46) Dick’s Sporting Goods is a sports and fitness retailer with over 300 stores in 34 states. After
beginning as a small bait and tackle shop in 1948, Dick’s has grown to become a leader in the
sports and fitness retail industry. Many career opportunities are available in Dick’s in areas as
diverse as IT, product development, merchandising, and store management. Top management at
Dick’s realizes the importance of hiring and retaining quality employees. As a result, the firm has
decided to implement policies, practices, and programs that support employees’ career needs.
Which of the following, if true, would best support the argument that the firm should institute a
flexible career track program?
A) Executive positions at Dick’s Sporting Goods are rewarded for a combination of seniority and
competence.
B) Situational interviews are used at Dick’s Sporting Goods to screen potential store managers.
C) Executive positions at Dick’s Sporting Goods are predominantly held by men.
D) Over half of all Dick’s Sporting Goods stores are run by female managers.
47) ABC Consulting has a formal mentoring program in which senior-level managers are paired
with less-experienced employees. Which of the following employees most likely needs a
mentor?
A) Raj, who is uncertain how to navigate office politics
B) Jason, who does not perform tasks as quickly as required
C) Michele, who is experiencing personal problems at home
D) Haley, who is working and attending graduate school simultaneously
48) All of the following are characteristics of effective mentors EXCEPT ________.
A) developing a trustworthy relationship
B) guiding protégés into important projects
C) focusing on the protégé’s daily tasks
D) setting high standards for protégés
49) Based on research studies, which of the following is most likely a true statement about
mentoring programs?
A) Traditional mentoring programs are more effective for male than for female employees.
B) When the mentor and protégé work in different departments, mentoring is more effective.
C) Protégés have more respect for mentors who work two levels above their own rank in a firm.
D) Required mentoring relationships are more effective than informal mentoring relationships.
50) Michele’s firm does not have a formal mentoring program. However, entry-level employees,
such as Michele, are encouraged to form relationships with experienced workers. Michele wants
to make sure that she has an effective mentor relationship. Which of the following mentor
relationship guidelines would NOT be recommended to Michele?
A) Clarify in advance how often you want to meet.
B) Use an agenda to guide discussion topics.
C) Clarify what you expect in terms of advice.
D) Select a direct supervisor as a mentor.
51) How are firms using technology for career development programs?
A) using online testing systems to screen applicants
B) providing mentors and coaches with online training systems
C) monitoring employees’ performance with electronic performance support systems
D) using talent management systems to integrate employees’ appraisal and training information
52) Which of the following is most likely to occur when a new employee’s high expectations and
enthusiasm confront the reality of a boring job?
A) halo effect
B) reality shock
C) disparate rejection
D) cognitive dissonance
53) Reality shock can most likely be prevented by providing new employees with ________.
A) flexible schedules
B) performance appraisals
C) reassignments
D) accurate job previews
54) Which of the following terms refers to advancements to positions of increased
responsibility?
A) transfers
B) appraisals
C) promotions
D) recruitments
55) Which of the following terms refers to reassignments to similar positions in other parts of a
firm?
A) transfers
B) layoffs
C) dismissals
D) promotions
56) Competence rather than seniority is most likely the basis for promotion when ________.
A) corporate competitiveness is necessary
B) union agreements are involved
C) civil service regulations apply
D) compensation packages are limited
57) What can diminish the promotion process?
A) rewards
B) responsibilities
C) secrecy
D) job descriptions
58) Which of the following is the simplest and most often used method for predicting the future
performance of a candidate for promotion?
A) prior performance
B) aptitude tests
C) assessment centers
D) psychological exams
59) All of the following are characteristic of a formal promotion process EXCEPT ________.
A) open positions are posted
B) promotion criteria are made available
C) job postings are circulated to all employees
D) promotions are based on unpublished requirements
60) Tanya accused a male superior of sexual harassment. Later, Tanya was turned down for a
promotion because the accused superior persuaded Tanya’s current supervisor not to promote
Tanya. This is most likely an example of ________.
A) demotion
B) retaliation
C) dissonance
D) defensive behavior
61) According to the court system, promotions based on subjective assessments ________.
A) support employers in adverse impact claims
B) violate the Americans with Disabilities Act
C) must be supported by objective evidence
D) are valid under the Civil Rights Act of 1991
62) An employer may transfer an employee for all these reasons EXCEPT ________.
A) to vacate a position that is no longer needed
B) personal enrichment
C) to find a better fit position for the employee
D) to give a displaced employee a chance for another assignment
63) Why are an increasing number of firms focusing on retirement planning?
A) concerns about future labor shortages
B) surveys of current employee attitudes
C) modifications to the promotion process
D) increases in health insurance premiums
64) All of the following are true statements about retirement EXCEPT ________.
A) most employees who plan to work after 65 must do so for financial reasons
B) most employees expect to continue working after normal retirement age
C) most employees who plan to work after 65 want a part-time position
D) many retirement age workers want to stay active through working
65) All of the following methods are used by firms to recruit and retain retirement-age workers
EXCEPT ________.
A) implementing phased retirement programs
B) allowing workers to telecommute
C) using psychometric selection tests
D) reducing work responsibilities
66) Which of the following terms refers to the automated end-to-end process of planning,
recruiting, developing, managing, and compensating employees throughout the organization?
A) performance management
B) human resource management
C) management by objectives
D) talent management
67) Employers that focus on talent management are primarily interested in retaining ________.
A) educated workers
B) senior-level employees
C) mission-critical employees
D) workers with global experience
68) Poor attendance and voluntary turnover are most likely characteristics of ________.
A) decreasing employee engagement
B) minimal job expectations
C) shrinking labor markets
D) poor supervision
69) A manager who frequently reminds employees how their efforts contribute to accomplishing
the company’s goals will most likely ________.
A) trigger creativity
B) minimize disagreements
C) eliminate early retirements
D) boost employee engagement
70) ________ refers to being psychologically involved in, connected to, and committed to
getting one’s job done.
A) Mentoring
B) Engagement
C) Development
D) Talent assessment
71) For many employees, professional growth opportunities act as an incentive to remain with a
firm because such programs indicate that a company cares about its workers.
72) According to research, the turnover rate is relatively the same across all industries in the U.S.
73) Boring jobs, low pay, inadequate supervision, and poor working conditions are likely to lead
to job withdrawal.
74) Studies indicate that approximately 40% of the global workforce is engaged.
75) IBM initiated an on-demand staffing strategy to meet the changing technological needs of its
customers.
76) A quality of being an effective mentor is actively steering protégés into important projects,
teams, and jobs.