IIA IIA Certifications IIA-CIA-PART3 Questions & Answers

• Question 791:

  A production worker in a plant often speaks for the entire work force when problems arise between labor and management. Although this individual has the same level of authority andexpertise as the individual's co-workers, the worker seems to possess a degree of power that others do not have. What type of power does this individual apparently have?

  A. Coercive.

  B. Referent.

  C. Legitimate.

  D. Reward.

  Correct Answer: B

  Referent power is based on identification of subordinates with a superior. Thus, personal magnetism (charisma) may be a basis for influencing others to comply with a manager's directives.

• Question 792:

  When supervising employees, the behavior most likely to attain long-term positive results for a manager would be to:

  A. Discipline employees immediately using oral reprimands, written warnings, and temporary suspensions.

  B. Hold weekly meetings during which employees are reminded of work procedures and are praised for the week's accomplishments.

  C. Praise employees on a random schedule and link rewards to performance.

  D. Tell employees that working overtime now will result in a better performance review in 6 months.

  Correct Answer: C

  Variable-interval schedules of reinforcement lead to higher performance. Employees are more alert because of the uncertainty involved, and performance and reward are connected.

• Question 793:

  A manager believes that positive reinforcement is the most appropriate way to deal with employees. Which of the following actions demonstrates the principle of positive reinforcement?

  A. Employees are given 2-day suspension without pay if errors exceed a predefined level.

  B. Employees are praised when the detected error rate in their work stays below a predefined level.

  C. Time budgets, which have forced employees to rush and consequently make errors, are eliminated.

  D. Employees are not required to work overtime if errors stay below a predefined level.

  Correct Answer: B

  Positive reinforcement is a behavior modification technique that provides rewards for certain responses. It focuses on desirable rather than undesirable behavior. The practice of praising employees when the detected error rate in their work stays below a predefined level demonstrates positive reinforcement.

• Question 794:

  A leader who is able to gain compliance from a group based solely on personal attraction is said to have:

  A. Reward power.

  B. Coercive power.

  C. Referent power.

  D. Legitimate power.

  Correct Answer: C

  Referent power is based on identification of subordinates with a superior. Thus, personal magnetism (charisma) maybe a basis for influencing others to comply with a manager's directives.

• Question 795:

  Power is synonymous with leadership. Simply, it is the ability to influence other people. The sources of power are various. For example, the kind of power arising from the strength of the leader's personality is known as:

  A. Coercive power.

  B. Legitimate power.

  C. Expert power.

  D. Referent power.

  Correct Answer: D

  Power may be classified as reward power (the leader controls resources), coercive power (the leader may punish the subordinate), legitimate power (the leader has the right to lead), referent power (the leader has fame, charisma, etc.), and expert power (the leader has specialized ability or knowledge).

• Question 796:

  The punishing of employees is made less effective by

  A. Stating the offending behavior specifically.

  B. Postponing the start of disciplinary procedures.

  C. Permitting employees to challenge individual culpability.

  D. Focusing the discussion on the offending behavior instead of the offender.

  Correct Answer: B

  The most effective discipline requires immediate corrective action to eliminate the negative effects of the undesirable employee conduct and to establish and reinforce appropriate behavior. Delay merely invites more serious consequences. Moreover, the punishment should becommensurate with the offense, and the employee should clearly perceive the relationship between the punishment and the behavior.

• Question 797:

  The director of internal auditing for a large company has established an excellent reputation because of her strong professional credentials and tactful but firm handling of auditor-auditee relationships. With regard to auditees, she must rely upon what sources of power?

  A. Expert and coercive.

  B. Referent and reward.

  C. Referent and expert.

  D. Legitimate and coercive.

  Correct Answer: C

  The internal audit director has no formal (legitimate or position) power over auditees. Nor does she have the power to coerce (punish) or reward them. Rather, her ability to exert power (influence others) must derive from her specialized ability and knowledge and the force of her personal qualities.

• Question 798:

  Which of the following is not an example of positive reinforcement of behavior?

  A. Paying a bonus to employees who had no absences for any four-week period.

  B. Giving written warnings to employees after only every other absence.

  C. Assigning a mentor to each employee who exhibits a desire to develop leadership skills.

  D. Having a lottery every month where 10% of the employees with no absences receive a US $200 bonus.

  Correct Answer: B

  Positive reinforcement encourages a desired behavior by following it with the presentation of a reward. Punishment, on the other hand, discourages an undesired behavior by following it with a negative consequence. While punishment ideally should follow every occurrence of an undesirable behavior, this is not always possible. Thus, even though written warnings are given to employees only after every other absence, the action is considered punishment, not positive reinforcement.

• Question 799:

  Which of the following is true concerning generic influence tactics?

  A. Consultation involves appealing to emotions, values, or ordeals.

  B. Ingratiating tactics attempt to raise the other person's self-esteem prior to a request.

  C. Coalition tactics try to convince others by reliance on a detailed plan, supporting evidence, and reason.

  D. Pressure tactics are based on the formal or informal support of higher management.

  Correct Answer: B

  Management literature describes generic influence tactics that may be used in any direction. As noted by researchers, ingratiating tactics attempt to raise the other person's self-esteem prior to a request.

• Question 800:

  A company's decisions are made solely by one person, who is the CEO and major shareholder. Which of the following powers is this person least likely to relate to the other individuals to whom the person has delegated some authority?

  A. Coercive power.

  B. Legitimate power.

  C. Referent power.

  D. Reward power.

  Correct Answer: C

  A person who is the head of a company may exert influence through five types of power. Referent power is the capacity for the individual's personality and style to cause others to identify with or like him or her. Thus, it is the one type of power not necessarily held by a CEO and major shareholder. This person has the ability to reward others and apply pressure. (S)he also has the right to expect cooperation.