1. Right Answer: A
Explanation: As an industry, organization, or product matures, problems are largely resolved. In an organization, staffing and culture begin to stabilize, and the rate of change levels off. Policies, procedures, and rules are formalized and communicated to all employees. Training is emphasized, and labor cost control becomes a factor.
2. Right Answer: C
Explanation: Porter's 'Five Forces' framework helps strategists understand the competitive forces at work in their industries so that they can assess the strengths and weaknesses of their own competitive position.
3. Right Answer: D
Explanation: D is the best answer. The TDL should develop knowledge about LMS applications that directly support the organizational strategy. A is incorrect. The founder and senior leaders may not know enough about current LMS trends and capabilities to see how it might support operations. B is incorrect. The Millennial leaders may assume general understanding and present information over the heads of the senior, less tech-competent leaders. C is incorrect. Prior to implementing the new LMS, the TDL needs to obtain buy-in by demonstrating how it will support the organization's strategy.
4. Right Answer: C
Explanation: C is the best answer. The team should include senior leaders and younger leaders who represent the spectrum of LMS users as well as the spectrum of potential mentors and collaborators. Assembling a team of experts will provide more efficient use of time and resources. A is incorrect. Although it could be beneficial to know what similar organizations are doing, the TDL cannot rely on only that information, as the other organizations' business strategies and needs may differ. B is incorrect. The senior leaders may be too far removed from the end users to be best suited to assembling a cross-functional team. Also, this might not be the most effective use of their time. D is incorrect. Limiting the cross-functional team to tech-savvy employees does not adequately represent the needs of tech-challenged employees.
5. Right Answer: B
Explanation: B is the best answer. For the LMS to be consistently used, employees must be aware of its capabilities. In addition to awareness, employees will need training to capitalize on the benefits. For an incentive to use the LMS, adding a performance measurement to job descriptions may provide the right nudge. A is incorrect. Simply adding a hotline for LMS answers will not guarantee use of the system. C is incorrect. A communication strategy needs to be created in order to ensure that employees understand the benefits and features of the LMS and therefore will be more willing to use it. D is incorrect. Requiring IT employees to field calls will only serve to disrupt IT without guaranteeing LMS usage.
6. Right Answer: D
Explanation: Decline occurs when an industry, organization, or product begins to experience a sustained drop in demand. When the decline is apparent, leadership often may introduce cost reduction measures.
7. Right Answer: B
Explanation: Refer to the following scenario for the next 3 questions. A large clothing company has a bad reputation because of its hiring practices, its treatment of employees, and its lack of support to the communities it operates in. The CEO and senior managers are known to make decisions based solely on revenue potential, without regard for the impact it may have on society. In fact, the CEO has commented several times that investing money in anything other than operations is a bad business strategy and unethical in terms of the company's obligation to its investors. Recently, major suppliers for the company, located outside the company's home country, were accused of unethical labor practices, unsafe workplace conditions, and possible human rights violations. This has become a public relations nightmare. Several groups have called for boycotts against the company. At the last shareholders' phone conference, several institutional investors expressed their displeasure with management's failure to respond strongly to the problems with suppliers. The CEO expressed his belief that critics were being unrealistic about their expectations for the suppliers. In fact, they were themselves insensitive to business practices and local norms in these countries. Concerned with the negative publicity and lacking confidence in the CEO's response to it, the company's board of directors requests that the CHRO immediately be given the task of formulating a committee to audit the company's operating practices, its employer branding, and its attitude on social issues. This action would at least show that the company has heard the criticisms. The CEO immediately goes to the CHRO's office and angrily says that the CHRO will be showing disloyalty if the
8. Right Answer: A
Explanation: A is the best response. The CHRO has an ethical obligation to fulfill the appropriate request from the board and to disregard personal ties to the CEO. B is incorrect. While it may prove to be better to use a third party to conduct the audit, the CHRO would not be doing justice to HR's responsibilities to the organization by declining the task. It would not be the act of an organizational leader and would set a bad example to the HR function and the entire organization. C is incorrect. As with B, the CHRO is not fulfilling his or her responsibilities as a leader and member of the organization. D is incorrect. In light of the CEO's behavior, giving the CEO a major role might undermine the effectiveness of the committee, and the action would be dishonest to the board.
9. Right Answer: D
Explanation: D is the best response. Since he is primarily interested in financial performance, the CEO needs to see evidence that financial objectives can successfully coexist with CSR objectives. A is incorrect. While the CHRO is using evidence to persuade the CEO, it may be the wrong evidence for this audience. An analysis of the financial costs of a poor employer brand might be more persuasive. B is incorrect. The audit may uncover issues that do not involve violating laws but are unethical or unsustainable. The CEO has to begin to see the issue as one of strict legal compliance. C is incorrect. Reminding someone of a shared commitment to a value or vision can be effective in resolving a conflict, but it is unlikely to be enough to convince a CEO who is apparently opposed to sustainable business strategies.
10. Right Answer: B
Explanation: B is the best response. Since this aspect of the recruitment strategy is not producing results and is probably damaging the recruiting team's engagement, it would be best to revise the strategy for now. A is incorrect. Appealing to security will not remove lawful protests, and its effect on increasing recruitment effectiveness is questionable. C is incorrect. Repeating an ineffective tactic, even with a professional demeanor, shows inflexibility and unresponsiveness to environmental factors. D is incorrect. This will not address the recruiters' problems or the negative attention the company is getting at the fairs, and it will probably not change the CEO's attitude.
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