Principles-of-Management Principles of Management at Western Governors University(IAC1) Questions and Answers

The value chain describes the full range of activities that businesses go through to bring a product or service from conception to delivery and beyond. The concept was popularized by Michael Porter in his 1985 book "Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance."

Definition and Scope: A value chain encompasses all the processes involved in the creation of a product or service. This includes:

Sourcing raw materials.

Production processes.

Marketing and sales.

Distribution and delivery.

Customer service post-delivery.

Primary Activities:

Inbound Logistics: Receiving, storing, and disseminating inputs of the product.

Operations: Transforming inputs into the final product.

Outbound Logistics: Collecting, storing, and distributing the product to customers.

Marketing and Sales: Persuading customers to purchase the product.

Services: Activities that maintain and enhance the product's value, such as customer service.

Support Activities:

Procurement: Acquiring the resources a company needs to operate.

Technology Development: Research and development, IT, automation, etc.

Human Resource Management: Recruiting, hiring, training, and retaining workers.

Firm Infrastructure: Organizational structure, control systems, company culture, etc.

Example of Value Chain: The textbook provides an example of Walmart's value chain to illustrate how a company adds value at each step of the process, from procurement to delivery​​.

Importance: Understanding and optimizing the value chain allows companies to identify where they can add value, reduce costs, and gain competitive advantage. Companies can use this analysis to find opportunities for improvement, innovation, and efficiency in their processes.

The main focus of SWOT analysis is to uncover an organization's strengths and weaknesses, along with identifying opportunities and threats. SWOT, which stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, is a strategic tool used to understand the internal capabilities and external possibilities and risks facing an organization. This analysis helps in identifying what the organization does well and where it may need improvement, thus forming a basis for strategic planning​​.

The customer relationship concept that emphasizes the relationship between the company, the competition, and the customer is the Strategic Triangle. This model highlights the importance of balancing these three elements to achieve competitive advantage. It involves understanding customer needs, monitoring competitor actions, and leveraging company strengths to deliver superior value to customers​​.

The activity of creating a corporate project team to develop a new product is called intrapreneurship. Intrapreneurship refers to the practice of fostering innovation and entrepreneurial skills within an organization by allowing employees to act like entrepreneurs while working within the company. This approach encourages the development of new products and services and enhances organizational growth​​.

When developing a quality management system, the step that involves answering the question, "If you were the customer, how would you like us to operate?" is known ascustomerization. This process is focused on tailoring and personalizing the customer experience to meet individual needs and preferences, thus ensuring that the company's operations align closely with customer expectations and desires. By prioritizing the customer's perspective, businesses can enhance satisfaction and loyalty, which are critical components of an effective quality management system​​.

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​​.

The first step of the control process is setting performance standards.

Setting Performance Standards(Answer B): This step involves establishing the criteria against which performance will be measured. These standards serve as the benchmark for assessing actual performance and determining any necessary corrective actions​​.

Measuring Performance(Answer C) andComparing Performance Against Standards(Answer D): These steps come after setting performance standards.

Taking Corrective Action(Answer A): This is the final step in the control process.

High cooperativeness and high assertiveness are characteristics of the collaborating conflict management strategy. Collaborating involves working together with the other party to find a mutually beneficial solution. It is assertive in that it involves actively engaging in the conflict, and it is cooperative in seeking a solution that satisfies all parties involved​​.

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​​.

The CEO's statement about the long-term goal of the corporation reflects the strategic vision. A strategic vision articulates what the organization aspires to achieve in the future, guiding its direction and efforts. It is a broad statement that defines the desired long-term outcomes and the future state the company aims to reach​​.

A core job dimension in the Hackman and Oldham model of job design is autonomy.

Autonomy(Answer B): This refers to the degree to which a job gives an employee the freedom, independence, and discretion to schedule work and determine the procedures for carrying it out. It is a critical aspect that influences motivation and job satisfaction​​.

Compensation(Answer A) andNetworking(Answer D): These are not part of the core job dimensions in the Hackman and Oldham model.