WGU University WGU-IAC1 Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

WGU University WGU-IAC1 Online Questions & Answers

• Question 1:

  What is a common element of an effective diversity training program? Choose 1 answer

  A. Building awareness
  B. Completing a skills inventory
  C. Analyzing feedback
  D. Identifying informal networks
  A. Building awareness

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  Explanation

  An effective diversity training program commonly includes building awareness among employees. This involves educating employees about the importance of diversity, the benefits it brings to the workplace, and how to recognize and appreciate differences among colleagues. Awareness-building helps in creating a more inclusive and respectful work environment, which is essential for the success of diversity initiatives.

  Building Awareness(Answer A): Effective diversity training programs focus on increasing cultural competencies, valuing differences, and understanding how diversity enhances business decisions.

  Completing a Skills Inventory(Answer B),Analyzing Feedback(Answer C), andIdentifying Informal Networks(Answer D): While these activities may support diversity efforts, they are not core elements of diversity training programs as described in the textbook.

• Question 2:

  A manager is deciding between two equally qualified internal applicants for a warehouse position that requires lifting heavy boxes repeatedly throughout a shift. To comply with equal employment opportunity principles, which factor may the manager use if it directly relates to job performance? Choose 1 answer

  A. Religion
  B. Age
  C. National origin
  D. Ability to meet the physical requirements of the role
  D. Ability to meet the physical requirements of the role

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  Explanation

  Equal employment opportunity principles prohibit employment decisions based on protected traits such as religion, age, or national origin. However, managers may consider job-related factors that are essential to performing the work. If a warehouse role requires repeated heavy lifting as an essential function, then the applicant's ability to meet the physical requirements of the job is a legitimate, job-related criterion. Decisions must be based on objective qualifications tied to performance rather than protected characteristics.

• Question 3:

  A supervisor is redesigning a job so that employees can decide the order of tasks, set their own pace within deadlines, and choose the methods they use to complete work.

  Which core job dimension is being increased? Choose 1 answer

  A. Skill variety
  B. Task significance
  C. Autonomy
  D. Feedback
  C. Autonomy

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  Explanation

  In the Hackman and Oldham job characteristics model, autonomy is the degree to which a job provides freedom, independence, and discretion in scheduling work and determining procedures. The scenario highlights employees deciding task order, pace, and methods--direct indicators of autonomy. Skill variety concerns using different skills and talents, task significance concerns the job's impact on others, and feedback refers to clear information about performance effectiveness.

• Question 4:

  In which situation does religious preference inappropriately affect decision making? Choose 1 answer

  A. A company allows two days off per year for religious celebrations to all employees regardless of religious affiliation.
  B. A manager refuses to participate in an event that conflicts with the manager's personal religious beliefs.
  C. A real estate agent uses her religious background as a basis for accepting bids on property that is for sale.
  D. An individual follows religious dietary restrictions while at work regardless of the religious beliefs of others.
  C. A real estate agent uses her religious background as a basis for accepting bids on property that is for sale.

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  Explanation

  Religious preference inappropriately affects decision making when a real estate agent uses her religious background as a basis for accepting bids on property that is for sale. This situation reflects discrimination and bias, as decisions are being influenced by personal religious beliefs rather than objective criteria. Such actions can lead to unethical practices and violate principles of fair treatment and equality.

• Question 5:

  A small business owner begins the control process for a new sales initiative by deciding the target monthly revenue and the acceptable range for customer returns.

  Which step of the control process is the owner performing? Choose 1 answer

  A. Measuring performance
  B. Comparing performance against standards
  C. Setting performance standards
  D. Taking corrective action
  C. Setting performance standards

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  Explanation

  The first step of the control process is setting performance standards--establishing benchmarks or criteria that define desired performance. In the scenario, the owner sets target revenue and acceptable return levels, which serve as standards. Measuring performance comes after standards exist, comparing evaluates actual results against those standards, and corrective action occurs after identifying deviations that require adjustment.

• Question 6:

  A team leader is having a difficult time implementing the company's new scheduling policy, which does not take into account seniority. The team is aware of the problem and has discussed options to deal with it, but no definitive solutions have been determined.

  Which stage in the change process is the team experiencing? Choose 1 answer

  A. Contemplation
  B. Preparation
  C. Action
  D. Precontemplation
  A. Contemplation

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  Explanation

  The stage in the change process that the team is experiencing is contemplation. In this stage, the team is aware of the problem and is considering potential solutions but has not yet committed to a specific action. This stage involves discussions and evaluations of different options without definitive decisions being made.

• Question 7:

  An executive arrived in a country and was instructed to take the "lift" to the second floor. The executive did not understand the meaning of "lift." Which type of cross-cultural communication barrier is this? Choose 1 answer

  A. Barrier caused by differences among perceptions
  B. Barrier caused by semantics
  C. Barrier caused by tone differences
  D. Barrier caused by relativism
  B. Barrier caused by semantics

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  Explanation

  The type of cross-cultural communication barrier experienced by the executive who did not understand the meaning of "lift" is a barrier caused by semantics. Semantics barriers arise from differences in the meaning of words and phrases used in different cultures or regions. In this case, "lift" is a British English term for what is known as an "elevator" in American English, leading to confusion.

• Question 8:

  What is the purpose of the Six Sigma Quality approach? Choose 1 answer

  A. To break down communication barriers
  B. To analyze the causes of product defects
  C. To promote the six most common leadership objectives
  D. To improve employee education processes
  B. To analyze the causes of product defects

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  Explanation

  The purpose of the Six Sigma Quality approach is to analyze the causes of product defects and to reduce variability in manufacturing and business processes. Six Sigma uses statistical methods to identify and eliminate defects, aiming for near perfection in production processes. It involves steps like defining the problem, measuring key aspects, analyzing the data, improving processes, and controlling the future process performance.

• Question 9:

  A computer manufacturer purchases the company that supplies computer chips for the company. Which type of corporate strategy is the company using? Choose 1 answer

  A. Conglomerate diversification
  B. Strategic alliance
  C. Vertical integration
  D. Domain selection
  C. Vertical integration

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  Explanation

  When a computer manufacturer purchases the company that supplies computer chips for the company, it is using a vertical integration strategy. Vertical integration involves expanding a company's operations into different stages of production within the same industry, such as acquiring suppliers or distributors, to increase control over the supply chain and reduce costs.

• Question 10:

  What is a feature ofa bureaucracy (vertical) organization? Choose 1 answer

  A. Decision making is decentralized so a considerable amount of information is communicated informally.
  B. Formal position authority is generally the primary means of running the organization.
  C. Employees focus primarily on collaborating across departments and with frequent meetings.
  D. Employees must answer to two or more bosses and prioritize demands across departments.
  B. Formal position authority is generally the primary means of running the organization.

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  Explanation

  A feature of a bureaucracy (vertical) organization is that formal position authority is generally the primary means of running the organization. This means that decisions and directives come from a hierarchical chain of command, and roles, responsibilities, and processes are clearly defined and standardized.

  Formal Position Authority(Answer B): Bureaucratic organizations rely on a clear hierarchy where authority and decision-making processes are well-defined and based on formal positions.

  Decentralized Decision Making(Answer A),Collaboration Across Departments(Answer C), andAnswering to Multiple Bosses(Answer D): These features are more characteristic of organic or matrix organizations rather than traditional bureaucracies.