Review Guide Bus 311 Exam 1

Format:  A mix of objective questions (T/F, MC) and Short-Answer Essay.

Materials Covered:

• Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, (Including History Module)

• PowerPoint/Lectures and Individual Activities for  Modules 1.2 through 4.1)

• The assigned articles on Google and Turin Olympics.

When reviewing the TEXTBOOK (don’t forget to review ALL of your notes from the lectures, activities and articles) consider the following questions and suggestions (Note, this is a not a n exhaustive list of what is on the exam, just some things to help guide your studying):

Chapter 1 –Managers, Management, and the Historical Roots of Contemporary Management

·        Understand and be able to discuss: who managers are, where they do their work, what management is, and what managers do.

·        Review the work and conclusions of Taylor, Mayo, Fayol, Mintzberg, and Weber; and consider the section titled “Building on History: Studying Management Today”.

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In the exam we will not hold you responsible for

·        the sections titled “why study management”, “how does management relate to other disciplines”, or “the quantitative approach”.

Chapter 2 –The Management Environment

·        Understand and be able to discuss the importance of understanding management with a global perspective.

·        Review the issues of social responsibility, downsizing, diversity, work/life balance, and the emphasis on customer service.

       Chapter 3 –Foundations of Planning

·        Understand what planning is and why it is an important function of management, particularly in an uncertain environment.

·        Distinguish between the different types of plans.

·        Understand the link between goals or objectives and plans, and how MBO is such a useful process.

·        Review the strategic management process and understand how the process is critical for developing and maintaining a competitive advantage.

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In the exam we will not hold you responsible for

·        most of the section on quality – however, do review the idea of benchmarking.

Chapter 4 –Foundations of Decision Making

·        Notice the link that is made between planning and decision making.

·        Understand the decision-making process, the rational model, and why making rational decisions is so challenging (e.g., bounded rationality and common errors).

·        Notice the connection between the contingency approach discussed in the history section (i.e., chapter 1) and decision making.

·        Understand the advantages and disadvantages of group decision making and ways to improve group decision making.     

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In the exam we will not hold you responsible for

·        the concepts of expert systems or neural networks

·        the section on quantitative decision making aids.