Management Functions Flashcards
Which of the followings are part of a manager’s job? (1) Planning (2) Organising (3) Leading (4) Controlling A. (1), (2) and (3) only B. (1), (3) and (4) only C. (2), (3) and (4) only D. (1), (2), (3) and (4)
Answer: D
Efficiency is the ability to
A. choose suitable goals.
B. accomplish a task with the fewest resources.
C. achieve a goal.
D. accomplish a task as soon as possible.
Answer: B
Managerial success
A. means making profit.
B. implies effectiveness in fulfilling goals only.
C. implies efficiency in using resources only.
D. includes both effectiveness in fulfilling goals and efficiency in using resources.
Answer: D
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ enables managers to distribute human and material resources in suitable combinations to carry out their plans. A. Planning B. Organising C. Leading D. Controlling
Answer: B
Planning
A. creates a performance-oriented sense of direction.
B. helps managers set goals.
C. helps managers cope with ever-changing external environments by anticipating problems and opportunities.
D. All of the above.
Answer: D
Which of the following shows the process of planning in a company?
(1) Establish objectives
(2) Develop and choose among alternative actions
(3) Develop forecasts and planning assumptions
(4) Implement the plan and evaluate results
A. (1)→(2)→(3)→(4)
B. (1)→(3)→(2)→(4)
C. (3)→(1)→(2)→(4)
D. (3)→(2)→(1)→(4)
Answer: C
A strategic plan _______________, while an operational plan ________________.
A. is always a long-time plans …… is always a short-time plan
B. is comprehensive …… is simple
C. reflects the future direction of the organisation …… deals with the specific activities
D. is a standing-use plan …… is a single-use plan
Answer: C
Which of the following position applies to a middle manager? A. Chief executive officer B. Division head C. Assistant manager D. Team leader
Answer: B
Which of the following are the duties of a top manager? (1) Make sure the goals are set and fulfilled (2) Carry out the plans (3) Monitor the external environment A. (1) and (2) only B. (1) and (3) only C. (2) and (3) only D. (1), (2) and (3)
Answer: B
The main difference between line authority and staff authority is that
A. line authority directly contributes to the organisation’s basic products or services but staff authority does not.
B. line authority has influence but staff authority does not.
C. line authority gives advice to the top manager but staff authority does not.
D. staff authority has direct authority over other employees but line authority does not.
Answer: A
Which of the following are advantages of departmentalisation? (1) Simplifying the task of management (2) Enhancing the company’s reputation (3) Making the authority and responsibilities clearer A. (1) and (2) only B. (1) and (3) only C. (2) and (3) only D. (1), (2) and (3)
Answer: B
A publishing company is divided into a finance department, marketing department and editorial department. This is an example of A. departmentalisation by function. B. departmentalisation by product. C. departmentalisation by location. D. departmentalisation by style.
Answer: A
Which of the following sets of behaviour greatly affects leadership styles? (1) Concern for reputation (2) Concern for task (3) Concern for people A. (1) and (2) only B. (1) and (3) only C. (2) and (3) only D. (1), (2) and (3)
Answer: C
Supportive leadership should be adopted when
A. the work needs a high degree of freedom.
B. the employees are competent and responsible.
C. the employees lack experience and the size of the company is small.
D. the task needs quick decision-making.
Answer: C
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ is the process of monitoring performance and taking action in order to achieve desired results. A. Leading B. Organising C. Planning D. Controlling
Answer: D
Division of work can (1) make each task specialised. (2) develop assembly line production. (3) make employees feel bored. A. (1) and (2) only B. (1) and (3) only C. (2) and (3) only D. (1), (2) and (3)
Answer: D
Management by objective
A. can improve the communication between management and employees.
B. allows employees to participate in setting goals.
C. may be time-consuming when implemented.
D. All of the above.
Answer: D
Which of the following is an example of a firm demonstrating high efficiency and effectiveness?
A. A fashion company purchasing out-dated clothes at lower prices
B. A pharmaceutical firm developing new drug against Ebola by overspending on research and development
C. A real estate developer bidding for a piece of residential use land at highly inflated price
D. A watch and clock manufacturer utilising new technology to produce new watches to meet the needs of customers at low production cost
Answer: D
Which of the following is the correct description of management functions?
A. Planning, organising, leading, controlling
B. Planning, organising, allocating, controlling
C. Planning, coordinating, leading, controlling
D. Planning, organising, leading, feedback
Answer: A
Which of the following is part of the organizing function of the management?
A. Marketing manager formulates marketing plans for the next year.
B. Human resources manager assigns tasks for the recently recruited employees.
C. Information technology manager leads his team in repairing the computer system.
D. Production manager investigates if there are any errors within the production process.
Answer: B
A toy manufacturer decides to automate its production process within five years. What types of plan that the above decision belong to? A. Short-term, operational B. Long-term, strategic C. Medium-term, operational D. Medium-term, strategic
Answer: C
A general manager of a department store sets a goal for all staff: “We need to increase customers’ satisfaction in the second half of the year.” Which of the principles of SMART has been violated by the above goal? A. Specific B. Measurable C. Time-bound D. Attainable
Answer: B
Which of the following positions refer to a top manager? A. Chief executive officer B. Accounting manager C. District manager D. Team leader of production line
Answer: A
Which of the following are correct descriptions of a “tall” organisation structure? (1) Span of control is relatively wide (2) High administrative cost (3) More popular amongst large corporations A. (1) and (2) only B. (1) and (3) only C. (2) and (3) only D. (1), (2) and (3)
Answer: C
What does staff authority include?
A. directly contributing to the organisation’s basic products or services
B. giving advice and assistance to departments or line managers
C. making decision about company daily operations
D. having a large number of members in a team
Answer: B
What are the benefits brought by good departmentalisation to the company? (1) simplifies management tasks (2) provides clear authority and responsibility (3) benefit from specialisation A. (1) and (2) only B. (1) and (3) only C. (2) and (3) only D. (1), (2) and (3)
Answer: D
A marketing manager is willing to listen to opinions from his subordinates when formulating marketing plans and invites them to get involved in the decision making process. What type of leadership style can be revealed by his action? A. Participative B. Autocratic C. Laissez-faire D. Supportive
Answer: A
Which of the following is an example of a travel agent comparing actual performance with standards?
A. Travel agent makes some amendments to the itinerary
B. Travel agent checks whether customers’ satisfaction met with the company standard
C. Travel agent sets the sales target for this year
D. Travel agent measures the attitude towards providing hospitality by its employees
Answer: B
Which of the following measures refer to concurrent control during the food production at Maxim’s Cakes?
A. Examining the facilities before production
B. Formulating safety rules and regulations for employees
C. Ceasing production when problematic food materials have been discovered
D. Recording the performance of employees
Answer: C
In a management meeting, the production manager emphasises product quality while the finance manager focuses on cost saving. Which of the principles of effective management has been violated by the above situation? A. Unity of direction B. Division of work C. Unity of command D. Balancing responsibility
Answer: A
Which of the following is a potential problem which may be encountered when implementing management by objectives? (1) Improve the communication between management and employees (2) Time consuming during the process (3) Quantified goals have been ignored A. (1) and (2) only B. (1) and (3) only C. (2) and (3) only D. (1), (2) and (3)
Answer: C
Study the following structure and answer questions 1 and 2:
General manager -> HK Island
-> Kowloon East
-> Kowloon West
-> New Territories East
-> New Territories West
1. Referring to the organizational structure, which type of business could the company be involved in?
A. Electronics Commerce
B. Pharmaceuticals
C. Certification of products
D. Real estate
- Referring to the organization structure, which of the following descriptions are correct?
(1) Span of control is relatively wide
(2) More effective communication within the company
(3) High administrative cost involved
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)
Answer: 1.D 2.A
The sales director of an insurance company usually has excessive authority and does not follow orders from headquarters. Which principle of effective management has been violated?
A. Unity of command
B. Balancing responsibility with authority
C. Unity of direction
D. Division of work
Answer: B
A motorbike manufacturer announces the development blueprint of the company during a shareholders’ meeting.
Here is its recent announcement.
“The company will enter the overseas market within five years and develop assembly line production.”
What type of plan does this development blueprint refer to? A. Long-range plan B. Standing-use plan C. Strategic plan D. Operational plan
Answer: C
What are the benefits of effective management to a firm?
(1) Accomplishing organisational objectives
(2) Achieving effectiveness and efficiency
(3) Enhancing productivity and competitiveness of an organisation
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)
Answer: D
(a) What is management? (2 marks)
b) What is the importance of management? (4 marks
Answer:
(a) Management is the fulfilment of organisational objectives through people and other resources. (2)
(b) Importance
Accomplishing organisational goals (2)
Achieving effectiveness and efficiency (2)
Describe the management process briefly. (8 marks)
Answer:
The management process:
Planning: Setting objectives and deciding ways to achieve them (2)
Organising: Arranging resources to accomplish the work (2)
Leading: Directing human resources efforts to fulfil action plans (2)
Controlling: Monitoring progress and taking action to ensure desired results (2)
What is a SMART goal? (5 marks)
Answer:
A SMART goal is a goal that is specific (1), measurable (1), attainable (1), relevant (1), and has target dates / a time-bound (1).
General Manager: Our target is increasing sales by 5%.
Explain whether this is a SMART goal. (2 marks)
Answer:
No, there is no target date or deadline for fulfilling the goal. (2)
Give two reasons why employees do not want the company to adopt division of work? (4 marks)
Answer:
Employees would feel bored because they have to repeat the same task over and over again. (2)
It is difficult for employees to change their occupation as their skills are too specialised. (2)
What is the problem if an organisation violates the unity of command? (4 marks)
Answer:
Employees would be confused when managers’ decisions conflict with each other. (2)
An employee might have difficulties in deciding the priority of work. (2)
State three advantages of adopting Management by objective (MBO) in an organisation. (6 marks)
Answer:
Improving the communication between management and employees
Encouraging planning and goal setting
Informing employees about how well they are doing their jobs
Helping to monitor employees’ performance
Allowing employees to participate in setting goals, which is good for morale and motivation
(2 marks for each relevant advantage, max. 6 marks)
What type of organisations would be appropriate for autocratic leadership? Explain. (3 marks)
Answer:
Military forces, Army or disciplined services (1)
Reason:
Subordinates need to follow orders when completing the mission.
Prompt action is necessary when completing the mission.
(2 marks for each relevant reason, max. 2 marks)
The diagram illustrates the organization chart for the prefect body of a secondary school:
Head prefect -> Prefect Leader -> Prefect
-> Prefect Leader -> Prefect
-> Prefect Leader -> Prefect
Which principle of effective management has been demonstrated by the organisation chart? Explain your answer. (4 marks)
Answer:
Unity of command (1)
Each subordinate has only one supervisor, for example, supervisor of prefect is prefect leader while supervisor of prefect leader is head prefect. (2)
Such management style can avoid the conflict of contradicting commands. (1)
