Essentials of Organizational Behavior 15th edition Published by Stephen P. Robbins test bank
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Quest. Category: Application
LO: 1.4 Demonstrate why few absolutes apply to OB.
55) There are a number of absolutes in OB.
Answer: FALSE
Explanation: Laws in the physical sciences are consistent. In contrast, human beings are complex, and few, if any, simple and universal principles explain organizational behavior. As such, few straightforward cause-and-effect relationships exist in this discipline. Organizational behavior theories mirror the subject matter with which they deal, and people are complex and complicated.
Diff: 2
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Quest. Category: Concept
LO: 1.4 Demonstrate why few absolutes apply to OB.
56) Explain why there are few absolutes in organizational behavior. Despite this, how are we able to make valid predictions?
Answer: Human beings are complex, and few, if any, simple and universal principles explain organizational behavior. Because we are not alike, our ability to make simple, accurate, and sweeping generalizations is limited. Two people often act very differently in the same situation, and the same person's behavior changes in different situations. Not everyone is motivated by money, and people may behave differently at a religious service than they do at a party. However, we can offer reasonably accurate explanations of human behavior or make valid predictions, provided OB concepts reflect situational, or contingency, conditions. We can say x leads to y, but only under conditions specified in z—the contingency variables. For example, OB scholars would avoid stating that everyone likes complex and challenging work (the general concept) because not everyone wants a challenging job. Some people prefer routine over varied, or simple over complex. A job attractive to one person may not be to another; its appeal is contingent on the person who holds it.
Diff: 3
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Quest. Category: Concept
LO: 1.4 Demonstrate why few absolutes apply to OB.
57) The South Korean company, Samsung, sells most of its products to organizations in other countries. Burger King is owned by a Brazilian firm. McDonald's sells hamburgers in 101 countries on six continents. All these are examples of ________.
A) globalization
B) contraction
C) divergence
D) localization
E) outsourcing
Answer: A
Explanation: Globalization is the process in which worldwide integration and interdependence is promoted across national borders. Via globalization, McDonald's, an American company, can sell its products globally.
Diff: 2
AACSB: Diverse and Multicultural Work Environments
Quest. Category: Concept
LO: 1.5 Identify managers' challenges and opportunities in applying OB concepts.
58) A growing area in OB research is ________, which studies how organizations develop human strengths, foster vitality and resilience, and unlock potential.
A) organizational anthropology
B) departmental dissonance
C) industrial foundation scholarship
D) positive organizational scholarship
E) network externality study
Answer: D
Explanation: Positive organizational scholarship is an area of OB research that concerns how organizations develop human strengths, foster vitality and resilience, and unlock potential.
Diff: 2
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Quest. Category: Analytical
LO: 1.5 Identify managers' challenges and opportunities in applying OB concepts.
59) Since the year 2000, longevity rates have ________ while birth rates have ________.
A) decreased; decreased
B) increased; decreased
C) increased; remained consistent
D) increased; increased
E) decreased; increased
Answer: B
Explanation: Since 2000, longevity rates have increased by 6 years while birth rates have decreased.
Diff: 2
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Quest. Category: Analytical
LO: 1.5 Identify managers' challenges and opportunities in applying OB concepts.
60) Raul is a financial analyst who oversees the daily financial expenditures for a major big box retailer. On a typical day, Raul does not interact with other employees and only meets with his team on Monday afternoons; however, he typically has to run a report at 7:30 am and then a final report at 7:30 pm. Raul and his wife Emily have a 6-month-old son and Emily will soon be returning to work thus requiring the couple to engage childcare. To enhance Raul's well-being at work, his manager could ________.