IIA IIA Certifications IIA-CIA-PART3 Questions & Answers

• Question 561:

  One of the keys to successful redesigning of jobs in order to motivate employees is:

  A. Creating autonomous work teams.

  B. Enlarging jobs by adding more tasks similar to tasks being performed.

  C. Rotating workers to different jobs to provide the workers with variety.

  D. Changing the content of jobs so that the jobs fit each worker's need for growth.

  Correct Answer: D

  One of the major principles of successful job design and redesign is to consider employee needs and skills and match them with jobs. An alternative is to change the jobs to fit those needs and skills. The objective is to conform to strengths and to avoid weaknesses.

• Question 562:

  Job enlargement is typified by:

  A. Horizontal loading of the job.

  B. Vertical loading of the job.

  C. Increased worker control of tasks.

  D. More rapid performance feedback.

  Correct Answer: A

  Job enlargement is a quantitative horizontal) extension of the job. It does not necessarily involve any greater worker control, responsibility, or challenge. An example is job rotation through assignment to duties requiring similar skills.

• Question 563:

  Job enrichment is a motivational approach used by management that:

  A. Emphasizes the need for close supervision.

  B. Is based on Maslow's analysis of survival needs.

  C. Is based on Herzberg's analysis of factors extrinsic to the work.

  D. Applies the principle of worker participation.

  Correct Answer: D

  Job enrichment increases the scope of boring, repetitive tasks by using more of the employee's skills and allowing the employee more power to make decisions concerning the job, such as order of tasks, etc. Thus, it encourages worker participation in decisions previously made by management.

• Question 564:

  According to management literature, worker absenteeism, turnover, and error rates are likely to be greatest:

  A. When workers alternate in performing different jobs.

  B. In simplified assembly-line jobs.

  C. In job sharing situations.

  D. When flexible working hours are provided.

  Correct Answer: B

  The literature tends to support the theory that, while job satisfaction has an economic importance only indirectly related to productivity, satisfied workers exhibit lower rates of absenteeism, turnover, tardiness, apathy, and sabotage. Organizations with more organic or flexible organization structures may use more of the worker's skills and present a greater variety of work challenges, thus improving morale. Mass production technology usually involves repetitious, boring tasks.

• Question 565:

  Two managers were discussing the merits of goal setting to improve employee performance. One manager felt that specific goals should not be established and that, to provide for flexibility, only generalized goals should be used. The other manager felt that specific, difficult goals produce the best results. As the discussion continued, other methods of goal setting were identified. Select the best method for setting goals.

  A. The manager should provide generalized goals.

  B. The manager should select specific, difficult goals.

  C. The employee should develop generalized goals and obtain management concurrence.

  D. The employee should develop specific, difficult goals and obtain management concurrence.

  Correct Answer: D

  According to Edwin Locke's goal-setting theory, specific, difficult goals to which the employee is committed provide the best motivation tool. Performance improves when goals are specific rather than general, difficult rather than easy, and self-set rather than imposed by others. Feedback, especially self-generated feedback, also improves performance compared with lack of feedback. Commitment to goals, that is, a determination not to reduce or abandon them, and self-efficacy, that is, a belief in one's ability to accomplish the task, are additional qualities that result in better performance.

• Question 566:

  As a manager, you should be striving for a high level of job satisfaction for your staff for all the following reasons except:

  A. A happy, satisfied worker is always a more productive worker.

  B. High job satisfaction usually results in lower turnover.

  C. Dissatisfied employees are often less healthy.

  D. Many people feel job satisfaction is as important as remuneration.

  Correct Answer: A

  Studies have shown that worker satisfaction does not necessarily lead to improved productivity. In fact, studies indicate that it is more likely that a productive worker is a happy worker.

• Question 567:

  Which of the following is a cultural aspect that typically makes international and intercultural communication more difficult?

  I. Long distances between sender and receiver.

  II. Body language.

  III. Language.

  IV.

  Attitude.

  A.

  I and Ill only.

  B.

  II and V only.

  C.

  I, IV, and V only.

  D.

  II, Ill, IV, and V only.

  Correct Answer: D

  Facial, gestural, and postural body language, and other forms of nonverbal communication, may have different meanings in different cultures. Furthermore, because of the differences in language even within the same country, special care must be taken not to make mistakes or offend others in a foreign land. It is nearly impossible for someone with only a few semestersof a foreign language to understand the subtleties of nonnative communication. Attitudes, such as stereotyping, also may cause misunderstandings. In addition, time is a barrier to intercultural communication. The perception of time as it relates to business and social life varies with the culture. Polychronic time is based on a perception that time is nonlinear, flexible, and multidimensional. This perception is typical of Mediterranean,Latin American, and Arabic cultures. Monochronic time is based on a perception that time is the same for everyone and is measurable in standard units. This perception is common in Northern Europe and the

  U.S. These western cultures believe in punctuality and that time is money and should not be wasted. However, communication difficulties due to the long distances separating senders and receivers have been minimized by electronic communication, such as email, fax, and teleconferencing.

• Question 568:

  In many jobs, excessive specialization can eventually lead to poor motivation, boredom, and alienation. In order to cope with the potential problems in such a situation, managers should:

  A. Focus on the employees' higher-level needs in order to help them achieve self- actualization.

  B. Remove dissatisfiers such as low salary, bad supervision, lack of job security, and poor working conditions.

  C. Implement an optimal organizational rewards system and provide all needed training to keep employees up to date on technology.

  D. Change the jobs to fit the employees' needs or rotate employees to jobs that satisfy the employees' needs.

  Correct Answer: D

  Job design theories of motivation specifically address the issue of overspecialization. These theories focus on the match between the person and the job as the key to motivation. The recommendation for dealing with the potential problems of overspecialization and boredom is either to enrich the job or to move the employee to a job that provides the appropriate level of challenge.

• Question 569:

  A production manager is working on a plan to increase employee motivation at a local plant by comparing results of employee interviews to those from employees at a higher performing plant. The manager is puzzled about the results of two sets of employee interviews. The employees interviewed performed identical jobs. Local employees thought their jobs were boring and unfulfilling while the other plant's employees were very satisfied. Even new employees at the local plant indicated they quickly lost enthusiasm. Identify the primary element the manager must overcome to enhance performance.

  A. Negative job perception.

  B. Inadequate job autonomy.

  C. Lack of skill variety.

  D. Low task significance.

  Correct Answer: A

  The tasks and environment for both sets of employees are the same. Thus, the individuals' perceptions are the key to the problem.

• Question 570:

  Motivation is:

  A. The extent to which goal-specific performance is recognized by supervisors.

  B. The extent to which individuals have the authority to make decisions.

  C. The extent of the attempt to accomplish a specific goal.

  D. The desire and the commitment to achieve a specific goal.

  Correct Answer: D

  Motivation is the desire to attain a specific goal goal congruence) and the commitment to accomplish the goal managerial effort). Managerial motivation is therefore a combination of managerial effort and goal congruence.