Management Fuctions and  Behavior

Assignment A

1. Explain the approaches to leadership and discuss which could be the best suitable style of leadership. Give reasons. 
2. “Communication is considered to be the most important and most effective ingredient of the management process.” Elaborate this statement and discuss the underlying concept with suitable examples. 

3. Discuss whether we need any control when everything is going as planned. 

4. Define organizational structure and explain with suitable examples, how structure and productivity can be linked to each other.

5. Define and differentiate between centralization and decentralization of authority. Critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the two systems in organizational context. 

6. Write short notes on any three of the following:-
(i) Delphi technique 

(ii) Johari Window 

(v) Informal groups

7. What are the various determinants of organizational culture? How does leadership influence the culture of an organization? 

8. Describe the responsibilities of a professional manager towards customers and society. Illustrate your answer with suitable example. 

Assignment B

Case Detail:  
Ms. Subhashini had graduated with a degree in foreign languages. As the child of a military family, she had visited many parts of the world and had travelled extensively in Europe. Despite these broadening experiences, she had never given much thought to a career until her recent divorce from Mr. Srinivas.

Needing to provide her own income, Ms. Subhashini began to look for work. After a fairly intense but unsuccessful search for a job related to her foreign language degree, she began to evaluate her other skills. She had become a proficient typist in college and decided to look into secretarial work. Although she still wanted a career utilizing her foreign language skills, she felt that the immediate financial pressures would be eased in a temporary secretarial position.

Within a short period of time, she was hired as a clerk/typist in a typing pool at Life Insurance Company. Six months later, she became the top typist in the pool and was assigned as secretary to Mrs. Arora, manager of marketing research. She was pleased to get out of the pool and to get a job that had more variety in the tasks to perform. Besides, she also got a nice raise in pay.

Everything seemed to proceed will for the next nine months. Mrs. Arora was pleased with Subhashini’s work, and she seemed happy with her work. Subhashini applied for a few other more professional jobs in other areas during this time. However, each time her application was rejected for lack of related education and/or experience in the area.

Over the next few months, Arora noticed changes in Subhashini. She did not always dress as neatly as she had in the past, she was occasionally late for work, some of her lunches extended to two hours, and most of her productive work was done in the morning hours. Arora did not wish to say anything because Subhashini had been doing an excellent job and her job tasks still were being accomplished on time. However, Subhashini’s job behavior continued to worsen. She began to be absent frequently on Mondays or Fridays. The two-hour lunch periods became standard, and her work performance began to deteriorate. In addition, Arora began to suspect that Subhashini was drinking heavily, due to her appearance some mornings and behavior after her two-hour lunches.

Arora decided that she must confront Subhashini with the problem. However, she wanted to find a way to help her without losing a valuable employee. Before she could set up a meeting, Subhashini burst through her door after lunch one day and said:

“I want to talk to you Mrs. Arora.”

“That’s fine,” Arora replied, “Shall we set a convenient time?”

“No! I want to talk now.”

“OK, why don’t we sit down and let’s talk?”

Arora noticed that Subhashini was slurring her words slightly and she was not too steady.

“Mrs. Arora, I need some vacation time.”

“I’m sure we can work that out. You’ve been with the company for over a year and have two weeks’ vacation coming.”

“No, we don’t understand. I want to start it tomorrow.”

“But, Subhashini, we need to plan to get a temporary replacement. We can’t just let your job go for two weeks.”

“Why not? Anyway anyone with an IQ above 50 can do my job. Besides, I need the time off.”

“Subhashini, are we sure we are all right?”

“Yes, I just need some time away from the job.”

Arora decided to let Subhashini have the vacation, which would allow her some time to decide what to do about the situation.

Arora thought about the situation the next couple of days. It was possible that Subhashini was an alcoholic. However, she also seemed to have a negative reaction to her job. Maybe Subhashini was bored with her job. She did not have the experience or job skills to move to a different type of job at present. Arora decided to meet with the Personnel Manager and get some help developing her options to deal with Subhashini’s problem.

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QUESTION 1
What is the problem in your opinion? Elaborate.

QUESTION
Assume that we are the Personnel Manager. What are the alternatives available with Mrs. Arora?

QUESTION 3
What do we consider the best alternative? Why?

Assignment C
Ques.1

Two areas that are influencing and impacting corporations and managers today are the rapid pace of change and     
  
Options     
    
Demographic increases. 
Complexity of the work environment. 
Organizational culture changes. 
Managerial ineptness. 

Que. 2
The field of organizational behavior examines such questions as the nature of leadership, effective team development, __________, and ___________.     
  
Options     
    
interpersonal conflict resolution; motivation of individuals 
organizational control; conflict management 
motivation of individuals; planning 
planning; development 

Que 3.
____________ is attributed with developing the scientific management perspective.     
  
Options     
    
Elton Mayo 
Robert Owens 
Frank Gilbreth 
Frederick Taylor 

Que 4
Which perspective is hailed as being responsible for launching research into such topics as leadership effectiveness and group dynamics?     
  
Options     
    
Human relations approach 
Scientific management 
Contingency approach 
Hawthorne effect 

Ques 5
Of the four building block skills, which one is frequently considered to be the largest behavior management challenge?     
  
Options     
    
The ability to inspire employees 
The ability to analyze situations correctly 
Personal flexibility and adaptability 
Outstanding perceptual skills 

Que 6.
Which of these skills is considered to be the cornerstone of the four building block skills?     
  
Options     
    
Personal flexibility 
Self-insight 
Perceptual skills 
Leadership capabilities 

Que 7
Which of these approaches argues that there is no single best way to manage behavior?     
  
Options     
    
Hawthorne 
Scientific Management 
The cornerstone skill 
Contingency 

Ques 8
The area of "knowledge foundation" deals with the importance of     
  
Options     
    
Understanding organizational behavior. 
The behavior management process. 
Development of solutions for achieving behavioral goals. 
Identification of the causes of behavior. 

Ques 9
Which of these steps of the behavior management process involves implementation of selected strategy, monitoring for effectiveness, and performing necessary adjustments?     
  
Options     
    
Step three 
Step two 
Step four 
Step one 

Ques 10
________ is/are a key trend that is having a significant impact on behavior management today.     
  
Options     
    
Information technology 
Reverse discrimination 
Decreasing the amount of training for managers 
Stay-at-home mothers 

Question No.  11    Marks - 10
What is contributing to organizations taking a look at employee groups that had previously been overlooked, ignored, or shutout?    
 
Options    
Current discrimination laws    
Government monetary incentives    
New behavior management theories    
Economic pressures

Question No.  12    Marks - 10
One way businesses can benefit from diversity in the work force is    
 
Options    
increased popularity.    
increased popularity.    
increased employee satisfaction.    
minimizing EEOC/AA investigations.
Correct ans- increased understanding of the marketplace.

Question No.  13    Marks - 10
One drawback to the technology of today is    
 
Options    
it can actually accelerate the speed at which crises can strike a nation.    
it can keep employees too busy to stay in touch with their employers and organizations.    
it can decrease waste and efficiency in organizations.    
it can reduce the need for familiar methods of communication such as telegraph and faxes.

Question No.  14    Marks - 10
The percentage of employees who work 50 or more hours per week has risen by _____ over the past twenty years.    
 
Options    
25%    
40%    
30%    
37.5%

Question No.  15    Marks - 10
During the last thirty years, the percentage of dual-career married couples has grown by    
 
Options    
24 percent.    
96 percent.    
60% percent.    
36% percent.

Question No.  16    Marks - 10
Two mechanisms by which the perception process takes place include internal processes and _____________.    
 
Options    
external influences    
central tendencies    
skill assessment    
process intensity

Question No.  17    Marks - 10
External influences on perception include _____________.    
 
Options    
self-disclosure    
self-enhancing tactics    
the halo effect    
the figure-ground effect

Question No.  18    Marks - 10
George Garrett of Holshow Insurance frequently speaks of his personal friendship with the State Insurance Commissioner when he attends organizational meetings. George is demonstrating which direct attempt at shaping others' perceptions?    
 
Options    
Self-presentation    
Self-enhancing tactics    
Audience extraction    
Personal constructs

Question No.  19    Marks - 10
Which impression management method incorporates such areas as "brown nosing" and flattery?    
 
Options    
Self-enhancing    
Stereotypes    
Other-enhancing    
Personal constructs

Question No.  20    Marks - 10
Which of the following is suggested to help reduce unwanted impression management?    
 
Options    
Rely on "gut instinct"    
Reduction of ambiguity    
Personal flexibility and adaptability    
Outstanding perceptual skills

Question No.  21    Marks - 10
When Alex Morton's consulting firm developed an elaborate logo and name for the organization, it was engaging in a form of ____________.    
 
Options    
business promotion    
coercion    
public relations    
corporate impression management    

Question No.  22    Marks - 10
Sometimes referred to as a self-fulfilling prophecy, ___________ is a process that recognizes our perceptions can impact the way we interact with others to the point we elicit behaviors that are in line with our own perceptions.    
 
Options    
audience extraction    
audience selectivity    
personal constructs    
halo effect

Question No.  23    Marks - 10
Which term refers to our own unique understanding of how the work world operates?    
 
Options    
Audience selectivity    
Culture clash    
Personal constructs    
Halo effects

Question No.  24    Marks - 10
Wanda Wall, the manager for Tax Troubles, Inc., generally supervises the 28 employees of her firm effectively. However, she consistently makes assumptions about certain employees such as they all prefer things like fried chicken because they are from the south. Which term is the most accurate descriptor of her behavior?    
 
Options    
Gossip    
Stereotyping    
Slander    
Personality

Question No.  25    Marks - 10
What can managers do to increase the accuracy of their perceptions?    
 
Options    
Be more observing    
Lower your profile    
Recognize your own biases    
All of the above    

Question No.  26    Marks - 10
Whenever Gary Williams handles a situation that results in an erroneous or ineffective decision being made, he usually blames the other organizational members for supplying him with inaccurate information. This form of behavior is best identified as application of a(n) _______.    
 
Options    
internal attribution    
attribution theory of behavior    
behavior management process    
external attribution

Question No.  27    Marks - 10
What is a key piece of information that we gather about an employee's behavior when using behavior to assign cause?    
 
Options    
The consistency of the behavior over time    
The significance of the behavior in relation to everyone else    
The impact the behavior will have on the work place    
The cost anticipated to modify the employee's behavior over time    

Question No.  28    Marks - 10
Which of the following is considered an attribution error?    
 
Options    
The halo effect    
Personal constructs    
The actor-observer effect    
All of the above

Question No.  29    Marks - 10
In a survey of 1,300 middle managers, ________ % ranked knowledge and effort as being the most important contributing factors to their achievement of success.    
 
Options    
25    
81    
37    
67.5

Question No.  30    Marks - 10
Which of the following is/are suggested to help combat biases and more effectively manage behavior?    
 
Options    
Encourage subordinates to consider internal explanations for their own behaviors    
Be aware that everyone has the tendency to take credit for success and avoid blame for failure    
Try to do a full search for information    
All of the above

Question No.  31    Marks - 10
When perception patterns occur repeatedly, there is a tendency to form a/an _______ about something or someone.    
 
Options    
bias    
preconceived notion    
attitude    
stereotypical view    

Question No.  32    Marks - 10
Stephanie Stucky works as a human relations specialist and is considered a top performer in the firm. According to Stephanie, her performance motivation is derived from the fact that the pay matches her expectations, she has a significant amount of autonomy in the performance of her duties, and the workload is challenging, without being overwhelming. Stephanie's consistent performance level can be said to demonstrate which of the following?    
 
Options    
Job rotation    
Job enlargement    
Job satisfaction    
Self-actualization

Question No.  33    Marks - 10
Ben Barringer has been receiving substantial pressure from the members of his work team to remain with the Omega Computer Inc. despite enticing offers from other companies. Ben has decided to remain with Omega mostly in part due to the encouragement of his fellow workers. It can be stated that Ben has experienced:    
 
Options    
continuance commitment.    
normative commitment.    
affective commitment.    
coercive commitment.

Question No.  34    Marks - 10
All of the following are methods managers can utilize to promote employee job satisfaction except which one?    
 
Options    
Conduct an attitude survey    
Recognize and reward good performance    
Learn the specific facets of the job that may bring about worker dissatisfaction    
Assume high performers are well satisfied in their job

Question No.  35    Marks - 10
An employee's emotional attachment to and identification with the firm is ___________.    
 
Options    
continuance commitment    
normative commitment    
organizational citizenship behavior    
affective commitment

Question No.  36    Marks - 10
Jack Jackson of Quality Carpets has been seriously considering a career change. However after much contemplation, Jack has concluded the stress and emotional aspects of leaving the firm surpass any gains he would acquire at a new organization. Jack is experiencing:    
 
Options    
external influence commitment.    
continuance commitment.    
normative commitment.    
ineffective commitment.

Question No.  37    Marks - 10
Organizational citizenship behaviors can best be defined as:    
 
Options    
an employee's unwillingness to offer suggestions to the organization.    
an employee's strict adherence to organizational objectives.    
an employee's willingness to go above the normal call of duty.    
all of the above.

Question No.  38    Marks - 10
Jane is always the first person to lend a hand to her coworkers and never fails to brag about the organization to outsiders. By engaging in such behavior, she is exemplifying:    
 
Options    
the actor-observer affect.    
stereotypical behavior.    
affective commitment.    
organizational citizenship behavior.

Question No.  39    Marks - 10
Alexis Alexander has an MBA degree from Yale. However, it seems that even though she has worked for the same firm for 6 years with an exemplary record, she cannot climb any higher on the corporate ladder. It can be said that Alexis is most probably experiencing:    
 
Options    
glass ceiling.    
stereotyping.    
continuance commitment.    
perception fallacies.

Question No.  40    Marks - 10
Which group currently represents the largest minority group?    
 
Options    
Hispanics    
Native Americans    
African-Americans    
Physically challenged