BT: Business and Technology

• Topic 01

  The Business Organisation and its External Environment

  251 questions
• Topic 02

  Organisational Structure, Culture, Governance and Sustainability

  228 questions
• Topic 03

  Business Functions, Regulation and Technology

  221 questions
• Topic 04

  Leadership and Management

  235 questions
• Topic 05

  Personal Effectiveness and Communication in Business

  285 questions
• Topic 06

  Professional Ethics

  257 questions

A few questions from this unit, with the answer and a full explanation. The complete bank is available when you start practising.

1. Which quadrant of the Eisenhower matrix is considered the most productive?

   • A
     Quadrant 3 (Urgent but Not Important), because responding quickly to all requests shows responsiveness
   • B
     Quadrant 1 (Urgent and Important), because dealing with crises demonstrates high productivity
   • C
     Quadrant 2 (Important but Not Urgent), because investing time in planning, development, and relationship-building prevents future crises
     Correct answer
   • D
     Quadrant 4 (Neither Urgent nor Important), because relaxation and downtime improve overall productivity
   Explanation

   Quadrant 2 (Important but Not Urgent) is considered the most productive quadrant. Activities here include strategic planning, relationship building, professional development, preventive maintenance, and personal growth. These activities prevent future crises (reducing Quadrant 1 demands), create long-term value, and improve overall effectiveness. Quadrant 1 is necessary but reactive. Quadrant 3 activities feel productive but do not contribute to important goals. Quadrant 4 activities waste time. Effective time management involves maximising Quadrant 2 time.

2. What is the Eisenhower matrix used for?

   • A
     For measuring the financial return on investment of different projects
   • B
     For evaluating the performance of employees against their job descriptions
   • C
     For prioritising tasks by classifying them according to their urgency and importance
     Correct answer
   • D
     For determining the organisational structure that best fits a company's strategy
   Explanation

   The Eisenhower matrix (also known as Covey's urgent-important matrix) is a time management tool that classifies tasks into four quadrants based on two dimensions: urgency (how time-sensitive the task is) and importance (how much the task contributes to long-term goals and objectives). The four quadrants guide action: do immediately (urgent and important), schedule (important but not urgent), delegate (urgent but not important), and eliminate (neither urgent nor important).

3. A factory manager makes all decisions without consulting workers and uses the threat of disciplinary action to ensure compliance. Workers are not trusted and are closely supervised at all times. According to Likert's framework, which system of management is this?

   • A
     System 3: Consultative, because close supervision is a form of engagement with the workforce
   • B
     System 4: Participative, because the manager is actively involved with workers
   • C
     System 1: Exploitative authoritative, characterised by top-down control, fear-based motivation, and no trust in subordinates
     Correct answer
   • D
     System 2: Benevolent authoritative, because the manager is trying to protect workers through close supervision
   Explanation

   This is System 1: Exploitative authoritative management. The key indicators are: unilateral decision-making (no consultation), fear-based motivation (threat of disciplinary action), no trust in subordinates, and close surveillance-style supervision. System 2 would show some paternalistic concern; System 3 would involve genuine consultation; and System 4 would feature team-based decision-making. Close supervision alone does not constitute engagement or participation.