Business Communications Test 1,
BCOM 3373 Test 1, BCOM 3373 Exam
Questions with Correct Answers 2024
communication - Answer-the process of people sharing thoughts, ideas, an feelings with
each other in commonly understandable ways
sender - Answer-the source of the message
receiver - Answer-the interpeter of the message
stimulus - Answer-this triggers a thought, which in turn triggers the desire to
communicate (first requirement for sending a message)
motivation - Answer-second requirement for sending a message
encoding - Answer-the process of putting a message into the form in which it will be
communicated
decoding - Answer-the process the receiver goes through in trying to interpret the exact
meaning of a message
frame of reference - Answer-our own background and experience that we use to encode
and decode messages
paraphrase - Answer-(summarize in your own words) check the reception of your
messages by asking receivers to do this
code - Answer-the symbols that carry the message; language, paralanguage, and
nonverbal cues
language - Answer-spoken or written words used to communicate thoughts and
emotions
paralanguage - Answer-vocal elements that go along with spoken language, including
tone of voice, pitch, rate, volume, and emphasis
nonverbal cues - Answer-all intentional and unintentional means other than writing or
speaking by which a person sends a message
channel - Answer-the medium selected to carry the message (EX: face-to-face, phone,
email, etc.)
,channel richness - Answer-the amount of information a channel can convey
feedback - Answer-the verbal and visual response to a message
descriptive feedback - Answer-tactfully honest and objective
evaluative feedback - Answer-judgmental and accusatory
environment - Answer-includes the time, place, physical and social surroundings
climate - Answer-an organization's social and work environment
noise - Answer-anything that interferes with communication by distorting or blocking the
message
ethics - Answer-the standards by which behaviors are evaluated for their morality: their
rightness or wrongness
four ethical rules - Answer-utilitarian rule, moral rights rule, justice rule, practical rule
utilitarian rule - Answer-ethical decisions create the greatest good for the greatest
number of people
moral rights rule - Answer-ethical decisions protect people's fundamental or inalienable
rights
justice rule - Answer-ethical decisions provide fair and equal treatment for all individuals
or groups involved
practical rule - Answer-ethical decisions are easy to communicate to society because
the typical person would find them acceptable
Formal communication - Answer-flows along the official paths prescribed by the
organization's chain of command
downward communication - Answer-formal messages that flow from managers and
supervisors to subordinantes
upward communication - Answer-formal messages that flow from subordinates to
supervisors and managers
"mum effect" - Answer-the desire to conceal bad news, problem in upward
communication
horizontal communication - Answer-messages flow laterally between people of the
same rank
,empowered teams - Answer-teams with the power to make decisions, adept for difficult
problems
informal communication - Answer-the grapevine
three types of coordination - Answer-mutual adjustment, direct supervision, and
standardization
mutual adjustment - Answer-involves horizontal communication between peers who
meet face-to-face to make work-related decisions
direct supervision - Answer-members do not make all their own decisions; instead, a
supervisor has the authority to organize and direct their work
standardization - Answer-specific, written standards for tasks, output levels, skills, and
workplace norms
less than 12 - Answer-effective size for mutual adjustment
12 to 50 - Answer-effective size for direct supervision
over 50 - Answer-effective size for standardization
traditional manager - Answer-to keep respect you must take control; downward
communication; first model that started it all.
human relations manager - Answer-The boss feels that employee are better when they
are not treated like machines. Family type environment or TLC.
human resources manager - Answer-If employees are allowed to participate in decision
making then "loving them up" is not needed
systems/contingency manager - Answer-No best way to manage, depends on internal
factors, culture and situation
transformational manager - Answer-believes that organizations that succeed in today's
changing market place may well be those that capitalise on diversity and are flexible
and are fast at problem solving and operation start up.
multiunit structure - Answer-each division is really an autonomous business under the
same holding company
virtual structure - Answer-a temporary alliance among several companies with different
areas of expertise
, scientific management (traditional) - Answer-4 principles: scientific design of each task,
scientific selection of workers, adequate training and rewards for productivity, division of
labor and responsibilities
bureaucratic management (traditional) - Answer-formal patterns of relationships and
roles needed to get tasks accomplished (organizational structure,) division of labor, and
chain of command
Fayol's bridge - Answer-refers to the method of bypassing the chain of command. Also
refers to direct, horizontal communication between poeple in different departments
during legitimate crises.
flat organization - Answer-with decentralized decision making and fewer levels of
hierarchy, handles complex problems more efficiently, communication is less distorted,
employee morale and satisfaction are high
tall organizations - Answer-with multiple levels and centralized decision making, used by
large companies and has greater efficiency in handling uncomplicated tasks, slower
communication, and lower employee morale and satisfaction
Theory X - Answer-assumes that the average person dislikes work and will avoid it if
possible. therefore, people must be forced, controlled, and threatened with punishment
to accomplish organizational goals
Theory Y - Answer-assumes that, given challenge and freedom, workers are motivated
to achieve self-esteem and to demonstrate their competence and creativity.
System 1 - Answer-Similar to Theory X, exploits employees and uses coercion and few
economic rewards.
System 4 - Answer-supportive relationships based on trust, group decision making and
group supervision, and high performance goals. All ranges of communication are used
frequently.
open system - Answer-has flexible boundaries that allow communication to flow easily
in and out of the organization, under systems theory
boundary spanners - Answer-the people who link the organization with outsiders, such
as salespeople and purchasing agents, in the systems theory
contingency theory - Answer-immature theory that explains that no one type of
organizational structure or leadership style is most appropriate for all situations
path-goal theory - Answer-employees over all job satisfaction and performance levels
are contingent on employee satisfaction with the job, the difficultly of the job, and the
communication style of the supervisor
