Took 10 mins, including 3 mins to read the passage and got the last question incorrect
1. Which of the following best describes the function of the first sentence (lines 17-24) of the second paragraph of the passage?
(D) To qualify an assertion made in the preceding sentence about how top management decision-making affects the likelihood that firms will adhere to their strategic plans - Correct
In particular, top management decision sharing—consensus-oriented, team-based decision-making—may increase the likelihood that firms will adhere to their plans, because those involved in the decision-making may be more committed to the chosen course of action, thereby increasing the likelihood that organizations will subsequently adhere to their plans.
2. It can be inferred from the passage that which of the following firms would be most likely to adhere to it strategic plans?
(B) One that is pursuing a harvest strategy and whose strategic plans were developed through the process of decision-sharing - Correct
- In particular, top management decision sharing—consensus-oriented, team-based decision-making—may increase the likelihood that firms will adhere to their plans
-In a study of strategic practices in several large firms, managers in harvest strategy scenarios were more able to adhere to their business plans.
3. The author includes the quotation in lines 44-47 of the passage most probably in order to
(A) lend support to the claim that firms utilizing harvest strategies may be more likely to adhere to their strategic plans
“Typically all a manager has to do [when implementing a harvest strategy] is that which was done last year.” Additionally, managers under harvest strategies may have fewer strategic options than do those under build strategies
4. According to the theory and research discussed in the first paragraph of the passage, which of the following may be true of firms that use teams to develop their strategic plans?
(C) They are less to deviate from their strategic plans because team members may be more committed to the plans.
In particular, top management decision sharing—consensus-oriented, team-based decision-making—may increase the likelihood that firms will adhere to their plans,
because those involved in the decision-making may be more committed to the chosen course of action, thereby increasing the likelihood that organizations will subsequently adhere to their plans.
5. The primary purpose of the passage is to
(A) identify some of the obstacles that make it difficult for firms to adhere to their strategic business plans - Incorrect
(B) compare two different theories concerning why firms adhere to or deviate from their strategic plans
(C) evaluate the utility of top management decision-sharing as a method of implementing the strategic mission of a business - Incorrect - too narrow
(D) discuss the respective advantages and disadvantages of build and harvest strategies among several large firms - Incorrect - Only second paragraph discusses about build and harvest strategies
(E) examine some of the factors that may affect whether or not firms adhere to their strategic plans
Even I could not decide between options B and E
As per BTG , the OA is B .
hazelnut - can you please confirm ?
Below is an excerpt from a discussion on BTG .
It has to do with the topic and scope of the passage, which come in the very first sentence of this passage:
"Why firms adhere to or deviate from their strategic plans is poorly understood."
Do you see how the language here is replicated word for word in the second half of choice B? This first sentence tells us that the author is interested in the fact that it is poorly understood why firms adhere to or deviate from the strategic plans that they made for themselves. The second sentence of the passage begins with the important contrast keyword "however". This tells us that although we don't really know why firms choose to follow or stray from their plans, there is theory and research that "suggest" certain conclusions. So, just from the first sentence, and the first word of the second sentence, we can tell that the author's purpose is, roughly: "to discuss theory that will shed light as to why firms adhere to or deviate from their strategic plans." (We learn later that he ends up comparing two theories but we already had enough info to answer the global question).
This analysis clearly matches choice B.
Choice E is tempting but it is a little bid too broad and not quite precise enough to match the author's intent in writing the passage. Choice E makes it sound as though the factors (that influence whether a firm adheres to or deviates from plan) are well understood; otherwise, how would he be able to "examine" them? But he said that the reason firms adhere to or deviate from are "poorly understood". (And, of course, if the factors were well known, there would be no need to turn to theory or research). So, choice E, in addition to being imprecise, also tends to contradict the author's opening sentence.