Administrative Thought Questions and Answers

Answer: C

The sequence of evolution is scientific management (iv), needs hierarchy theory (iii), motivation-hygiene theory (i) and the ecological approach (ii). Taylor's scientific management appeared in 1911, Maslow's needs hierarchy in 1943, Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory in 1959 and Riggs' ecological approach in the early 1960s.

The first option begins with the motivation-hygiene theory, which is later than scientific management. The second option places the ecological approach before the motivation-hygiene theory. The fourth option starts with Maslow, which cannot precede Taylor.

Answer: B

The chronological order is The Principles of Scientific Management (1911), Papers on the Science of Administration (1937), Motivation and Personality (1954) and Public Administration in a Time of Turbulence (1971). The code is (ii), (i), (iv), (iii).

The first option begins with the 1937 Papers, which came after Taylor's book. The third option puts the 1971 Turbulence volume second, which is out of order. The fourth option places Turbulence before Motivation and Personality, which is wrong because Maslow's book is from 1954.

Answer: D

In descending order Maslow's hierarchy runs from self-actualisation (ii) through ego or esteem needs (iv), social needs (i) and security needs (v) down to physiological needs (iii). The correct code is (ii), (iv), (i), (v) and (iii).

The first two options list the needs in ascending order, from physiological upward, which is the reverse of what was asked. The third option puts physiological needs next to last and security needs last, which misplaces the two lowest levels.

Answer: A

The order of the experiments is the textile mill experiment (ii), the illumination experiment (iii), the mass interviewing programme (i) and the bank wiring observation (iv). The code is (ii), (iii), (i) and (iv).

The second option omits two experiments and begins with bank wiring, which came last. The third option puts the illumination experiment before the textile mill. The fourth option omits the illumination and interviewing stages and again puts bank wiring before the others, so neither is a complete chronological order.

Answer: C

The correct matching is Chester Barnard with The Functions of the Executive (iii), Herbert Simon with Models of Man (i), M.P. Follett with Creative Experience (iv) and Douglas McGregor with The Human Side of Enterprise (ii). The code is iii i iv ii.

The first option gives Barnard the book by McGregor. The second option gives Barnard Models of Man. The fourth option gives Simon the book by McGregor, so each of these misplaces at least one of the first two authors.

Answer: C

The correct matching is Classical Theory with the formulation of principles of organisation (iii), Behavioural Approach with people in the organisation (iv), Systems Approach with interaction between organisation and environment (i), and Scientific Management with shop floor activities (ii). The code is iii iv i ii.

The first option links the classical theory with people, which is the behavioural concern. The second option matches the classical theory with shop floor activity, which is the focus of scientific management. The fourth option links the classical theory with the environment, which belongs to the systems approach.

Answer: A

The correct matching is M.P. Follett with Dynamic Administration (ii), Herzberg with The Motivation to Work (iv), F.W. Riggs with The Ecology of Public Administration (i) and A. Maslow with Motivation and Personality (iii). The code is ii iv i iii.

The second option gives Follett the Riggs book. The third option gives Follett Motivation and Personality. The fourth option gives Follett the Herzberg book. In each, Follett's pairing is wrong, which is enough to rule out the option.

Answer: B

The correct matching is autocratic decision making with decisions made with little consultation (ii), democratic decision making with participation (i), rational decision making with calculation and choice of the best option (iii), and consultative decision making with inviting opinions (iv). The code is ii i iii iv.

The first option swaps the autocratic and democratic styles. The third option gives autocratic decision making the inviting of opinions. The fourth option gives it the calculation of the rational model. Each misplaces the autocratic style.

Answer: B

The correct matching is Theory X with the traditional conception of control and command (iii), Theory Y with integration of behaviour as the key process (i), job enrichment with vertical job loading (ii), and job enlargement with more control over one's activities and greater participation in decisions (iv). The code is iii i ii iv.

The first option gives Theory X integration of behaviour, which is Theory Y. The third option swaps the descriptions of job enrichment and job enlargement. The fourth option gives Theory X the participation statement, which is not the traditional command conception.

Answer: A

The correct matching is Blake and Mouton with the managerial grid (ii), Fiedler with the theory of leadership effectiveness (iv), Robert House with path-goal theory (i), and Hersey and Blanchard with life cycle theory (iii). The code is ii iv i iii.

The second option gives Blake and Mouton the Fiedler theory. The third option swaps path-goal and life cycle theories between House and Hersey and Blanchard. The fourth option gives Blake and Mouton path-goal theory, which is House's.