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What is an acronym used to describe the key elements of an organisation's external environment?

• SMART

• SWOT

• PEST

Answer explanation

• - SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities, threats) is a related exercise

• - SMART ( specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bounded) refers to objective-setting

Which of the following is not a legitimate method of influencing government policy in the interests of a business?

• Employing lobbyists to put the organisation's case to ministers or civil servants

• Giving lawmakers non-executive directorships

• Offering financial incentives to public officials to use their influence on the organisation's behalf

• Attempting to influence public opinion, to put pressure on the legislative agenda

........................................ is an analysis of statistics on birth and death rates, age structures of people and ethnic groups within a community. Which word correctly completes the sentence?

• Ergonomics

• Economics

• Psychographics

• Demographics

A recent trend in organisation and management is the rise in 'virtual organisation' and 'virtual teamworking'. To which of the following environmental (PEST) factors is this most directly attributed?

• Political

• Economic

• Socio-cultural

• Technological

The stationery and printing company S Co, has recently upgraded its computers and printers so that more production has become automated. Many middle managers will now be made redundant. This is known as:

• Delayering

• Downsizing

• Outsourcing

In the context of 'best practice' employment protection law, in which of the following circumstances is dismissal of an employee automatically considered unfair?

• Marriage to an employee of a key competitor

• Selection for redundancy on the basis of age

• Misconduct

• Incompetence

Which of the following socio-cultural trends will have a direct impact on most business organisations?

(i) Increasing ethnic and religious diversity in populations

(ii) Falling birthrates

(iii) Focus on 'green' issues

(iv) Increase in single-member households

• (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)

• (iii) only

• (i) and (iii) only

• (i), (ii) and (iii) only

Porter's five forces model identifies factors which determine the nature and strength of competition in an industry. Which of the following is not one of the five forces identified in Porter's model?

• Substitute products or services

• Bargaining power of customers

• Government regulation of the industry

• New entrants to the industry

For what function in an organisation would demographic information about social class be most relevant?

• Purchasing

• Human Resources

• Marketing

Which of the following is a support activity in Porter's value chain model?

• Marketing and sales

• Operations

• Procurement

• Inbound logistics

Answer explanation

• - Procurement, technology development, HR management and infractructure are support activities.

• - Inbound and oubound logistics, operations, marketing/sales and services are primary activities.