L6M5 Examination Practice Questions LO3

3.1

1. Which of the following are components of an organisational culture, select all that apply (3)
a) Underlying beliefs
b) Assumptions
c) Values
d) Objectives
e) Mission statement
f) Goals & Aims
2. When it comes to organisational behaviour, on which of the following is much attention
given to, select all that apply (2)
a) The cultural system of an organisation
b) Behaviour exhibited by organisations
c) Security provided by organisations
d) Stability in the way that individuals work
e) The feeling of anxiety
f) All of the above
3. You decide to visit one of your suppliers as part of the supplier evaluation processes. As you
arrive at their reception area, you feel very special due to the warm reception that you
received. You noticed some paintings displayed on the wall at the reception area, one of the
reading on the wall caught your eye as this author was also asked about in your previous
CIPS Management Paper. The ladies at the receipt are wearing uniforms, all smartly
dressed
i) What is this type of manifestation called in management
a) Artefacts
b) Assumptions
c) Goals
d) Slogans
e) None of the above
ii) When you received a warm reception, what is that referred to as in management
a) Values
b) Espoused values
c) Assumptions
d) Underlying beliefs
e) None of the above
iii) As you leave the reception area for your meeting in the boardroom, which of the
following may be your underlying assumptions – Select all that apply (2)
a) This is a learning organisation
b) The customer is the king at this organisation
c) There is teamwork at this organisation
d) This supplier is financially sound
e) This supplier is old school
 f) None of the above
4. Since the coming in on board of the new procurement manager about a year ago. The way
the procurement department at your organisation behaves is so different from the way other
departments such as finance and marketing do behave. What is this referred to as in
organisational behaviour
a) Departmental uniqueness
b) Mini-cultures
c) Subcultures
d) Semi-cultures
e) None of the above
5. At your organisation, the procurement team looks forward to sourcing the best deal, the
finance team looks forward to control costs, the sales tea, looks forward to maximise on
sales volumes, this results in different cultures being manifested by these different teams,
what is the name given to these differences in cultures;
f) Departmental uniqueness
g) Mini-cultures
h) Subcultures
i) Semi-cultures
j) All of the above
k) None of the above
6. Which of the following is NOT an ingredient of culture?
a) History
b) Strategy
c) Location
d) Leadership styles
e) Performance measures
f) All of the above
g) None of the above
7. Which of the following is correct
a) Beliefs are Accurate perceptions of what is true or effective
b) Beliefs are Inaccurate perceptions of what is true or effective
c) Beliefs are Accurate and Inaccurate perceptions of what is true and effective
d) Beliefs are Accurate or Inaccurate perceptions of what is true or effective
8. When someone mentions the phrase ‘’what should be’’ relating to culture, she is basically
referring to which of the following;
a) Values
b) Beliefs
c) Attitudes
d) Perceptions
e) None of the above
9. The value chain concept is an example of which of the following
a) Supply chain theories
b) Espoused theories
c) Underlying assumptions
 d) Value added concepts
10. Your organisation just introduced a new information Technology system, this has been
taken as a positive move by the employees and management, being an innovative way of
providing a competitive edge and presenting opportunities for business growth
Under which of the following principle functions of attitude does this scenario falls under
a) Knowledge
b) Expressive
c) Instrumental
d) Ego-defensive
11. One of your strategic suppliers has been collaborating with your procurement team very
well for the past year, this has resulted in cost reductions and profits of over 40% for the
first time in 5 years, the supplier has managed its subcontractors very well, developing
them. They have also offered your buyers an opportunity to learn the IT systems that they
will be introducing in 2 months’ time.
How would you describe the attitude of this supplier?
a) Knowledgeable
b) Expressive
c) Instrumental
d) Impressive
12. You just started a new role as a Procurement Officer for a programme, within a large United
Nations Agency, during the first meeting you notice that there are lots of reports and charts
being shared and discussed in that meeting, there is total involvement of everyone within
the organisation on this meeting including senior management.
Based on your observation how is the success of this programme measured
a) Quantitatively
b) Qualitatively
c) By metrics
d) By meetings
13. Use the examples provided below to complete the following table regarding the levels of
culture; (6)
Artefacts Values Basic assumptions
Symbols Honesty How and by whom decision
Ceremonies Trust The basis on which individuals are respected within the
organisation

• Honesty
• Symbols
• Ceremonies
• Trust
• How and by whom decisions are made
• The basis on which individuals are respected within the organisation
14. ‘’You know what I started this company with a R1000 loan’’ Said, Mr Smith, the owner of
Shoprite, South Africa, what kind of culture is being portrayed by this message
a) Promoting culture
 b) Encouraging culture
c) Enterprising culture
d) Perseverance culture

15. Here are five organizations with different types of culture and influenced by different cultural web
elements.
Organization 1 – authority is held by just a small number of senior people whose influence spreads
throughout the whole organization. There are few rules and regulations because this small group of
people decide what happens. The culture is reinforced by staff talking about past events.

Organization 2 - teams are frequently formed to address specific issues and to progress important
projects. The emphasis is very much on the work required to deliver the project. In some respects,
this work becomes more important than the individuals. The culture is reinforced by specific events
that take place across the organization often encouraging staff to interact with each other.

Organization 3 – this organization is rules-based where all staff have a clear understanding of their
respective responsibilities. Power is determined by a person's position in in the hierarchy.

Organization 4 - individuals very much see themselves as unique with the organization, which is
perceived to exist at least in part in order for people to come together to work. The culture is highly
influenced by recognizable expressions relating to the organization itself, including its branding and
corporate identity.

Organization 5 – there is highly centralized authority within the organization. The culture is further
influenced by the systems and procedures used to manage people, including budgetary, quality
and reward systems.

You are required to identify the type of culture for each organization and the relevant cultural web
influence.

Choose from these options and drag and drop your answers into the table below. [10]

You will need to use some options more than once.

Type of culture Cultural web influence

Person Controls
Power Organization structure
Role Rituals
Task Stories
Symbols

Organization Type of culture Cultural web influence

1
2
3
4
5

16. An organisation has an open-plan office with a varied colour scheme, there is no
requirement for formal business wear, what does this tell you about this organisation
a) It encourages creativity
b) It is process driven
c) It is enterprising
d) It is control based
17. There are two project teams working on separate yet similar programmes, there is a
centralised procurement system, similar components are ordered together to benefit from
the economies of scale. Communication is key on these projects and there is a senior
manager in charge of this portfolio. The projects are ISO certified and are required to be
audited annually.
Which of the following types of culture relate to this scenario?
a) Role culture
b) Task culture
c) Person culture
d) Control culture
3.2
18. Use the information provided below to complete the following table relating to the Lewis
Model (3)

Culture heading Meaning

Linear-active Task orientated
Multi-active Good listening skills
Reactive Emotional and impulsive responses

Good listening skills

Task orientated
Emotional and impulsive responses
19. After a probation period an employee aligns herself with the objectives and values of the
organisation. She now knows what is expected from her, she is familiar of the rules of the
organisation and agrees with what is accepted.
Which of the following phases of the socialisation process does this scenario relate to?
a) Settlement
b) Metamorphosis
c) Anticipatory socialisation
d) Organisational encounter

20. Which of the following are recognized differences between cultures that should be
considered when negotiating? Select ALL that apply
a) Uncertainty avoidance
b) Preparation
c) Power distance
 d) Individualism versus collectivism
e) Terms and conditions
f) Financial analysis
g) Appraisal techniques

3.3

21. KV Banking Group (KVBG) is going through a large change programme. Contracts with existing
suppliers are being renegotiated. KVBG's management is offering suppliers longer term contracts in
return for price reductions. For those that do not reduce their pricing notice is being served to terminate
contracts and new suppliers will be recruited. Which tools are KVBG's management using?
1. Logic
2. Bargaining
3. Authority
4. Coercion
a. 1 and 2
b. 1 and 3
c. 3 and 4
d. 2 and 4

22. What could be the reasons for an organization to change its culture
a) The need to improve business performance
b) The need to respond to changes in the market
c) The need to comply with legal requirements
d) All of the above

23. What is the KEY challenge to consider when introducing a cultural change- Select the most
appropriate
a) The resources required to comply with the change
b) The ethical requirements need to change to occur
c) How individuals in an organization will respond to it
d) How customers of the organization will respond to it

24. Which of the following does NOT relate to the Frame of reference, while trying to understand
organizational culture
a) Values
b) Assumptions
c) Environment
d) None of the above

25. Which of the following is misplaced regarding cognitive dissonance

a) Thoughts
b) Beliefs
c) Attitudes
d) Expertise