Unit 4: Organizational Conflict, Negotiations and Stress - Practice Quiz

DEMGN581 60 Questions
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1 What does the term organizational conflict most commonly refer to?

Organizational conflict: conflict sources Easy
A. A routine performance appraisal process
B. A formal agreement signed between two departments
C. A scheduled team-building activity
D. A disagreement or clash arising between individuals or groups within an organization

2 Which of the following is a common source of organizational conflict?

Organizational conflict: conflict sources Easy
A. Perfect goal alignment
B. Complete role clarity
C. Abundant office supplies
D. Scarcity of resources

3 Conflict that occurs within a single individual, such as when facing two competing choices, is called:

types and levels of conflict Easy
A. Interpersonal conflict
B. Intrapersonal conflict
C. Intergroup conflict
D. Interorganizational conflict

4 Conflict that arises between two or more departments in an organization is known as:

types and levels of conflict Easy
A. Intragroup conflict
B. Intergroup conflict
C. Interpersonal conflict
D. Intrapersonal conflict

5 Which type of conflict occurs between two individuals?

types and levels of conflict Easy
A. Intrapersonal conflict
B. Interorganizational conflict
C. Interpersonal conflict
D. Intergroup conflict

6 Functional conflict is best described as conflict that:

types and levels of conflict Easy
A. Supports the goals of the group and improves performance
B. Has no effect on the group at all
C. Always destroys the group and reduces output
D. Occurs only between organizations

7 Conflict that hinders group performance and is destructive is called:

types and levels of conflict Easy
A. Cooperative conflict
B. Dysfunctional conflict
C. Functional conflict
D. Constructive conflict

8 According to the traditional view of conflict, conflict is:

Traditional and modern approaches to conflict Easy
A. Necessary for high performance
B. Natural and sometimes beneficial
C. Encouraged at all levels
D. Harmful and should always be avoided

9 The interactionist (modern) view of conflict suggests that:

Traditional and modern approaches to conflict Easy
A. All conflict must be eliminated immediately
B. A minimum level of conflict can keep a group active and effective
C. Conflict always reduces performance
D. Conflict has no place in organizations

10 Which approach to conflict accepts conflict as a natural and inevitable outcome in any group?

Traditional and modern approaches to conflict Easy
A. Human relations (behavioural) view
B. Traditional view
C. Avoidance view
D. Punitive view

11 Negotiation is best defined as a process in which:

Resolution of conflict through negotiation Easy
A. One party imposes its decision on another
B. Employees resign from their positions
C. Two or more parties exchange offers to reach a mutually acceptable agreement
D. A manager ignores the disagreement

12 A win-win negotiation outcome is also known as:

Resolution of conflict through negotiation Easy
A. Positional bargaining
B. Competitive bargaining
C. Distributive bargaining
D. Integrative bargaining

13 Distributive bargaining is best characterized as:

Resolution of conflict through negotiation Easy
A. A process that always satisfies both parties
B. A win-lose situation over a fixed amount of resources
C. A win-win situation expanding resources
D. A situation with no conflict of interest

14 The conflict-handling style where a person is highly cooperative and lets the other party have its way is called:

Resolution of conflict through negotiation Easy
A. Avoiding
B. Competing
C. Forcing
D. Accommodating

15 Which conflict-handling style seeks a solution that fully satisfies both parties?

Resolution of conflict through negotiation Easy
A. Collaborating
B. Avoiding
C. Compromising
D. Competing

16 In an organizational context, stress is best described as:

Stress: sources and consequences of stress Easy
A. A formal reward given by managers
B. A physical and psychological response to demanding or threatening situations
C. A type of promotion policy
D. A guaranteed increase in job satisfaction

17 Factors that cause stress are commonly referred to as:

Stress: sources and consequences of stress Easy
A. Buffers
B. Motivators
C. Stressors
D. Incentives

18 Which of the following is an organizational source of stress?

Stress: sources and consequences of stress Easy
A. Excessive workload and time pressure
B. Strong social support at home
C. Regular vacations
D. Adequate rest and sleep

19 Moderate, positive stress that can improve motivation and performance is called:

Stress: sources and consequences of stress Easy
A. Distress
B. Eustress
C. Hypertension
D. Burnout

20 Which of the following is a widely recommended stress management technique?

Stress management techniques Easy
A. Skipping meals regularly
B. Increasing caffeine intake heavily
C. Avoiding all forms of rest
D. Regular exercise and relaxation techniques

21 A software team and the sales team frequently clash because sales promises delivery dates that the developers consider unrealistic. This conflict most directly stems from which structural source?

Organizational conflict: conflict sources Medium
A. Task interdependence and goal incompatibility
B. Personality differences between individuals
C. Scarcity of financial resources
D. Poor individual communication skills

22 An employee feels torn because accepting a promotion means relocating away from family. This is an example of which type of conflict?

Types and levels of conflict Medium
A. Inter-organizational conflict
B. Interpersonal conflict
C. Intergroup conflict
D. Intrapersonal conflict

23 A manager encourages healthy debate in meetings, believing a moderate level of disagreement improves decision quality. This reflects which view of conflict?

Traditional and modern approaches to conflict Medium
A. Traditional view
B. Unitary view
C. Interactionist view
D. Human relations view

24 Conflict that supports group goals and improves performance is best described as:

Types and levels of conflict Medium
A. Latent conflict
B. Dysfunctional conflict
C. Functional conflict
D. Perceived conflict

25 In a negotiation, both parties give up something of value to reach a mutually acceptable middle ground. Which conflict-handling style does this represent?

Resolution of conflict through negotiation Medium
A. Avoiding
B. Collaborating
C. Competing
D. Compromising

26 An employee who is given a job with unclear responsibilities and conflicting instructions from two supervisors is most likely experiencing which organizational stressor?

Stress: sources and consequences of stress Medium
A. Role ambiguity and role conflict
B. Task complexity overload
C. Interpersonal demands
D. Career stagnation

27 In negotiation terminology, the point below which a negotiator will walk away from the deal is called the:

Resolution of conflict through negotiation Medium
A. Aspiration point
B. Target point
C. Resistance point
D. Settlement range

28 A negotiator strengthens their bargaining position most when they have a strong:

Resolution of conflict through negotiation Medium
A. Distributive stance
B. BATNA (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement)
C. Anchoring bias
D. ZOPA (Zone Of Possible Agreement)

29 An organization introduces flexible work hours, wellness programs, and role redesign to reduce employee stress. These are examples of:

Stress management techniques Medium
A. Emotional intelligence training only
B. Organizational-level stress management strategies
C. Individual coping mechanisms
D. Type A behavior modification

30 Which of the following best illustrates a physiological consequence of prolonged stress?

Stress: sources and consequences of stress Medium
A. Higher job satisfaction
B. Improved decision-making speed
C. Reduced absenteeism
D. Increased blood pressure and headaches

31 A negotiation in which one party's gain is exactly the other party's loss over a fixed resource is called:

Resolution of conflict through negotiation Medium
A. Distributive bargaining
B. Interest-based bargaining
C. Integrative bargaining
D. Principled negotiation

32 According to the traditional view of conflict, conflict is regarded as:

Traditional and modern approaches to conflict Medium
A. Harmful and to be avoided
B. A neutral organizational process
C. Necessary for high performance
D. Natural and sometimes beneficial

33 Two departments competing for the same limited budget allocation are engaged in which level of conflict?

Types and levels of conflict Medium
A. Intrapersonal conflict
B. Intergroup conflict
C. Interpersonal conflict
D. Intra-role conflict

34 An employee uses deep breathing, meditation, and regular exercise to cope with work pressure. These fall under which category?

Stress management techniques Medium
A. Structural role clarification
B. Organizational interventions
C. Individual stress management techniques
D. Environmental redesign strategies

35 Positive, motivating stress that can enhance performance and focus is referred to as:

Stress: sources and consequences of stress Medium
A. Distress
B. Burnout
C. Hyperstress
D. Eustress

36 According to the stages of conflict, the phase where conflict is felt emotionally but not yet openly expressed is called:

Types and levels of conflict Medium
A. Conflict aftermath
B. Felt conflict
C. Manifest conflict
D. Latent conflict

37 When a manager fully accommodates an employee's demand to preserve harmony while sacrificing their own concerns, which conflict style is being used?

Resolution of conflict through negotiation Medium
A. Collaborating
B. Competing
C. Accommodating
D. Compromising

38 The human relations view of conflict differs from the traditional view mainly because it holds that conflict is:

Traditional and modern approaches to conflict Medium
A. A natural and inevitable outcome in any group
B. Necessary to stimulate high performance
C. Always destructive to organizations
D. Deliberately created by management

39 An employee facing continuous heavy workload with tight deadlines and no support eventually shows emotional exhaustion and cynicism. This condition is best described as:

Stress: sources and consequences of stress Medium
A. Job burnout
B. Eustress
C. Role ambiguity
D. Cognitive dissonance

40 Which stress management approach focuses on changing an individual's interpretation of stressful events rather than the events themselves?

Stress management techniques Medium
A. Job rotation
B. Employee assistance program
C. Cognitive restructuring
D. Flexible scheduling

41 A project manager notices that two departments consistently clash over shared server capacity, budget, and meeting-room bookings, while individual members within each department get along well. According to the levels-of-conflict framework, this scenario is best classified as which type, and what is its most likely structural root?

Types and levels of conflict Hard
A. Interpersonal conflict rooted in personality clashes
B. Intergroup conflict rooted in resource interdependence and scarcity
C. Intrapersonal conflict rooted in role ambiguity
D. Intragroup conflict rooted in poor cohesion

42 A senior leader argues that a certain baseline of task conflict should be deliberately maintained because zero conflict signals apathy and stagnation. This position most directly reflects which view of conflict, and what is its central premise?

Traditional and modern approaches to conflict Hard
A. Interactionist view, which holds that a minimum level of conflict keeps groups viable and self-critical
B. Behavioural view, which holds that conflict should be tolerated but never encouraged
C. Traditional view, which holds that conflict is harmful and must be eliminated
D. Human relations view, which holds that conflict is natural and should be accepted

43 In a distributive negotiation, the buyer's reservation price is 72{,}000. What is the width of the ZOPA (Zone of Possible Agreement)?

Resolution of conflict through negotiation Hard
A. $80{,}000
B. $0 — no ZOPA exists
C. $8{,}000
D. $72{,}000

44 A negotiator with a strong BATNA (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement) walks into talks. How does a strong BATNA most accurately affect the negotiator's position?

Resolution of conflict through negotiation Hard
A. It eliminates the ZOPA, forcing an impasse
B. It guarantees a larger share of a fixed pie regardless of the other party
C. It lowers the negotiator's reservation point, encouraging early concessions
D. It raises the negotiator's reservation point, increasing willingness to reject weak offers

45 Two employees share responsibility for a report, but neither is clearly assigned the final sign-off, and each assumes the other will handle it. When it is late, both blame each other. Which pair of conflict sources is most directly at play?

Conflict sources Hard
A. Goal incompatibility and value differences
B. Communication overload and semantic distortion
C. Resource scarcity and status differences
D. Role ambiguity and task interdependence

46 Research on functional versus dysfunctional conflict suggests that the relationship between task conflict and group performance is best described as:

Traditional and modern approaches to conflict Hard
A. Strictly linear negative, where any conflict reduces performance
B. An inverted-U, where moderate task conflict maximizes performance
C. Flat, where conflict has no measurable effect on performance
D. Strictly linear positive, where more conflict always improves performance

47 According to the dual-concern (Thomas-Kilmann) model, a manager who shows high concern for their own goals AND high concern for the other party's goals is using which conflict-handling style, and what is its defining aim?

Resolution of conflict through negotiation Hard
A. Accommodating, aiming to preserve the relationship by yielding
B. Compromising, aiming for a partial split of differences
C. Collaborating, aiming for an integrative win-win outcome
D. Competing, aiming to win at the other's expense

48 An employee reports that a challenging but achievable stretch project energizes them and improves their focus, while an ambiguous, blame-heavy reorganization drains them. This distinction is best explained by which stress concept?

Sources and consequences of stress Hard
A. Role conflict versus role overload, reflecting quantity alone
B. Eustress versus distress, reflecting challenge versus hindrance stressors
C. Acute versus chronic stress, reflecting duration alone
D. Primary versus secondary appraisal, reflecting coping timing

49 In Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), an employee under prolonged, unrelieved organizational stress begins to show burnout, chronic fatigue, and declining immunity. Which stage of GAS does this indicate, and why?

Sources and consequences of stress Hard
A. Recovery, because the body is returning to homeostasis
B. Resistance, because the body is successfully coping with the stressor
C. Exhaustion, because adaptive resources have been depleted by prolonged stress
D. Alarm, because the body is mobilizing an initial fight-or-flight response

50 A functional manager gives an analyst one deadline while the project manager gives a conflicting deadline for the same period in a matrix structure. The analyst feels torn between incompatible demands from two bosses. This is best classified as:

Types and levels of conflict Hard
A. Interpersonal conflict driven by personality mismatch
B. Intrapersonal conflict driven by inter-sender role conflict
C. Intragroup conflict driven by process disagreement
D. Intergroup conflict driven by structural differentiation

51 During a labor negotiation, both sides frame the fixed wage pool as the only issue and treat any gain by one as a loss to the other. This framing exemplifies which negotiation trap, and what corrective approach addresses it?

Resolution of conflict through negotiation Hard
A. Escalation of commitment, corrected by sunk-cost accounting
B. Fixed-pie assumption, corrected by expanding issues into integrative trade-offs
C. Anchoring bias, corrected by making the first offer aggressive
D. Reactive devaluation, corrected by third-party arbitration

52 An organization redesigns jobs to increase employee control over pace and methods, and clarifies role expectations to reduce ambiguity. Under the Job Demands-Control (Karasek) model, why should this reduce strain?

Stress management techniques Hard
A. Lower job demands eliminate the need for any control
B. Reduced control shifts the job into the low-strain quadrant
C. Higher demands paired with low control produce a passive job
D. Higher decision latitude buffers the strain effect of high job demands

53 A CEO insists that all visible disagreement reflects management failure and that a well-run firm should have no conflict at all. Which limitation of this stance is the most defensible critique from the modern perspective?

Traditional and modern approaches to conflict Hard
A. It suppresses functional conflict, reducing innovation and critical evaluation
B. It overestimates the cost of resolving conflict quickly
C. It confuses task conflict with negotiation tactics
D. It assumes conflict is always intergroup rather than interpersonal

54 A study distinguishes role conflict, role ambiguity, and role overload as separate stressors. An employee who receives clear, compatible instructions but simply cannot complete the volume of assigned work in available time is experiencing primarily:

Sources and consequences of stress Hard
A. Role ambiguity
B. Quantitative role overload
C. Qualitative role overload
D. Inter-sender role conflict

55 Two managers each secretly value two negotiable issues differently: Manager A cares far more about budget, Manager B far more about timeline. Which negotiation move best exploits this difference to create joint value?

Resolution of conflict through negotiation Hard
A. Anchoring — opening with an extreme demand on both issues
B. Bridging — inventing an entirely new option that ignores both issues
C. Splitting the difference equally on each issue
D. Logrolling — each concedes on the issue they value less to gain on the one they value more

56 A newly promoted supervisor and a long-tenured expert clash repeatedly: the expert resents taking direction from someone with less experience but formal authority. Which conflict source most precisely explains this friction?

Conflict sources Hard
A. Status incongruence between formal authority and informal expertise
B. Resource scarcity over shared budgets
C. Task interdependence between sequential work steps
D. Communication distortion from noisy channels

57 A firm offers both an Employee Assistance Program (counseling) and a job-redesign initiative that removes chronic stressors at the source. In stress-management terms, how are these two interventions best categorized?

Stress management techniques Hard
A. The EAP is a secondary/tertiary individual intervention; job redesign is a primary organizational intervention
B. Both are secondary individual interventions
C. Both are primary organizational interventions
D. The EAP is primary prevention; job redesign is tertiary treatment

58 Researchers separate task, relationship, and process conflict. A team argues bitterly over who should do which subtask and how to sequence the work, without disputing the goal itself or attacking each other personally. This is best labeled:

Types and levels of conflict Hard
A. Affective conflict
B. Process conflict
C. Relationship conflict
D. Task conflict

59 An organization observes rising absenteeism, turnover, accidents, and error rates alongside falling productivity, all traced to sustained workplace stress. These outcomes are best classified as:

Sources and consequences of stress Hard
A. Physiological consequences of stress
B. Organizational (behavioural/performance) consequences of stress
C. Cognitive appraisal antecedents of stress
D. Psychological consequences of stress

60 A manager wants to raise functional conflict in an overly agreeable team to improve decision quality. Which stimulation technique aligns with the interactionist view while minimizing personal hostility?

Traditional and modern approaches to conflict Hard
A. Appointing a devil's advocate to formally challenge the prevailing view
B. Reducing information flow to force competition
C. Merging the team with a rival group to spark rivalry
D. Publicly criticizing the least popular team member