MGMT 310 TOPIC EXAMS QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
| American Public University
1. A team leader at Metro Transit wants to correct this condition: a repetitive job offers little discretion
even though employees are capable of handling more complex responsibility. What is the most
appropriate action?
A. Make the external reward contingent on a clear, controllable, and appropriately measured performance
result
B. Strengthen the effort-to-performance link, make performance-to-reward links credible, and ensure
rewards are valued
C. Use consistent criteria, accurate information, voice, and a credible review process
D. Expand meaningful responsibility, decision authority, and complete work ownership rather than merely
adding more similar tasks
Correct Answer: D. Expand meaningful responsibility, decision authority, and complete work ownership
rather than merely adding more similar tasks
Explanation: The best action is to expand meaningful responsibility, decision authority, and complete work
ownership rather than merely adding more similar tasks. That response applies job enrichment, which refers
to redesigning work to increase responsibility, autonomy, challenge, and meaningful control over the job,
and therefore addresses the underlying problem more directly than the alternatives.
2. Which option correctly differentiates systems view and contingency approach?
A. Systems view and contingency approach are interchangeable terms for the ability to work effectively
with, communicate with, and understand other people.
B. Systems view focuses on seeing the organization as interdependent parts that transform inputs into
outputs while interacting with the environment, whereas contingency approach focuses on the view that
the most effective managerial action depends on the specific situation rather than one universal rule.
C. Systems view focuses on the view that the most effective managerial action depends on the specific
situation rather than one universal rule, whereas contingency approach focuses on seeing the
organization as interdependent parts that transform inputs into outputs while interacting with the
environment.
D. Both concepts primarily focus on difficulty predicting external change when the environment is complex
or changes rapidly.
Correct Answer: B. Systems view focuses on seeing the organization as interdependent parts that
transform inputs into outputs while interacting with the environment, whereas contingency approach
focuses on the view that the most effective managerial action depends on the specific situation rather than
one universal rule.
Explanation: Systems view concerns seeing the organization as interdependent parts that transform inputs
into outputs while interacting with the environment; contingency approach concerns the view that the most
effective managerial action depends on the specific situation rather than one universal rule. The correct
option preserves that distinction instead of reversing or conflating the two concepts.
, 3. Which response would best address the following situation at Summit Analytics: the organization
operates a stable, highly regulated process where reliability and consistent execution dominate?
A. Use dual reporting with clear role expectations, conflict-resolution processes, and shared priorities
B. Use flexible roles, cross-functional collaboration, decentralized decisions, and open information sharing
C. Use clear hierarchy, standardized roles, centralized decisions, and formal procedures where
predictability is essential
D. Clarify who holds final formal authority over the employee's priorities and performance
Correct Answer: C. Use clear hierarchy, standardized roles, centralized decisions, and formal procedures
where predictability is essential
Explanation: The best action is to use clear hierarchy, standardized roles, centralized decisions, and formal
procedures where predictability is essential. That response applies mechanistic structure, which refers to a
relatively centralized, formalized structure with clear hierarchy and specialized roles, and therefore
addresses the underlying problem more directly than the alternatives.
4. Which action is most likely to produce a stronger internal pipeline for future responsibilities at Vertex
Industries?
A. Use stretch assignments, coaching, mentoring, and learning experiences tied to future capability needs
B. Review participation, access, voice, and advancement practices so different employees can contribute
fully
C. Diagnose organizational, task, and person-level causes before designing training
D. Collect information about the job and use it to define duties and worker requirements before recruiting
Correct Answer: A. Use stretch assignments, coaching, mentoring, and learning experiences tied to future
capability needs
Explanation: The action to use stretch assignments, coaching, mentoring, and learning experiences tied to
future capability needs most directly applies employee development. The concept refers to planned learning
aimed at broader future capability, career growth, and readiness for new responsibilities, making this option
the one most closely linked to a stronger internal pipeline for future responsibilities.
ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS
| American Public University
1. A team leader at Metro Transit wants to correct this condition: a repetitive job offers little discretion
even though employees are capable of handling more complex responsibility. What is the most
appropriate action?
A. Make the external reward contingent on a clear, controllable, and appropriately measured performance
result
B. Strengthen the effort-to-performance link, make performance-to-reward links credible, and ensure
rewards are valued
C. Use consistent criteria, accurate information, voice, and a credible review process
D. Expand meaningful responsibility, decision authority, and complete work ownership rather than merely
adding more similar tasks
Correct Answer: D. Expand meaningful responsibility, decision authority, and complete work ownership
rather than merely adding more similar tasks
Explanation: The best action is to expand meaningful responsibility, decision authority, and complete work
ownership rather than merely adding more similar tasks. That response applies job enrichment, which refers
to redesigning work to increase responsibility, autonomy, challenge, and meaningful control over the job,
and therefore addresses the underlying problem more directly than the alternatives.
2. Which option correctly differentiates systems view and contingency approach?
A. Systems view and contingency approach are interchangeable terms for the ability to work effectively
with, communicate with, and understand other people.
B. Systems view focuses on seeing the organization as interdependent parts that transform inputs into
outputs while interacting with the environment, whereas contingency approach focuses on the view that
the most effective managerial action depends on the specific situation rather than one universal rule.
C. Systems view focuses on the view that the most effective managerial action depends on the specific
situation rather than one universal rule, whereas contingency approach focuses on seeing the
organization as interdependent parts that transform inputs into outputs while interacting with the
environment.
D. Both concepts primarily focus on difficulty predicting external change when the environment is complex
or changes rapidly.
Correct Answer: B. Systems view focuses on seeing the organization as interdependent parts that
transform inputs into outputs while interacting with the environment, whereas contingency approach
focuses on the view that the most effective managerial action depends on the specific situation rather than
one universal rule.
Explanation: Systems view concerns seeing the organization as interdependent parts that transform inputs
into outputs while interacting with the environment; contingency approach concerns the view that the most
effective managerial action depends on the specific situation rather than one universal rule. The correct
option preserves that distinction instead of reversing or conflating the two concepts.
, 3. Which response would best address the following situation at Summit Analytics: the organization
operates a stable, highly regulated process where reliability and consistent execution dominate?
A. Use dual reporting with clear role expectations, conflict-resolution processes, and shared priorities
B. Use flexible roles, cross-functional collaboration, decentralized decisions, and open information sharing
C. Use clear hierarchy, standardized roles, centralized decisions, and formal procedures where
predictability is essential
D. Clarify who holds final formal authority over the employee's priorities and performance
Correct Answer: C. Use clear hierarchy, standardized roles, centralized decisions, and formal procedures
where predictability is essential
Explanation: The best action is to use clear hierarchy, standardized roles, centralized decisions, and formal
procedures where predictability is essential. That response applies mechanistic structure, which refers to a
relatively centralized, formalized structure with clear hierarchy and specialized roles, and therefore
addresses the underlying problem more directly than the alternatives.
4. Which action is most likely to produce a stronger internal pipeline for future responsibilities at Vertex
Industries?
A. Use stretch assignments, coaching, mentoring, and learning experiences tied to future capability needs
B. Review participation, access, voice, and advancement practices so different employees can contribute
fully
C. Diagnose organizational, task, and person-level causes before designing training
D. Collect information about the job and use it to define duties and worker requirements before recruiting
Correct Answer: A. Use stretch assignments, coaching, mentoring, and learning experiences tied to future
capability needs
Explanation: The action to use stretch assignments, coaching, mentoring, and learning experiences tied to
future capability needs most directly applies employee development. The concept refers to planned learning
aimed at broader future capability, career growth, and readiness for new responsibilities, making this option
the one most closely linked to a stronger internal pipeline for future responsibilities.
