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Question 1
D
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Difficulty:
35%
(medium)
Question Stats:
61% (02:39) correct
39%
(02:51) wrong
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Question 2
C
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Difficulty:
65%
(hard)
Question Stats:
43% (01:02) correct 57%
(01:05) wrong
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Question 3
A
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35%
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Question Stats:
68% (01:19) correct 32%
(01:36) wrong
based on 3793
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According to P. F. Drucker, the management philosophy known as Total Quality Management (TQM), which is designed to be adopted consistently throughout an organization and to improve customer service by using sampling theory to reduce the variability of a product's quality, can work successfully in conjunction with two older management systems. As Drucker notes, TQM's scientific approach is consistent with the statistical sampling techniques of the "rationalist" school of scientific management, and the organizational structure associated with TQM is consistent with the social and psychological emphases of the "human relations" school of management.
However, TQM cannot simply be grafted onto these systems or onto certain other non-TQM management systems. Although, as Drucker contends, TQM shares with such systems the ultimate objective of increasing profitability, TQM requires fundamentally different strategies. While the other management systems referred to use upper management decision-making and employee specialization to maximize shareholder profits over the short term, TQM envisions the interests of employees, shareholders, and customers as convergent. For example, lower prices not only benefit consumers but also enhance an organization's competitive edge and ensure its continuance, thus benefiting employees and owners. TQM's emphasis on shared interests is reflected in the decentralized decision-making, integrated production activity, and lateral structure of organizations that achieve the benefits of TQM.
However, TQM cannot simply be grafted onto these systems or onto certain other non-TQM management systems. Although, as Drucker contends, TQM shares with such systems the ultimate objective of increasing profitability, TQM requires fundamentally different strategies. While the other management systems referred to use upper management decision-making and employee specialization to maximize shareholder profits over the short term, TQM envisions the interests of employees, shareholders, and customers as convergent. For example, lower prices not only benefit consumers but also enhance an organization's competitive edge and ensure its continuance, thus benefiting employees and owners. TQM's emphasis on shared interests is reflected in the decentralized decision-making, integrated production activity, and lateral structure of organizations that achieve the benefits of TQM.
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
(A) point out contradictions in a new management system
(B) compare and contrast the objectives of various management systems
(C) identify the organizational features shared by various management systems
(D) explain the relationship of a particular management system to certain other management systems
(E) explain the advantages of a particular management system over certain other management systems
(A) point out contradictions in a new management system
(B) compare and contrast the objectives of various management systems
(C) identify the organizational features shared by various management systems
(D) explain the relationship of a particular management system to certain other management systems
(E) explain the advantages of a particular management system over certain other management systems
This question asks you to evaluate the relationship between the two paragraphs in the passage. The best choice is the third. Drucker's claim is presented in the first paragraph and is qualified in the second paragraph: However, TQM cannot simply be grafted onto these systems or onto certain other non-TQM management systems.
The first choice is not correct. While TQM's consistency with other management styles might conceivably be interpreted as a phenomenon presented in the first paragraph, the second paragraph clearly does not present contrasting explanations of this consistency.
The second choice is also incorrect. The first paragraph reports Drucker’s claim, which could be construed as applying generally to various uses of the two older systems, but the position expressed in the second paragraph is a general qualification of Drucker’s position and does not offer an exception.
While Drucker's assertion is correctly identified in the fourth choice as a claim, the second paragraph does not provide an example that strengthens the claim.
The fifth choice is also incorrect; the first paragraph does not discuss a problem, and the second paragraph does not clearly offer an alternative approach.
The first choice is not correct. While TQM's consistency with other management styles might conceivably be interpreted as a phenomenon presented in the first paragraph, the second paragraph clearly does not present contrasting explanations of this consistency.
The second choice is also incorrect. The first paragraph reports Drucker’s claim, which could be construed as applying generally to various uses of the two older systems, but the position expressed in the second paragraph is a general qualification of Drucker’s position and does not offer an exception.
While Drucker's assertion is correctly identified in the fourth choice as a claim, the second paragraph does not provide an example that strengthens the claim.
The fifth choice is also incorrect; the first paragraph does not discuss a problem, and the second paragraph does not clearly offer an alternative approach.
(A) It presents contrasting explanations for a phenomenon presented in the first paragraph.
(B) It discusses an exception to a general principle outlined in the first paragraph.
(C) It provides information that qualifies a claim presented in the first paragraph.
(D) It presents an example that strengthens a claim presented in the first paragraph.
(E) It presents an alternative approach to solving a problem discussed in the first paragraph.
3. According to the passage, the rationalist and human relations schools of management are alike in that they
A. are primarily interested in increasing profits
B. place little emphasis on issues of organizational structure
C. use statistical sampling techniques to increase profitability
D. are unlikely to lower prices in order to increase profitability
E. focus chiefly on setting and attaining long-term objectives
A. are primarily interested in increasing profits
B. place little emphasis on issues of organizational structure
C. use statistical sampling techniques to increase profitability
D. are unlikely to lower prices in order to increase profitability
E. focus chiefly on setting and attaining long-term objectives
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ShashankDave
Joined: 03 Apr 2013
Last visit: 26 Jan 2020
Posts: 215
Given Kudos: 872
Location: India
Concentration: Marketing, Finance
Schools: McDonough '21 (A) Kelley '21 ISB '21 (I)
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V41
GPA: 3
27 Oct 2017, 06:29
Kudos
Bookmarks
Got all Correct. Here's my 2 cents regarding explanations..I request Experts to comment on my analysis.
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
A. point out contradictions in a new management system
No. It's not indicated anywhere in the passage whether any of the discussed management methods is "new"
B. compare and contrast the objectives of various management systems
No. In totality 3 methods have been discussed in the passage - rational school, human relations school, and TQM. In the second paragraph, it has been mentioned that the objective of all the three methods is to increase the profitability. Quoting from the passage - Although, as Drucker contends, TQM shares with such systems the ultimate objective of increasing profitability, TQM requires fundamentally different strategies.
C. identify the organizational features shared by various management systems
No. Although the first paragraph discuss primarily this only, but the complete passage is about something else as the author argues something entirely different in the second paragraph.
D. explain the relationship of a particular management system to certain other management systems
Yes. In the first paragraph, the author discusses what someone else has said about the relation between TQM and the other two schools. In the second paragraph, the author sets out to explain that TQM cannot simply be used with the other two methods by pointing out the differences between TQM and the other schools. In all, the author is trying to convince that the relationship is not exactly as close as it may seem to be.
E. explain the advantages of a particular management system over certain other management systems
No. This can be tricky. Yes, the author has pointed out that TQM cares about employees, shareholders, and customers alike, while the other systems only worry about shareholders. But if you read closely, you would understand that the author has discussed WHAT THE STRATEGIES ARE RATHER THAN POINTING OUT ANY STRATEGY AS BEING ADVANTAGEOUS OVER THE OTHER.
2. Which of the following best describes the relationship of the second paragraph to the first paragraph?
A. It presents contrasting explanations for a phenomenon presented in the first paragraph.
No. What "phenomenon"? There is no such thing in the passage. What "contrasting explanations"? Only differences between strategies and why TQM cannot be used with the other systems has been discussed, not any "contrasting explanations". Out of Scope
B. It discusses an exception to a general principle outlined in the first paragraph.
No. What "general principle"? Out of Scope.
C. It provides information that qualifies a claim presented in the first paragraph.
Yes. "qualifies" means to reduce in strength or value. The first paragraph makes a claim that TQM can be used with the other 2 systems. But the second paragraph says that TQM cannot be used with the other systems because of underlying fundamental differences. So the second paragraph weakens the claim made in the first paragraph.
D. It presents an example that strengthens a claim presented in the first paragraph.
No. The exact opposite has happened.
E. It presents an alternative approach to solving a problem discussed in the first paragraph.
No. No alternative approach has been discussed, and no "problem" has been talked about. Moreover, no "solution" has been discussed.
3. According to the passage, the rationalist and human relations schools of management are alike in that they
A. are primarily interested in increasing profits
Yes. Read the lines in the second paragraph - "While the other management systems referred to use upper management decision-making and employee specialization to maximize shareholder profits over the short term, TQM envisions the interests of employees, shareholders, and customers as convergent."
A line before this points out that the "ultimate objective" is to increase profitability.
B. place little emphasis on issues of organizational structure
No. We can't say as it has not been explicitly stated
C. use statistical sampling techniques to increase profitability
No. Only "rational" school has this, not "human relations"
D. are unlikely to lower prices in order to increase profitability
No. Nothing in the passage points to this
E. focus chiefly on setting and attaining long-term objectives
No. It has been stated that both have "short term objectives"
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
A. point out contradictions in a new management system
No. It's not indicated anywhere in the passage whether any of the discussed management methods is "new"
B. compare and contrast the objectives of various management systems
No. In totality 3 methods have been discussed in the passage - rational school, human relations school, and TQM. In the second paragraph, it has been mentioned that the objective of all the three methods is to increase the profitability. Quoting from the passage - Although, as Drucker contends, TQM shares with such systems the ultimate objective of increasing profitability, TQM requires fundamentally different strategies.
C. identify the organizational features shared by various management systems
No. Although the first paragraph discuss primarily this only, but the complete passage is about something else as the author argues something entirely different in the second paragraph.
D. explain the relationship of a particular management system to certain other management systems
Yes. In the first paragraph, the author discusses what someone else has said about the relation between TQM and the other two schools. In the second paragraph, the author sets out to explain that TQM cannot simply be used with the other two methods by pointing out the differences between TQM and the other schools. In all, the author is trying to convince that the relationship is not exactly as close as it may seem to be.
E. explain the advantages of a particular management system over certain other management systems
No. This can be tricky. Yes, the author has pointed out that TQM cares about employees, shareholders, and customers alike, while the other systems only worry about shareholders. But if you read closely, you would understand that the author has discussed WHAT THE STRATEGIES ARE RATHER THAN POINTING OUT ANY STRATEGY AS BEING ADVANTAGEOUS OVER THE OTHER.
2. Which of the following best describes the relationship of the second paragraph to the first paragraph?
A. It presents contrasting explanations for a phenomenon presented in the first paragraph.
No. What "phenomenon"? There is no such thing in the passage. What "contrasting explanations"? Only differences between strategies and why TQM cannot be used with the other systems has been discussed, not any "contrasting explanations". Out of Scope
B. It discusses an exception to a general principle outlined in the first paragraph.
No. What "general principle"? Out of Scope.
C. It provides information that qualifies a claim presented in the first paragraph.
Yes. "qualifies" means to reduce in strength or value. The first paragraph makes a claim that TQM can be used with the other 2 systems. But the second paragraph says that TQM cannot be used with the other systems because of underlying fundamental differences. So the second paragraph weakens the claim made in the first paragraph.
D. It presents an example that strengthens a claim presented in the first paragraph.
No. The exact opposite has happened.
E. It presents an alternative approach to solving a problem discussed in the first paragraph.
No. No alternative approach has been discussed, and no "problem" has been talked about. Moreover, no "solution" has been discussed.
3. According to the passage, the rationalist and human relations schools of management are alike in that they
A. are primarily interested in increasing profits
Yes. Read the lines in the second paragraph - "While the other management systems referred to use upper management decision-making and employee specialization to maximize shareholder profits over the short term, TQM envisions the interests of employees, shareholders, and customers as convergent."
A line before this points out that the "ultimate objective" is to increase profitability.
B. place little emphasis on issues of organizational structure
No. We can't say as it has not been explicitly stated
C. use statistical sampling techniques to increase profitability
No. Only "rational" school has this, not "human relations"
D. are unlikely to lower prices in order to increase profitability
No. Nothing in the passage points to this
E. focus chiefly on setting and attaining long-term objectives
No. It has been stated that both have "short term objectives"
21 Jul 2016, 05:46
Kudos
Bookmarks
2. Which of the following best describes the relationship of the second paragraph to the first paragraph?
(A) It presents contrasting explanations for a phenomenon presented in the first paragraph.
(B) It discusses an exception to a general principle outlined in the first paragraph.
(C) It provides information that qualifies a claim presented in the first paragraph.
(D) It presents an example that strengthens a claim presented in the first paragraph.
(E) It presents an alternative approach to solving a problem discussed in the first paragraph.
Responding to a PM. Why option C is better than option B?
The fastest way to eliminate option B (without going into the details below) would be to mark the word "an" before "exception" and realize that there are more than one systems mentioned in paragraph B.
Now to details....
Option B: The first paragraph describes a general PRINCIPLE. The second discusses AN EXCEPTION.
The PRINCIPLE in the first paragraph is that TQM is consistent with rationalist school and HR school. In order for B to be correct, we require an example which is an EXCEPTION to this principle, i.e. an example (exception) that shows that TQM is NOT consistent with rationalist and HR schools. Such exception is not shown in paragraph 2.
Moreover the second paragraph does not discuss AN (one) exception (even if it were an exception), but many other systems that are not consistent with TQM:
Option C: First paragraph presents a CLAIM. The second provides information that QUALIFIES the claim.
The claim is that TQM CAN WORK SUCCESSFULLY in conjunction with 2 other principles. The PRINCIPLE mentioned above (TQM is consistent with rationalist school and HR school) is used to support this claim.
The second paragraph qualifies the claim providing the information that TQM cannot be grafted to other non-TQM systems ( i.e. TQM is not consistent with other systems) and thereby adds reservation to the above CLAIM. ( qualify = add reservation to)
Therefore C is better than B.
(A) It presents contrasting explanations for a phenomenon presented in the first paragraph.
(B) It discusses an exception to a general principle outlined in the first paragraph.
(C) It provides information that qualifies a claim presented in the first paragraph.
(D) It presents an example that strengthens a claim presented in the first paragraph.
(E) It presents an alternative approach to solving a problem discussed in the first paragraph.
Responding to a PM. Why option C is better than option B?
The fastest way to eliminate option B (without going into the details below) would be to mark the word "an" before "exception" and realize that there are more than one systems mentioned in paragraph B.
Now to details....
Option B: The first paragraph describes a general PRINCIPLE. The second discusses AN EXCEPTION.
The PRINCIPLE in the first paragraph is that TQM is consistent with rationalist school and HR school. In order for B to be correct, we require an example which is an EXCEPTION to this principle, i.e. an example (exception) that shows that TQM is NOT consistent with rationalist and HR schools. Such exception is not shown in paragraph 2.
Moreover the second paragraph does not discuss AN (one) exception (even if it were an exception), but many other systems that are not consistent with TQM:
Option C: First paragraph presents a CLAIM. The second provides information that QUALIFIES the claim.
The claim is that TQM CAN WORK SUCCESSFULLY in conjunction with 2 other principles. The PRINCIPLE mentioned above (TQM is consistent with rationalist school and HR school) is used to support this claim.
The second paragraph qualifies the claim providing the information that TQM cannot be grafted to other non-TQM systems ( i.e. TQM is not consistent with other systems) and thereby adds reservation to the above CLAIM. ( qualify = add reservation to)
Therefore C is better than B.
