer their opinions and ideas to superiors when they feel the action would not be congruent with the organization's values D) Well organized teams that share leadership to develop members' skills

Q: You place a lot of value on earning your degree, but there are several classes that you take only because they are included in your degree plan. Given a choice, you would never have enrolled in those classes. What best describes your degree and those dreaded required courses? A) Your degree is a terminal goal and classes are instrumental as a means to an end and are not inherently valued B) Your degree is an instrumental goal and classes are terminal goals you value as a means to an end and are not inherently valued C) The classes you take are intrinsically valuable because they lead you to your extrinsically valued terminal goal of a degree D) The social goal is achieving the degree and you only value what will be recognized by othersthe process of how you get there is not valued

Q: Which of the following is not a primary cultural value? A) Human B) Pragmatism C) Intellectual D) Ethicality

Q: What is the difference between terminal and instrumental values? A) Terminal values are what you do and instrumental values are what you want B) Terminal values are what you do and instrumental values are what you value C) Terminal values are what you want and instrumental values how you reach your terminal values D) Instrumental values are what you want and terminal values are how you reach your instrumental values

Q: Your professor gives you a writing assignment to explain your personal and professional life in 10 years. What is a prerequisite of this assignment? A) The process of value clarification B) Engaging in creative problem solving C) Examining your individual ethics to predict results of your choices D) Articulating your strategy personal development

Q: How are values different from ethics? A) Ethics are based rule adherence; values are beliefs that guide decision making B) Ethics are what people dothe result of their decision; values are their deeply held beliefs C) Values help determine right and wrong; ethics are mainly applied when judging other people D) Your ethical beliefs contain your values

Q: Which is not a category of ethical discussion? A) Philosophical B) Applied C) General D) Normative

Q: When your manager explains the company motivation for beginning CSR initiatives, she includes aspects from the business case approach and from the ethical mandate approach in her rationale. Is this possible? A) No; the organization can't do both at the same time B) No; one has to be the deciding factor C) Yes; ultimately companies develop their rationale based on their values and their future in mind so they can incorporate aspects from both strategies into their reason for adopting these initiatives D) Yes; the aspect of the two approaches are similar and neither approach may have driven their decision to engage in CSR. It just worked out that way

Q: The ethical mandate for CSR is focused on ________. A) A cost benefit analysis of the financial impact. Net loss means the initiative is not strategically serving the organization and they shouldn't engage in CSR. Net gain means the company will benefit financially from engaging in CSR and should proceed with their initiatives B) The resulting benefits for the organization and whether it serves a strategic purpose and provides stability and sustainability C) Providing evidence that the initiatives benefit the company in at least two ways. For example: installing solar panels to help power the organization shows environmental sustainability and an economic return on their investment by reduced electric costs, which will pay for the panels in a relatively short time D) The belief that companies are ethically responsible for their communities and employees. These actions make a contribution to and reflect company values that CSR is their ethical responsibility and is prompted by their values and integrity to be a good steward

Q: The business case for CSR justifies initiatives ________. A) Through a cost benefit analysis of the financial impact. Net loss means the initiative is not strategically serving the organization and they shouldn't engage in CSR. Net gain means the company will benefit financially from engaging in CSR and should proceed with their initiatives B) Through the resulting benefits for the organization that serve a strategic purpose and provide stability and sustainability C) By providing evidence that the initiatives benefit the company in at least two ways. For example: installing solar panels to help power the organization shows environmental sustainability and an economic return on their investment by reduced electric costs, which will pay for the panels in a relatively short time D) For the company's ethical responsibility to engage in CSR activities. These actions make a contribution to and reflect company values that CSR is their ethical responsibility and is prompted by their values and integrity to be a good steward

Q: Which of the following is an aspect of the triple bottom line? A) All organizations have a responsibility to their employees B) Companies have a responsibility for their employees and community C) Corporations can only engage in CSR when profitable D) Environmental sustainability only applies to organizations using raw materials

Q: Which of the following contains the argument that companies should provide insurance and a living wage to their employees? A) Economic viability B) Corporate social responsibility C) Ethical operations D) Human sustainability

Q: You are having trouble deciding between four equally attractive job offers, so you decide to investigate the CSR initiatives of each potential employer to break the tie: best CSR wins! Which organization's job offer will you accept? A) Org A does not make intentional recruitment efforts; workforce is not reflective of employment pool B) Org B has a workforce reflective of the employment pool; change was guided by mandate C) Org C provides a half day of unpaid leave every other week and encourages employees to use the time for wellness and/or volunteer activities D) Org D upgraded tech hardware to maintain compatibility with client systems and as a result, their energy use dropped nearly 15%

Q: What lesson from the "tragedy of the commons" can you apply personally? A) One person can have an impact on environmental sustainability B) Actions of the many outweigh the actions of a few C) Small exploits by many lead to system failure D) It is not applicable to individuals

Q: Why should an organization learn from the "tragedy of the commons?" A) If your organization behaves responsibly, other organizations will take advantage of your absence in the competition. These actions of will negatively impact the sustainability of your organization because the price of goods and services will be undercut by your competition and deplete environmental resources B) The costs of not managing, or even exploiting, resources that aren't controlled are not sustainable and can cause organizational crisis C) To protect self-interest, an organization should back industry reforms whenever possible because the power of change is extra-organizational D) Mismanagement of human resources creates a ripple effect that can product huge impacts

Q: After hearing about CSR and its benefits, you are convinced that your organization must establish a CSR initiative. Despite your low-ranking organizational position, you have been able to confirm a chance to speak at the board meeting later this month. This may be your only opportunity, so you want to present your best justification. With the pressure on, what are the critical points you will make and what other factors will you include to make your case?

Q: Why are corporate social responsibility, ethics, and sustainability relevant for organizational behavior? A) Many organizations are demonstrating an increased awareness of the impact their activities have on society and the environment B) Many organizations are incorporating these topics into their leadership development programs to enact change throughout their organizations C) Customers are demanding these elements from the organizations they patronize D) Under U.S. law, each of these topics is to be proactively managed by all organizations by 2020

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Q: What kind of change must organizations engage in if the federal government were to raise the minimum wage?A) Unplanned changeB) Internal changes in outcomesC) Incremental changeD) Externally driven change

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Q: Which of the following will not reduce your level of stress?A) Utilize self-help resources such as websites, books, and recordingsB) Actively seek support from your social networkC) Engage in an activity you find enjoyable like listening to music or exercisingD) Push through so you can raise your stress tolerance

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Q: Which best describes the relationship between creativity and innovation?A) Creativity is the idea and innovation is the resultB) Creativity comes from individuals and innovations are made by groupsC) Creativity is the first step in the innovation processD) Creativity becomes innovation when the creative idea or product is adopted by the organization or marketplace

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Q: Which factors make up creativity?A) Creativity and innovationB) Trial and errorC) Innovation and diffusion of innovationD) Individual and work related

Q: What is disrupted in disruptive innovation?A) The status quoB) The innovative processC) Consumer acceptanceD) Introduction to consumers

Q: What drives appreciative inquiry?A) Self-fulfillmentB) Internal forcesC) External forcesD) Creative process improvements

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Q: You have probably used a process similar to the force field model in your personal life. How might you have done this?A) To change your beliefs or culture to fit in with a groupB) When you make a list of pros and cons to help you decideC) Every time you decide on a certain course of actionD) When you are making complex decisions

Q: Can organizations change more than one thing at a time?A) Yes; internally and externally driven forces dictate that changes have to occur, not wait in a queueB) No; the models can't work together or employees will get confusedC) Yes; they can only work on changes following one model at a timeD) No; managing one change is hard enough. More than one change would place undue stress on an already taxed management team

Q: Which best describes incremental change?A) Changing the organization's culture to respond to internal forces such as poor morale among employeesB) This type of change prompts a company to reinvent themselves because the changes are so extensive and gradual they don't resemble the company they were before the changeC) Gradual changes over time such as an organization increasing their online presence and decreasing their brick and mortar presenceD) This type of change is more resistant to social and cultural factors

Q: Strategic changes in organizations can fail for all of the following reasons except ________.A) Employees don't have the skills or ability to perform after the changeB) Employees try to change on their ownC) Employees may not believe in the change or where the company is headedD) Employees can't tolerate the uncertainty and stress when anticipating and during a change

Q: Can the factors of psychology and culture be drivers of change or work to constrain change?A) These factors drive change. If you are trying to change a process and your employees are open to the idea and willing to change, it will be far easier to make and retain the changeB) These are the factors that constrain change. People don't always want to change; we are creatures of habitC) These two factors can act as both drivers and constraints in the change processD) Normally they constrain change but they can drive change. It is situationally dependent

Q: Organizational change focuses change efforts on which of the following?A) Planned or unplanned changesB) Rapid or incremental changesC) Structure, process, or outcomeD) Culture, hierarchical structure, or innovation

Q: You are considering applying to the Delphi Corp., but you want to be a good cultural fit with the organization. You scour their website and conclude they are a formal professional organization with high expectations. You don't want to work in such a high pressure uptight organization, so you decide to continue your job hunt. How were you able to draw conclusions about Delphi's culture? A) Studying their espoused values B) Skyping with the HR manager C) Examining artifacts on their website D) Applying the iceberg metaphor for studying their culture

Q: Ideally, an organization's culture should be linked to an organization's ________. A) Culture B) Workforce C) Strategy D) Socialization

Q: What happens when a single subculture dominates in an organization? A) Majority rules and members of that subculture assume leadership positions B) The subculture becomes the new overall culture C) Employees will adapt to the new dynamic D) The organization's strategy will be influenced by that subculture

Q: When has an employee adapted to the organization's culture? A) After orientation B) Before socialization C) After 90 days D) After accepting culture

Q: Which act of socialization involves telling newcomers about what is important to the organization? A) Defining what is important B) Reframing what is important C) Rewarding and punishing what is important D) Showing the way

Q: How does an organization maintain consistent values and beliefs over time? A) Retaining a small workforce of 20 or fewer employees B) Effective socialization C) Rewarding employees who maintain consistent values and beliefs D) Utilizing a role model or mentor program

Q: As an expatriate getting ready for your first assignment, understanding as much as possible about the host country's culture is essential. Why? Provide at least two examples based on different cultural dimensions.

Q: What does a low score on the masculinity dimension (as defined by Hofstede) indicate about a culture? A) There is more assertiveness and competitiveness B) There is little difference between gender roles C) There is a vast difference between gender roles D) A conclusion can't be made without the additional dimensions

Q: What is a best practice when managing a group of subordinates in an individualistic culture? A) Recognize an individual's effort toward the team project in weekly meetings B) Recognize the group's effort toward the team project in weekly meetings C) Recognize an individual's efforts privately with that individual D) Recognize the group's effort privately with each individual of the team

Q: Your company encourages innovative ideas, and perseverance in the face of failure, to maintain their status as industry leader. Your company just made a new acquisition and they want to keep doing what their customers expect, delivering on a proven background of experience and tradition. What is the cultural dimension that differs between the organizations? A) Power distance B) Individualism vs. collectivism C) Uncertainty avoidance D) Time orientation

Q: Which of Hofstede's cultural dimensions has the biggest impact on values and beliefs? A) Power distance B) Individualism vs. collectivism C) Uncertainty avoidance D) None of the above

Q: What do the members of Alpha Inc.'s professional subculture have in common? A) They work in desk based rather than field based jobs B) They are all engineers C) They have the financial success of Alpha as a primary focus D) They are Alpha's dominant subculture

Q: Which of the following is not a primary subculture found in organizations? A) Productive B) Executive C) Operational D) Professional

Q: What is the most effective type of organizational culture for an "as seen on TV" product manufacturer to adopt? A) Clan B) Adhocracy C) Hierarchy D) Market driven

Q: While some cultural concepts apply in both national and organizational settings, some don't. In what context should the competing values framework be utilized? A) National B) Social C) Cultural D) Organizational

Q: In what way is culture motivational? A) Helps to establish and meet goals at the individual and organizational levels B) Establishes acceptable standards and behavior C) Provides a shared identity and fulfills a need for belonging D) Helps in understanding what to expect at first

Q: Where on the iceberg should you look if you want to know about the day-to-day experience of employees working in that organization's culture? A) The visible organization B) Above the water line C) At the water line D) Below the water line

Q: The competing values framework describes how organizations must choose between different cultural values along two dimensions. What are the two dimensions? A) External and control B) Flexibility and internal C) Control and organizational focus D) Dominant and secondary

Q: Is it possible for two people working on the same team to have different perceptions of the organization's culture? Why or why not?

Q: Organization X offers monetary rewards to motivate their employees to work faster and be more productive. Organization Y motivates their employees with a leadership development program, empowerment, and job enrichment. What basic assumption is different for these two organizations? A) Reality B) Space C) Human nature D) Interpersonal relationships

Q: Which of the following is not a cultural artifact? A) Asking about an organization's culture B) Graduation ceremony C) Words and sayings that are unique to the organization D) Updated and modern decor

Q: If you want to know what a culture is really like, what should you examine? A) Behavioral artifacts B) Physical artifacts C) Espoused values D) Basic assumptions

Q: What are the three dimensions of culture? A) National, organizational, social B) Organizational, group, individual C) Artifacts, espoused values, basic assumptions D) Physical, behavioral, verbal

Q: Which of the following is a verbal artifact? A) Ceremony B) Jargon C) Custom D) Ritual

Q: Which is true of an organization's culture? A) It is explicitly stated in the organization's mission statement B) It is more pronounced in publicly traded companies C) New employees learn it during their orientation D) It underlies the values, beliefs, and assumptions that are shared by individuals in an organization

Q: Are the benefits from workplace diversity reserved for medium to large businesses or can small organizations also benefit? Provide at least three reasons to support your choice.

Q: Why might a group of employees interpret the same message from management differently? A) They are from different generations B) They range in age C) They are different genders D) All of the above

Q: Why is the component of storytelling particularly useful when communicating a core message to large, diverse audiences? Explain your answer.

Q: Which of the following can be used to support and verify a message? A) Data B) Storytelling C) Climax D) Targeting