Bossidy and Charan believe that to excel at execution, a leader should
A. be hands-off once the strategy is set.
B. micromanage the tactics.
C. empower employees to take over the execution.
D. probe for weaknesses in the substance and details.
E. let the plan run its course before attempting to revise it.
Which of the following is not a question that Bossidy and Charan believe a strong strategic plan must address?
A. How will deviations from the plan be handled?
B. What is the assessment of the external environment?
C. What are the critical issues facing the business?
D. Can the business execute the strategy?
E. Are the short term and long term balanced?
According to Bossidy and Charan, effective ______ requires managers to build a foundation for it within three core process: people, strategy, and operations.
A. tactical planning
B. strategy
C. follow-through
D. execution
E. controlling
Apple's iPad has a very high percentage of the market for tablet computers, and this is also a quickly growing market. Thus, using the BCG matrix, the iPad would be classified as a
A. star.
B. cloud.
C. question mark.
D. cash cow.
E. dog.
Daniel is assessing his company's portfolio of products. One of them is the best-selling brand of mayonnaise, although this is now a slow-growing market. If Daniel uses the BCG matrix, he would classify this product as a
A. star.
B. cloud.
C. question mark.
D. cash cow.
E. dog.
Which of the following strategy tools suggests that an organization will do better in fast-growing markets in which it has a high market share rather than in slow-growing markets in which it has a low market share?
A. SWOT analysis
B. Porter's model for industry analysis
C. Porter's competitive strategies
D. The BCG matrix
E. Trend analysis
________ refers to the idea that the economic value of separate, related businesses under one ownership and management is greater together than the businesses are worth separately.
A. Structural benefit
B. Synergy
C. Selective function
D. Alignment
E. Consolidation
Timex Group USA makes inexpensive but reliable watches sold throughout the United States and is an example of an organization pursuing a _________ strategy.
A. cost-leadership
B. differentiation
C. cost-focus
D. focused-differentiation
E. retrenchment
An organization is developing a low-cost line of environmentally friendly cleaning products that it intends to distribute internationally. Here, the organization is following a ______ strategy.
A. cost leadership
B. differentiation
C. cost focus
D. retrenchment
E. focused-differentiation
A. prospector, defender, analyzer, and reactor.
B. growth, stability, and retrenchment.
C. cost leadership, differentiation, cost focus, and focused differentiation.
D. strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
E. stars, questions marks, cash cows, and dogs.
Oil companies must be aware of other firms' development of ethanol products since this is an example of which one force in Porter's model for industry analysis?
A. Bargaining power of buyers.
B. Rivalry among competitors.
C. Bargaining power of suppliers.
D. Threats of new entrants.
E. Threats of substitute products and services.
Which of the following is not one of the forces that affects industry competition, according to Porter's model for industry analysis?
A. Threats of new entrants.
B. Threats of substitute products and services.
C. Bargaining power of buyers.
D. Threats of government interference.
E. Bargaining power of suppliers.
Alexis has prepared a report that details how prices for several raw materials her firm uses in production have risen by up to 30% in the last year. Her report would be an input into the __________ part of a SWOT analysis.
A. strengths
B. weaknesses
C. opportunities
D. threats
E. structure
Amanda has just determined that her employees will require extensive training if they are to acquire the necessary technological expertise to produce a new product line. She has discovered one of her firm's
A. strengths.
B. weaknesses.
C. opportunities.
D. threats.
E. market challenges.
When analyzing the "W" in SWOT analysis, a manager might take note of
A. a decrease in consumer demand.
B. a competitor's bankruptcy.
C. high turnover of employees.
D. good financial resources of the firm.
E. institution of a tariff on foreign competitors.
When analyzing the "S" in a SWOT analysis, a manager might take note of
A. a decrease in the size of the market.
B. competitors' new products.
C. high turnover of employees.
D. strong financial resources of the firm.
E. lifting of governmental regulations.
Careful monitoring of an organization's internal and external environment to detect early signs of opportunities and threats that may influence the firm's plans is called
A. competitive intelligence.
B. forecasting.
C. contingency planning.
D. trend analysis.
E. environmental scanning.
Rafaela is interested in learning more about what one of her competitors is doing so that she can anticipate its upcoming moves and react quickly. Which of the following would you suggest to her for this purpose?
A. Go through the competitor's trash on its property.
B. Pose as an applicant for a job with the competitor.
C. Use investor information.
D. Call the competitor, explain who you are, and ask directly.
E. Pay the competitor's customers for information.
After film manufacturer Kodak failed to reinvent itself and declared bankruptcy in 2012, it decided to focus on its business of making inkjet printers as part of a ______ strategy.
A. growth
B. stability
C. defensive
D. reorganization
E. reactor
A fine luggage maker was struggling with heavy debt and a sharp decline in customers, and it eventually declared bankruptcy. The company followed which grand strategy?
A. Growth
B. Stability
C. Defensive
D. Reduction
E. Reactive
Recently ConocoPhillips, America's third-biggest oil company, spun off its refineries, pipelines, and chemicals division to form a new company called Phillips 66. Now ConocoPhillips will concentrate on its upstream operations. This is a variation of which of these grand strategies?
A. Right-size
B. Growth
C. Stability
D. Defensive
E. Reorganization
An Iowa ethanol production company has been suffering from a combination of lower demand for gasoline (into which its product is mixed) and higher corn prices (which is the largest input cost). It has responded by selling off land, buildings, and some of its reserve product inventory. This is a variation of which of these grand strategies?
A. Right-size
B. Growth
C. Stability
D. Defensive
E. Reorganization
Faisal has been running a commercial real estate business for nearly 30 years. As he approaches retirement, he is content to simply lease the commercial space he currently has, rather than make new deals to develop additional properties. Faisal is using which grand strategy?
A. Stability
B. Retrenchment
C. Inducement
D. Defensive
E. Growth
High Peaks Skate and Snowboard is a small shop that provides equipment for Utah snowboarders in winter months. It has decided to increase advertising during this period in the Salt Lake Tribune and the Park Record in Park City, as well as to sponsor a new on-mountain competition. It is following which strategy?
A. Inducement
B. Defensive
C. Growth
D. Stability
E. Enhancement
Computer technology corporation Dell recently acquired Quest software, an IT management software provider, in order to expand upon its software expertise and offerings. Dell is pursuing a(n) ______ strategy.
A. escalation
B. growth
C. stability
D. merger
E. defensive
A. star, question mark, cash cow, and dog.
B. cost-leadership, differentiation, cost focus, and focused differentiation.
C. growth, stability, and defensive.
D. strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
E. defender, prospector, analyzer, and reactor.
Which of the following is a question that should be answered by a company's mission statement?
A. Will it inspire enthusiasm and encourage commitment?
B. Does it set standards of excellence?
C. Is it appropriate for the organization?
D. Is it well articulated?
E. Who is our customer?
Which of the following should be included in a good vision statement?
A. Firm's attitude toward its employees.
B. Geographical areas in which the firm will compete.
C. Firm's basic technology.
D. Firm's standards of excellence and high ideals.
E. Firm's major products or services.
Which of the following is not a stage in the strategic-management process?
A. Conduct a trend analysis.
B. Maintain strategic control.
C. Establish the grand strategy.
D. Establish the mission and vision.
E. Carry out the strategic plans.
Which of the following steps of the strategic-management process is the source of its feedback loop?
A. Carry out the strategic plan.
B. Maintain strategic control.
C. Establish the grand strategy.
D. Establish the mission and vision.
E. Formulate the strategic plans.
Which of the following best represents a currently popular strategy among big companies like Apple, Google, and Amazon?
A. Become involved in the community.
B. Seek niches where there is less competition.
C. Get consumers tightly connected to the company's ecosystem.
D. Offer personal or emotional connections to customers.
E. Discourage price comparisons.
Milo owns and manages a small bike repair store. In order to determine if strategic planning will be likely to help his business, Milo should primarily assess
A. how many competitors he has.
B. foot traffic by his location.
C. his profitability in the prior six months.
D. industry trends.
E. how much he intends to grow in the next five years.
Anne runs a small bakery on the main street of a resort town. Though hers was the only bakery around, the business had been suffering during the economic slowdown, and she was contemplating whether she should attempt strategic planning. Anne should be aware of what research finding regarding strategic planning?
A. Only large firms show performance gains from strategic planning.
B. Only small firms show performance gains from strategic planning.
C. Performance gains from strategic planning are equal among small and large firms.
D. Both small and large firms benefit from strategic planning, but small firms get a larger boost in performance.
E Both small and large firms benefit from strategic planning, but the small improvement in . performance may not be worth the effort for small firms.
A small firm is likely to benefit significantly from strategic planning
A. regardless of the nature of its industry or market.
B. when it is in a very competitive industry.
C. when it is in a very new industry.
D. when it is in a very stable industry.
E. when it has a very small market.
Consumers can use a national company called Service Magic to receive bids from quality providers of a variety of services, including home remodel, landscaping, plumbing, and housecleaning. Service Magic charges service providers for the leads it provides to them monthly. Which of the following is the source of Service Magic's strategic position?
A. Low-profit margin and many customers.
B. Broad needs and few customers.
C. Broad needs and many customers.
D. High-profit margin and many customers.
E. High-profit margin and few customers.
Which of the following statements about strategy and strategic positioning is false?
A. Many customers with broad needs can be a source of strategic position.
B. A company has to choose not only what strategy to follow but what strategy not to follow.
C. Few customers with broad needs can be a source of strategic position.
D. Strategy involves creating a "fit" among activities.
E. Few customers with narrow needs can be a source of strategic position.
Which of the following is not a typical cause of bad planning?
A. Information overload.
B. Inadequate planning budgets.
C. Ineffective group dynamics.
D. Poor assessment of an organization's capabilities.
E. Faulty assumptions about the future.
Which of the following statements about strategic planning and strategic management is true?
A. Strategic planning is rarely used in the current environment of fast change because it does not allow for flexibility.
B. Strategic management is a process completed by top managers.
C. Both should be implemented because they can provide direction and momentum.
D. Middle managers need not understand strategies; they simply follow them.
E. Strategic planning is used to accomplish tactical goals.
Which of the following would be considered a reason for adopting strategic management and strategic planning?
A. To enhance employee loyalty.
B. To keep corporate taxes at a minimum.
C. To develop independent work from the staff.
D. To provide develop a sustainable competitive advantage.
E. To increase market dominance with repeat purchase.
A. only top management.
B. only top and middle management.
C. only middle and lower management levels.
D. only lower management level.
E. managers from all parts of the organization.
A ______ represents an "educated guess" about what must be done in the long term for survival or the prosperity of the organization or its principal parts.
A. trend analysis
B. mission
C. strategy
D. forecast
E. contingency plan
T / F - In MRP systems, inventories are managed according to their dollar usage values (i.e., high dollar usage inventories are more carefully managed compared to low dollar usage inventories).
A. Shows how much inventory is available
B. Is a bill sent to the customer for material ordered
C. Is a list of all materials required to produce a part
D. None of the above
The parts explosion results in the following outputs:
A. Purchase orders and S&OP (aggregate planning)
B. Purchase orders and bill of materials
C. Purchase orders and shop orders
D. Shop orders and inventory orders
A. Usually are longer than actual working times
B. Ignore interference from other jobs
C. Usually are shorter than actual working times
D. Assume the work is expedited and completed as quickly as possible
A. Management support, parts explosion, and adequate computer support
B. Marketing support, master schedule, and bill of materials
C. Management support, accurate data, and adequate computer support
D. None of the above
A. Inventory, master schedule, and bill of materials
B. Forecast, inventory, and bill of materials
C. Capacity, master schedule, and inventory
D. Forecast, bill of materials, and master schedule
T / F - Transit inventories are also referred to as pipeline inventories because they consist of materials that are on their way from one point to another point in the supply chain.
A computerized inventory system checks inventory levels at the end of the week and produces suggested orders for the coming week. What kind of system is this?
A. A periodic review system
B. A continuous review system
C. A service level system
D. An ABC inventory system
The carrying cost for inventory consists of which cost components?
A. Capital cost, obsolescence cost, and ordering cost
B. Obsolescence cost, capital cost, and stockout cost
C. Obsolescence cost, storage cost, and capital cost
D. Storage cost, handling cost, and obsolescence cost
A. Planning, Scheduling, Control, and Closing
B. Planning, Scheduling, Starting, and Ending
C. Scheduling, Control, Starting, and Ending
D. None of the above
A. Identify the critical path
B. Determine the early start and the early finish times
C. Determine the late start and the late finish times
D. Determine the slack available in the process
Scheduling systems answer all of the following questions EXCEPT:
A. What delivery date do I promise?
B. How much will the schedule cost?
C. When should I start each particular activity or task?
D. How do I make sure that the job is completed on time?
A. A resource that has the maximum capacity in the facility
B. A resource whose capacity is less than the capacity of all other resources and whose capacity is less than the demand placed on it
C. A resource that blocks labor productivity
D. A resource that has the fastest processing time
Scheduling deals with which three conflicting objectives?
A. High efficiency, high profits, and short lead-time
B. High profits, low inventories, and good customer service
C. Low inventories, high efficiency, and good customer service
D. Low inventories, good customer service, and short lead-time
A. The former ensures capacity is efficiently used whereas the latter is the acquisition of resources.
B. The former is short term in nature while the latter is medium term.
C. The former is last in the hierarchy of capacity planning decisions and the latter is first.
D. The former deals with acquiring resources and the latter deals with allocating resources.
A. When historic data are unreliable
B. When it is impossible to obtain historic data
C. For short-range, repetitive decisions
D. When making major, costly decisions, such as facilities location
T / F - In supply chain improvement, it is often necessary to reduce the setup time of equipment dramatically so that smaller lots of the product can be economically produced.
T / F - The objective of structural and infrastructure changes is the same: To remove sources of uncertainty, to reduce replenishment time, and to reduce total cost of supplying the market.
The five measures of supply chain performance are:
A. Cost, quality, flexibility, delivery, and time
B. Cost, quality, time, delivery, and reliability
C. Inventory, quality, time, delivery, and flexibility
D. Inventory, cost, quality, time, and delivery
T / F - "A production process delivers large amount of scrap products. Top management has discovered that improper machine maintenance is the reason behind this failure."
The above statement is an example of a special cause of variation.
Which of the following statements is NOT true about six sigma quality?
A. Six sigma results in 3.4 ppm defects
B. Six sigma corresponds to 3 standard deviations on either side of the mean
C. Six sigma can be applied to administrative and service processes as well
D. Motorola invented the term "six sigma quality" in the mid-80s
One of the earliest steps in designing a quality control system is to decide on:
A. The amount of inspection to use
B. Who should do the inspection
C. The type of measurement to be used
D. Training workers to perform inspection on their own work
A. Identifies common causes of quality defects
B. Is often used in conjunction with a Pareto chart
C. Is also called a fishbone diagram
D. All of the above are true
A. Assumes that 99.74% of special cause variation will fall between upper and lower limits
B. Has upper and lower control limits set at 2 standard deviations from the center line
C. Separates the assignable cause of variation from the common cause of variation
A. Is defined by critical control points, inspectors, measurements, costs, and other considerations
B. Involves a zero defects philosophy
C. Requires a continuous scale for measurement of defects
D. Must include both variable and attribute measurements
A. Begins with defining customer needs
B. Is stated as tolerances or minimum and maximum acceptable limits
C. Is used for services, not products
D. Produces control points and inspection techniques
SERVQUAL measures which dimension of service quality
A. Reliability, Tangibles, Assurance, Empathy, and Conformance Quality
B. Performance Quality, Tangibles, Responsiveness, Reliability, and Assurance
C. Responsiveness, Tangibles, Empathy, Assurance, and Reliability
D. Reliability, Tangibles, Responsiveness, Empathy, and Conformance Quality
A. Is used to measure a product's reliability
B. Is used to measure a product's maintainability
C. Is used to measure a product's maintainability and availability
D. Is a measure of up time/(up time + down time)
A. The time it takes workers to set up a machine during scheduled maintenance
B. The time to complete setup activities that do not require that the machine be stopped
C. The time it takes equipment vendors to set up the machine
D. None of the above
A. To balance the workload on all work centers
B. To allow for production of safety stock
C. To signal the need for more parts
D. To increase the time for scheduled maintenance
A. The amount of time the customer is separated from the service delivery system
B. The amount of time the customer is in the service delivery system while the service is being produced
C. The customization abilities of the service system
D. None of the above
Which of the following are the three forms of mass customization:
A. Modular production, postponement, and efficient customer response
B. Fast changeover, modular production, and make-to-stock
C. Modular production, postponement, and fast changeover
D. Assemble-to-order, modular production, and value analysis
The type of processing system that is used for complex jobs with a unique or creative set of activities and where automation is virtually impossible is:
A. Mass production
B. Continuous production
C. Project
D. Batch
A. Is the way new product ideas are developed
B. Is the next stage after product design
C. Is considered less important to a company than product design
D. Should occur at the same time as product design
The market-pull view of new product innovation is to:
A. "Pull" the products into the market as fast as possible
B. Develop products that the company can sell, based on customer needs
C. Market whatever the company makes best
D. Make new products appealing through innovative packaging
The four elements that form the heart of operations strategy include:
A. Mission, distinctive competence, objectives, and internal analysis
B. Mission, distinctive competence, internal analysis, and external analysis
C. Mission, objectives, internal analysis, and external analysis
D. Mission, distinctive competence, objectives, and strategic decisions
The three primary functions that exist in most business organizations are:
A. Operations, accounting, and finance
B. Operations, production, and finance
C. Production, marketing, and human resources
D. Operations, finance, and marketing
A. More emphasis should be placed on manufacturing than on service industries
B. Every operation should be externally directed to meet the customers' requirements
C. Operations decisions should precede decisions in other functions in an organization
D. To be competitive, strategies for operations should exclude broader supply chain issues
The four decision areas in operations management are:
A. Planning, technology, inventory, and control
B. Process, quality, capacity, and inventory
C. Process, quality, technology, and capacity
D. None of these
Why is operations management a more encompassing term than production management?
A. Operations management is concerned with multiple products and services
B. Operations management refers to service as well as manufacturing organizations
C. Operations management is broader including the financing and marketing functions
D. Operations management makes use of the tools of quantitative analysis and computer systems