Question 1

All of the following are distinctive characteristics of an unhealthy corporate culture EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)   the presence of counterproductive cultural traits that adversely impact the work climate and company performance.
B)   a preoccupation with risk management and capitalizing on related market opportunities.
C)   a decision-making effort that is subject to pressure from many different cliques.
D)   ethical behavior that is driven by subcultures.
E)   a strong fixation on attending to what customers are saying and how their needs and expectations are to be met.F) None of the above
G) A) and B)

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT likely to be an effective management action (making a compelling case to employees)  about culture-remodeling efforts that can create a better strategy-culture fit?

Accepted Answer

A)   citing reasons why and how certain behavioral norms and work practices in the current culture pose obstacles to good execution of new strategic initiatives
B)   explaining how new behaviors and work practices that are to be introduced and have important roles in the new culture will be more advantageous and produce better results
C)   calling upon first-level supervisors and rank-and-file employees to identify cultural barriers to good strategy execution and then to lead the cultural change effort
D)   granting pay raises to individuals who step out front, lead the adoption of the desired work practices, display the new-style behaviors, and achieve pace-setting results
E)   revising policies and procedures in ways that will help drive cultural changeF) C) and E)
G) All of the above

Question 3

What are the two things involved in the leadership challenge to consistently achieve good strategy execution?

Accepted Answer

Proficient strategy execution requires c...

Question 4

What defines an insular, inwardly focused culture?

Accepted Answer

A)   The firm never underestimates rivals because of their proven track record in defending challenges.
B)   The firm believes they have all the answers because of their past great market success and is thus overconfident.
C)   The firm's unflinching belief in the company's superiority breeds a champion's attitude and thus they thrive on doing better by adapting to fresh thinking from outside the company.
D)   The firm values their customers' opinions and fully understands their needs and expectations.
E)   The firm has a commitment to hiring young people who can offer fresh thinking and new perspectives.F) A) and E)
G) A) and D)

Question 5

What are the five traits of unhealthy cultures?

Accepted Answer

Five particularly unhealthy cultural tra...

Question 6

The task of top executives in making corrective adjustments includes

Accepted Answer

A)   knowing when to continue with the present corporate culture and when to shift to a different and better corporate culture.
B)   being good at figuring out whether to arrive at decisions quickly or slowly in choosing among the various alternative adjustments.
C)   thoroughly analyzing the situation and exercising good business judgment in deciding what actions to take.
D)   deciding whether to try to fix the problems of poor strategy execution or simply shift to a strategy that is easier to execute correctly.
E)   deciding how to identify the problems that need fixing.F) B) and C)
G) All of the above

Question 7

Explain how managerial leadership can foster a high-performance culture.

Accepted Answer

Leading the effort to foster a results-o...

Question 8

Can clashing subcultures exist in an organization that otherwise has a healthy culture? Explain.

Accepted Answer

Yes. As long as the subcultures are comp...

Question 9

What technique can be utilized by leaders to stay informed on how well the strategy execution process is progressing?

Accepted Answer

A)   managing by walking around
B)   managing bothersome work activities
C)   multi-business warning actions
D)   managers being well-advised
E)   multi-business walking aheadF) A) and E)
G) C) and D)

Question 10

Which of the following topics would least likely be contained in a company's code of ethics?

Accepted Answer

A)   prohibiting giving or accepting bribes, kickbacks, or gifts
B)   expecting all company personnel to display honesty and integrity in their actions and avoid conflicts of interest
C)   barring dealing with suppliers that employ child labor or engage in other unsavory practices
D)   committing to a no-layoff policy and to adequate funding of employee retirement programs
E)   avoiding use of company assets, resources, and property for personal or other inappropriate purposesF) A) and E)
G) A) and D)

Question 11

Which of the following statements about companies and their corporate cultures is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

A)   W. L. Gore's culture promotes multidiscipline teams to organize around opportunities and in the process leaders emerge.
B)   Walmart's culture encourages the zealous pursuit of low costs and frugal operating practices.
C)   Nordstrom's corporate culture is centered on delivering exceptional service to customers.
D)   Apple's employee-centric culture fosters openness and sharing of company-developed technology.
E)   Epic Systems' corporate culture is based on the slogan "Do good. Have fun. Make money."F) B) and E)
G) C) and E)

Question 12

Identify and briefly discuss four steps that managers can take to change a culture that is out of step with the company's strategy.

Accepted Answer

The place for management to begin a majo...

Question 13

What is meant by the term corporate culture? Why is corporate culture an important factor in implementing and executing strategy?

Accepted Answer

Corporate culture is the shared values, ...

Question 14

Companies with multinational operations and/or newly acquired businesses typically have

Accepted Answer

A)   strong cultures.
B)   multiple cultures (or subcultures)  rather than a single culture.
C)   weak cultures.
D)   adaptive cultures.
E)   low-performance cultures.F) A) and E)
G) None of the above

Question 15

Give two examples of "symbolic" culture-changing actions and two examples of "substantive" culture-changing actions.

Accepted Answer

If the organization's strategy involves ...

Question 16

The character of a company's culture is a NOT a product of

Accepted Answer

A)   core values and beliefs espoused by executives.
B)   standards of what is ethically acceptable and what is not.
C)   organizational learning from past errant behavior on the part of executives and employees.
D)   its traditions and the stories that get told over and over.
E)   the "chemistry" and the "personality" that permeate the work environment.F) B) and C)
G) A) and C)

Question 17

Which of the following is something to look for in identifying a company's culture?

Accepted Answer

A)   the atmosphere, spirit and character that pervades the work climate and the values, business principles, and ethical standards that management preaches and practices
B)   the track record in meeting or beating its financial and strategic performance targets
C)   the intensity and makeup of the company's value chain
D)   the strategic intent and competitive strategy inherent within the company's efforts for successful strategy execution
E)   the resource strengths, core competencies, and competitive capabilities that permeate the organizationF) A) and D)
G) B) and D)

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT particularly helpful in perpetuating a company's culture?

Accepted Answer

A)   word-of-mouth indoctrination of new members in the culture's fundamentals
B)   frequent reiteration of core values by senior managers and group members
C)   visibly rewarding those who display cultural norms and penalizing those who don't
D)   maintaining a consistent strategic vision and strategic intent over time
E)   telling and retelling of company legends and regular ceremonies honoring members who display desired cultural behaviorsF) C) and D)
G) B) and E)

Question 19

Which of the following statements about a weak company culture is true?

Accepted Answer

A)   In a weak-culture company, there is virtually no employee support for the company's strategic vision and strategy.
B)   Weak-culture companies do not usually have a code of ethics and have little regard for high ethical standards.
C)   Weak cultures provide little assistance in executing strategy because there are no traditions, values, or behavioral norms that management can use as levers to mobilize commitment to executing the chosen strategy.
D)   Weak-culture companies are fairly receptive to change and to people who champion new ways of doing things.
E)   In a weak-culture company, there is usually a dearth of intellectual capital and inattention to building core competencies.F) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Question 20

A strongly implanted culture provides a huge assist in executing strategy because company managers can use the traditions, beliefs, values, common bonds, or behavioral norms

Accepted Answer

A)   as levers to mobilize commitment to executing the chosen strategy.
B)   as reinforcement for convincing staff that the strategy is sound and molded in tradition.
C)   to ensure the staff will embrace the new strategy like they have in the past.
D)   to manipulate jobholders into thinking traditions are important.
E)   as disciplinary measures in making the employees perform better and achieve targets.F) All of the above
G) None of the above

Exam 12: Corporate Culture and Leadership: Keys to Good Strategy Execution

The task of top executives in making corrective adjustments includes

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What are the five traits of unhealthy cultures?

Correct AnswerverifiedFive particularly unhealthy cultural tra...View AnswerShow Answer

What is meant by the term corporate culture? Why is corporate culture an important factor in implementing and executing strategy?

Correct AnswerverifiedCorporate culture is the shared values, ...View AnswerShow Answer

Which of the following is NOT likely to be an effective management action (making a compelling case to employees) about culture-remodeling efforts that can create a better strategy-culture fit?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What technique can be utilized by leaders to stay informed on how well the strategy execution process is progressing?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following statements about companies and their corporate cultures is incorrect?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is something to look for in identifying a company's culture?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

All of the following are distinctive characteristics of an unhealthy corporate culture EXCEPT

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Companies with multinational operations and/or newly acquired businesses typically have

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is NOT particularly helpful in perpetuating a company's culture?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What defines an insular, inwardly focused culture?

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Can clashing subcultures exist in an organization that otherwise has a healthy culture? Explain.

Correct AnswerverifiedYes. As long as the subcultures are comp...View AnswerShow Answer

Give two examples of "symbolic" culture-changing actions and two examples of "substantive" culture-changing actions.

Correct AnswerverifiedIf the organization's strategy involves ...View AnswerShow Answer

Identify and briefly discuss four steps that managers can take to change a culture that is out of step with the company's strategy.

Correct AnswerverifiedThe place for management to begin a majo...View AnswerShow Answer

Which of the following topics would least likely be contained in a company's code of ethics?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following statements about a weak company culture is true?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Explain how managerial leadership can foster a high-performance culture.

Correct AnswerverifiedLeading the effort to foster a results-o...View AnswerShow Answer

What are the two things involved in the leadership challenge to consistently achieve good strategy execution?

Correct AnswerverifiedProficient strategy execution requires c...View AnswerShow Answer

The character of a company's culture is a NOT a product of

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A strongly implanted culture provides a huge assist in executing strategy because company managers can use the traditions, beliefs, values, common bonds, or behavioral norms

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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Five particularly unhealthy cultural tra...
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Corporate culture is the shared values, ...
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Yes. As long as the subcultures are comp...
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If the organization's strategy involves ...
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The place for management to begin a majo...
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Leading the effort to foster a results-o...
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Proficient strategy execution requires c...
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