Business Degree Organizational Behavior 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'organizational culture'?
- The physical layout of company office spaces
- The shared values, beliefs, and norms that shape behavior within an organization (Correct answer)
- The formal hierarchy depicted in an org chart
- The diversity of employee backgrounds and experiences
Correct answer: The shared values, beliefs, and norms that shape behavior within an organization
Organizational culture is the collective personality of a company — the shared assumptions, values, and behaviors that define how people work together.
Question 2: According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which need must be satisfied first?
- Esteem needs
- Safety needs
- Physiological needs (Correct answer)
- Self-actualization needs
Correct answer: Physiological needs
Maslow's hierarchy places physiological needs (food, water, shelter) at the base because they are fundamental survival requirements that must be met before higher-order needs.
Question 3: What is 'transformational leadership'?
- Leadership that focuses strictly on task completion and rewards
- A style where leaders inspire followers to exceed expectations through vision and motivation (Correct answer)
- Management that relies on strict rule enforcement and penalties
- Leadership through financial incentives and bonuses only
Correct answer: A style where leaders inspire followers to exceed expectations through vision and motivation
Transformational leaders motivate followers by appealing to higher ideals, fostering innovation, and inspiring commitment to a shared vision.
Question 4: What is 'groupthink'?
- A brainstorming technique that encourages independent thinking
- A phenomenon where the desire for group harmony overrides realistic appraisal of alternatives (Correct answer)
- The collective decision-making process in democratic organizations
- A leadership style that values consensus over efficiency
Correct answer: A phenomenon where the desire for group harmony overrides realistic appraisal of alternatives
Groupthink occurs when a cohesive group prioritizes conformity and unanimity over critical thinking, leading to poor or irrational decisions.
Question 5: What does 'span of control' refer to in organizational structure?
- The geographic territory managed by a regional director
- The number of subordinates a manager directly supervises (Correct answer)
- The range of products a business unit is responsible for
- The budget authority given to a department head
Correct answer: The number of subordinates a manager directly supervises
Span of control is the number of employees or subordinates that a single manager directly oversees and is responsible for.
Question 6: What is 'intrinsic motivation'?
- Motivation driven by external rewards such as salary and bonuses
- Motivation that comes from within, driven by personal satisfaction and interest (Correct answer)
- Motivation resulting from peer pressure and social comparison
- Motivation tied to performance reviews and promotions
Correct answer: Motivation that comes from within, driven by personal satisfaction and interest
Intrinsic motivation comes from internal rewards — the enjoyment, curiosity, or sense of purpose a person feels from doing an activity itself.
Business Degree Organizational Behavior 1
What is 'organizational culture'?