BUSI 1002 Introduction to Management Practice Test
Sample Questions and Answers
Which of the following is the primary function of management?
a) Organizing
b) Leading
c) Controlling
d) Planning
Answer: d) Planning
Explanation: Planning is the primary function of management, involving setting objectives and determining the best course of action to achieve them.
What is the key responsibility of managers during the organizing process?
a) Assigning resources
b) Motivating employees
c) Setting goals
d) Developing organizational culture
Answer: a) Assigning resources
Explanation: Organizing involves allocating resources, assigning tasks, and establishing procedures to achieve organizational goals.
Which leadership style is characterized by decision-making being centralized in the manager’s hands?
a) Democratic
b) Laissez-faire
c) Autocratic
d) Transformational
Answer: c) Autocratic
Explanation: Autocratic leadership involves centralized decision-making, where the manager makes decisions without seeking input from subordinates.
Which of the following is a key characteristic of ethical leadership?
a) Maximizing profits at any cost
b) Leading with integrity and honesty
c) Avoiding transparency in decision-making
d) Focusing solely on individual achievement
Answer: b) Leading with integrity and honesty
Explanation: Ethical leadership emphasizes integrity, honesty, and fairness in decision-making and interactions with others.
What is the main purpose of controlling in management?
a) Setting strategic goals
b) Motivating employees
c) Monitoring and adjusting performance
d) Designing organizational structure
Answer: c) Monitoring and adjusting performance
Explanation: The controlling function involves monitoring organizational performance and taking corrective actions when necessary to meet goals.
Which of the following is an example of a managerial decision-making tool?
a) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
b) SWOT Analysis
c) Vroom’s Expectancy Theory
d) Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory
Answer: b) SWOT Analysis
Explanation: SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) is a decision-making tool used to evaluate internal and external factors affecting a business.
In the context of motivation, which theory suggests that employees are motivated by a hierarchy of needs starting with physiological needs?
a) Equity Theory
b) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
c) Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory
d) Expectancy Theory
Answer: b) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Explanation: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs asserts that individuals are motivated by fulfilling a series of needs, starting from basic physiological needs to higher-order needs like self-actualization.
Which of the following is a function of management that involves motivating and leading people to achieve organizational goals?
a) Planning
b) Organizing
c) Leading
d) Controlling
Answer: c) Leading
Explanation: Leading is the function of management that involves motivating, directing, and influencing employees to achieve organizational goals.
Which management theory focuses on the scientific study of work methods to improve productivity?
a) Human Relations Theory
b) Scientific Management Theory
c) Systems Theory
d) Contingency Theory
Answer: b) Scientific Management Theory
Explanation: Scientific Management Theory, developed by Frederick Taylor, focuses on optimizing work processes and improving productivity through scientific methods.
Which of the following best describes a decentralized organization?
a) Authority is concentrated at the top levels of management.
b) Decisions are made at lower levels of management.
c) Employees have minimal decision-making authority.
d) There is no clear chain of command.
Answer: b) Decisions are made at lower levels of management
Explanation: In a decentralized organization, decision-making authority is delegated to lower levels of management.
What does SWOT stand for in strategic management?
a) Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
b) Strategy, Workload, Outcomes, Tactics
c) Skills, Work, Organization, Time
d) Success, Workload, Outcomes, Techniques
Answer: a) Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
Explanation: SWOT Analysis evaluates internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats to guide strategic planning.
In which type of organizational structure do employees have specialized roles and responsibilities?
a) Functional Structure
b) Divisional Structure
c) Matrix Structure
d) Network Structure
Answer: a) Functional Structure
Explanation: A functional structure divides the organization into specialized departments or functions, such as marketing, finance, and human resources.
Which of the following is a key element of a manager’s role in employee motivation?
a) Setting rigid rules and policies
b) Fostering an open and inclusive environment
c) Relying solely on financial incentives
d) Ignoring employee feedback
Answer: b) Fostering an open and inclusive environment
Explanation: Creating an environment where employees feel valued and included is crucial to motivation and engagement.
What does the term “management by objectives” (MBO) refer to?
a) Employees are given specific goals to achieve with defined performance criteria.
b) Managers make all decisions without input from employees.
c) Employees are left to determine their own objectives.
d) Goals are set solely based on financial performance.
Answer: a) Employees are given specific goals to achieve with defined performance criteria.
Explanation: MBO is a goal-setting process in which managers and employees agree on specific, measurable objectives to be achieved within a given time frame.
Which management function involves determining what tasks need to be done and who will perform them?
a) Planning
b) Organizing
c) Leading
d) Controlling
Answer: b) Organizing
Explanation: Organizing involves arranging resources and tasks to achieve organizational goals.
Which of the following is an example of a short-term goal for a manager?
a) Increase profits by 10% within five years.
b) Improve customer satisfaction ratings in the next quarter.
c) Open new offices in three countries in the next decade.
d) Complete a large merger within three years.
Answer: b) Improve customer satisfaction ratings in the next quarter.
Explanation: Short-term goals are those that are achievable within a short time frame, such as a quarter or year.
Which of the following is a characteristic of an effective team leader?
a) Makes all decisions alone
b) Delegates tasks and provides guidance
c) Avoids communicating with team members
d) Focuses only on individual performance
Answer: b) Delegates tasks and provides guidance
Explanation: Effective team leaders delegate tasks appropriately and provide guidance to ensure team success.
In which decision-making model does a manager make decisions that maximize overall happiness or benefits?
a) Classical Decision Model
b) Rational Decision Model
c) Bounded Rationality Model
d) Utilitarian Model
Answer: d) Utilitarian Model
Explanation: The utilitarian model seeks the greatest good for the greatest number, aiming to maximize overall happiness or benefits.
Which of the following is a direct result of poor ethical management practices?
a) Increased employee engagement
b) Improved customer loyalty
c) Legal challenges and reputational damage
d) Enhanced organizational performance
Answer: c) Legal challenges and reputational damage
Explanation: Poor ethical practices can lead to legal problems and harm the organization’s reputation.
Which of the following is NOT a component of the planning function of management?
a) Setting goals
b) Identifying resources
c) Evaluating performance
d) Defining strategies
Answer: c) Evaluating performance
Explanation: Evaluating performance is part of the controlling function, not the planning function.
Which type of leadership involves motivating and inspiring employees to achieve higher levels of performance?
a) Transactional Leadership
b) Transformational Leadership
c) Laissez-faire Leadership
d) Autocratic Leadership
Answer: b) Transformational Leadership
Explanation: Transformational leadership focuses on inspiring and motivating employees to achieve exceptional performance.
Which of the following is NOT a tool for decision-making in management?
a) Decision trees
b) SWOT Analysis
c) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
d) Cost-benefit analysis
Answer: c) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Explanation: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a motivational theory, not a decision-making tool.
What does the controlling function of management focus on?
a) Setting the organization’s direction
b) Monitoring and correcting performance
c) Organizing resources
d) Motivating employees
Answer: b) Monitoring and correcting performance
Explanation: Controlling ensures that organizational goals are being met by monitoring and adjusting performance when necessary.
Which of the following best describes the concept of “span of control”?
a) The total number of employees a manager oversees
b) The total number of tasks a manager needs to perform
c) The number of departments in an organization
d) The number of strategic goals in a plan
Answer: a) The total number of employees a manager oversees
Explanation: Span of control refers to the number of employees a manager is responsible for supervising.
Which of the following is a benefit of delegation?
a) It reduces the manager’s workload
b) It makes the manager’s role less important
c) It increases the chances of employee burnout
d) It reduces employee accountability
Answer: a) It reduces the manager’s workload
Explanation: Delegation allows managers to distribute tasks, reducing their workload and empowering employees.
Which of the following is an essential part of the controlling function of management?
a) Developing plans and strategies
b) Setting objectives
c) Monitoring and adjusting activities to meet goals
d) Hiring new staff
Answer: c) Monitoring and adjusting activities to meet goals
Explanation: The controlling function involves monitoring activities and making adjustments to ensure that goals are achieved.
Which management theory emphasizes the role of social and psychological factors in motivating employees?
a) Scientific Management
b) Human Relations Theory
c) Systems Theory
d) Contingency Theory
Answer: b) Human Relations Theory
Explanation: Human Relations Theory emphasizes the importance of social and psychological factors, such as employee morale and motivation.
What is the term for a plan of action developed to achieve specific goals within a set time frame?
a) Strategy
b) Tactic
c) Objective
d) Policy
Answer: a) Strategy
Explanation: A strategy is a plan of action developed to achieve specific objectives and goals.
Which of the following is an example of an intrinsic motivation?
a) A bonus for meeting performance targets
b) A promotion based on seniority
c) Personal satisfaction from completing a challenging task
d) Recognition at a company event
Answer: c) Personal satisfaction from completing a challenging task
Explanation: Intrinsic motivation comes from within, such as personal satisfaction, rather than external rewards like bonuses.
Which of the following is a disadvantage of centralized decision-making?
a) Faster decision-making
b) Greater control by top management
c) Lower employee morale
d) Better use of local knowledge
Answer: c) Lower employee morale
Explanation: Centralized decision-making can lead to lower morale among employees who feel they have no input into decisions.
31. Which of the following is NOT a key component of effective leadership?
a) Vision
b) Communication
c) Flexibility
d) Micromanagement
Answer: d) Micromanagement
Explanation: Effective leaders provide guidance and support, but micromanagement (overly controlling every detail) is generally counterproductive.
32. Which of the following is an example of a managerial role in the decisional category according to Mintzberg’s managerial roles?
a) Negotiator
b) Leader
c) Monitor
d) Figurehead
Answer: a) Negotiator
Explanation: In Mintzberg’s model, the decisional category includes roles like negotiator, where the manager is involved in resolving disputes and making decisions on resource allocation.
33. What is the purpose of a contingency plan in management?
a) To adjust the organizational structure
b) To respond to unforeseen events or crises
c) To maximize employee engagement
d) To create long-term strategic objectives
Answer: b) To respond to unforeseen events or crises
Explanation: A contingency plan is developed to address potential crises or unforeseen challenges that might impact the organization’s operations.
34. Which of the following leadership styles allows employees to make decisions without much interference from the manager?
a) Autocratic
b) Laissez-faire
c) Democratic
d) Transactional
Answer: b) Laissez-faire
Explanation: Laissez-faire leadership involves minimal supervision, allowing employees to make decisions and manage their work with little direction from the leader.
35. Which of the following is NOT typically part of the organizing function of management?
a) Establishing procedures
b) Assigning tasks
c) Evaluating performance
d) Allocating resources
Answer: c) Evaluating performance
Explanation: Evaluating performance is part of the controlling function of management, not organizing.
36. Which theory suggests that employees are motivated by factors such as recognition, achievement, and the work itself?
a) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
b) Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory
c) McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y
d) Vroom’s Expectancy Theory
Answer: b) Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory
Explanation: Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory distinguishes between hygiene factors (like salary) and motivators (like achievement and recognition) that impact employee motivation.
37. Which of the following best describes a situation in which a manager uses rewards and punishments to manage employees’ behavior?
a) Transactional leadership
b) Transformational leadership
c) Laissez-faire leadership
d) Autocratic leadership
Answer: a) Transactional leadership
Explanation: Transactional leadership focuses on rewarding employees for meeting goals and punishing them for failing to meet expectations.
38. Which management approach focuses on understanding the interdependencies between departments and the organization’s overall system?
a) Scientific Management
b) Human Relations Theory
c) Systems Theory
d) Contingency Theory
Answer: c) Systems Theory
Explanation: Systems Theory emphasizes understanding how various parts of an organization interact and affect the organization as a whole.
39. What is the main benefit of employee empowerment in the workplace?
a) Employees feel more confident and motivated to take ownership of their work
b) Employees rely more on management for decision-making
c) Managers make all decisions without input from employees
d) Employee turnover increases due to higher job demands
Answer: a) Employees feel more confident and motivated to take ownership of their work
Explanation: Employee empowerment increases engagement by giving employees more responsibility and control over their tasks.
40. Which of the following is an example of a SMART goal in management?
a) Increase revenue
b) Improve customer satisfaction
c) Increase revenue by 10% within the next quarter
d) Improve employee morale
Answer: c) Increase revenue by 10% within the next quarter
Explanation: A SMART goal is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. “Increase revenue by 10% within the next quarter” meets all these criteria.