Multiple-Choice Questions Flashcards
What is Marketing Research?
Marketing Research is the “systemic design, collection, analysis, and reporting of data relevant to a specific marketing situation facing an organization.”
How does Marketing Research differ from Competitive or Marketing Intelligence?
Market research deals specifically with your company, marketing strategy, and product line.
Market intelligence is information about the market itself, not your specific positioning necessarily.
Marketing intelligence (MI) -
is the everyday information relevant to a company’s markets, gathered and analyzed specifically for the purpose of accurate and confident decision-making in determining market opportunity, market penetration strategy, and market development metrics.
Market oriented company -
telling customers what they want
- when company’s culture is systematically and entirely committed to the continuous creation of superior customer value (slogans of the firms, ex. I’m loving it Mc)
Many salespeople earn a commission, which is a percentage paid on every:
a Sales Call
b Sale
c Profit
Many salespeople earn a commission, which is a percentage paid on every:
b Sale
The essence of selling is:
a Complaining
b Teaching.
c Being charming
The essence of selling is:
b Teaching.
Which of the following is not a good strategy for becoming an effective salesperson?
a Not focusing on customer complaints; they will just get you down.
b Assuming every person you sell to knows at least 250 other people.
c Making sure you experience a call from one of your competitor’s salespeople.
d Knowing ahead of time how you want to present your product or service.
Which of the following is not a good strategy for becoming an effective salesperson?
a Not focusing on customer complaints; they will just get you down.
During each sales call you make, focus on this:
a Is this customer someone who would buy this product?
b How can I make this sale?
c What does the customer need?
During each sales call you make, focus on this:
c What does the customer need?
What should you do during a sales call right after briefly telling the customer about your product/service?
a Sit back and listen to the customer’s response, in order to learn what the customer needs.
b Ask questions to keep the customer engaged in the sales call.
c Keep talking so the customer doesn’t lose interest.
What should you do during a sales call right after briefly telling the customer about your product/service?
a Sit back and listen to the customer’s response, in order to learn what the customer needs.
How should you deal with a customer’s objections during a sales call?
a Always acknowledge objections and respond to them.
b Take objections as a sign that the customer is not likely to buy from you.
c Ignore objections so the customer will forget about them.
How should you deal with a customer’s objections during a sales call?
a Always acknowledge objections and respond to them.
The rule of thumb is that if a customer says “No” this many times, he/she means it:
a four times
b once
c three times
The rule of thumb is that if a customer says “No” this many times, he/she means it:
a four times
Successful businesses are built on:
a repeat business.
b huge sales.
v frequent sales.
Successful businesses are built on:
a repeat business.
Which of the following is not an example of customer service?
a keeping a customer on hold longer than necessary
b delivering a product on time providing a toll-free
c customer assistance phone line
d suggesting a less expensive product that will meet the customer’s need
Which of the following is not an example of customer service?
a keeping a customer on hold longer than necessary
When responding to customer complaints you should do all of these except:
a limit the time for criticism.
b do not take negative comments personally.
c acknowledge and deal with them.
When responding to customer complaints you should do all of these except:
a limit the time for criticism.
Which of the following is best described as a market-oriented business definition?
a. Tallinn Railroad: We run a railroad.
b. Xerox: We make copying equipment.
c. Olerex Oil: We sell gasoline.
d. Encyclopedia Britannica: We distribute information.
e. Netflix: We make movies.
Which of the following is best described as a market-oriented business definition?
d. Encyclopedia Britannica: We distribute information.
Which of the following involves adapting a firm to take advantage of opportunities in its constantly changing environment?
a Team planning b Short-term planning c Media planning d Strategic planning e Annual planning
Which of the following involves adapting a firm to take advantage of opportunities in its constantly changing environment?
d Strategic planning
_______ is the worth in monetary terms of the economic, technical, service and social benefits a customer receives in exchange for the price it pays for a market offering.
a. Marketing efforts
b. Planning
c. Value
d. Marketing intelligence
e. Product
_______ is the worth in monetary terms of the economic, technical, service and social benefits a customer receives in exchange for the price it pays for a market offering.
c. Value
Sales of products in introductory stage are recorded by a company as
a. Low sales
b. Rapidly rising
c. Peak sales
d. Gradually declining
e. None of the above mentioned
Sales of products in introductory stage are recorded by a company as
a. Low sales
Marketing ________ is the aggregating of prospective buyers into groups that have common needs and will respond similarly to a marketing action.
a. Segmentation
b. Persuasion
c. Modifying the offer
d. Evaluation
e. Neither of the abov
Marketing ________ is the aggregating of prospective buyers into groups that have common needs and will respond similarly to a marketing action.
a. Segmentation
In which case should the project be accepted?
a. when NPV < 0
b. when NPV > 0
In which case should the project be accepted?
a. NPV < 0 : Reject Project
b. NPV > 0 : Accept Project
Ranges of Price Elasticity of Demand?
a. |εD| = 0
b. 0 < |εD| < 1
c. |εD| = 1
d. 1 < |εD| < ∞
e. |εD| -> ∞
Ranges of Price Elasticity of Demand?
a. |εD| = 0: Perfectly Inelastic
b. 0 < |εD| < 1: Inelastic
c. |εD| = 1: Unit elastic
d. 1 < |εD| < ∞: Elastic
e. |εD| -> ∞: Perfectly elastic
The opportunity cost of a given activity is
a. The value of material used
b. The value of the next best activity
c. The cost of input used
d. None of the above
The opportunity cost of a given activity is
b. The value of the next best activity
The competitive firm’s long run supply curve is the portion of it’s ____ curve that lies above average total cost
a. Fixed cost
b. Variable cost
c. Marginal cost
d. All of the above
The competitive firm’s long run supply curve is the portion of it’s ____ curve that lies above average total cost
c. Marginal cost
In a perfectly competitive market, individual firm
a. Cannot influence the price of its products
b. Can influence the price of its products
c. Can fix the price of its products
d. Can influence the market force
In a perfectly competitive market, individual firm
a. Cannot influence the price of its products
The market with a single producer is called:
a. Perfect competition
b. Monopolistic competition
c. Oligopoly
d. Monopoly
The market with a single producer is called:
d. Monopoly
In the case of ______ a small change in price leads to very big change in quantity demanded (think negatively).
a. Perfectly elastic demand
b. Perfectly inelastic demand
c. Elastic demand
d. Unit elastic demand
In the case of ______ a small change in price leads to very big change in quantity demanded.
c. Elastic demand
The distinction between variable cost and fixed cost is relevant only in
a. Sales period
b. Short run
c. Long run
d. Fiscal year
The distinction between variable cost and fixed cost is relevant only in
b. Short run
The proportionate change in the quantity demanded of a commodity in response to change in the price of another related commodity is called
a. Substitutes elasticity
b. Price elasticity
c. Income elasticity
d. Cross elasticity
The proportionate change in the quantity demanded of a commodity in response to change in the price of another related commodity is called
d. Cross elasticity
Product differentiation is the important feature of:
a. Monopoly
b. Perfect competition
c. Monopolistic competition
d. Monopsony
Product differentiation is the important feature of:
c. Monopolistic competition
Oligopoly is a type of
a. Perfect, few firms
b. Imperfect, few firms
c. Perfect, many firms
d. Imperfect, many firms
Oligopoly is a type of
b. Imperfect, few firms
In the long run all input become
a. Fixed
b. Variable
c. Partially variable
d. Depreciated
In the long run all input become
b. Variable
What item is not on the list of basic human capabilities by Martha Nussbaum (1999)?
a) Wealth
b) Emotions
c) Play
What item is not on the list of basic human capabilities by Martha Nussbaum (1999)?
a) Wealth
What element is not part of the classical liberal system of division of moral labor?
a) Strict boundaries between business and politics
b) Private sector of society focusing on fairness in distribution of wealth and incomes in a society
c) Public sector of society focusing on protecting the private property rights and freedom of contracts
What element is not part of the Classical Liberal System of Division of Moral Labor?
b) Private sector of society focusing on fairness in the distribution of wealth and incomes in a society
What is the major policy solution that classical liberal PCSR would not necessarily suggest when controlling the Big Tech powers?
a) Anti-trust policies
b) Deliberative democratic discussions among Big Tech firms and NGOs needed to create legitimate industry level self-regulation system
c) Defining rights of use of personal information in data capitalism
What is the major policy solution that classical liberal PCSR would not necessarily suggest when controlling the Big Tech powers?
b) Deliberative democratic discussions among Big Tech firms and NGOs needed to create legitimate industry level self-regulation system
In total institution according to Goffman (1961, 17) people do not necessarily:
a) Sleep together
b) Eat together
c) Vote together about the rules of the institution
In total institution according to Goffman (1961, 17) people do not necessarily:
c) Vote together about the rules of the institution
In “privatized society”
a) Democratic logics cover all aspects of society
b) Boundaries between business and politics are robust
c) There are no real boundaries between business and politics
In “privatized society”
c) There are no real boundaries between business and politics
Amazon in US is not yet providing or starting to provide by itself
a) Private Army
b) Private Health Care System
c) Private Communication and Transit Systems
Amazon in US is not yet providing or starting to provide by itself
a) Private Army
What are the characteristics of Democratic Market Economy?
Democratic Market Economy aka Classic Liberal System:
- Public sector: democratically governed
- Private sector: non-democratically governed, i.e. managerially run business firms operating in competitive markets
- Structure of Society: boundaries between spheres of society, diversity of operating logics
- CSR: economic/instrumental perspective dominant
- Deliberative aspects: in the public sector deliberate democratic processes
- Political philosophy: liberal democracy
Which of the following categories is not used to differentiate operations and processes?
a. Variety
b. Visibility
c. Velocity
d. Volume
Which of the following categories is not used to differentiate operations and processes?
c. Velocity
Which of the following levels is not one to measure operations performance?
a. Individual
b. Societal
c. Strategic
d. Operational
Which of the following levels is not one to measure operations performance?
d. Operational
Which can’t be measured by Little’s Law?
a. The average time a product spends in the whole system(throughput)
b. The average number of things in the system (Work-in-progress)
c. The average rate at which one product leaves the system (cycle time)
d. The average resource input to the system (resource input)
Which can’t be measured by Little’s Law?
c. The average rate at which one product leaves the system (cycle time)
Which of the following is a principle of Business Process Re-Engineering?
a. Have those who use the output of the process drive the process
b. Capture information multiple times at every output
c. Treat geographically dispersed resources as they are, decentralized
d. Put the decision point central and hierarchically at the top
Which of the following is a principle of Business Process Re-Engineering?
d. Put the decision point central and hierarchically at the top
Which of the following is a well-known sequencing technique?
a. Shortest operation time (SOT)
b. Last in. last out (LILO)
c. Average operation time (AOT)
d. Free queue selection (FQS)
Which of the following is a well-known sequencing technique?
a. Shortest operation time (SOT)
Which one is NOT a key problem when implementing an ERP?
a. The level of outside expertise required is always estimated appropriately.
b. The total cost is likely to be underestimated.
c. There will never be enough training.
d. The time and effort to implement it is likely to be underestimated.
Which one is NOT a key problem when implementing an ERP?
c. There will never be enough training.
Which of the following is NOT a key element of improvement
a. Evidence-based problem-solving
b. Customer centricity
c. End-to-End Processes
d. Improving based on Gut Feeling
Which of the following is NOT a key element of improvement
d. Improving based on Gut Feeling (?)
According to ISO 9001, which one is a quality management principle
a. Continuous improvement
b. Free-float approach
c. Strong focus on internal expertise
d. Decision making based on gut feeling
According to ISO 9001, which one is a quality management principle
a. Continuous improvement
Which of the following steps is not part of operations design?
a. Process design
b. People in organizations
c. Inventory management
d. Process technology
Which of the following steps is not part of operations design?
c. Inventory management
Which of the following levels is the highest level of operation analysis?
a. Flow between processes
b. Flow between people
c. Flow between resources
d. Flow between operations
Which of the following levels is the highest level of operation analysis?
d. Flow between operations
Which implication indicates a low variety of operations?
a. Complexity
b. Flexibility
c. Standardized
d. High units cost
Which implication indicates a low variety of operations?
c. Standardized
Which one is not an objective group of operation performance?
a. Dependability
b. Cost
c. Speed
d. Risk
Which one is not an objective group of operation performance?
d. Risk
What could quality mean in relation to operation management?
a. All assembly is to specification
b. Products and services on-time delivery
c. Volume flexibility – the ability to adjust
d. Bought-in materials and services
What could quality mean in relation to operation management?
a. All assembly is to specification
Which of the following measures belongs to the strategic level of operations management?
a. Speed
b. Economic (profit)
c. Risk and resilience
d. Flexibility
Which of the following measures belongs to the strategic level of operations management?
c. Risk and resilience
The project sponsor…:
a …drives project tasks in the closing phase
b …approves major milestones
c …has to run project marketing activities
d …needs to define the project team
The project sponsor…:
b …approves major milestones
What are key duties of the project manager during the “performing” phase (according to Tuckman Model)
a Communication, Risk Management, Coordination
b Structuring, Communication, Delegation, Coordination
c Stakeholder Management, Delegation, Planning, Quality Management
d Structuring, Risk Management, Controlling
What are key duties of the project manager during the “performing” phase (according to Tuckman Model)
b Structuring, Communication, Delegation, Coordination
Agile projects…
a …increase the ability to react to changes
b …aim to reduce communication to a minimum
c …are only relevant for IT/ Digitalization topics
d …focus on a lessons learned session at the very end of the project
Agile projects…
a …increase the ability to react to changes
The communication plan…
a …ideally considers the single best communication path to stakeholders
b …is based on the team charter
c …needs to cover at least recipient, frequency, medium and content of communication measures
d …is owned by the project sponsor
The communication plan…
c …needs to cover at least recipient, frequency, medium and content of communication measures
Project planning requires the following steps and sequence
a Defining the work, specifying duration and effort, determining dependencies and resources, clarifying activity ownership
b Defining the work, determining dependencies and resources, specifying duration and effort, assigning budget positions
c Defining the work, assigning responsibilities, determining dependencies and resources, assigning budget positions
d Defining the work, assigning budget positions, specifying duration and effort, clarifying activity ownership
Project planning requires the following steps and sequence
a Defining the work, specifying duration and effort, determining dependencies and resources, clarifying activity ownership
Project risks…
a …need to be avoided as good as possible
b …are owned by the project manager
c …should be evaluated by impact and probability
d …shall we closed after planning stage
Project risks…
c …should be evaluated by impact and probability
Definition of a PROJECT?
a UNIQUE endeavor with a clear GOAL that needs to be achieved by INTERRELATED TASKS in a FIXED PERIODS OF TIME with LIMITED COST and RESOURCES and influenced by RISKS
Is this a PROJECT? True of False.
My project is running a company to…
False, project is to set up a company, lacking target
Is this a PROJECT? True of False.
We improve online education for students
False, too broad
Is this a PROJECT? True of False.
Our project is to build a cafe that creates a comfortable environment, provides food and drinks while producing our own culture
False, personal ambition, lacking measurement
Is this a PROJECT? True of False.
We want to create an NGO
False, lacking target
Is this a PROJECT? True of False.
We will deliver food in time to your place
False
Is this a PROJECT? True of False.
Our project ends by reaching 100K revenue
False
What do I do during the performing phase?
What do I do during the performing phase?
Structuring, Communication, Delegation and Coordination
What are the key characteristics of the project?
What are the key characteristics of the project?
Goal, interrelated tasks, fixed timeline, limited cost, resources, risks
Core phases of the project according to PMI?
Core phases of the project according to PMI?
Initiating, Planning, Executing & Controlling & Monitoring, Closing
Classic (Waterfall) vs Agile?
Classic (Waterfall) vs Agile?
Agile: iterations, result over documentation, changing reqs, fixed resources and time, flexible scope
Waterfall: fixed scope, flexible time and resources
What is a PROGRAM?
What is a PROGRAM?
a set of projects focusing on the SAME, overarching GOAL
What is a PORTFOLIO?
What is a PORTFOLIO?
is a set of projects with similar CHARACTERISTICS
5 phases of Tucman?
5 phases of Tucman?
Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing and Transforming
Is this a SMART target?
Construct a residential house with 3 bedrooms on 2 floors in the outskirts of Tallinn by end of September 2021
Not SMART
Is this a SMART target?
Achieve profit with our product by end of the year
Not SMART, what product?
Is this a SMART target?
Sell 1000 items of our new shoe model EBS Master by end of Aug 2021 to Tallinn customers
Somewhat SMART
Is this a SMART target?
Implement a new innovation process based on SBE Software Suite in our company by Jan 30th 2021 for all managers
Not SMART, why?
Is this a SMART target?
Run a leaflet-based marketing campaign with 1000 participants in February 2021
Not SMART, the reason for campaign is missing
Is this a SMART target?
Offer waterski sports with 2 boats at the seaside close to Tallinn during June and Sep 2021
Not SMART, not a target
Is this a SMART target?
Develop a mobile app for Android and iOS that helps managing private insurance contracts and policies, release first version to limited users in Austria five months after development starts
SMART
What does SMART stand for?
What does SMART stand for?
Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound
Which of the following technologies has been in greater demand in the past year?
- Electric and Autonomous Vehicles
- Digital Health
- Natural Language Processing
- Last mile delivery technology
- AI/ML democratisation
Which of the following technologies has been in greater demand in the past year?
- Natural Language Processing
Select one of the following which is NOT a class of ML algorithms?
- Classification
- Regression
- Grouping (Clustering)
- Anomaly detection
- Population Growth
Select one of the following which is NOT a class of ML algorithms?
- Population Growth
Which one of the following is not included in the framework for blockchain adoption in article ‘The Truth About Blockchain’:
- Single use
- Localisation
- Computational logic
- Substitution
- Transformation
Which one of the following is not included in the framework for blockchain adoption in article ‘The Truth About Blockchain’:
- Computational logic
Which one of the following is NOT one of the 5 research streams of Smart Cities?
- Built environment
- Energy
- Mobility
- Data
- Tourism
Which one of the following is NOT one of the 5 research streams of Smart Cities?
- Tourism
Select one of the following which is related to decentralised computing
- Cloud computing
- Fog computing
- Edge computing
- Virtual reality
- Quantum computing
Select one of the following which is related to decentralised computing
- Edge computing
Which of the following is not one of the challenges and gaps to reach 5G?
- Latency
- Remote controlling
- Throughput
- Connections
- Mobility
- Network Architecture
Which of the following is not one of the challenges and gaps to reach 5G?
- Remote controlling
True of False?
Financial accounting focuses on providing information to internal users
Financial accounting focuses on providing information to internal users
False, external users
True of False?
Preparation of budgets is part of financial accounting
Preparation of budgets is part of financial accounting
False, managerial accounting
True of False?
Managerial accounting applies only to merchandising and manufacturing companies
Managerial accounting applies only to merchandising and manufacturing companies
False, all companies
True of False?
Both managerial account and financial account deal with many of the same economic events
Both managerial account and financial account deal with many of the same economic events
True
True of False?
Managerial account reports are prepared only quarterly and annually
Managerial account reports are prepared only quarterly and annually
False, whenever needed
True of False?
Financial account reports are general-purpose reports
Financial account reports are general-purpose reports
True
True of False?
Managerial account reports pertain to subunits of the business
Managerial account reports pertain to subunits of the business
True
True of False?
Managerial account reports must comply with accounting standards
Managerial account reports must comply with accounting standards
False, any format is used in an org
True of False?
Managerial accountants have a single role within an organization, collecting and reporting costs to management
Managerial accountants have a single role within an organization, collecting and reporting costs to management
False, Managerial accountants determine product costs. In addition, managerial accountants are now held responsible for evaluating how well the company is employ- ing its resources. As a result, when the company makes critical strategic decisions, managerial accountants serve as team members alongside personnel from production, marketing, and engineering.
True of False?
Financial accounting reports are general-purpose and intended for external users
Financial accounting reports are general-purpose and intended for external users
True
True of False?
Managers’ activities and responsibilities can be classified into three broad functions: cost accounting, budgeting, and internal control
Managers’ activities and responsibilities can be classified into three broad functions: cost accounting, budgeting, and internal control
False, this is financial manager
True of False?
Managerial accounting reports must now comply with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
Managerial accounting reports must now comply with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
False, not audited
What is “All activities associated with providing a product or performing service”?
All activities associated with providing a product or performing service is a …
Value Chain
What is “A method of allocating overhead based on each product’s use of activities in making the product”?
A method of allocating overhead based on each product’s use of activities in making the product is a ….
Activity-based costing
What is “Systems implemented to reduce defects in finished products with the goal of achieving zero defects”?
Systems implemented to reduce defects in finished products with the goal of achieving zero defects is a ….
Total Quality Management (TQM)
What is “A performance-measurement approach that uses both financial and nonfinancial measures, tied to company objectives, to evaluate a company’s operations in an integrated fashion”?
A performance-measurement approach that uses both financial and nonfinancial measures, tied to company objectives, to evaluate a company’s operations in an integrated fashion is a …
Balanced Scorecard
What is “Inventory system in which goods are manufactured or purchased just as they are needed for use”?
Inventory system in which goods are manufactured or purchased just as they are needed for use is a …
Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory
What is “A company’s efforts to employ sustainable business practices with regards to its employees, society, and the environment”?
A company’s efforts to employ sustainable business practices with regards to its employees, society, and the environment is a …
Corporate Social Responsibility (SCR)
What is “Inventory system in which goods are manufactured or purchased just as they are needed for use”?
Inventory system in which goods are manufactured or purchased just as they are needed for use is a …
Statement of Ethical Professional Practice
What are the Marketing Principles?
Marketing Principles:
- Focus on the customer
- Only compete in markets where you can establish a
competitive advantage - Customers do not buyproducts
- Marketing is too important to leave to the marketing department (even if there still isone)
- Markets are heterogeneous
- Marketsand customers are constantly changing
What is a Competitive Advantage?
Competitive Advantage is…
the attribute that allows an organization to outperform its competitors
What is Value to customers?
Value = price paid
Value is…
the worth in monetary terms of the economic, technical, service and social
benefits a customer firm receives in
exchange for the price it pays for a market offering.
What is the Goal of Advertising?
Goal of Advertising is …
Connecting with consumers’ unconscious minds TO: Build MEMORY STRUCTURES BY: Being DISTINCTIVE This is what... ...BUILDS DISTINCTIVE ASSETS OVER TIME
What are DISTINCTIVE ASSETS?
Distinctive Assets are …
distinctive memory structures created by advertising/marketing
What is Marketing Value to customers?
Value = price paid
Value is…
the worth in monetary terms of the economic, technical, service and social benefits a customer firm receives in exchange for the price it pays for a market offering.
What is the difference between Sales and Marketing?
Sales is about getting people to exchange their cash for the company’s offering.
While Marketing is about satisfying the needs of customer, by means of a product or a service.
What are the different Marketing Approaches?
Marketing Approaches:
- Product Push
- Customer-led
- Resource-based
What is the definition of Business Market, aka B2B?
Business market is
All the organizations that buy goods and services to use in the production of other products and services, and identify, evaluate and choose among alternative brands
and suppliers.It also includes retailing and whole saling firms that acquire goods for the purpose of reselling or renting them to others at a profit
What are the characteristics of B2C?
B2C:
- many customers
- smaller value transactions
- mass-produced products
- fixed price
- brief, the retail-focused selling process
- multiple factors influence value
- individual buying decision-maker
- media-stimulated demand
- standardized form, service important but less than for business products
- emphasis on advertising
- product passes a number of intermediate links en route to the consumer
- relationship of relatively short duration
- individual or a household makes a buying decision
What are the characteristics of B2B?
B2B:
- fewer customers
- larger0value transactions
- customized products
- negotiated price
- lengthy, complex selling process
- usage determines the value
- multiple buying decision-makers
- derived demand
- emphasis on personal selling
- relatively short distribution, direct channels to market
- relatively enduring and complex customer relations
- relatively technical product, exact form often variable, accompanying services very important
What are the strategic approaches of Marketing?
Strategic approaches of Marketing:
(top down)
- Corporate strategy
- Business strategy (translated into Marketing Goals)
- Functional strategy (translated into tactics and actions)
- Tactical plans & actions (incl Marlketing Mix 4 P’s)
What does 4 P’s (aka Marketing Mix) in Marketing stand for?
4 P’s in Marketing:
- Product
- Price
- Promotion
- Place
What is Marketing Segmentation?
Marketing Segmentation is …
Aggregatingprospectivebuyersinto groups, or segments, that
(1) have common needs and
(2) will respond similarly to a marketing action
(3) articulates who we should not sell to
Which of the following statements concerning financial management are correct?
- It is concerned with investment decisions, financing decisions and dividend decisions
- It is concerned with financial planning and financial control
- It considers the management of risk
a) 1 & 2 only
b) 1, 2 & 3
c) 2 & 3 only
d) 1 & 3 only
Which of the following statements concerning financial management are correct?
- It is concerned with investment decisions, financing decisions and dividend decisions
- It is concerned with financial planning and financial control
- It considers the management of risk
b) 1, 2 & 3
Financial management concerns the management of cash flow and wealth generation. This encompasses investment, financial and dividend decisions (financial strategy), financial planning and control and risk management. The latter is safeguarding future cash flows and lower risk should result in lower cost of capital, increasing the value of the business for the shareholders.
With regard to capital market efficiency, to which form of efficiency does low transaction costs and few barriers to trading apply?
a) Pricing efficiency
b) Operational efficiency
c) Informational efficiency
d) Allocational efficiency
With regard to capital market efficiency, to which form of efficiency does low transaction costs and few barriers to trading apply?
b) Operational efficiency
Markets are efficient based on all publicly available information is a test that describes which form of efficiency?
a) Very strong
b) Strong
c) Weak
d) Semi-strong
Markets are efficient based on all publicly available information is a test that describes which form of efficiency?
d) Semi-strong
Which of the following are thought to be problems with using ratios to report on performance?
- Creative accounting
- They ask more questions than they answer
- Difference in accounting policies
- Financial position statement relates to one day only
A. None of them
B. 1 and 2
C. All of them
D. 3 and 4
Which of the following are thought to be problems with using ratios to report on performance?
- Creative accounting
- They ask more questions than they answer
- Difference in accounting policies
- Financial position statement relates to one day only
C. All of them
What is a bond?
a) simply long-term loan
b) units of equity ownership interest in a corporation
c) a transaction in which delivery of the securities must take place on non-specified day
What is a bond?
a) simply long-term loan
What is value of bond?
a) present value of all cash flows (NPV)
b) coupon rate
c) real interest rate
What is value of bond?
a) present value of all cash flows (NPV)
What is yield to maturity?
a) IRR that equates the bond’s discounted cash flows with its price
b) coupon rate
c) real interest rate
What is yield to maturity?
a) IRR that equates the bond’s discounted cash flows with its price
If the bond yield is greater than the coupon, is the price of the bond greater or less than 100?
a) less
b) more
c) equal
If the bond yield is greater than the coupon, is the price of the bond greater or less than 100?
a) less
Which (if any) of these statements are true? Stock values appear to behave as though successive values:
a) Are random numbers;
b) Follow regular cycles;
c) Differ by a random number.
Which (if any) of these statements are true? Stock values appear to behave as though successive values:
c) Differ by a random number.
True or false?
The efficient market hypothesis assumes that:
There are no taxes;
True or false?
The efficient market hypothesis assumes that:
There are no taxes;
FALSE, there are, but low
True or false?
The efficient market hypothesis assumes that:
Successive price changes are independent;
TRUE
True or false?
The efficient market hypothesis assumes that:
Investors are irrational;
FALSE
True or false?
The efficient market hypothesis assumes that:
There are no transaction costs;
FALSE, there are, but low
True or false?
The efficient market hypothesis assumes that:
Forecasts are unbiased.
TRUE, because info is publicly available and free
Rank the following from 1 to 5 where 1 represents the lowest risk and highest cost and 5 represents the highest risk and highest cost
Unsecured creditors - Preference shareholders - Ordinary shareholders - Creditors with floating charge - Creditors with fixed charge -
Rank the following from 1 to 5 where 1 represents the lowest risk and highest cost and 5 represents the highest risk and highest cost
Unsecured creditors - 3 Preference shareholders - 4 Ordinary shareholders - 5 Creditors with floating charge - 2 Creditors with fixed charge - 1
What is the assumed objective of financial management?
What is the assumed objective of financial management?
Maximise shareholder wealth
How does the objective of financial management manifest itself?
How does the objective of financial management manifest itself?
Dividends and increase in market value
To achieve the assumed objective of financial management, Finance manager has to make decisions relating to:
To achieve the assumed objective of financial management, Finance manager has to make decisions relating to:
- Investment
- Financing
- Dividends
What could be an example of investment decision?
What could be an example of investment decision?
Machinery, vehicles, non-current assets
What could be an example of financing decision?
What could be an example of financing decision?
Loans, shares, retained earnings?
What could be an example of Interaction with investing/dividends?
What could be an example of Interaction with investing/dividends?
Enough return to cover cost? Reduce dividend?
What could be an example of dividend decision?
What could be an example of dividend decision?
Where does the money come from? Borrowing?
What could be an example of Interaction with financing/investing?
What could be an example of Interaction with financing/investing?
Financing needed? Reduce investment?
What is an Agency Problem?
Agency Problem is …
Managers make decisions that are not consistent with the objective of shareholder wealth maximisation
Can Agency Theory affect other stakeholder groups?
Can Agency Theory affect other stakeholder groups?
Yes, can also affect creditors (banks, suppliers, bondholders) and customers
Which of the following are likely to be relevant costs for investment appraisal?
Feasibility study cost: Building cost: Depreciation: Net Sales Income: Head Office Costs: Machinery costs: Machinery sale:
Which of the following are likely to be relevant costs for investment appraisal?
Feasibility study cost: NO Building cost: YES Depreciation: NO Net Sales Income: YES Head Office Costs: NO Machinery costs: YES Machinery sale: YES
Payback method of investment appraisal. What are the advantages?
Payback method of investment appraisal. What are the advantages?
- Simple to calculate and to understand.
- Uses cash flows rather than more easily manipulated accounting profits.
- Can be used as a screening device
- Being biased in favour of short-term projects means that it tends to minimise both financial and business risk.
- Useful when there is capital rationing to identify projects which generate additional cash for investment quickly.
Ranges of Income Elasticity and the types of goods associated with them?
a. εy > 0
b. εy < 0
Ranges of Income Elasticity and the types of goods associated with them?
a. εy > 0 Superior
b. εy < 0 Inferior
Ranges of Cross-price Elasticity and the types of goods associated with them?
a. εcross > 0
b. εcross < 0
Cross-price Elasticity formula?
Ranges of Cross-price Elasticity and the types of goods associated with them?
a. εcross > 0 Substitutes
b. εcross < 0 Complementary
Formula:
△Qx/△Py * Py/Qx
What is the relationship between Price and Demand, and Price and Quantity?
Higher Price - Lower Demand
Higher Price - Lower Quantity
How to interpret the variables in the Demand Function?
Demand Function: a function that describes how much of a good will be purchased at alternative values of the variables that affect demand
aka
This function describes how much of the good X will be purchased at alternative prices of X and related goods, alternative levels of income, and alternative values of other variables that affect demand
FORMULA:
QXD =f(PX,PY,M,H)
Qx = λ0 + λxPx + λyPy + λmM + λhH, where:
Qx - Quantity of the good X
Px - Price of the good X
λx < 0 - when the Price of X increases, the Quantity of X decreases
Py - Price of the good Y
λy > 0 - when the Price of Y increases, the Quantity of X increases (= complements)
λy < 0 - when the Price of Y increases, the Quantity of X decreases (= substitutes)
M - the type of Good
λm > 0 -> normal good
λm < 0 -> inferior good
H - other variables impacting demand
What does a NEGATIVE λx mean in the Demand Function (Qx = λ0 + λxPx + λyPy + λmM + λhH)?
What does a NEGATIVE λx mean in the Demand Function?
when the Price of X increases, the Quantity of X decreases
aka elastic demand
What does a POSITIVE and NEGATIVE λy mean in the Demand Function (Qx = λ0 + λxPx + λyPy + λmM + λhH)?
a. λy > 0
b. λy < 0
What does a POSITIVE λy mean in the Demand Function?
a. POSITIVE: λy > 0 - when the Price of Y increases, the Quantity of X increases (= complements)
b. NEGATIVE: λy < 0 - when the Price of Y increases, the Quantity of X decreases (= substitutes)
What does a POSITIVE and NEGATIVE λm mean in the Demand Function (Qx = λ0 + λxPx + λyPy + λmM + λhH)?
a. λm > 0
b. λm < 0
What does a POSITIVE and NEGATIVE λm mean in the Demand Function?
a. λm > 0 -> normal good
b. λm < 0 -> inferior good
What happens to Normal Good when there is a Recession?
What happens to Normal Good when there is a Recession?
Decrease in Demand
What happens to Inferior Good when there is a Recession?
What happens to Inferior Good when there is a Recession?
Increase in Demand
What does Elasticity mean?
how the Demand changes when one of the variables from the Demand Function changes. It is a percental change: % of Demand changes up/down when 1% of one variable changes.
The more precise the demand is, the more inelastic it becomes. Ex. cigarettes and potato chips are very inelastic because the customer has a specific preference.
Which part of the graph of the Demand is Elastic and which is Inelastic?
Which part of the graph of the Demand is Elastic and which is Inelastic?
If Demand is a linear function going from the top of the Price ax, all the way to the righthand side of the Quantity, then:
- the top part of the Demand line is > 1, therefor it is ELASTIC
- the bottom part of the Demand line is < 1, therefore it is INELASTIC
Which Demand graph is more inelastic - the more horizontal or the more vertical Demand function?
Which Demand graph is more inelastic - the more horizontal or the more vertical Demand function?
The more vertical the Demand line on the graph is, the more Inelastic the demand is.
Ex. medicine is normally inelastic (vertical Deman function) because regardless of the price, I will consume it anyway.
How does the Quality buy change with Price?
How does the Quality bought changes with Price?
Consumer is willing to buy more for a lower price, and pay more for lower quantities. Ex. buying in bulk for cheap.
How does Revenue change with Price increase in case of a very Elastic demand?
How does Revenue change with Price increase in case of a very Elastic demand?
With the Price increase, the Quantity consumed decreases, and because R=PxQ, the Revenue will likely shrink significantly. Need to be careful with pricing in case of elastic demand.
How does Revenue change with Price increase in case of a very Inelastic demand?
How does Revenue change with Price increase in case of a very Inelastic demand?
Revenue is likely to increase in case of inelastic demand when the Price increases.
In which case, elastic or inelastic demand, it makes sense to increase Price for goods?
In which case, elastic or inelastic demand, it makes sense to increase Price for goods?
Elastic demand - decrease Price
Inelastic demand - increase Price
Is gasoline elastic or inelastic in:
a. short-run?
b. long-run?
Is gasoline elastic or inelastic in:
a. short-run: inelastic
b. long-run: more elastic (will likely change the car)
Which goods are more elastic?
a. those that take bigger chunk of the income
b. those that take smaller chunk of the income
Which goods are more elastic?
a. those that take bigger chunk of the income
What is the Income Elasticity of Demand?
The change in Demand when the income changes by 1%.
What is the Cross-price Elasticity of Demand?
The change in Demand when the Price of the 2nd good changes by 1%.
In which case, elastic or inelastic demand, it makes sense to increase Price for goods?
The relationship between price elasticity and revenue?
In which case, elastic or inelastic demand, it makes sense to increase Price for goods?
Elastic demand - decrease Price
Inelastic demand - increase Price
In Economics we care about…?
a. efficiency
b. fairness
In Economics we care about…?
a. efficiency (consumer surplus -> satisfied customer)
Production Function?
Shows how output changes depending on input.
Production Function
Q = F(K,L), where:
- (K,L) are Inputs = Factors of Production (L labor + K capital)
- Q is Output = Ready-made Good
The goal of Production?
Produce the maximum feasible Quantity given the amount of Inputs.
The most famous Production Function?
The most famous Production Function?
Cobb-Douglas production function:
Q = λLβ1*Kβ2, where:
β1 and β2 - tell how much of input is being put into the production function
Is Capital (K) or Labor (L) is higher in the Production Function in Developing (3rd word) countries?
Is Capital (K) or Labor (L) is higher in the Production Function in Developing (3rd word) countries?
Labor (L) because it is cheaper in Developing countries
Leontief Production Function (aka min function)?
Q = min {bK,cL}
this fucntion assumes that inputs are used in fixed proportions.
Ex. Q=min{3K,4L} labor 2 units capital 5 units 3 x 5 = 15 4 x 2 = 8 Q is min of the two, so 8.
How does Short-run effect Production?
Short-Run in Economics is…
the period of time in which one (or more) of the resources employed in a production process is fixed or incapable of being varied.
When at least one of the inputs is FIXED, it is SHORT-RUN.
How does Long-run affect Production?
Long-run is..
the period of time in which all the resources employed in a production process can be varied.
Once there are no longer any fixed inputs, it is a LONG-RUN.
What is Fixed Input in Production?
Inputs in production that does not change regardless of the quantities produced. Ex. it always requires 1h of oven time when producing cookies.
What is Variable Input in Production?
Inputs that change depending on the output produced. Ex. sugar when making cookies.
What is Marginal Product in Economics?
Marginal Product…
It is the change in total output attributable to the last unit of input.
In other words, how the quantity produced changes if labor or capital is increased by 1.
What is Total Product in Economics?
Total Product …
The maximum level of output that can be produced with a given amount of inputs.
What is Average Product in Economics?
Average Product…
a measure of the output produced per unit of input.
What is Marginal Analysis?
Marginal analysis is an examination of the additional benefits of an activity compared to the additional costs incurred by that same activity. Companies use marginal analysis as a decision-making tool to help them maximize their potential profits.
At which point is production at its maximum?
When Marginal Productivity of Labor = 0
What is the role of the manager in respect to production?
role of the manager in respect to production:
- maximize production (by controlling the inputs)
- minimize cost (by controlling the inputs)
What is the breaking point when it comes to output and wage?
At the point when wage is equal to the output s/he produces is the breaking point.
Ex. 1 cookie produced in an hour that costs 2EUR, the wage per h is 2 EUR.
W == Marginal Product of Labor (MPL)
Real vs Nominal Salary?
Nominal Salary - the actual salary a person gets
Real Salary - what you can get with that money; i.e. translated into goods and services
What is production Isoquant?
Isoquant is a representation of the production function. Shows the output (Q) depending on the inputs (K and L).
What is Isocost Line?
Isocost line is..
a line that represents the combinations of inputs that will cost the producer the same amount of money.
What is an Opportunity Cost?
Opportunity Cost is
the value of a resource in its next-best alternative
= lost revenue when this business direction is not taken, something else was chosen instead. Relevant cost.
What is Accounting Profit?
Accounting profit the net income for a company
Accounting Profit = Total Revenue - Explicit Costs
What is Economic Profit?
An economic profit or loss is the difference between the revenue received from the sale of an output and the costs of all inputs used, as well as any opportunity costs. In calculating economic profit, opportunity costs and explicit costs are deducted from revenues earned.
Economic Profit = Total Revenues - Explicit Costs - Implicit Costs
Ex. Economic Cost = Total Accounting Costs + Total Opportunity Costs
Positive earnings do not guarantee increasing shareholders welth.
What is Fixed Cost (FC)?
The costs of inputs to the production process that are constant over the short-run.
- cost that won’t change regardless of which opportunity was perceived, ex. rent. Normally does not change (irrelevant cost), if not specified otherwise.
Cost Function: TC = FC + VC
What is Variable Cost (VC)?
The costs of the variable inputs to the production process
TC = FC + VC
What is Sunk Cost?
Sunk Cost…
is a cost that has already been incurred and cannot be recovered. Past cost that cannot be returned
What is an Organizational Behavior?
Organizational behavior…
… can be defined as the understanding, prediction, and management of human behavior in organizations
or
… is the study of human behavior in organizational settings, the interface between human behavior and organization and the organization itself
Based on a conceptual model for the study of organizational behavior, what is not belonging into the list below as dynamics of organizational behavior?
a) groups & teams
b) communication & decision making
c) leadership process
d) power & politics
e) stress & conflicts
Based on a conceptual model for the study of organizational behavior, what is not belonging into the list below as dynamics of organizational behavior?
c) leadership process
What does Managing & Leading for High Performance include as per the Conceptual Model of Org Behavior?
Managing & Leading for High Performance includes as per the Conceptual Model of Org Behavior:
- Behavioral Management
- Leadership Processes
- Great Leaders
What does Social Cognitive Theory include as per the Conceptual Model of Org Behavior?
Social Cognitive Theory includes as per the Conceptual Model of Org Behavior:
- Environmental Context: Globalisation, Diversity, Ethics
- Organizational Context: Design & Culture, Reward System
- Cognitive Processes: Personality, Perception, Attitudes, Motivational Processes & Application, Positive Org Behavior & Psychological Capital
What makes managers and organizations effective?
What makes managers and organizations effective?
- Enhancing performance behavior
- Enhancing commitment and engagement
- Promoting citizenship behavior
- Minimizing dysfunctional behavior
Definition of Employees?
Employees - ..
… an organization’s competitive advantage
What is Human Resource Management?
Human Resource Management - …
… the set of organizational activities directed at attracting, developing, and maintaining an effective
workforce
What is Cultural Competence?
Cultural Competence - …
… the ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures.
Components:
- Awareness of our own cultural worldview, and of our reactions to people who are different
- Our attitude toward cultural differences
- Knowledge of different worldviews and cultural practices
- Cross-cultural skills
What is Diversity in an Org?
Diversity - …
… the variety of observable and unobservable similarities and differences among people
What are the reasons for increasing diversity?
reasons for increasing diversity:
- Competitive pressures
- recognition and desire for diverse viewpoints
- changing workforce demographics (age, gender, ethnicity, and education)
- legislations and lawsuits
- rapidly growing increase in international business (aka globalisation)
What are the 5 types of diversity?
5 types of diversity:
- Surface level diversity: observable differences in people, including gender, race, age, ethnicity, and physical abilities
- Deep level diversity: individual differences that cannot be seen directly, including goals, values, personalities, decision making styles, knowledge, and attitudes
- Separation: differences in position or opinion among group members reflecting disagreement or opposition, especially with regard to group goals or processes
- Variety: differences in a certain type or category, including group members’ expertise, knowledge, or functional background
- Disparity: differences in the concentration of valuable social assets or resources – including dissimilarity in rank, pay, decision making authority or status
What are the diversity benefits for orgs?
diversity benefits for orgs:
- Diverse teams has increased performance
- Diversity contributes to company’s competitive advantage
- Culturally diverse teams make better decision over time than homogeneous teams
- Diverse groups can develop a more comprehensive view of a problem and a broader list of possible solutions
- More women in top management affects the performance of companies pursuing an innovation strategy
- Law and regulations
How can diversity be managed?
Managing diversity through:
- Learning
- Empathy
- Testing
- Training
- Mentoring
What determine ethical behavior?
What determines ethical behavior?
- Cultural influences: Family, friends, education, religion, media
- Organizational influences: Ethical codes, role models, policies, practices, reward and punishment systems
- External forces: Political, legal, economic, and international developments
Quick-test that helps ethical decision making costs of the following questions:
Quick-test that helps ethical decision making costs of the following questions:
- Is the action legal?
- Is it right?
- Who will be affected?
- Does it fit the company’s values?
- How would I feel afterwards?
- How would it look in the newspaper?
- Will it reflect poorly on the company?
How organizations prevent unethical behavior?
How organizations prevent unethical behavior?
- Code of conduct
- Ethical guidelines
- Ethics programs
- Ethical culture
- Ethics officer position
- CSR
What is Corporate Governance?
Corporate Governance - …
… Board of directors acting in the best interests of shareholders and other stakeholders.
What is a Learning Organization?
Learning Organization - …
… is characterized by human-oriented cultural values, ie:
- everyone can be a source of useful ideas;
- the people closest to the problem usually have the best ideas regarding how to solve it (empowerment should be promoted throughout the structure);
- learning flows up and down, so managers as well as employees can benefit from it;
- new ideas are important and should be encouraged and rewarded;
- mistakes should be viewed as learning opportunities;
- learning from failures is an especially important cultural value for people in the learning organization.
What are the types of organizational structures?
Types of organizational structures:
- Functional structure
- Divisional structure
- Matrix structure
- Team-based structure
- Network organization
What is a Horizontal Org?
Horizontal Org…
revolves around the process, not the task, where:
• The hierarchy is flattened;
• Teams are used to manage everything;
• Customers drive performance;
• Team performance is rewarded;
• Supplier and customer contact is maximized;
• All employees need to be fully informed and trained
What are the Guidelines for Change of Culture in an Org?
Guidelines for Change of Culture in an Org:
- Assess the current culture
- Set realistic goals that impact the bottom line
- Recruit outside personnel with industry experience
- Make changes from the top down
- Include employees in the cultural change process
- Take out all trapping that remind personnel of the previous culture • Expect to have some problem, find ambassadors
- Move quickly and decisively to build momentum • Be persistent
Types of rewards?
Rewards:
- Compensation
- Promotion
- Recognition
What are the levels of human mental programming?
Levels of human mental programming:
- human nature (inherited)
- culture (learned)
- personality (inherited & learned)
What is self-esteem?
self-esteem - …
… Self perceived competencies and self-image
What is Social Cognitive Theory is composed of?
The Social Cognitive Theory is composed of:
- self-observation,
- self-evaluation,
- self-regulation
- self-efficacy
What is self-observation?
self-observation
… The cognitive process of a person observing and monitoring themselves as
they work towards their goal
What is self-evaluation?
self-evaluation -
…The process of a person cognitively comparing their performance needed to achieve their goal
What is self-regulation?
self-regulation - …
… Ability to manage your energy states, emotions, behaviors and attentions
What is self-efficacy?
self-efficacy - …
…. An individual’s belief in his/her capacity to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific performance attainments
What is the difference between Personality Types and Personality Traits?
Personality type refers to different types of individuals. Introverts and extraverts are two fundamentally different categories of people. Also, ambivert.
Personality traits (aka attitutes) refers to behavioral tendencies. Introversion and extraversion are part of a continuous dimension, with many people in the middle.
What is the value of team-role theory?
The value of team-role theory…
… it enables individuals or teams to benefit from self-knowledge and the power to adjust to demands placed upon them.
What is Halo effect?
Halo effect -
… Judging person total personality based on one trait
What are the job dimensions that affect job satisfaction?
job dimensions that affect job satisfaction:
- The work itself;
- Pay;
- Promotion opportunities;
- Supervision;
- Coworkers
What are the possible outcomes of Job Satisfaction?
Outcomes of Job Satisfaction:
- Satistfaction & performance
- Satisfaction & turnover
- Satisfaction & absenteeism
- Satisfaction & better health
How to enhance job satisfaction?
How to enhance job satisfaction?
- Make jobs more fun;
- Have fair pay, benefits; and promotion oportunities;
- Match people with jobs that fit their interests and skills;
- Design jobs to make them excisting and satisfying.
Three-component model (Meyer and Allen) of Organizational Committment?
Three-component model (Meyer and Allen) of Organizational Committment?
- Affective commitment – employees’ emotional attachment to; identification with; and involment in the organization.
- Continuance commitment – the costs that an employee associates with leving the organization;
- Normative commitment – employees’ feelings of obligation to stay (it’s the right thing to do)
How to enhance organizational commitment?
How to enhance organizational commitment?
- Commit to people-first values;
- Clarify and communicate your mission;
- Guarantee organizational justice;
- Create a sense of community;
- Support employee development.
What is the difference between group and team?
A group is a collection of individuals who coordinate their individual efforts.
On the other hand, at team is a group of people who share a common team purpose and a number of challenging goals.
What is the Five step process for setting team goals?
Five step process for setting team goals
- Goal-setting process
- Choose the goal setting framework (ex SMART)
- Make goals visible
- Plan regular check-ins
- Adjust the goals as needed
What is the WWWW (or 4W’s) framework delegation of tasks is about?
WWWW (or 4W’s) framework delegation of tasks :
- What: …tasks need to be completed or are delayed?
- When: …is the deadline?
- Who: …is the best fit for the task?
- Why: …the work is important to your team?
What does Employee Satisfaction Index (ESI) measure?
Employee Satisfaction Index (ESI) measures…
… to what extent are employees happy on their job
What does Employee Engagement Level (EEL) measure?
Employee Engagement Level (EEL) measures…
… to what extent are employees ready to devote themselves to the mission and the vision of the company
What does Employee Advocacy score (EAS) measure (aka NPS)?
Employee Advocacy score (EAS) measures…
… Would you recommend this company as an employer to a friend
What does Observing team-member performance consist of?
Observing team-member performance consists of:
- Attendance
- Helpfullness
- Efficiency
- Initiative
- Quality
SBI - framework for feedback?
SBI - framework:
Situation
Behavior
Impact
What are Self-managed teams?
Self-managed teams - …
… a group of employees who are responsible for managing and performing technical tasks that result in a product or service being delivered to an internal or external customer
What are the best practices when managing teams?
Best practices managing teams:
- Creating a learning culture within your team
- Manager as entrepreneur
- Manager as a coach, mentor or/and sponsor
What are the different theoretical views for job motivation?
Different theoretical views for job motivation:
- Scientific management - Assumption that employees are motivated by money
- Human relations approach: employees’ inclusion in decision making will result in positive employee attitudes and motivation to work hard
- Human resource approach: Assumes that people want to contribute and management task is to encourage participation and to create an environment that makes full use of human resource available
What does Two-factor (dual-structure) theory costs of?
Two-factor (dual-structure) theory - …
… consist of:
- Motivation factors: Achievement, recognition, the work itself, responsibility, growth
- Hygiene factors: Supervision, working conditions, interpersonal relationships, pay and job security, company policies
What does the Acquired Needs Framework (McClelland) consist of?
Acquired Needs Framework (McClelland) consists of:
- Needs for achievement,
- affiliation
- power.
What is Existence, relatedness and growth (ERG) theory about?
Existence, relatedness and growth (ERG) theory:
- Existence – necessary for basic human survival (basic and security needs in Maslow’s theory)
- Relatedness – involving the need to relate (Maslow social and esteem needs)
- Growth – analogous to Maslow’s self-esteem and self-actualization
What is Equity Theory about?
Equity Theory -
… people desire to be treated fairly. Comparison of Self with Other.
What is Expectancy Theory about?
Expectancy Theory - …
… People are motivated by how much they want something and the likelihood they perceive of getting it
New paradigm of satisfaction?
New paradigm of satisfaction?
- Autonomy-the desire to direct our own lives;
- Mastery-the urge to get better and better at something that matters;
- Purpose-the yearning to do what we do in the service of something larger than ourselves.
What are the types of job design?
What are the types of job design?
- Job rotation
- Job enlargement
- Job enrichment
What does the basic motivation process consist of?
What does the basic motivation process consist of?
Needs -> Drives -> Incentives
What is the difference between Monetary Rewards and Non-monetary Rewards?
Monetary: involve direct money to the employees; normally given to employees who are extremely performing. Can work as a negative force.
Non-monetary: do not involve direct money to the employees, but cost company money; normally given to all the employees of a certain level. Always works as a positive force.
What does Wellbeing Theory (PERMA model) consist of?
Wellbeing Theory (PERMA model):
- Positive emotions: emotional intelligence (Goleman);
- Engagement: Flow theory (Csikszentmihalyi)
- Positive Relationships: Social capital (Baker / Dutton)
- Meaning: PURE model (Wong); Values
- Accomplishment: Goal setting theory; Hope theory (Snyder); Growth mindset (Dweck); Self Determination Theory (Ryan)
What does 6-step Communications Model consist of?
6-step Communication Model consists of:
- Set Objectives
- Know your audience
- Develop a message
- Choose medium
- Communicate
- Measure results
Type A and Type B personalities when it comes to stress?
Type A (60% managers):
- fast
- multitasking
- competitive
Type B:
- not concerned about time
- mild-mannered
What does Employee Stress consist of?
Employee Stress consists of:
- Personal stress
- Org stress
What are the conflict management techniques?
conflict management techniques:
- Collaboration
- Compromise
- Competition
- Accommodation
- Avoidance
What are the 5 types of Power?
5 types of Power:
- Charismatic power (personal power) – based on personal attractivity and characteristics.
- Position-based power (legitimate, position power) – aligned both with reward and coercive power.
- Expert power (expert power) - related knowledge; expertise and experience.
- Fee-based power (reward power) - the ability to control and organize certain activities (to recognize, increase wages).
- Penalty-based power (coercive power) – based on fear. The ability to intimidate others, punish them
What is the Classic law of effect?
Classic law of effect - …
… of several responses made to the same situation, those which are followed by satisfaction (reinforcement) will be more likely to recur; those which are followed by discomfort (punishment) will be less likely to occur
What is the Extinction principle of law?
Extinction principle of law - ..
.. If the behavior is followed by no consequence, the behavior will extinguish over time.
What is The rule of thumb in Org People?
The rule of thumb -
… Regardless of employee’s infraction, managers must strive to maintain a positive working relationship by remaining open to dialogue and ensuring that the worker understands why he’s being reprimanded
What are the stages of Behavioral Performance Management?
Stages of Behavioral Performance Management:
- Identify
- Measure
- Analyze
- Intervene
- Evaluate
What is the difference between Transactional and Transformational leadership?
What is the difference between Transactional and Transformational leadership?
Transactional leadership helps organizations achieve their current objectives more efficiently, such as by linking job performance to valued rewards and ensuring that employees have the resources needed to get the job done. Is considered by some writers as “managing” or “doing things right” because leaders concentrate on improving employee performance and well-being.
In contrast, transformational leadership is about “leading”—changing the organization’s strategies and culture so that they have a better fit with the surrounding environment. Transformational leaders are change agents who energize and direct employees to a new set of corporate values and behaviors.
What could be the substitutes for Leadership in an org?
substitutes for Leadership in an org:
- co-workers stepping into leadership
- self-leadership
What are the leadership styles?
leadership styles:
- The AUTHORITATIVE (Visionary) leader sets the vision for the team;
- The AFFILIATIVE leader takes time helping the team to bond;
- The PARTICIPATIVE (Democratic) leader starts by asking all the team members what they would like to do, then voting on the options;
- The PACESETTING leader sets a cracking pace from the beginning. The team operates with high energy, engagement, and motivation;
- The COACHING leader focuses on the learning experience.
What should you do right after criticizing or praising someone’s actions or behavior?
a) Publicly announce the behavior.
b) Demand a detailed written account of the behavior.
c) Punish or reward the behavior.
d) Explain the broad effects of that behavior.
What should you do right after criticizing or praising someone’s actions or behavior?
d) Explain the broad effects of that behavior.
How can you gain influence over members of a cross-functional team who are not under your direct supervision?
a) by filing reports on team performance to your manager
b) by having weekly team evaluations of the team members
c) by threatening to have them expelled from the team
d) by communicating with their supervisor regarding their performance
How can you gain influence over members of a cross-functional team who are not under your direct supervision?
d) by communicating with their supervisor regarding their performance
Why should a manager spend time organizing venues for casual or informal contact among virtual team members?
a) to resolve disputes
b) to improve overall communication within the team
c) to encourage collaboration
d) to foster outside interactions
Why should a manager spend time organizing venues for casual or informal contact among virtual team members?
b) to improve overall communication within the team
What is the most critical stage (team members positioning themselves and it’s the most common stage where crisis can arise) in the team-development cycle?
a) forming
b) storming
c) norming
d) performing
e) adjourning
What is the most critical stage (team members positioning themselves and it’s the most common stage where crisis can arise) in the team-development cycle?
b) storming
Based on a conceptual model for the study of organizational behavior, what is not belonging into the list below as dynamics of organizational behavior?
a) groups & teams
b) communication & decision making
c) leadership process
d) power & politics
e) stress & conflicts
Based on a conceptual model for the study of organizational behavior, what is not belonging into the list below as dynamics of organizational behavior?
c) leadership process
Which action should you take after overcoming a setback?
a) review the process to determine key positive and negative features
b) move on immediately to the next obstacle
c) codify the successful process for future repetition
d) seek out causes of the setback and reprimand those responsible
Which action should you take after overcoming a setback?
a) review the process to determine key positive and negative features
What is Economy of Scale?
Economy of Scale - …
… a proportionate saving in costs gained by an increased level of production
Describe the characteristics of an attractive industry according to Porter’s 5 Forces.
characteristics of an attractive industry according to Porter’s 5 Forces:
- High barriers to entry (low threats from new entrants)
- Suppliers and buyers with weak bargaining power
- Low threats from substitute products
- Low rivalry among competitors
What are the 5 Forces according to Porter’s Model?
Porter’s 5 Forces:
- Threat of new entrants (ex barriers: high capital cost, brand loyalty, distribution channels, product differentiation)
- Industry Rivals
- Threat of Substitutes (ex. generic vs branded good); the more brand loyalty - the less threat
- Bargaining power of Consumers
- Bargaining power of Suppliers
2 factors are critical to keeping in mind:
1) Apply the underlying mechanisms of each force (ex. slow industry growth leads to an increased level of competition)
2) Have a dynamic perspective by understanding that each force is evolving (ex. traditional suppliers have become competitors, like in the case of Hulu).
What does VRIN(O) stand for when it comes to analyzing a company’s competitiveness?
VRIN(O):
- Valuable - source of great value
- Rare - resources or capabilities are not possessed by many competitors
- Inimitable (aka unique) - difficult to imitate
- Non-Substitutable - no strategically equivalent valuable resource or capabilities
What are the 3 pillars of Competitive Strategy in Managerial Economics?
3 pillars of Competitive Strategy:
- RESOURCE-based capabilities
- Business PROCESSES
- Adaptive INNOVATION
Definition of RESOURCE-based capabilities when it comes to competitive strategy
RESOURCE-based capabilities - …
… secure access to key resources (like patents or distribution channels) that cannot be replicated easily by competitors
Ex. Amazon: books -> other goods
Definition of Business PROCESSES when it comes to competitive strategy
Business PROCESSES - …
… competitive strategy analyzes business processes that are difficult to initiate and capable of creating unique value for the target customers
Ex. Dell vs Kompact
Definition of Adaptive INNOVATION when it comes to competitive strategy
Adaptive INNOVATION - …
… competitive strategy provides a road map for sustaining a firm’s profitability, principally through innovation
Ex. Polaroid: instant cameras -> digital cameras
What are the Types of Strategies?
Types of Strategies:
- Product Differentiation
- Cost-based = cheapest (most popular)
- IT
What is Product Differentiation?
Product Differentiation - …
… a business strategy that relies upon differences in products or processes affecting perceived customer value
Ex. Coca-Cola, Gillette
What is a Cost-based Strategy?
Cost-based - …
… business strategy that relies upon low-cost operations, marketing, or distribution
Ex. Lidl with its boxes
What is an Informational Technology Strategy?
Informational Technology Strategy - …
… a business strategy that relies on IT capabilities (smth that the firm already has)
Ex. Insurance Car Companies based on GPS
What is Relevant Market?
Relevant Market - …
… a group of firms belonging to the same strategic group of competitors (based on 3 main business strategies)
What is a Concentrated Market?
Concentrated Market - …
… a relevant market with a majority of total sales occurring in the largest 4 firms
What is a Fragmented Market?
Fragmented Market -
… a relevant market whose market shares are uniformly SMALL; no one company that can exert enough influence to move the industry in a particular direction
What is a Consolidated Market?
Consolidated Market - …
… a relevant market whose number of firms has declined through acquisitions, mergers, and buyouts
What is the incumbent?
incumbent -
… is the current holder of a position
What does Sustainable Profitability focus on?
see also Sustainable income
Sustainable Profitability focuses on…
non-price rather than price competition
What is the Myth of the Market Share about?
the Myth of the Market Share :
the key to profitability is to design a strategy that reduces the THREAT OF SUBSTITUTES, the POWER of BUYERS and SUPPLIERS, and the THREAT of ENTRY
Discounting prices won’t work in long-term.
What are the Causes of Perfect Competition?
Causes of Perfect Competition:
(don’t care about the brand)
- very large of relatively small firms
- standardized products
- very easy entry and exit
- non-price competition: impossible
- no collusion (illegal) among firms
- price takers; firm decides how much Q to produce
- cross-price elasticity higher than in Monopolistic Comp; perfect susbstitutes
Ex. Foreign exchange markets, Internet related industries, etc
What are the Causes of Monopolistic Competition?
Causes of Monopolistic Competition:
(certain degree of market power due to product differentiation)
- large number of relatively small firms
- differentiated products
- easy entry and exit
- non-price competition: possible
- cross-price elasticity lower than in Perfect Comp; substitutes, but not perfect
Ex. Restaurants, Hairdressers, Clothing, TV programmes
What are the Causes of Oligopoly/Duopoly?
Causes of Oligopoly/Duopoly:
- small number of relatively large firms
- both standardized and differentiated products
- difficult entry and exit
- non-price competition: possible/difficult
Ex.
Oligopoly: Smartphones, high-tech TVs, auto industry, cable television, and commercial air travel
Duopoly: Visa and Mastercard, Coca-Cola & Pepsi
What are the Causes of Monopoly?
Causes of Monopoly:
(firm’s demand = industry’s demand)
- barriers to entry and exit (ex. high capital cost, economies of scale, brand loyalty, distribution channels, product differentiation)
- one big company
- unique product
- non-price competition: not necessary
- price setter (maker), but has logic
Ex. Microsoft and Windows, DeBeers and diamonds
What is Collusion?
Collusion is a deceitful agreement or secret cooperation between two or more parties to limit open competition by deceiving, misleading or defrauding others of their legal right
What does Price Takers mean?
Price Takers -
… are companies that have no power over price, and set prices based on what market dictates
What is Normal Profit?
Normal Profit -
Normal profit is a situation where a firm makes sufficient revenue to cover its total costs and remain competitive in an industry; with exclusion for one-time gains and losses
Which one - Accounting Profit or Economic Profit indicate that the firm made money?
Which one - Accounting Profit or Economic Profit indicate that the firm made money?
Accounting Profit is positive means the firm made money
!!!Having a negative Economic Profit (or zero) does not eliminate the possibility to having a positive Accounting Profit.
What is Marginal Revenue?
Marginal Revenue -
… is the price from selling the additional unit
Ex. notebook costs 8, the additional notebook’s MR will be 8
What is the difference between Firm’s Demand and Industry’s Demand?
In the case of Perfect Competition, Industry’s demand is all individual firms demands together
In the case of Monopoly, they are equal
What, P or Q, can the firm manipulate in order to adjust Profit?
What, P or Q, can the firm manipulate in order to adjust Profit?
Q. Even in the case of Monopoly, which is a Price maker, the P cannot be manipulated endlessly, but the quantity can.
Which Monopoly has more power - the one with very elastic or the one with very inelastic demand?
Which Monopoly has more power - the one with very elastic or the one with very inelastic demand?
Monopoly with inelastic demand is more powerful.
Both Demand and Marginal Revenue are more vertical. In case of elastic demand, the D and MR are more horizontal.
What is the difference between Profit Margin and Profit Markup?
What is the difference between Profit Margin and Profit Markup?
They both are profits on goods, but Markup is higher in relation to Marginal Cost than Margin.
The bigger is elasticity, the bigger is Markup. Ex. beers at stadiums.
What is the Deadweight Loss?
Deadweight Loss -
.. is the inefficiency of the Monopoly. It consists of a part of what supposed to belong to Customer Surplus and Producer Surplus but was left put due to Monopoly being able to ask for a higher price and produce less.
What is the proportion between Methodology, Experience and Intuition in Project management?
What is the proportion between Methodology, Experience and Intuition in Project management?
- methodology (20%)
- experience (50%)
- intuition (30%)
What is a PROJECT?
a UNIQUE endeavor with a clear GOAL that needs to be achieved by INTERRELATED TASKS in a FIXED PERIODS OF TIME with LIMITED COST and RESOURCES and influenced by RISKS
What is a PORTFOLIO?
is a set of projects with similar characteristics
What is a PROGRAM?
a set of projects focusing on the SAME, overarching GOAL
What is the difference between PROJECT and PRODUCT?
Project has a clear goal, product is evolving in an agile way
What are the responsibilities of a Project Manager?
responsibilities of a Project Manager:
- integrates the team in order to succeed;
- solves issues that limit teams’ capabilities;
- balances PM’s triangle (time, quality/scope, budget/resources);
- responsible for success
What does PM’s Triangle consist of?
PM’s Triangle consists of
time,
quality/scope,
budget/resources
What are the responsibilities of a Sponsor?
Responsibilities of a Sponsor:
- approves milestones,
- holds the budget,
- is the primary escalation at client side,
- takes decisions when PM is not enough
What is the definition of a Team?
Team- …
a pool of people grouped to solve a problem or to reach a common target by INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION; min 2 members, max ideally 5; with a team identity (different from the identity of individuals)
What are the 5 phases of the team development according to Tucman?
5 phases of team development:
- forming
- storming
- norming
- performing
- transforming
What does Forming stage consist of?
Forming:
- gather impressions
- acting independently
- observe
- no conflicts
- get to know one another
What does Storming stage consist of?
Storming:
- sharing opinions
- expressing disagreement
- challenging
- emphasizing differences
- focusing on not losing motivation
find topics that are agnostic, ex weather
What does Norming stage consist of?
Norming:
- moving toward one goal
- giving up individual positions, agreeing with others
- sharing controversial ideas as long as they are in line with the goal
What does Performing stage consist of?
Performing:
- functions as one
- handling decision-making process
- reacting to changes
- returning to previous phases when required
- remain motivated
What does Transforming stage consist of?
Transforming:
- completing tasks
- delivering results
- recap experiences and LL (lessons learned)
- breaking up the team
What are the characteristics of a Leader?
Leader:
Leader:
- coaches
- goodwill
- enthusiasm
- “we””
- fixes the breakdown
- shows by example
- develops people
- gives credit
- asks
- “let’s go”
Switching to boss may be required in critical situations
How to ensure that team reaches the performing phase?
How to ensure that team reaches the performing phase?
- know the phases, actively observe
- accept that you need to pass the first 3 phases
- inform the team wisely - information is key for delegation and motivation
- ensure that team is involved early in, and include them in the marketing activities
- be ready for change
What do I do during the performing phase?
What do I do during the performing phase?
Structuring, Communication, Delegation and Coordination
- split projects into logical tasks (WBS Work Breakdown Structure)
- facilitate progress and interaction/comms
- explain decisions to the team and who are affected by the decision
- delegate tasks
- help the team to feel responsibility
- coordinate the project in every dimension (according to project charter)
What does MECEness stand for?
Mutually Exclusive Collectively Exhaustive - no overlaps and no left-outs; all categories are of similar size
What does the communication by the Project Management look like?
What does the communication by the Project Management look like?
- structure and clear guidelines
- always between sender and receiver, two-way
- every stakeholder requires individual considerations for comms
- establish several ways of communication for one target group
What is the definition of Feedback?
Feedback - …
form of comms during the project; comments, activities, statements, judgement, assessment, influence; focuses on improvement and allows for structured reflection
What does Delegation consist of?
Delegation:
- honor expert support
- agree on how to deal with delegated activities
- forget the line org hierarchy
- everyone is welcomed to contribute
- hand over not only the task, but also responsibility
- clarity on the target, and freedom
How are Project Coordination and PM’s Triangle related?
How are Project Coordination and PM’s Triangle related?
Project Coordination = keeping the triangle in balance
What is “coordination of the project in every dimension through …”?
Coordination of the project in every dimension is done through…
… Project Charter
What are the Project Management Lifecycle phases?
Project Management Lifecycle phases:
- Initiating
- Planning
- Executing & Monitoring & Controlling
- Closing
What does Project’s Initiating phase consist of?
Project’s Initiating phase consists of:
- define scope
- define financial resources
- identify stakeholders
- setup project team
- agree on targets and milestones
- obtain authorization