BA 302 Exam 1 Study Guide

Chapter 1
1. Know the definition of OB. When/why would you use intuition and when/why would you use
systematic study? What are the three levels of analysis?
2. What are the three learning styles? Understand the differences between the three.
3. Understand how research is done for OB. Know and understand the following terms: hypotheses,
variables, surveys, field studies, laboratory studies, case studies, and meta-analysis.
4. There are measurement issues in OB. Know the terms on page 17 in the textbook.
5. Understand the OB challenges and opportunities in the current trends and changes in the
workforce and field. This will NOT be an essay question. Just general knowledge is good.
Chapter 2 probably will not have an essay question
1. What is diversity? Understand the benefits and challenges of diversity.
2. What is culture?
3. Know the four dimensions of culture that are a part of Hofstedes framework. What is Hofstedes
Framework and what was it used for? How was it created and is it still valid today?
Chapter 3 good chapter for essay question(s)
1. What is personality? What are values (terminal and instrumental)? (know these well)
2. Why is the Big Five model one that can be used for hiring employees and Myers Briggs is not a
test to be used for hiring employees? What should Myers Briggs be used for in business?
3. Understand the following terms: positive and negative affectivity, self-monitoring, proactive
personality, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and locus of control. These are all terms associated with
personality.
4. Compare and contrast person-organization fit and person-job fit. Which would you choose and
why when hiring employees. There isnt a right or wrong answer, per se, instead a strong
argument must be presented to prove your point.
5. What is perception? Three types of perception are discussed: visual, self-, and social. Understand
what these area and why they are important to understand.
6. Understand attribution (also known as attribution theory). Be able to apply it to a situation.
Chapter 4 good chapter for essay question(s)
1. What are attitudes? What is the relationship between attitudes and behaviors? Understand job
satisfaction and organizational commitment.
2. In class we discussed the 6 dependent variables that are affected by independent variables. These
6 dependant variables are discussed in chapters 4 and 5 and will continue to be discussed
throughout the term. The 6 dependent variables are: job satisfaction (the only one that is an
attitude), productivity (or job performance per the book), turnover, absenteeism, organizational
citizenship behavior (OCB), and deviant workplace behavior (DWB). Besides job satisfaction,
the other 5 variables are behaviors. Please understand these 6 dependent variables and how they
are affected by the work environment this means what causes them to occur and what a
manager can do to encourage the positive outcomes and/or discourage the negative outcomes.

Chapter 5 know the theories! Good chapter for essay question(s)

1. Understand motivation, ability, and environment.
2. Know the need-based theories (Maslow, ERG, Herzbergs two factor, McClellands acquired
needs). Which are not used today and why? Which of the four is still used today and why?
3. Understand and be able to explain Equity theory, Expectancy theory, and reinforcement theory.
These are necessary to know, along with the terminology associated with the theories!
4. Understand the discussion of justice and how it relates to Equity theory. Understand distributive,
procedural, and interactional justice. Think about the concept of fair
Chapter 6 know the theories and how to apply employee motivation factors. Good chapter for
essay question(s)
1. What is job design and why is it important for both managers and employees?
2. Understand the concepts of job specialization, job rotation, job enlargement, and job enrichment.
3. Understand and be able to apple the Job Characteristics Model. There are five core job
characteristics to be understood and that lead to strong outcomes. Understand MPS.
4. Understand empowerment (structural and felt) and why this is important for motivation.
5. Understand Goal-Setting Theory. What are SMART goals? Why is it important to set SMART
goals?
6. Just a passing understanding of MBO are they used today? Why or why not?
7. Understand how to motivate employees through Performance Appraisals. What are they, why
perform them, and how often should they be given? Pros and cons?
8. What are performance incentives how do they motivate employees? Understand the following
incentives: piece-rate, individual bonuses, merit pay, sales commissions, awards, team bonuses,
gainsharing, profit sharing, and stock options.

Chapter 7 (pp 135-148) fairly low key chapter

1. Know the definition of stress. Understand the following terminology: stressors, role ambiguity,
role conflict, role overload, information overload, and work-family conflict. How can managers
use this knowledge to help reduce workplace stress? Why should both managers and employees
be aware of the problems surrounding stress?
2. What are the two outcome categories of stress? How does stress affect the 6 workplace variables?
(yes these are still here. You should still be thinking about these and able to use them in your
test answers).
3. What are personal ways to manage stress? What are organizational ways to manage stress? Be
able to discuss these different options. When would/could you use each one?

Chapter 9 Good chapter for essay question and other questions!

1. What is a group? What is the difference between an information work group and a formal work
group?
2. Know the 5 stages of group development. Understand the Punctuation Equilibrium Model. When
would you use either one? See PowerPoint slides on this as well. What is cohesion? Can a group
have too much? Know and understand the following terms: social loafing, group think, collective
efficacy.
3. Know the 5 stages of group development. Understand the Punctuation Equilibrium Model. When
would you use either one? See PowerPoint slides on this as well. What is cohesion? Can a group

have too much? Know and understand the following terms: social loafing, group think, collective
efficacy.
4. What is a team? What is the difference between a group and a team? What is synergy? When
would you use a team vs. a group?
5. Understand team tasks and their level of interdependence.
6. Understand team roles based on task, social, and boundary-spanning roles. Which role(s) would
you play and why?
7. Understand the 4 types of teams presented in the book. Understand the concept of self-managed
teams.
8. What are team norms?
9. Team meetings what should be done before, during, and after the meeting?
10. Understand the main barriers to effective teams and what can be done to solve these problems.