Chapter 1: A Strategic Approach to Organizational Behavior
1. The strategic OB approach rests on the premise that:
a. Technology is key in the development of an organization
b. People are the foundation of competitive advantage
c. Competitive advantage can be gained from a unique product/service
d. Cost structure determines competitive advantage
Answer B, p. 5
2. For managers to effectively implement the organization’s strategy, they must:
a. Resolve problems immediately
b. Take a long-term view of day-to-day problems
c. Hire associates with similar world views
d. Design their management program around their current workforce
Answer B, p. 7
3. The origins of Organizational Behavior include all of these disciplines, except:
a. Biology
b. Sociology
c. Psychology
d. Economics
Answer A, p. 9
4. The goal of the strategic OB approach is:
a. To understand worker’s psychological processes
b. To understand interaction among/between workers
c. To improve financial output
d. To improve the outcomes of organizations
Answer D, p. 9
5. Which of these features is NOT characteristic of an organization?
a. Autonomy
b. Exists over a period of time
c. Goal oriented
d. Systematic
Answer A, p. 10
6. Human capital, like material assets depreciates over time.
a. True
b. False
Answer B, p.12
7. Which of the following might be considered a form of competitive advantage?
a. Less expensive production process
b. Unique hiring/recruiting system
c. Access to unique resources
d. All of the above
Answer D, p. 12
8. The Value of Human Capital is determined by its:
a. Rareness
b. Inimitability
c. Value
d. All of the above
Answer D, p.12-13
9. High-involvement management includes all of the following except:
a. selective hiring
b. information sharing
c. realistic job previews
d. incentive compensation
Answer C, p. 17
10. Incentive pay systems have no effect on productivity and competitiveness.
a. True
b. False
Answer B, p.19
11. Human capital can be a source of decided competitive advantage.
a. True
b. False
Answer A, p. 22
12. Human capital is an intangible resource
a. True
b. False
Answer A, p. 11
13. What are the organizational benefits of high-involvement management?
a. Creating value for the organization by properly using resources
b. Creating a cohesive workforce
c. Designing an inimitable organization
d. Retaining valued employees
Answer A, p. 16-17
14. Organizational Behavior addresses important issues that are only applicable for
lower-level managers
a. True
b. False
Answer B, p. 5-6
15. Organizational success is determined only in terms of financial success
a. True
b. False
Answer B, p. 6