Chapter 15
Employee Involvement
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A working definition of EI encompasses which of the following criteria?
a. power
b. rewards
c. information
d. skills and knowledge
e. all of the above
2. The power dimension of EI refers to
a. the knowledge workers have about the organization
b. the ability to control rewards that are given
c. the authority employees have over decisions that affect them
d. B and C only
3. Some ways that EI may improve productivity are
a. by improving communication among employees
b. by improving employee motivation
c. by improving employee capabilities
d. all of the above
e. B and C
4. Cooperative union-management projects
a. do a good job of sharing power with employees
b. can increase employee skills and knowledge through training
c. are most closely associated with the traditional QWL movement
d. B and C
e. A and B
5. Which of the following is true of high involvement plants?
a. rewards are tied closely to promotion
b. employees have considerable influence over decisions
c. limited information is shared and easily obtained by employees
d. all of the above
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6. Which of the following is not a design feature of a participative, high involvement
plant?
a. flat organization structure
b. open information system
c. centralized personnel selection
d. heavy training commitment
7. Parallel structures are most similar to what other EI approach?
a. re-engineering
b. union-management cooperative projects
c. downsizing
d. work design
e. none of the above
8. A distinguishing feature of the total quality management approach is
a. attention to rewards
b. development of problem solving skills
c. the improvement of processes
d. training
True/False Questions
9. The key factors driving interest in Employee Involvement were competitive
demands for lower costs, higher performance, and greater flexibility in
organizations.
10. Employee involvement activity is prospering in many countries other than the
United States.
11. Employee involvement generally refers to the amount of power, rewards,
information, and knowledge and skills associated with employee’s work.
12.
Innovative reward systems are not relevant to employee involvement
applications.
13. High involvement plants can impact all four elements of EI to a large extent.
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14. Tying rewards to accomplishments is the final stage of TQM implementation.
15. The effectiveness of a union-management cooperative project is fairly easy to
assess.
16. Quality circle applications usually involve group problem solving training but no
group facilitators.
17. Statistical process control techniques are usually an integral part of training in
total quality management.
Essay Questions
18. Describe the four elements associated with employee involvement interventions.
19. Compare and contrast the Quality Circle and High Involvement applications of
employee involvement.
20. Discuss parallel structures and the type of organization that would benefit most
from this approach.
21. What is the TQM approach to EI and how does it differ from other approaches?
Discuss Deming’s influence on this approach.
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