Controlling

Question 1

a critical function because it ensures that all the management function of leading, planning, and organizing are all towards the same goal. It’s the process of monitoring, comparing, and correcting work performance.

Answer 1

Controlling

Question 2

The value of the control function can be seen in three specific areas:

Answer 2

planning,
empowering employees,
protecting the workplace.

Question 3

Why is control so important?

Answer 3

• it’s the only way that managers know whether organizational goals are being met and if not, the reasons why.
• employee empowerment.
• to protect the organization and its assets.

Question 4

a three-step process of measuring actual performance, comparing actual performance against a standard, and taking managerial action to correct deviations or to address inadequate standards.
assumes that performance standards already exist, and they do. They’re the specific goals created during the planning process.

Answer 4

control process

Question 5

THE CONTROL PROCESS

Answer 5

STEP 1. MEASURING ACTUAL PERFORMANCE
STEP 2. COMPARING ACTUAL PERFORMANCE AGAINST STANDARDS
STEP 3. TAKING MANAGERIAL ACTION

Question 6

Four approaches used by managers to measure and report actual performance

Answer 6

personal observations,
statistical reports,
oral reports, and
written reports.

Question 7

What is measured is probably more critical to the control process than how it’s measured.

Answer 7

Because selecting the wrong criteria can create serious problems.

Question 8

Managers can choose among three possible courses of action:

Answer 8

do nothing,
correct the actual performance, or
revise the standards.

Question 9

which corrects problems at once to get performance back on track,

Answer 9

immediate corrective action,

Question 10

which looks at how and why performance deviated before correcting the source of deviation.

Answer 10

basic corrective action,

Question 11

TYPES OF CONTROL

Answer 11

FEEDFORWARD CONTROL
CONCURRENT CONTROL
FEEDBACK CONTROL

Question 12

The most desirable type of control prevents problems because it takes place before the actual activity.
taking managerial action before a problem occurs.

Answer 12

FEEDFORWARD CONTROL.

Question 13

takes place while a work activity is in progress.

Answer 13

CONCURRENT CONTROL

Question 14

The best-known form of concurrent control is __________ . Another term for it is __________

Answer 14

direct supervision.
management by walking around,

Question 15

which is when a manager is in the work area interacting directly with employees.

Answer 15

management by walking around,

Question 16

the control takes place after the activity is done.
The most popular type of control relies on feedback

Answer 16

FEEDBACK CONTROL.

Question 17

Feedback controls do have two advantages.

Answer 17

• feedback gives managers meaningful information on how effective their planning efforts were.
• feedback can enhance motivation.

Question 18

they might analyze quarterly income statements for excessive expenses. They might also calculate financial ratios to ensure that sufficient cash is available to pay ongoing expenses, that debt levels haven’t become too high, or that assets are being used productively.

Answer 18

FINANCIAL CONTROLS

Question 19

a way to evaluate organizational performance from more than just the financial perspective.

Answer 19

balanced scorecard approach

Question 20

A balanced scorecard typically looks at four areas that contribute to a company’s performance:

Answer 20

financial,
customer,
internal processes, and
people/innovation/growth assets.

Question 21

Managers need the right information at the right time and in the right amount to monitor and measure organizational activities and performance.

Answer 21

INFORMATION CONTROLS

Question 22

a system used to provide managers with needed information on a regular basis.

Answer 22

management information system (MIS)

Question 23

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN CONTROL

Answer 23

ADJUSTING CONTROLS FOR CROSS-CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
WORKPLACE CONCERNS

Question 24

defined as any unauthorized taking of company property by employees for their personal use. It can range from embezzlement to fraudulent filing of expense reports to removing equipment, parts, software, or office supplies from company premises.

Answer 24

EMPLOYEE THEFT

Question 25

employee stress caused by an uncertain economic environment, job uncertainties, declining value of retirement accounts, long hours, information overload, other daily interruptions, unrealistic deadlines, and uncaring managers play a role.

Answer 25

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE.