Office Skills- Chapter 15 Quiz

Explanation
The statement suggests that organizations are indeed restructuring around new roles for information due to recent and future economic, political, and social realities. This implies that organizations are recognizing the importance of information in their operations and are adapting their structures to effectively utilize and leverage information in decision-making processes.

Explanation
The statement is true because alternative work systems such as office sharing, job sharing, flextime, and telecommuting are mentioned as examples. These alternative work systems provide employees with more flexibility and options in how and where they work, allowing them to have a better work-life balance and potentially increase productivity.

Explanation
Empowerment is the belief that individuals who are directly involved in a task or job have the knowledge and expertise to make decisions and improve their own performance. This means that they are trusted to find the most effective and efficient ways to complete their work. By granting them autonomy and giving them the authority to make decisions, organizations can tap into their skills and knowledge, leading to better outcomes and increased job satisfaction. Therefore, the statement that empowerment is based on the belief that the person doing the job knows better than anyone else the best way to do the job and improve performance is true.

Explanation
Cross-functional teams include workers from all departments, including administration and human resources. These teams are formed to bring together individuals with diverse skills and expertise from different departments to work on a specific project or goal. By including representatives from administration and human resources, cross-functional teams can ensure that all aspects of the project, including logistics, resources, and personnel management, are effectively addressed.

Explanation
The statement is false because a horizontal organization actually aims to reduce or eliminate bureaucracy. In a horizontal organization, decision-making authority is decentralized, and employees have more autonomy and empowerment. This structure promotes collaboration, innovation, and agility, as it allows for faster decision-making and adaptability to changes in the business environment. Therefore, a horizontal organization typically avoids or minimizes entrenched bureaucracy, making the statement false.

Explanation
The statement is false because there are several external forces that can affect office communication, not just international business. Other external forces may include technological advancements, economic conditions, government regulations, cultural differences, and competition in the market.

Explanation
Technological advances have indeed made it possible to transport information and other resources faster than before. With the development of the internet, communication has become instantaneous, allowing information to be shared and accessed quickly. Additionally, advancements in transportation technology have enabled faster delivery of physical resources, such as goods and materials. Overall, technological progress has greatly improved the speed at which information and resources can be transported.

Explanation
Having a basic understanding of international trade and economies is indeed an important international business skill. In today's globalized world, businesses are increasingly engaging in international trade, and having knowledge about how different economies function and interact with each other is crucial for success. Understanding international trade can help businesses identify new market opportunities, navigate trade barriers and regulations, and make informed decisions about sourcing materials and selling products in different countries. Therefore, it is true that having a basic understanding of international trade and economies is an important skill for international business.

Explanation
This statement is false. Americans do need to understand ways of doing business in foreign countries. In today's globalized economy, many American companies operate internationally and engage in business transactions with foreign partners. Understanding the cultural, legal, and business practices of foreign countries is crucial for successful business operations and building strong relationships with international partners. Failing to understand these aspects can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunications, and ultimately hinder business growth and opportunities.

Explanation
The statement suggests that in order to prevent a problem, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the process involved in producing a product or rendering a service. This implies that if we have a good understanding of how something is made or done, we can identify potential issues and take appropriate measures to avoid them. Therefore, the answer is true.

Explanation
The statement is stating that a customer can be anyone from a client, boss, co-worker, or an entire department. This implies that a customer is not limited to just individuals but can also refer to groups or departments within an organization. Therefore, the answer is true.

Explanation
The statement is true because successful customer-service employees indeed possess the four mentioned traits. Friendliness is essential to create a positive interaction with customers. Self-control helps in handling difficult situations calmly and professionally. Dependability ensures that customers can rely on the employee to fulfill their needs. Effective problem solving allows employees to address customer issues efficiently and find satisfactory solutions. These traits contribute to providing excellent customer service and building strong relationships with customers.

Explanation
The given statement is false. A customer can be both an individual or a corporation, but they can also be a part of an organization. Therefore, the statement that a customer is always an individual or corporation outside an organization is incorrect.

Explanation
Prevention actually implies taking actions or measures to avoid problems or issues from occurring in the first place. It focuses on identifying potential risks and implementing strategies to mitigate them, rather than waiting for problems to arise and then resolving them. Therefore, the given statement is false.

Explanation
The statement is false because empowerment is not based on the workplace adage that bosses think, managers manage, and workers work. Empowerment is a management approach that involves giving employees the authority and responsibility to make decisions and take actions in their work. It is about fostering a sense of ownership, autonomy, and trust among employees, rather than adhering to a hierarchical structure where only bosses think, managers manage, and workers work.