d. efficiency
116. The fact that Brenda completes her projects is an indication of her _____________ as a manager.
a. leadership b. effectiveness c. efficiency
d. attention to detail
117. If Brenda accomplished her projects on time with high-quality results, but she took more time
than other managers in the process, you could say that as a manager she was ____________. a. efficient, but not effective b. a leader, but not a top manager c. project oriented, but not effective d. effective, but not efficient
118. The “management functions” exemplified by Brenda include all but which of the following?
a. planning b. controlling c. organizing d. calibrating
WHAT DO MANAGERS DO?
Joe the Manager (Scenario)
As a production supervisor, Joe decides on Friday afternoon how many units of output his employees will be able to produce and on which days certain products will be run in his department. He also decides which of his employees are going to be responsible for operating which machines within the department next week, as his employees are multi-skilled assemblers. On Monday, he informs his employees of their assignments to specific machines by handing out assignment sheets. He tells the employees that the schedule is going to be difficult this week due to the increased number of units. He goes on to tell them that he is sure they can fulfill the schedule because they are such good and skilled employees. Each day during the week, Joe checks the amount of output that the employees have completed and the number of units that have been rejected.
119. When Joe decides how many units of output his employees will be able to produce and on which
days certain products will be run, he is performing which of the management functions? a. controlling b. leading c. planning d. organizing
120. When Joe checks the amount of output that the employees have completed and the number of
units that have been rejected, he is performing which of the management functions? a. controlling
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b. leading c. planning d. organizing
121. When Joe tells the employees that he is sure they can fulfill the schedule because they are such
good and skilled employees, he is performing which of the management functions? a. controlling b. leading c. planning d. organizing
The Busy Day (Scenario)
Don Eskew, plant manager at Control Systems, Inc., sighed as he sipped his first cup of coffee at 5 A.M. and read his agenda for the day. He is giving two company tours in the morning: the first to a newspaper reporter who is writing a story on the new plant expansion, and the second to a group of Control Systems managers from the east coast. Don then has a meeting with the unit manager, Phil Johnson, to discuss Phil’s recent drop in performance (a task Don always hates). Next, Don is spending a couple of hours reviewing the trade journals he receives from his high-tech association and writing up a brief synopsis for his presentation next week to the division president. Finally, in the late afternoon, he will be reviewing the new equipment malfunction and deciding whether to bring in extra people to get the equipment running as soon as possible. Whew! Just another day in the glamorous life of a manager.
122. Together, all of the functions that Don performs during his busy day correspond to the
management roles discovered in the late 1960s by which one of the following management researchers? a. Herzberg b. Skinner c. Mintzberg d. Fayol
123. When Don conducts the tour for the east coast managers, he will be operating in which of the
management roles? a. leader b. liaison c. monitor d. figurehead
124. When Don meets with Phil to discuss Phil’s performance issues, Don will be operating in which
management role? a. leader b. figurehead c. monitor
d. disturbance handler
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125. What role will Don be performing when he gives the plant tour to the newspaper reporter?
a. monitor b. figurehead c. disseminator d. spokesperson
126. When Don reviews the new equipment malfunction, what management role will he play when
deciding whether to bring in extra people? a. monitor b. disseminator
c. resource allocator d. disturbance handler
The General Manager (Scenario)
Michael is the general manager of a production facility. In a routine day, Michael might meet with city officials or civic leaders about environmental issues due to the plant’s presence in the community. After these meetings, he will then meet with the plant’s functional managers to discuss the concerns expressed by the city representatives. Other times, Michael might meet with the production manager, Betty, and the human resource manager, Joyce, to discuss a complaint filed by one of the employees in a production department. Michael might also spend time on the Internet looking for new technologies that can be used in the production processes of his plant.
127. When Michael gains information from city officials or civic leaders to learn how the plant’s
operations may be affecting the environment, he is performing which management role? a. leader
b. resource allocator c. entrepreneur d. monitor
128. When Michael meets with Betty and Joyce to discuss a complaint filed by one of the employees
in a production department, he is performing which management role? a. resource allocator b. disturbance handler c. liaison d. figurehead
129. When Michael meets with the functional managers to share with them the results of the meeting
with city officials or civic leaders, he is performing which management role? a. disseminator b. liaison
c. disturbance handler d. negotiator
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130. When Michael spends time on the Internet looking for new technologies that can be used in the
production processes of his plant, he is performing which management role? a. leader
b. entrepreneur c. spokesperson
d. disturbance handler
131. Michael’s search for new technologies that can be used in the production processes of his plant is
an example of which type of management role? a. interpersonal b. informational c. decisional d. controlling
132. Michael’s search for new technologies that can be used in the production processes of his plant is
an example of which type of management skill? a. conceptual b. communication c. effectiveness d. interpersonal
ESSAY QUESTIONS
WHO ARE MANAGERS?
133. In a short essay, explain how the definition of a manager has changed over time. Provide an
example that illustrates the current definition.
134. In a short essay, describe the similarities and differences between managerial and nonmanagerial
positions in today’s work environment.
135. In a short essay, describe and provide examples of first-line, middle, and top managers.
WHAT IS MANAGEMENT?
136. In a short essay, discuss the difference between efficiency and effectiveness and include a
specific example to support each concept.
WHAT DO MANAGERS DO?
137. In a short essay, list and explain the four basic functions of management.
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138. In a short essay, list and discuss 7 of the 10 managerial roles developed by Mintzberg. Include
specific examples of each role and group each according to interpersonal, informational, and decisional roles.
139. In a short essay, discuss which approach is more useful for describing the job of a manager—
functions or roles? Describe the contributions of both approaches.
140. In a short essay, describe the three main types of managerial skills identified by Robert Katz.
Which skills are most important to each level of management, and why?
WHY STUDY MANAGEMENT?
141. In a short essay, discuss the importance of studying management. Next, list at least five rewards
and five challenges of being a manager.
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