IIA IIA Certifications IIA-CIA-PART4 Questions & Answers

• Question 231:

  Which of the following is least likely to be an example of synergy?

  A. A shopping mall with several businesses providing different products and performing different services.

  B. A car dealership providing warranties on automobile parts to maximize customer value.

  C. A manufacturing company hiring a new manager with technological experience lacking in the company.

  D. Military Humvees being converted into sports utility vehicles for sale to civilians.

  Correct Answer: B

  Synergy occurs when the combination of formerly separate elements has a greater effect than the sum of their individual effects. However, a car dealership's provision of warranties reflects anoperational strategy designed to provide post-purchase services to gain a competitive advantage and maximize customer value. It does not reflect the complementary sharing of resources, technology, or competencies. In contrast, synergy arises from selling a line of carsthat share some components or abrand identification.

• Question 232:

  Which of the following types of work teams are most likely to be cross-functional?

  A. Command group.

  B. Virtual.

  C. Research-and-development.

  D. Informal.

  Correct Answer: C

  A cross-functional team is one that includes members of different departments who have different areas of expertise. A research-and-development team is usually a cross-functional team because many different skills are needed to identify and create a new product.

• Question 233:

  A problem with the effectiveness of teams is the concept known as:

  A. Brainstorming.

  B. Social loafing.

  C. Synergy.

  D. Role playing.

  Correct Answer: B

  Social loafing is the situation wherein a team member puts forth less effort in a group than he or she would individually. To avoid social loafing, individual efforts should be identifiable and subject to evaluation.

• Question 234:

  A team member who focuses on the overall perspective and reminds others of the vision, mission, or goal of the team informally assumes the role of a:

  A. Contributor.

  B. Collaborator.

  C. Communicator.

  D. Challenger.

  Correct Answer: C

  A communicator is a people-oriented member. S)he is process-driven and an effective listener. Thus, a communicator plays the role of a facilitator and a consensus builder.

• Question 235:

  Following a decision to change the composition of several work teams, management encounters significant resistance to the change from members of the teams. The most likely reason for the resistance is:

  A. Possible inefficiencies of the new arrangement.

  B. The breakup of existing teams.

  C. Understaffing for the tasks involved.

  D. The selection of a more costly approach to performing the assigned tasks.

  Correct Answer: B

  Commitment to a group depends on its attractiveness and cohesiveness. Attractiveness is a favorable view from the outside. Cohesiveness is the tendency of members to adhere to the group and unite against outside pressures. Group attractiveness and cohesiveness are fostered by its prestige and status, cooperation among the members, substantial member interaction, small size of the group, similarity of members, good public image, and common external threat. Thus, members of cohesive work groups often exert pressure to resist changes that threaten to break up the group.

• Question 236:

  Teams may be built by all the following methods except:

  A. Participating in a series of outdoor challenges.

  B. Incorporating a number of interdependent roles.

  C. Rating group effectiveness.

  D. Exerting direct pressure on dissenters.

  Correct Answer: D

  Exerting direct pressure on dissenters is a symptom of groupthink. One of the perils of cohesive groups is the tendency to conform and ignore relevant individual input that varies from the group opinion.

• Question 237:

  Which of the following is an indicator of interpersonal skills that are necessary for members of a team?

  I. Routinely keeps superiors, team members, and other appropriate parties informed of significant developments.

  II. Spends sufficient time cultivating contacts with peers to obtain timely information or resolve issues outside formal channels.

  III.

  Routinely assumes an appropriate amount of work or responsibility for group projects.

  A.

  I only.

  B.

  I and II only.

  C.

  II and Ill only.

  D.

  I, II, and Ill.

  Correct Answer: B

  Building trust is central to team effectiveness. Individuals build trust through use of interpersonal skills that include interaction, cooperation, and ability to deal with other people. Thus, trust is built through timely and accurate communication; supportive behavior; showing respect, e.g., by delegation and effective listening; fairness of evaluations; predictability of behavior and promise-keeping; and competence exemplified by sound judgment and technical proficiency. Thus, a trusted team member routinely keeps superiors, team members, and other appropriate parties informed of significant developments. S)he also spends sufficient time cultivating contacts with peers to obtain timely information or resolve issues outside formal channels. However, routinely assuming an appropriate amount of work or responsibility for group projects is indicative of team participation, not of the interpersonal skills required of team members.

• Question 238:

  Which one of the following statements about quality circles is false?

  A. A quality circle is typically comprised of a group of 8 to 10 subordinates and supervisors.

  B. Part of the quality circle concept includes teaching participants communication skills, quality strategies, and problem analysis techniques.

  C. Quality circles meet on the company premises and on company time.

  D. The quality circle has the final control over implementation of recommended solutions.

  Correct Answer: D

  Use of quality circles is a form of participative management. A quality circle is a group of up to 10 individuals managers and subordinates) who do similar work and who volunteer to meet weekly to discuss and solve work- related problems. However, management retains the right to make the final decisions.

• Question 239:

  Which of the following indicates a high performance team?

  A. Pride in the team leader.

  B. Quick agreement on the first proposed solution for problems facing the team.

  C. Care in risk-taking.

  D. Commitment to personal growth of team members.

  Correct Answer: D

  Team effectiveness is reflected in achievement of objectives, innovation, adaptability, commitment, and favorable evaluations by senior management. According to Hans Thamhain, team effectiveness is determined by three sets of interdependent factors. Team effectiveness requires that all factors need to be addressed continually. A high- performance team is committed to the personal growth of its team members.

• Question 240:

  A team is a group whose members work together to achieve a specific common goal. Which of the following is true with respect to teams?

  A. All groups are teams, but not all teams are groups.

  B. Teams improve organizational performance because teams are easy to form.

  C. A team is similar to a group because team leadership often rotates and members are accountable to each other.

  D. Smaller teams are recommended.

  Correct Answer: D

  Normally, smaller teams are recommended. Two to nine members is recommended because working in teams requires accepting a diversity of ideas and opinions. Larger groups require more time for each of the members to develop trust in one another and to work together productively.