TEST BANK for Work, Industry, and Canadian Society 7th edition. by StudyGuide

Test Bank to accompany

Prepared by Harvey J. Krahn, William Silver, and Karen D. Hughes University of Alberta

Test Bank to accompany Work, Industry, and Canadian Society, Seventh Edition By Harvey J. Krahn, Karen D. Hughes, and Graham S. Lowe Test Bank prepared by Harvey J. Krahn, William Silver, and Karen D. Hughes. Copy editor: Strong Finish Available at www.nelson.com/workindustry7e COPYRIGHT ©2015 by Nelson Education Ltd. Nelson is a registered trademark used herein under licence. All rights reserved. For more information contact Nelson, 1120 Birchmount Road, Toronto, Ontario M1K 5G4. Or you can visit our Internet site at www.nelson.com. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means—graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, web distribution or information storage and retrieval systems—without the written permission of the publisher

TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Historical Perspectives on Work (1700–1950s)...................................................... 1-1 Chapter 2: Contemporary Debates on Work (1950s to Present Day) ......................................... 2-1 Chapter 3: Canadian Employment Trends............................................................................ 3-1 Chapter 4: Good Jobs, Bad Jobs, No Jobs ............................................................................. 4-1 Chapter 5: Labour Markets: Opportunities and Inequality ....................................................... 5-1 Chapter 6: Gender and Paid Employment ............................................................................ 6-1 Chapter 7: Household, Family, and Caring Work .................................................................. 7-1 Chapter 8: Organizing and Managing Work......................................................................... 8-1 Chapter 9: In Search of New Managerial Paradigms .............................................................. 9-1 Chapter 10: Conflict and Control in the Workplace.............................................................. 10-1 Chapter 11: Unions and Industrial Relations ....................................................................... 11-1 Chapter 12: Alternative Approaches to Economic Organization............................................. 12-1 Chapter 13: Work Values and Work Orientations................................................................ 13-1 Chapter 14: Job Satisfaction, Alienation, and Work-Related Stress ......................................... 14-1

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Chapter 1: Historical Perspectives on Work (1700–1950s) Multiple-Choice Questions Identify the choice that best answers the question. 1.

Which of the following are demonstrated by historical studies?

a. b. c. d.

Industrial capitalism had given way to mercantile capitalism by the mid-1800s. Industrialization took place in Canada later than in Europe and the United States. Mercantile capitalism began in Asia, while industrial capitalism began in Europe. North American workers did not experience poverty and exploitation during early industrialization similar to what was experienced by the English working class.

ANS: B 2.

a. b. c. d.

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 4–5, 7–8 BLM: Higher Order

Compared to the era of industrial capitalism in western Europe, which of the following characterized feudal society? More rapid social change. Less emphasis on religion. Less wage labour. Larger communities.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 4

BLM: Remember

During the first half of the 1800s, Russia’s economy was dominated by agriculture, with powerful landowners profiting from the work done by landless peasants. During the second half of the 1800s, many large factories and railway systems were built by rich individuals and families and large companies. In 1917, the Russian Revolution led to the state (government) taking over ownership of farms, factories, railways, and the rest of the economy. This system stayed in place until 1989. Which of the following best describes Russia in the early 1800s?

a. b. c. d.

Mercantile capitalism. Feudalism. Industrial capitalism. Socialism.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 4

BLM: Remember

Based on Q. 5 (above), which of the following best describes Russia in the late 1800s?

a. b. c. d.

Post-feudalism. Mercantile capitalism. Industrial capitalism. Diversified capitalism.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 4–5

BLM: Remember

1-1

Which of the following best describes the “putting out” system that existed during early industrialization in Europe?

a. b. c. d.

Women were extensively involved in production. Large investments in manufacturing technology were required. It was more efficient than factory-based production. It dramatically increased the level of agricultural production.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 5

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following was not part of “the great transformation” described by Karl Polanyi?

a. b. c. d.

The emergence of socialist forms of government. Growing urbanization. A shift to new technologies and inanimate energy sources. The emergence of widespread wage labour.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 6

BLM: Remember

Which of the following occurred in pre-industrial Canada in the early 1800s?

Many people who had immigrated to the United States were moving to Canada because they could not get jobs in the United States. Immigrants employed in canal-building were very poorly paid. Many factories were being built. Agriculture was becoming the dominant industry in western Canada.

b. c. d.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 7

BLM: Remember

During the early 1900s in Canada, which of the following were occurring?

a. b.

Skilled craftworkers in Ontario were eager to begin working in large factories. Employers did not want to hire immigrants from Europe and China for jobs in mining and railway-building because they thought they would join unions. Dangerous working conditions in mining in western Canada led to several socialists being elected as provincial politicians. Laws were being passed so that women were paid the same as men for similar work.

c. d.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 9–10

BLM: Remember

The economy in the African country of Hypothetica is primarily agricultural. Most of the farms are owned by companies in western Europe or the United States. Local residents are hired on a monthly basis to work on the farms, using high-tech farm machinery. Which of the following concepts that Karl Marx introduced would be best for describing this economic system?

a. b.

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c. d.

Social relations of production. Industrial agrarian production.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 10

BLM: Higher Order

10.

According to Karl Marx, which of the following would eventually be the root cause of the end of capitalism and the emergence of socialism?

a. b. c. d.

Laws prohibiting trade unions. Increasing division of labour. Alienating effects of bureaucracy. Growing conflict between the working class and capitalists.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 11

BLM: Higher Order

11.

Which of the following social theorists best predicted what happened in Russia in 1917?

a. b. c. d.

Adam Smith. Émile Durkheim. Max Weber. Karl Marx.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 11

BLM: Remember

12.

Which of the following best describes Russia throughout most of the 1900s?

a. b. c. d.

State capitalism. Mercantile capitalism. Industrial capitalism. State socialism.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 11–12

BLM: Remember

13.

In what way did Adam Smith and Karl Marx have similar views about work relationships in industrial societies, even though their reasons were different?

a. b. c. d.

Both were opposed to the division of labour. Both were opposed to excessive bureaucracy. Both felt that unions did not really provide benefits to workers. Both felt that the exploitation of workers was wrong.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 12

BLM: Higher Order

14.

Which of the following is most correct with respect to social theories about the division of labour?

a. b.

Adam Smith believed that it led to widespread alienation among workers. Émile Durkheim argued that it was both economically useful and morally good.

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c. d.

Karl Marx believed it increased both profits for owners and the happiness of workers. Max Weber stated that it no longer existed in large bureaucracies.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 12–15

BLM: Higher Order

15.

Adam Smith’s view of modern economies is described best by which of the following?

a. b. c. d.

He argued that competition led to the creation of wealth. He condoned the exploitation of workers because low wages increase productivity. He believed the division of labour had no impact on productivity. He felt that the key to understanding the economy was studying bureaucracy.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 12–13

BLM: Remember

16.

Adam Smith argued that an extensive division of labour could lead to immense increases in productivity in a factory setting. What did Charles Babbage propose to further increase profits for factory owners?

a. b. c. d.

Increasing the length of the working day. Paying workers less, since they would require fewer skills. Outlawing trade unions. Making workers pay for their own tools.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 14 BLM: Remember

17.

Which of the following assumptions is most central to Émile Durkheim’s assessment of the positive social outcomes of the division of labour?

Workers doing very different jobs must recognize that they depend on others with different responsibilities. An extensive division of labour is typically most profitable. While workers are doing very different jobs, they all should be paid about the same. People with more skills must be paid the most.

b. c. d.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 15

BLM: Higher Order

18.

Health Central is a large hospital where most doctors earn over $200,000 annually, most nurses earn about $65,000 annually, and the cleaning staff are paid the minimum wage. Because they feel they are underpaid, the cleaning staff don’t like helping the nurses. For the same reason, the nurses don’t like helping out the doctors. A consultant hired to deal with the problem recommends a series of workshops where members of all three groups will meet to learn more about what others do in their jobs. Which of the following social theorists would likely applaud this suggestion?

a. b. c. d.

Adam Smith. Karl Marx. Émile Durkheim. Max Weber.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 15

BLM: Higher Order

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19.

The approach recommended by the consultant hired by Health Central (see Q. 18) would best be described as reflecting which of the following perspectives on the sociology of work?

a. b. c. d.

The great transformation perspective. The post-bureaucratic perspective. The conflict perspective. The consensus approach.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 15

BLM: Higher Order

20.

Organization X has the following characteristics. According to Max Weber, which one would not be present in an “ideal type” bureaucracy?

a. b.

Each job has its own clearly defined responsibilities. A clear chain of command links all positions from the bottom to the top of the organizational hierarchy. Managers require workers to volunteer in the community, but do not allow them to get involved in politics. Carefully written records are kept of all decisions made and transactions completed.

c. d.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 16

BLM: Higher Order

Short Answer Questions 21.

Define and briefly discuss, with examples, the concepts of “industrial society” and “capitalist system of production.”

REF: p. 3 22.

Briefly discuss what Karl Polanyi meant by “the great transformation.”

REF: p. 6 23.

In one or two sentences for each, describe one of the main contributions to the sociology of work made by Adam Smith, Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim, and Max Weber.

REF: pp. 10–16 24.

Briefly compare the “consensus” and “conflict” perspectives in the sociology of work.

REF: pp. 11–12, 15

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Essay Questions 25.

Imagine that Karl Marx and Émile Durkheim were invited to debate what they saw to be the key social aspects of the Industrial Revolution and its most important outcomes. In your essay, outline the arguments and rebuttals that each might make.

Suggested student response: Students will need to outline the basic social/economic theories of both Marx and Durkheim. The “conflict” and “consensus” perspectives on the sociology of work would be a useful framework. More motivated students might consult additional scholarly sources that critique either Marx or Durkheim or both.

26.

Canada developed into an industrial capitalist society following a somewhat different path than Britain. Discuss these differences. How has the contemporary Canadian economy and society been shaped by its unique industrialization trajectory?

Suggested student response: Students should discuss feudalism, mercantile capitalism, and industrial capitalism in Britain. Reference to “the great transformation” (Polanyi) would be useful. They should recognize that the process started later in Canada, did not really involve feudalism, was influenced by what was occurring in the United States, and had strong regional components. Both the influence of the United States and the regional nature of Canadian industrialization are reflected in Canadian society today. Some students might move beyond the economic to discuss impacts on contemporary Canadian culture, on First Nations, or other themes.

27.

George Santayana once wrote that “[t]hose who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Other contemporary social commentators suggest there is little to learn from the history of industrial capitalism, since new technologies have so dramatically changed the world of work. What is your opinion on this debate?

Suggested student response: Students could go in almost any direction with this essay question, but they should present a reasonably extensive and accurate description of the history of industrial capitalism in Canada and/or Britain to argue that history is either relevant or not. An answer taking the position that history is relevant is likely to be more convincing. With respect to this position, continued regional differences in employment opportunities in Canada would be worth noting.

28.

See Discussion Questions at the end of Chapter 1 for additional ideas for examination essay questions.

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Chapter 2: Contemporary Debates on Work (1950s to Present Day) Multiple-Choice Questions Identify the choice that best answers the question. 1.

Which of the following is a central argument in the “managerial revolution” theory?

a. b. c. d.

Diffusion in ownership and the rise of managers leads to reduced workplace conflict. Managers think and act much like owners do. Many corporations are still controlled by a small, powerful group of shareholders. Family ownership of large corporations is a thing of the past.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 23

BLM: Higher Order

In his descriptions of postindustrial society compared to industrial societies, Daniel Bell emphasized which of the following arguments?

a. b. c. d.

Power would be concentrated among fewer people than in the past. Knowledge workers would become the new elite in society. Only a small number of workers would be involved in knowledge production. The United States would no longer be a dominant world power.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 24

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following best characterizes Richard Florida’s view of the transformation from goods to knowledge production in contemporary society?

a. b. c. d.

Knowledge workers will become increasingly polarized in high- and low-skilled jobs. Creativity and the creative class are responsible for economic growth. Geography becomes less important as workers participate in a networked society. High human capital and education are not as essential for creative workers.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 24–25

BLM: Remember

“Creative destruction,” according to Joseph Schumpeter, is best characterized by which of the following?

a. b.

The impact of the “managerial revolution” on traditional family-run businesses. The breaking down of old industrial structures and their replacement by more competitive, efficient, and high-technology alternatives. The demise of state socialism and the emergence of capitalism in Russia. The impact of “free trade” on Canada’s cultural industries.

c. d.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 26

BLM: Remember

2-1

Which of the following is a critique of globalization?

a. b. c. d.

Poorer countries receive an unfair advantage. Multinational corporations employ a majority of the world’s workforce. Workers can easily migrate to any country. National cultures may be threatened.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 28

BLM: Remember

Based on Gordon Laxer’s analysis, which of the following best exemplifies the economic changes involved with globalization?

a. b. c. d.

The increase in free trade agreements aimed to expand free markets. Ideological change that comes with trade liberalization. The emergence of a universal world culture. New communication technologies that contribute to a growth in services.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 28

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following is the best example of the negative impacts of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?

a. b.

The increase of employment-related geographic mobility within Canada. Mexican migrants who participate in transnational families while working away from home. Highly skilled workers leaving Canada for higher paying work in the United States or Mexico. The rise of low-wage factory production in Mexico.

c. d.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 31

BLM: Higher Order

Nonstandard work can be best described as which of the following?

a. b. c. d.

Shift work. Work performed by illegal immigrants in Canada. Work performed for a minimum wage. Part-time, temporary, or contract work.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 32

BLM: Remember

Which of the following is the central argument of the “logic of industrialism” thesis?

a. b. c. d.

Industrialization leads to lower levels of social inequality. Urbanization has to occur first, before industrialization can develop. Because of industrialization, all countries will eventually resemble each other. Industrialization has to occur first, before large scale urbanization will take place.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 33

BLM: Higher Order

2-2

10.

Which of the following has been demonstrated by the emergence of industrial capitalism in the East Asian “tiger nations” and in the “BRIC” economies?

a. b. c.

The validity of the “convergence” theory of industrialism. It now takes less time for countries to industrialize than it did a century ago. Industrial capitalism always functions best if the state (the government) is not involved in any way at all. Industrialization eventually always leads to greater social equality.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 34–41

BLM: Higher Order

11.

Which of the following best characterizes the type of capitalism that has emerged in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union?

a. b. c. d.

Lower levels of inequality than observed when capitalism emerged in western Europe. Much more competition than when capitalism emerged in western Europe. A strong liberal welfare state. An odd mix of communism, capitalism, and organized crime.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 40

BLM: Remember

12.

Which of the following best characterizes a Keynesian economic principle?

a. b. c. d.

The government should have an active role in the economy. The free market should not be regulated. Economic competitiveness requires the shrinking of the welfare state. High unemployment and inequality are normal and unavoidable.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 42

BLM: Remember

13.

Which of the following is the best example of “emotional labour?”

A live-in caregiver who develops strong personal relationships with the family she or he works for. An Oscar Award–winning dramatic performance. A fast-food worker who is forced to smile when interacting with customers. The performance of emotions in relationships with family members.

b. c. d.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 44

BLM: Remember

14.

The term emotional proletariat describes workers in low-skilled jobs with high emotional demands. Which of the following is the best example of a “privileged emotional manager”?

a. b.

A Canada Post letter carrier. A bank teller.

2-3

c. d.

A player on the Toronto Blue Jays. A family doctor.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 44

BLM: Higher Order

15.

“Live-in caregiving” is a good example of which two types of work?

a. b. c. d.

Interactive service work and mobile work. Emotional labour and knowledge work. Telework and mobile work. Nonstandard work and service work.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 44–45

BLM: Remember

16.

Which of the following is the best example of a “mobile worker”?

a. b. c. d.

An insurance salesperson who telecommutes part of the time from home. A customer service representative in an Indian call centre. A professional worker who bicycles to work and back. The chief executive officer (CEO) of a trucking company.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 45–46

BLM: Remember

17.

Based on the work of Foucault, which of the following best describes how power operates in contemporary organizations?

a. b. c. d.

Managers participate in direct observation, standing behind workers to observe them. Workers realize that their peers and managers might be watching them at any time. Customer surveys carry more power than manager assessments of workers. New technologies are used to control the pace of work.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 47

BLM: Higher Order

18.

Which of the following best describes Bourdieu’s term habitus?

The social site where relationships are formed and individuals struggle over position and resources. The combination of economic, social, cultural, and symbolic capital that impact an individual’s position at work. The values and lifestyles that individuals acquire from belonging to certain social groups. The physical environment in which social groups interact.

b. c. d.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 48–49

BLM: Remember

2-4

19.

In his analysis of work and social inequality, Pierre Bourdieu emphasized which of the following arguments?

a. b. c. d.

An individual’s social background has little impact on his or her work prospects. The rules in work organizations are established by managers and owners. Relationships and networks serve as important resources for individuals at work. Workers are more likely to get ahead if they focus on acquiring just a single form of capital, rather than multiple forms.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 49

BLM: Higher Order

20.

Which of the following statements is not part of Ulrich Beck’s conceptualization of “risk society?”

a. b.

An increase in flexible labour markets, including more part-time and temporary jobs. The erosion of social security programs, such as unemployment insurance, contributes to individualizing risk. Individuals in developed economies are experiencing less clarity and more insecurity in work and life than in the past. Multinational corporations are less risk-averse than they were a half-century ago.

c. d.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 50

BLM: Higher Order

Short Answer Questions 21.

Outline the basic argument of the “logic of industrialism” thesis and, in a few sentences, explain why you think it is valid or not.

REF: pp. 33–34 22.

Explain Pierre Bourdieu’s multiple types of capital and give a work-related example for each.

REF: pp. 48–49 23.

Outline the relationship between interactive service work and emotional labour, and explain the different experiences of emotional labour in low- and high-skilled jobs.

REF: pp. 44–45 24.

Outline the basic characteristics of a postindustrial society and, in a few sentences, explain why Canada is or is not a postindustrial society.

REF: pp. 24–25

2-5

Essay Questions 25.

Globalization is a term that is frequently used without a specific definition. Based on your reading of Chapter 2, how would you define globalization? What are the multiple dimensions of globalization and how is the process of globalization impacting workers in Canada in the early 21st century?

Suggested student response: Students should define the multiple aspects of globalization (economic, ideological, cultural, impact of information and communication technology) and discuss how particular policies (e.g., NAFTA, free trade agreements) have had diverse effects. In terms of the impacts for workers, students might discuss the creative class (Florida) and the polarization of good jobs/bad jobs in Canada, the growth of nonstandard work, and the erosion of the welfare state.

26.

Imagine you are a historian living in the year 2115 and you are tasked to study the major socioeconomic changes that shaped work at the beginning of the 21st century. Outline the most important changes, and explain which you think had the largest impacts for society, as well as for the day-to-day experiences of work by individuals.

Suggested student response: This question is quite open-ended. In terms of socioeconomic changes, students should define and outline industrial restructuring, deindustrialization, and neo-liberalism. Regarding impacts, students could point to the rise of interactive service work (and emotional labour), as well as mobile workers and mobile work, and other impacts they might identify.

27.

Imagine that Michel Foucault and Pierre Bourdieu were engaged in an argument about how power and inequality function in the workplace. What arguments and counterarguments might each thinker make? What examples might they draw on to support their arguments?

Suggested student response: Students will need to outline the theories of Foucault and Bourdieu, addressing the concepts of surveillance, self-discipline (the metaphor of the Panopticon), and field, habitus, and capital. Students should compare how each author understands power, and provide an example of how using the work of Foucault and Bourdieu illuminates how inequality occurs in the workplace.

28.

See Discussion Questions at the end of Chapter 2 for additional ideas for examination essay questions.

2-6

Chapter 3: Canadian Employment Trends Multiple-Choice Questions Identify the choice that best answers the question. 1.

Which of the following would most likely be true if you had entered the Canadian paid labour force in 1901 rather than 2011?

a. b. c. d.

You would have been more likely to work in the service sector. Your chances of becoming a manager would have been greater. Your sister would have been more likely to be joining you in the paid labour force. You probably would have found work in a smaller organization.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: Chapters 2 & 3

BLM: Higher Order

From which of the following sources are monthly unemployment rates obtained?

a. b. c. d.

The national census. The Labour Force Survey. A monthly survey of employers, asking if they have had difficulty hiring workers. The National Household Survey.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 59

BLM: Remember

Which of the following is correct about the age distribution of Canada’s population?

a. b. c.

It has remained much the same for the past several decades. Over one-third of Canadians today are age 65 and older. The age profile of the working age population is not a good fit with the decisionmaking and authority structure of most work organizations. Immigrants tend to be older than Canadian-born citizens.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 60–64

BLM: Higher Order

Demographic studies in Canada highlight which of the following?

a. b. c. d.

Visible minorities now make up half of the population. Seniors (age 65 and older) now make up one-third of the population. For the past 25 years, the majority of immigrants to Canada have come from Asia. Canada’s Aboriginal population is as large as the visible minority population.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 63

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following statements best exemplifies recent immigration trends in Canada?

a. b.

Compared to the 1990s, most immigrants come to Canada from African countries. The majority of immigrants now come from European countries.

3-1

c. d.

Immigration from Asian countries is contributing to greater workplace diversity. On average, immigrants are older than the Canadian population.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 63

BLM: Remember

Changes over the past several decades in Canada’s immigration trends can be best explained by which of the following?

a. b. c.

Increased global geographic mobility due to economic crises in Europe. The need for Canada to fill impending labour shortages. A shift to flexible systems of production and more part-time, temporary jobs in Canada. Much more “open” immigration policies in the United States.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 63

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following statements most accurately describes educational attainment trends in the Canadian labour force?

a. b.

In 2012, there were more male workers than female workers with a university degree. In 1975, more than half of labour force participants had at least some postsecondary education. In 2012, over half of labour force participants had a university degree. In 1975, over half of labour force participants had a high-school education or less.

c. d.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 65

BLM: Remember

Which of the following individuals would be excluded from the calculation of the labour force participation rate?

a. b. c. d.

Jonathan, who is 45 years old and unemployed. Mary, who is 70 years old and working part-time as a “greeter” at a large retail store. Elliot, who is 14 years old and working part-time at Burger King. Christine, who is 35 years old and self-employed as a daycare operator.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 67

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following best describes recent labour force participation trends in Canada?

Unemployment rates for Aboriginal Canadians are similar to the rest of the population. Labour force participation is equally distributed across age groups. Labour force participation is equally distributed across regions. Male labour force participation decreased in the 1990s.

b. c. d.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 68

BLM: Higher Order

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10.

Which of the following best describes changing gender differences in labour force participation (LFP) rates in Canada?

a. b. c. d.

Female LFP has risen over time but still lags behind male LFP. Men and women now have equal LFP rates. Female LFP in Canada is lower than in most other industrialized countries. Female LFP is now higher than male LFP.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 68

BLM: Remember

11.

Youth labour force participation rates declined significantly in the 1990s. Which of the following is the best explanation for this decline?

More young people enrolled in postsecondary education because of limited job prospects. A stronger economy allowed parents to support their children financially for a longer period of time. Larger proportions of young people found themselves underqualified for available jobs. Young people were becoming lazier and more apathetic in this period.

b. c. d.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 71–72

BLM: Higher Order

12.

Which of the following demographic shifts is having the biggest impact on the traditional “three-stage model of work life?”

People who have retired from one career taking up part-time employment in another line of work. Young people working part-time while attending school. Immigrants saving money to sponsor family members to follow them to Canada. Women returning to the paid labour force after their children start school.

b. c. d.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 73

BLM: Higher Order

13.

Which of the following would most likely be true about Sarah, an 18-year-old Canadian university student?

a. b. c. d.

She is employed in the lower-tier services. She is employed in the upper-tier services. She is employed in the goods producing sector. She is likely working full-time.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 76–78

BLM: Remember

14.

Which of the following jobs would be classified as being in the service industry?

a. b.

Medical doctor working in a large hospital. Tree-planter working for a forestry company.

3-3

c. d.

Secretary working in a construction company head office. Cook preparing meals for workers in a copper mine.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 78–79

BLM: Higher Order

15.

What are the two dimensions on which occupations are categorized in Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system?

a. b. c. d.

Gender and industry. Skill level and organization size. Skill type and gender. Skill type and skill level.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 79

BLM: Remember

16.

Joshua works part-time serving burgers at a local restaurant while working his way through college. Which of the following best describes the type of occupation Joshua is employed in?

a. b. c. d.

White-collar work. Temporary work. Pink-collar work. Upper-tier service-sector work.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 80

BLM: Remember

17.

Which of the following statements best characterizes occupational trends in Canada over the past 25 years?

a. b. c. d.

Most service-sector workers are now employed in lower-tier service occupations. Blue-collar occupations have declined since the mid-1980s. Men and women are equally likely to work in blue-collar occupations. Men are more likely than women to be employed in health-related occupations.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 81–82

BLM: Remember

18.

The staple theory of economic growth, developed by Harold Innis, can be best described by which of the following propositions?

a. b. c. d.

Countries should develop one or two strategic resources for international trade. The development of staple products helps support multiple sectors of the economy. Regions or countries should develop staple products for domestic consumption. Dependence on one resource or product for export can makes regions or countries vulnerable in world markets.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 84

BLM: Remember

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19.

Which of the following statements is most accurate with respect to regional industrial variations in Canada?

a. b. c. d.

Atlantic Canada employs more people in agriculture than in manufacturing. Alberta has the highest percentage of natural resource-based workers in Canada. Across all regions of Canada, the largest number of people work in retail trade. Ontario has a larger primary sector than service sector.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 84

BLM: Higher Order

20.

Single industry communities in Canada are best characterized by which of the following generalizations?

a. b. c. d.

They are highly attractive to recent immigrants. They have a high risk of decline because of shifts in demand for natural resources. Until the past decade, they were of very little importance to Canada’s economy. Compared to other Canadian urban centres, they offer many more employment opportunities for women.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 85

BLM: Remember

Short Answer Questions 21.

In a few sentences, discuss how where you live in Canada impacts labour force participation rates as well as the types of jobs available (industry and occupation).

REF: pp. 82–85 22.

Briefly discuss how Canada’s industrial structure has changed over time. Which industries do you think will be most important to Canada in the 21st century? Why?

REF: pp. 74–76 23.

How do Canadian patterns of labour force participation vary by age, gender, and region? Briefly comment on explanations for these patterns.

REF: pp. 67–72 24.

In a few sentences, outline the main demographic factors that shape the Canadian workforce and explain why they are important.

REF: pp. 60–66 (aging, education, immigration)

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Essay Questions 25.

In the past few decades, Canada has seen a dramatic expansion of the service sector. Describe this shift and discuss its implications for the distribution of occupations in Canada? How might an individual’s age and gender impact labour force participation in the changing service sector?

Suggested student response: Students should define the service sector (upper- versus lowertiers) and describe how this fits with changing proportions of blue-collar, whitecollar, and pink-collar occupations. An overview of current gender and age labour force participation rates across sectors is required to answer the second part of this question. Speculation about future possible changes would add to the answer.

26.

The demographics of the population indicate that Canada has an aging workforce. What will the workforce look like in 15 years? What are the implications of this trend for employers, workers, and the Canadian government?

Suggested student response: Students should discuss the aging Canadian workforce and its implications for immigration trends. Students could discuss the impact of more visible minorities in the workplace for organizational and government policies. For individual workers, there are issues regarding discrimination in the workplace, lack of opportunities for job mobility, and skill/knowledge transfer. For the government, there are also issues about retirement ages and government-funded pensions.

27.

Imagine you travelled 100 years back in time. What would the experience of work look like for an average Canadian male and female worker? Explain why it would presumably be so different.

Suggested student response: This question is fairly open-ended. Students could discuss trends in industrial and occupational changes, labour force participation trends for men and women, and shifts in regional as well as urban/rural employment.

28.

See Discussion Questions at the end of Chapter 3 for additional ideas for examination essay questions.

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Chapter 4: Good Jobs, Bad Jobs, No Jobs Multiple-Choice Questions Identify the choice that best answers the question. 1.

Which of the following is correct about job quality?

a. b. c. d.

There are universal standards of job quality. Pay is the sole indicator of what can be considered a “good job.” All nonstandard occupations can be considered “bad jobs.” Job quality is determined both by job characteristics and personal preferences.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 94–95

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following is an example of an extrinsic job reward?

a. b. c. d.

Job satisfaction. Diversity in day-to-day tasks. Health benefits. Autonomy on the job.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 95

BLM: Remember

Which of the following is correct about the female–male earnings ratio in Canada?

a. b. c. d.

Women and men earn equal pay in most occupations. The gender wage gap has not declined over the past several decades. Female teachers and professors earn more than their male counterparts. Differences in the gender wage gap vary considerably across occupations.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 96–97

BLM: Remember

Which of the following best characterizes income differences across industries in Canada?

a. b. c. d.

On average, goods-producing industries pay less than service industries. Earnings in manufacturing are higher than in resource extraction. There is a large amount of variation in income within the service sector. Incomes in construction are among the highest in any industry.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 96

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following is correct about the additional employment benefits received by Canadian workers?

Full-time employees are two to three times more likely than part-time employees to receive additional employment benefits. The cost to employers of providing such benefits declined during the second half of

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c. d.

the 20th century. Most employees have a dental plan, but only a small minority have pension plans. Employers often “even things out” by providing more benefits to lower paid workers.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 99–101

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following is not an example of an “additional employment benefit?”

a. b. c. d.

Paid vacation. Sick leave. Life insurance. Performance pay.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 99

BLM: Remember

Which of the following best describes occupational differences in non-wage benefits in Canada?

a. b. c.

The majority of part-time and full-time workers have a pension plan. Professionals are more likely to have a group RRSP than marketing/sales workers. A similar percentage of nonunionized and unionized workers have access to life/disability insurance. The proportion of workers with medical insurance is similar across all occupations.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 101

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following best characterizes occupational status?

a. b. c. d.

Occupations with better extrinsic rewards often have higher status. Occupational status is not related to income. Occupations requiring higher levels of skill always have higher status. Occupational status is synonymous with job security.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 102

BLM: Remember

According to Monica Boyd’s socioeconomic status (SES) scale, which of the following occupations would have the lowest score?

a. b. c. d.

Hairstylists. Doctors. Nannies. Receptionists.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 103

BLM: Remember

10.

Which of the following is correct about nonstandard employment in Canada?

a. b.

Close to 60 percent of employed Canadians are now in nonstandard jobs. Self-employment rates have been declining steadily since the 1990s.

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c. d.

Temporary (contract) work is the most common form of nonstandard work. For the past two decades, part-time employment rates have remained just below 20 percent.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 105

BLM: Higher Order

11.

Which of the following is correct about part-time employment in Canada?

a. b. c. d.

Part-time employment rates have remained stable over the past few decades. There are more men than women working part-time in Canada. The part-time employment rate is higher for workers under the age of 25. Part-time employment for women 25 and over has increased dramatically in the past few decades.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 105–107 BLM: Remember

12.

Approximately what proportion of employed Canadians worked part-time in 2012?

a. b. c. d.

About 5 percent. About 20 percent. About 40 percent. About 50 percent.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 107

BLM: Remember

13.

The term involuntary part-time worker best describes which of the following?

a. b. c. d.

Workers who cannot find a full-time job. Individuals who prefer to work part-time. Individuals who have significant family responsibilities. Students who work part-time while in school.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 107–108 BLM: Remember

14.

Which of the following is correct about self-employment in Canada?

a. b.

More people were self-employed in 2012 than in the mid-20th century. Self-employment in the secondary and service sectors has increased over the past few decades. There are more self-employed employers than own-account self-employed. Women are more likely to be self-employed than men.

c. d.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 111

BLM: Remember

15.

Which of the following is correct about the average number of hours worked per week in Canada today?

a. b. c.

Fewer employed Canadians are working part-time compared to several decades ago. Part-time employment rates declined during the recessions of 1981–82 and 1990–92. Compared to a decade or two ago, more Canadians are working part-time and more Test Bank to Accompany Work, Industry, and Canadian Society, 7e Copyright © 2015 Nelson Education Ltd.

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are also working more than 40 hours per week. The average number of hours worked per week declined until the 1950s, and then slowly increased again.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 113

BLM: Higher Order

16.

Sally works part-time at a local farm while on her summer vacation from school. Which of the following does not describe her job?

a. b. c. d.

Nonstandard work. Limited-term contract work. Seasonal work. Temporary work.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 109

BLM: Higher Order

17.

Which of the following groups are excluded from the official definition of unemployment?

a. b. c. d.

People not looking for work because they believe there are no jobs available. People receiving Employment Insurance (formerly Unemployment Insurance). The disabled who are actively looking for a job. Students who are actively looking for a part-time job.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 115–116

BLM: Higher Order

18.

Which of the following is correct about Canadian unemployment trends?

Unemployment rates in the past decade have generally been higher than they were in the 1980s and 1990s. Youth unemployment rates have been systematically higher than adult rates for the past few decades. There are few noteworthy regional differences in unemployment rates. Unemployment was higher in the 1980s than in any other decade in the past century.

b. c. d.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 117–118, 120–121

BLM: Higher Order

19.

Lijuan has a Bachelor of Education degree. Over the past five years she has worked at several jobs including child-care worker, tutor, and nursery school teacher. She has also experienced several periods of unemployment between these jobs. Which of the following best describes Lijuan’s unemployment history?

a. b. c. d.

Structural unemployment. Cyclical unemployment. Frictional unemployment. Regional unemployment.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 123

BLM: Higher Order

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20.

Which of the following best describes “cyclical unemployment”?

The ongoing movement of workers in and out of jobs as they try to find employment that best fits their skills and aspirations. Unemployment rates rising during recessions and declining as the economy recovers. Unemployment rates rising due to increased levels of immigration. Unemployment rates rising because of changing work values.

b. c. d.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 123

BLM: Remember

Short Answer Questions 21.

What is meant by the term nonstandard employment? In a few sentences explain the trends in nonstandard employment in Canada in recent years.

REF: pp. 103–105 22.

Briefly outline historical trends in self-employment in Canada. Distinguish between self-employed employers and own-account self-employment.

REF: pp. 110–113 23.

Briefly outline how unemployment rates vary by gender, age, and region in Canada.

REF: pp. 119–122

Essay Questions 24.

In recent years the topic of job quality has received increased public attention. Why is job quality important? How do we differentiate between “good” and “bad” jobs? How are they distributed across occupations and industries? What are the implications of job quality trends for employers and workers?

Suggested student response: Students should operationalize job quality, distinguishing between extrinsic and intrinsic rewards, and outlining occupation/industry differences with respect to income and additional employment benefits. A reference to the growth of nonstandard work would be useful, particularly when thinking about the implications of changing job quality for workers.

25.

Based on what you have read in Chapter 4, describe how the types of jobs a Canadian might have expected to obtain have changed over the course of the 20th century. How have the chances of being jobless changed over this time?

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Suggested student response: This question is fairly open-ended and students could go in a number of different directions. However, a good answer should reference occupation/industry shifts and changing work arrangements (e.g., part-time, temporary, self-employment). Students should also discuss how unemployment rates vary. They might go further to discuss differences in employment and unemployment opportunities by region, age, and gender, and how they may have changed.

26.

Based on the trends you have read about in Chapters 3 and 4, describe what you see as the most pressing issues facing Canadian employers and workers for the next few decades to come?

Suggested student response: Answers to this question may vary. Good answers might discuss growing economic disparities and inequalities in the labour market. Students could discuss demographic factors (e.g., aging workforce, increased diversity), nonstandard work, and the expansion of the service sector, as well as how these changes might be experienced differently by individuals depending on their gender, race, age, and geographic location.

27.

See Discussion Questions at the end of Chapter 4 for additional ideas for examination essay questions.

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Chapter 5: Labour Markets: Opportunities and Inequality Multiple-Choice Questions Identify the choice that best answers the question. 1.

Which of the following is most correct about labour markets?

a. b. c. d.

Workers seek employers who offer the highest pay. Employers place little emphasis on the experience and skills of potential workers. Workers look to sell their labour to employers who need certain skills and experience. All workers have equal access to the primary labour market.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 134

BLM: Remember

Which of the following is a basic assumption of human capital theory?

a. b. c. d.

Investment in human capital pays off only for certain groups of workers. Jobs with the highest rewards make the biggest economic contribution to society. Only employers and workers are involved in the labour market, but not government. Workers compete for jobs in two segregated labour markets.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 135

BLM: Remember

After two years of being unable to find work as a journalist, Abdul went back to school and began an engineering degree. Upon graduating, he quickly found a highpaying and rewarding job in the field. Which of the following best accounts for Abdul’s successful experience?

a. b. c. d.

Human capital theory. Bourdieu’s conception of social capital. Labour market segmentation theory. Gender-role socialization.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 135

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following have been demonstrated by studies of educational opportunity in Canada?

a. b. c.

Men are more likely than women to pursue higher education. Youth from high-income families are more likely to attend university. The educational attainment of parents has little impact on the university participation of their children. In general, rural youth are as likely to participate in university education than urban youth.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 138–140 BLM: Higher Order

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Which of the following is most correct about Krahn’s (2009) findings on family socioeconomic status (SES) and higher education?

a. b. c. d.

SES differences in postsecondary educational attainment were significant. SES had little impact on higher education attainment. Young people have similar educational aspirations regardless of their family SES. Over time, the SES gap in access to higher education has widened.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 140

BLM: Remember

Which of the following is the best example of how cultural capital operates in the education system?

Family socioeconomic status has little impact on the cultural capital that students bring to school. Schools are neutral institutions where cultural capital has little impact. Cultural capital is acquired by students in school. Typically, schools reward the language, beliefs, and behaviours of the more powerful groups in society.

b. c. d.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 141–142 BLM: Remember

Which of the following is correct about Pierre Bourdieu’s discussion of “cultural capital?”

a. b. c. d.

It suggests that industrial capitalism will not be successful in some cultures. It extends human capital theory to make it more applicable to different cultures. It provided Durkheim with many of his ideas about the division of labour. It helps explain why children from more affluent families do better in school.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 141–142 BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following have been demonstrated by status attainment research?

The amount of education individuals possess has little impact on the status of the jobs they hold later in life. Canadian society is a meritocracy. Women are less likely than men to translate their educational attainment into higher paying jobs. Immigrants experience the same upward job mobility as Canadian-born workers, as long as they have similar education levels.

b. c. d.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 142–144 BLM: Higher Order

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After graduating from university, Sadia travelled abroad with her friend Joan for a year. When she came back to Canada, Sadia quickly accepted a well-paying job at Joan’s father’s company. Which of the following best describes Sadia’s labour market opportunity?

a. b. c. d.

Economic capital. Cultural capital. Human capital. Social capital.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 143

BLM: Higher Order

10.

Which of the following is a central principle of labour market segmentation theory?

a. b. c. d.

Labour market outcomes are almost always meritorious. There is no single, open labour market in any economy. Education is really the only factor that matters in determining who gets better jobs. Globalization has led to better jobs disappearing in western industrialized economies.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 144

BLM: Higher Order

11.

Which of the following is a central principle of the dual economy perspective on labour markets?

a. b. c. d.

Capitalist economies are dominated by a few large and powerful companies. The service sector and primary sector are most important to the economy. The periphery sector is comprised of a few large companies. The secondary labour market is found in the core sector.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 145

BLM: Remember

12.

Which of the following terms best describes the well-developed training systems and career paths for employees found within major private- and public-sector work organizations?

a. b. c. d.

Primary labour market. Bureaucratic job ghetto. Professional enclave. Internal labour market.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 147

BLM: Remember

13.

Randall Collins’s term market closure best describes which of the following?

The extent to which professional groups can create their own market for their services. The barrier between the primary and secondary labour markets.

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c. d.

The ability of professional groups to restrict others from doing their type of work. The economic activity that halts once stock markets close.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 148–149 BLM: Remember

14.

Which of the following characteristics might allow an occupational group to begin calling itself a profession?

a. b. c. d.

Strategies and mechanism for controlling who can and cannot work in the field. Training requirements that include at least some postsecondary education. Enough members to represent at least 10 percent of the workforce. Members practising in a wide range of different countries.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 148–149 BLM: Higher Order

15.

Which of the following have been demonstrated by studies of the labour market experiences of immigrants to Canada?

a. b. c.

On average, immigrants to Canada have less education than Canadian-born workers. The educational credentials of immigrants are highly valued in Canada. Compared to several decades ago, it is taking immigrants longer to “catch up” with Canadian-born workers with equivalent education. Female immigrants are having greater difficulty finding satisfactory employment in Canada, but this is not the case for male immigrants.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 153

BLM: Higher Order

16.

In 2006, about 10 percent of native-born Canadians with university degrees were working in sales and services jobs with low education requirements. Which of the following is correct with respect to recently immigrated women with degrees working in sales and service in 2006?

a. b. c. d.

About 10 percent worked in these jobs. About 40 percent worked in these jobs. About 80 percent worked in these jobs. About 15 percent worked in these jobs.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 153

BLM: Remember

17.

Which of the following is correct about the labour force participation of Aboriginal Canadians?

In general, their employment and unemployment rates are comparable to nonAboriginal Canadians. Aboriginal Canadians who live in urban centres do not experience discrimination and prejudice among employers.

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c. d.

Geographic location limits access to good jobs for many Aboriginal Canadians. On average, Aboriginal Canadians are as likely as other Canadians to have acquired credentials that translate into better jobs.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 155–157 BLM: Higher Order

18.

Which of the following is most correct about labour market segmentation?

a. b. c. d.

It may be taking a different form as the labour market becomes more polarized. It has been declining since the 1980s when corporate downsizing became popular. It occurs mainly because of inadequate skills and training among Canadian workers. It can only be reduced by further investments in human capital by individual workers.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 160–162 BLM: Higher Order

19.

Which of the following best exemplifies current patterns of labour market polarization?

a. b. c. d.

An increase in highly skilled temporary foreign workers. Emergence of a knowledge economy with more “creative” work. Shrinking of the primary labour market. Downsizing of the goods-producing sector.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 160–162 BLM: Remember

20.

The prevalence of “underemployment” in the Canadian workplace demonstrates which of the following?

a. b. c. d.

Workers are choosing to take jobs that don’t utilize their skills and education. Workers should continue to invest in their human capital. There is a shortage of skilled labour. There may be a shortage of “good” jobs available.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 165–166 BLM: Remember

Short Answer Questions 21.

Briefly define cultural capital, with a few examples. How does it relate to socioeconomic status?

REF: pp. 140–142 22.

In a few sentences, outline the dual economies perspective on labour markets. Provide examples of occupations found in the core and periphery sectors.

REF: pp. 145–146

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23.

In a few sentences, outline the labour market situation of Aboriginal Canadians. Suggest some reasons for any differences between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians you might describe.

REF: pp. 155–157 24.

In general, what are the labour market experiences of people with disabilities in Canada, compared to the rest of the population?

REF: pp. 157–158

Essay Questions 25.

What is labour market segmentation? Which groups of workers are most negatively affected by such segmentation? What can be done to reverse the trend toward greater labour market polarization?

Suggested student response: Students should outline labour market segmentation theory (e.g., the implications of having a primary and secondary labour market, barriers between the two markets). With respect to access, students may touch on the role of labour market shelters, internal labour markets, and unions. A good response should highlight the difficulty that women and visible minorities have had accessing “good” primary labour market jobs. In terms of reversing the trend toward greater labour market polarization, students may outline the role of public policy (particularly involving education), anti-discrimination laws, and unions (pp. 164–166).

26.

Julie is a 30-year-old first-generation Filipina Canadian. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from a well-respected university, yet has recently been forced to take a barista job at a local café. Use the human capital and labour market segmentation theories to analyze Julie’s labour market position. Which perspective do you find more convincing? Why?

Suggested student response: Students should compare and contrast the basic tenets of human capital and labour market segmentation theories and apply them to this case study. A human capital perspective would suggest that Julie needs to go back to school and further invest in human capital, while a labour market segmentation approach would highlight the growth of the secondary labour market (particularly lower-tier services), and barriers to movement into primary labour markets. The gendered nature of labour market segmentation is also important to discuss.

27.

As noted in Chapter 3, Canada’s population is becoming increasingly diverse. With immigrants now coming to Canada from many different countries, how is access to primary labour market jobs being affected? What issues does this trend toward greater population diversity create for employers, the government, and workers themselves?

5-6

Suggested student response: Students should outline the differences between the primary and secondary labour markets, and address the challenges that recent immigrants and visible minorities experience when trying to access primary labour market jobs (pp. 153–154). Students may discuss discrimination and systemic discrimination, as well as the potential roles of education, employment equity policies, and antidiscrimination laws to improve the market experiences of these individuals.

28.

See Discussion Questions at the end of Chapter 5 for additional ideas for examination essay questions.

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Chapter 6: Gender and Paid Employment Multiple-Choice Questions Identify the choice that best answers the question. 1.

Marjorie Cohen’s analysis of the Ontario economy in the 19th century demonstrates which of the following?

a. b. c. d.

Women’s household labour had no economic value. The household was crucial to economic development. Women’s household labour was highly valued at the time. There has always been a clear separation between work inside and outside of the home.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 175

BLM: Higher Order

The concept “family wage” is best described by which of the following?

a. b.

It has been promoted as a solution to problems of balancing work and family. It describes the belief that men’s wages should be high enough for them to support a wife and family. It describes the belief that wages should be kept low so that both wives and husbands have to work outside the home. It is another term for a guaranteed annual income.

c. d.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 177

BLM: Remember

Which of the following is correct about Canadian female labour force participation (LFP) rates?

Canada has one of the highest female LFP rates among Western industrialized countries. Less than half of employed mothers with an employed spouse are in the labour force. Education has virtually no influence on female LPF rates. A large majority of mothers who are lone parents are in the labour force.

b. c. d.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 179–182 BLM: Higher Order

In which province is female labour force participation (LFP) the highest, and in which province is it the lowest?

a. b. c. d.

Highest in Alberta; lowest in Newfoundland and Labrador. Highest in Ontario; lowest in Quebec. Highest in British Columbia; lowest in Nova Scotia. Highest in Quebec; lowest in Saskatchewan.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 181–182 BLM: Remember

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The term female job ghettos best describes which of the following?

a. b. c. d.

Occupations with low pay but good employment benefits. Lower-status work found in undesirable geographic locations. Work that offers low pay and few opportunities for career advancement. Occupations that women are naturally better suited for than men.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 184

BLM: Remember

The “gender labelling of jobs” is best characterized by which of the following?

a. b. c. d.

The categories of jobs resulting from employment equity programs. The overall pattern of employers making rational hiring decisions. The outcome of low-skill jobs being paid less than high-skill jobs. The process whereby jobs involving caring or domestic duties came to be seen as most appropriate for women.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 184–185 BLM: Remember

Which of the following is correct about the occupational distribution of women and men in Canada?

a. b.

In general, the gender distribution is even across occupations. A larger percentage of all women work in natural and applied science occupations, compared to all men. Sales and service occupations are comprised of roughly 50 percent women. A larger percentage of all women work in health occupations, compared to all men.

c. d.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 185–186 BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following best characterizes the gendered nature of nonstandard work?

a. b. c.

The “standard” job can be understood as a masculine norm of employment. There is a gendered, but not a racial, dimension to nonstandard work. After increasing in the 1980s and 1990s, the percentage of women in nonstandard jobs is now declining. Very few women choose self-employment or other forms of nonstandard work.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 187–188 BLM: Remember

Which of the following is correct about the proportion of women enrolled in full-time university in 2006–2007 in Canada?

Roughly the same proportion of women and men were enrolled in education programs. More women than men were enrolled in health professions programs.

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c. d.

Overall, more men than women were enrolled in undergraduate programs. Roughly the same proportion of women and men were enrolled in engineering programs.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 191

BLM: Higher Order

10.

Evidence that 60 percent of public school teachers are women while only 20 percent of principals and vice-principals are women is evidence of which of the following?

a. b. c. d.

Sexual harassment. Horizontal occupational gender segregation. Vertical occupational gender segregation. Different aptitudes and skills of women and men.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 193

BLM: Higher Order

11.

Which of the following is correct about gender-based differences in earnings in Canada?

a. b.

For full-time/full-year workers, there is no longer a gender wage gap. A narrowing of the gender wage gap can be partially explained by decreasing male wages. In 2011, the gender wage gap was roughly the same as it was in 1976. The gender wage gap is wider in 2011 than it was in 1976.

c. d.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 196–197 BLM: Remember

12.

When Nancy was a child, her mother told her she could be a doctor when she grew up. Eventually, Nancy decided to work as a nurse, as that was the occupation where she believed her natural skills would be best employed. Which of the following theories best explains Nancy’s career trajectory?

a. b. c. d.

Human capital theory. Labour segmentation theory. Gender-role socialization. Dual-economies theory.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 203

BLM: Higher Order

13.

Rosabeth Moss Kanter’s main argument about gender inequality in organizations can be best described by which of the following?

Men and women employed in similar occupations in an organization will react in different ways to their job conditions. There is a biological basis for gender inequality in organizations.

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c. d.

There is little gender inequality in modern organizations. An individual’s position within an organization influences his or her attitudes and behaviour.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 204–205 BLM: Higher Order

14.

Which of the following is correct about research on “tokenism” in the workplace?

a. b. c.

Men in non-traditional jobs sometimes benefit from having token status. Women often benefit from having token status. Because they are few in number, individuals with token status often have significant social support. In general, token women in organizations have good accesses to resources, job opportunities, and rewards.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 206

BLM: Higher Order

15.

Rosabeth Moss Kanter used the term office wife to describe which of the following situations?

a. b. c. d.

A female senior manager who is resented by the men she supervises. A woman coerced into a sexual relationship with her employer. A woman who co-owns (with her partner) a small business. A secretary who is very loyal to her employer who is very dependent on her skills.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 206

BLM: Remember

16.

Research on gender and sexuality in the workplace highlights which of the following?

a. b.

Sexuality is mostly absent from the workplace. Work institutions often challenge socially constructed ideas about masculinity, femininity, and heterosexuality. Relationships at work and work structures contribute to defining gender for men and women. Since the late 20th century, sexual harassment has been largely absent from the workplace.

c. d.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 207–208 BLM: Remember

17.

Research on sexual harassment in the workplace demonstrates which of the following?

a. b. c. d.

Sexual harassment has been largely eradicated from the workplace. In the service economy, sexual harassment may originate from customers. Women experience less sexual harassment in non-traditional occupations. Sexual harassment affects women and men equally.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 207–208 BLM: Remember

6-4

18.

Which of the following groups have been targeted as “equity groups” to achieve employment equity and eliminate the effects of discrimination in Canada?

a. b. c. d.

Aboriginal peoples, recent immigrants, older workers, and persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, recent immigrants, and women. Women, LGBTQ individuals, Aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities. Women, visible minorities, Aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 208–209

BLM: Remember

19.

Leck’s study of women’s labour market progress as a result of the Employment Equity Act demonstrates which of the following?

In general, organizations with equity programs increased the number of women they employed. Managers perceived productivity to increase following the implementation of equity programs. In general, equity programs have had negative effects on human resource practices. Equity programs have decreased “male backlash” in the workplace.

b. c. d.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 210

BLM: Higher Order

20.

The province of Prairieland recently created a Ministry of Jobs to look at the salaries of different types of government jobs. The new ministry has recommended that office managers be paid as much as computer systems managers, based on a comparison of skills required for and responsibilities involved in both jobs. Which of the following terms best describes this recommendation?

a. b. c. d.

Skill enhancement program. Employment equity program. Pay equity program. Anti-discrimination program.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 211

BLM: Higher Order

Short Answer Questions 21.

In a few sentences, describe the “family wage ideology.” What have been some of its lasting effects?

REF: pp. 177–178 22.

Briefly describe how female and male labour force participation rates vary in Canada. Identify some of the factors responsible for these differences.

REF: pp. 178–183

6-5

23.

In a few sentences, explain the difference between horizontal and vertical gender stratification within occupations.

REF: pp. 192–196 24.

Outline Elizabeth Moss Kanter’s theory of gender inequality in work organizations.

REF: pp. 204–206

Essay Questions 25.

Define employment equity and pay equity policies and discuss how they differ. How effective have they been in Canada? How might these policies be improved to help ensure that their goals are met?

Suggested student response: Students should define and explain employment equity and pay equity (pp. 208–212). Leck (pp. 210–211) offers a good critique of employment equity programs. A good answer might go beyond gender issues to discuss impacts on other designated groups (e.g., Aboriginal Canadians, workers with disabilities, visible minority groups).

26.

Apply the labour market segmentation theory and the gendered work and organizations theory to an analysis of gender inequality in the labour market. How do these models account for both gender stratification within occupations as well as the gender wage gap? Suggested student response: Students should briefly outline the labour market segmentation and gendered work and organizations theories. A good response will describe trends in women’s labour market participation, highlighting the prevalence of women working in service-sector and secondary labour market occupations (pp. 185–188). Students might also examine historical trends in women’s engagement with the labour market. Turning to research on gendered work and organizations, students should note how gendered work behaviour is reproduced within the workplace (pp. 204–208).

27.

What has the government, as well as employers, done to work toward gender equality in the workplace in Canada? How successful have their initiatives been? In your opinion, what further steps does each group need to take in the future?

Suggested student response: Students should highlight the rise of women participating in postsecondary education, but note the gendered concentrations. A good response will note the emergence of employment equity programs and policy and pay equity legislation.

28.

See Discussion Questions at the end of Chapter 6 for additional ideas for examination essay questions. Test Bank to Accompany Work, Industry, and Canadian Society, 7e Copyright © 2015 Nelson Education Ltd.

6-6

Chapter 7: Household, Family, and Caring Work Multiple-Choice Questions Identify the choice that best answers the question. 1.

Which of the following best characterizes Arlene Kaplan Daniels’s explanation for why early sociology of work studies mostly ignored household work and caregiving?

a. b.

Caring and household work are often seen as lacking economic value. Since paid work is more important to society than unpaid work, early sociology of work scholars focused on paid work first. Early sociology of work scholars tended to ignore all work that women performed. Caring and household work are not valid forms of work.

c. d.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 221

BLM: Higher Order

The term patriarchy describes which of the following?

Family organization in which husbands and wives hold equal power, but men perform the paid work while women perform unpaid work. Female domination over men. Family organization in which fathers and husbands hold the power. Family organization where the main breadwinner holds the majority of power.

b. c. d.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 221

BLM: Remember

The term separate spheres describes which of the following?

The concentration of men in resource extraction occupations and women in service occupations. The suggestion that women perform carework and men perform household work. The separation of yard work and housework. The idea that women work in the household and men work outside of the household for pay.

b. c. d.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p .223

BLM: Remember

Which of the following is correct about the composition of Canadian families in 2011?

a. b. c.

Roughly one in four families were single-earner families. There were more single-earner than dual-earner families. There was roughly the same number of single-female-earner families as single-maleearner families. About half of lone-parent families were headed by men.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 223

BLM: Remember

7-1

Which of the following is correct about women’s participation in paid work in the 20th century?

a. b. c. d.

Participation steadily increased throughout the century. The 1920s saw participation rise dramatically. Participation spiked in the 1940s, only to decline in the 1950s. Participation remained fairly low throughout the entire century.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 223

BLM: Higher Order

Arlie Hochschild uses the term second shift to describe which of the following?

a. b.

Extra paid work that parents take on to support their families. Women being primarily responsible for domestic work even while working full-time outside of the home. Unpaid domestic work that men and women take turns doing outside of paid work. When parents employed outside of the home ask their mothers to help with household work and carework.

c. d.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 224

BLM: Remember

Which of the following best describes the convergence in weekly hours of housework completed by women and men in Canada in recent decades?

a. b.

Men are putting in more hours; women are working as many hours as before. Men are putting in a bit more time; women have reduced their housework by a larger amount. Men are doing as little as before; women have reduced their housework considerably. More housework is being done by female hired help.

c. d.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 225

BLM: Remember

Time-use studies help us understand how participation in housework has changed over time. Which of the following best describes trends in women’s and men’s participation in housework?

The gender gap has decreased, as men have dramatically increased their time spent on housework. The gender gap has increased, with women spending more time and men spending less on housework. In general, men and women now spend an equal amount of time on housework. A narrowing of the gender gap is mostly due to reductions in the amount of time women spend on housework.

b. c. d.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 225–226 BLM: Higher Order

7-2

Recent studies about gender differences in involvement and responsibility for childcare demonstrate which of the following?

The gender gap in time spent by women and men is narrowing, but women still assume almost all the responsibility for planning and coordinating carework. Women spend more time on childcare, but men share equal responsibility for planning carework. Time spent on planning and performing carework by women and men is roughly equal. Men and women spend about an equal amount of time involved in carework, but women spend more time planning it.

b. c. d.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 226–227 BLM: Higher Order

10.

Which of the following is correct about trends in eldercare in Canada?

a. b. c.

Publicly funded organizations are positioned well to care for the aging population. Men and women are equally likely to provide eldercare to aging family members. The federal government’s “Compassionate Care” benefits are accessible to all individuals caring for the elderly. In general, the most common reason for providing care to an elderly family member is their aging and frailty.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 228

BLM: Higher Order

11.

Every year during the Christmas holidays, Anne sits down to write cards on behalf of her immediate family to their friends and extended family. Which of the following best describes the type of work she is engaged in?

a. b. c. d.

Carework. Kin work. Family work. Seasonal work.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 229–230

BLM: Higher Order

12.

A parent misses her child’s birthday because of a meeting that keeps her at the office later than anticipated. Which of the following best describes this situation?

a. b. c. d.

Role overload. Family-to-work conflict. Work-to-family conflict. Time-based conflict.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 231–232 BLM: Remember

7-3

13.

Maureta has a high-pressure job as a lawyer, working 50 hours per week. She also performs the majority of the carework for her two-year-old son. Which of the following best describes the emotional and mental fatigue that Maureta experiences from balancing work and family?

a. b. c. d.

Child-based conflict. Time-based conflict. Strain-based conflict. Behaviour-based conflict.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 232

BLM: Higher Order

14.

Which of the following is a central finding in Duxbury and Higgins’s research on work–family conflict in Canada?

a. b. c. d.

Work–family conflict affects a majority of families. More families experience family-to-work conflict than work-to-family conflict. Compared to work–family conflict, role overload is much less of an issue for families. Overall, role overload and work–family conflict have remained high since 1991.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 232

BLM: Higher Order

15.

Research on work–family conflict and job satisfaction demonstrates which of the following?

a. b. c. d.

There is little connection between conflict and satisfaction. High satisfaction can decrease family-to-work conflict. Low satisfaction can increase family-to-work conflict. In general, high conflict is linked to reduced satisfaction.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 233

BLM: Remember

16.

According to research, which of the following is correct about flexible workplace options in Canada?

a. b. c. d.

Women and men working part-time jobs are as stressed about time as full-timers. A majority of workers have control over their work schedules. Most workers find it difficult to spend some of the day working from home. Most workers find it difficult to interrupt their workday to deal with family needs.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 234–235

BLM: Remember

17.

Access to quality childcare is crucial to alleviate work–family conflict. Which of the following is correct about the availability of licensed child-care spaces in Canada?

Although available space has risen sharply over the past two decades, there are only enough regulated spaces to accommodate a small fraction of what is needed. The available number of spaces outnumbers the demand.

7-4

c. d.

Several provinces now guarantee that a sufficient number of spaces will be available. The federal government adjusts the number of spaces available based on yearly demand.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 237

BLM: Remember

18.

The term outsourced family refers to which of the following?

a. b. c. d.

The practice of recruiting spouses from overseas. The marketization of household and family work. Parents paying children to do weekly household and family work. The practice of friends and neighbours taking turns caring for each other’s children.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 238–239 BLM: Remember

19.

Which of the following is a central argument of Arlie Hochschild’s book The Outsourced Self?

a. b.

The marketization of caregiving has a negative impact on parents’ sense of self. Outsourcing family and household work involves outsourcing tasks well beyond carework and cleaning. Outsourcing trends are restricted to carework and household work. Outsourced family and household work is purchased in a strictly local market.

c. d.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 238–239 BLM: Higher Order

20.

Henrietta and Na’im are married with two young children. Both doctors, they work long hours and have decided to hire a live-in nanny from the Philippines. Their work– family choices best illustrate which of the following?

Socioeconomic status impacts a family’s ability to outsource carework and household work. The extent to which Canadian families are not interested in carework. The trend for all Canadian families to participate in stratified hierarchies of reproduction. Canadians prefer to spend more time at work than at home.

b. c. d.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 239

BLM: Higher Order

Short Answer Questions 21.

Describe what is meant by the terms household work and caring work. What types of activities do these terms refer to?

REF: pp. 224–231

7-5

22.

Briefly discuss recent trends in time spent by women and men on housework and childcare in Canada.

REF: pp. 224–228 23.

In a few sentences, explain what Arlie Hochschild means in The Outsourced Self. What factors might impact a family’s ability to outsource work?

REF: pp. 238–239

Essay Questions 24.

Define the various types of conflict involving family and work. What are the consequences of such conflict for workers, families, and employers?

Suggested student response: Students should differentiate between work-to-family conflict, family-to-work conflict, and role overload. A good response would note the gender gap in carework and housework and consider how this impacts participation in paid work for women. A discussion of how conflict impacts profitability, worker commitment, and absenteeism for employers would also be appropriate.

25.

Describe the types of policies and programs that individuals/families can access to try to balance work and family responsibilities. How effective have such initiatives been in Canada? How might these policies and programs be improved so that individuals/families are better able to reconcile their work and family responsibilities?

Suggested student response: A good response will outline the flexible working arrangements described and critiqued in the text (pp. 234–237). In particular, students might point to the emergence of legal decisions on “family accommodation” as a potential framework for future progress. Students might also highlight the lack of licensed child-care spaces as an area that could be improved through public policy and/or employer initiatives.

26.

“The only way to improve the ability of individuals/families to successfully balance work and family in Canada is to outsource more of the work involved in childcare, eldercare, kin work, and household work.” Critically discuss this statement with reference to the material discussed in Chapter 7.

Suggested student response: This question is fairly open-ended. A good paper might define the listed varieties of unpaid work, and will define what it means to “outsource” family work (see pp. 238–239). Students should also address trends in time spent on household work and carework by men and women, and consider the impact that socioeconomic status might have on a family’s ability to outsource family work.

27.

See Discussion Questions at the end of Chapter 7 for additional ideas for examination essay questions. Test Bank to Accompany Work, Industry, and Canadian Society, 7e Copyright © 2015 Nelson Education Ltd.

7-6

Chapter 8: Organizing and Managing Work Multiple-Choice Questions Identify the choice that best answers the question. 1.

According to Max Weber, which of the following is correct about “bureaucratic” hierarchy?

a. b. c. d.

It was essential for pre-capitalist systems of production. It helps coordinate and integrate many specialized tasks. It is only found in capitalist societies. Authority is evenly distributed.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 246–247 BLM: Remember

Which of the following criticisms have organizational researchers made about bureaucracies?

a. b. c. d.

Workers have too much autonomy. Positions within bureaucratic organizations are not regulated. They are resistant to change. They lack a defined system of authority.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 247

BLM: Remember

Which of the following criticisms did Alvin Gouldner make about bureaucracies?

a. b. c. d.

Promotions and dismissals tend to be predictable. Rules that reduce uncertainty for management reduce job satisfaction for workers. Efficiency is often more important than authority. They are often created to give managers more power over workers.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 247–248 BLM: Remember

Kareem has worked for a large technology company for the past 10 years. During his last performance review, his manager told him his efficiency is declining because he is trying too hard to follow organizational rules and job procedures. Which of the following terms best describes Kareem’s behaviour?

a. b. c. d.

Organizational commitment. Bureaucratic personality. Alienation. Managerial authority.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 247

BLM: Higher Order

8-1

Jenn is a human resources manager for a large Crown corporation. Rather than following organizational policy, Jenn has hired and promoted a number of individuals who were on her university hockey team. Which of the following best describes Jenn’s actions?

a. b. c. d.

Rational-legal value system. Managerial authority. Freewheeling. Meritocracy.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 249

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following best describes a central argument about bureaucracies made by Melville Dalton in his 1959 study Men Who Manage?

a. b. c. d.

Managers often break the rules in order to achieve their objectives. If given the opportunity, women would make better managers than men. Promotions are usually based on merit. Managers and workers rarely engage in dishonest activity.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 249

BLM: Remember

Which of the following is correct about Burns and Stalker’s study of work organization in the 1950s?

a. b. c. d.

In general, all organizations had the same structure and management style. Technologies did not impact the level of bureaucracy present in an organization. Most organizations had open management styles. There was a continuum of organizational forms shaped by type of technology.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 251

BLM: Higher Order

Joan Woodward argued which of the following on the basis of her research on the best fit between production technologies and management approaches?

a. b. c. d.

Bureaucracies are most appropriate in industries with mass-production technology. Modern work organizations need managers who have strong human relations skills. The more complex the technology, the more bureaucratic rules are required. Assembly-line technologies are a poor fit with bureaucracy.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 251

BLM: Remember

Which of the following observations was central to Gerhard Lenski’s theory about changing levels of inequality over the past centuries?

a. b.

Social inequality would disappear once socialism replaced capitalism. Agrarian societies were characterized by very low levels of inequality.

8-2

c. d.

Industrial capitalism brought with it reduced levels of social inequality. Industrial capitalism generated the highest level of inequality ever observed.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 252

BLM: Remember

10.

In general, which of the following is the most important role of managers?

a. b. c. d.

Ensure workers do their jobs correctly. Obtain compliance from workers and prevent opposition to authority. Enforce the rules and regulations of the organization. Identify workers worthy of promotion.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 254

BLM: Higher Order

11.

Which of the following work settings would be most likely to employ the practices of Taylorism?

a. b. c. d.

Telephone call centre. Law firm. Radio station. University department.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 255–257 BLM: Higher Order

12.

Which of the following is most correct about scientific management?

a. b. c. d.

Robots are used to replace workers. Workers have a lot of autonomy. It represents a “human relations” approach. Complex tasks are subdivided to improve efficiency.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 255–257 BLM: Remember

13.

Which of the following is not a core principle of scientific management?

a. b. c. d.

Subdivide complex jobs to obtain maximum efficiency. Give workers detailed step-by-step descriptions on how to do each job. Select the best workers to perform a specific job. Increase individual workers’ decision-making authority.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 255–257 BLM: Higher Order

14.

According to Frederick Winslow Taylor, workers were primarily motivated by which of the following?

a. b.

Fear of making mistakes. The friendliness of their supervisors and managers.

8-3

c. d.

Opportunities to increase their skills. Economic gain.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 256

BLM: Remember

15.

Managers of Best Electric Cars try to motivate their workers by reminding them that each person in the company is part of a team in constant competition with foreign companies and that if they work together to increase production and improve quality, the company, their community, and Canada will all benefit. Which of the following terms would Amitai Etzioni use to describe this management strategy?

a. b. c. d.

Normative. Coercive. Utilitarian. Human capital.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 259–260 BLM: Higher Order

16.

Which of the following general approaches to management would best characterize the management approach adopted by Best Electric Cars (see Q. 15)?

a. b. c. d.

Scientific management. Corporate welfare. Human relations. Globally focused management

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 259–262 BLM: Higher Order

17.

Which of the following was demonstrated by the Hawthorne Studies?

a. b.

Good working conditions (e.g., better lighting) lead to higher worker productivity. The results of social experiments may be confounded by subjects’ awareness of being part of a study. The type of technology used in a workplace can affect workers’ productivity. Female employees are just as motivated to work hard as male employees.

c. d.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 260, 266 BLM: Remember

18.

Jane, a manager in a house-cleaning company, believes that the values, psychological needs, and attitudes of her workers all shape their work behaviour. With which of the following management approaches do her beliefs fit best?

a. b. c. d.

Scientific management. Management ideology. Human relations. The informal side of organizations.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 261

BLM: Higher Order

8-4

19.

Which of the following is a primary criticism of the human relations approach to management?

It assumes that industrial harmony is healthy and that conflict in the workplace is abnormal and destructive. It incorrectly assumes that workers are only motivated by money. It places too much emphasis on the need for strict, authoritarian managers. It allows workers too much input into workplace decision making.

b. c. d.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 262

BLM: Higher Order

20.

Which of the following is a central principal of human relations theory?

a. b. c. d.

Industrial harmony is healthy. More power should be bestowed to workers. It is only effective in large bureaucracies. It views conflict between workers and managers as natural and productive.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 262

BLM: Remember

Short Answer Questions 21.

Explain Gerhard Lenski’s theory of social inequality. What role does technology play in this theory?

REF: pp. 252–253 22.

Alfred D. Chandler Jr. wrote that, “The ‘visible hand’ of the corporate manager replaced the ‘invisible hand’ of market forces.” Explain what Chandler means by this statement?

REF: p. 254 23.

In a few sentences, describe the basic principles of scientific management.

REF: pp. 255–257 24.

Briefly describe human relations theory and outline one of its major criticisms.

REF: pp. 259–262

Essay Questions 25.

Describe what is meant by the term bureaucracy. What are some of the criticisms that researchers have mounted against bureaucratic organizations? In your opinion, what role will bureaucracies have in Canada over the next half-century? Support your argument with material from Chapter 8, as well as earlier chapters if necessary.

8-5

Suggested student response: Students should define bureaucracy using Weber and Morgan (pp. 246–247) and emphasizing specialized tasks, efficiency, rules, authority, and so on. Criticisms of bureaucracies could include the role of managers and the manipulation of informal work practices (e.g., Dalton’s “freewheeling”), the assumption that workers happily accept organizational goals (e.g., disconnect between workers and managers), and problems with inefficiencies (pp. 247–249). A good answer to the last part of the question would describe general shifts in Canada’s economy, labour market, and labour force, and how this might affect the types of organizations we see. 26.

Describe a work organization that you are familiar with and address how it utilizes elements of scientific management or human relations theory, or both. In your opinion, do these practices work well in this organization? Why or why not?

Suggested student response: This question is fairly open-ended, with students afforded the opportunity to draw on personal experience or discuss a work organization that they have good knowledge about through family/friends. A good answer will describe the basic elements of scientific management and/or human relations theory (with reference to the text) and apply the theories to their case study. 27.

Describe what you think makes a “good” manager. Support your position with reference to the material and debates discussed in Chapter 8.

Suggested student response: Students may address this question in a number of ways but should reference discussions about managers from the chapter, which include: managers and informal work practices (p. 249); managerial authority; and employee compliance/commitment (pp. 254–255). A good answer might also consider the impact of the type of organization on the role of the manager and his or her ability to be a “good” manager (e.g., is it a bureaucratic organization? Fordist? Does it have elements of scientific management or human relations theory?). 28.

Workplace inequality and the ability of workers to develop skills and become involved in decision making represent two crucial issues facing Canadian workers and work organizations. How well do the scientific management and human relations approaches address these issues? Support your position with reference to the chapter.

Suggested student response: A good response should define scientific management and human relations theory with reference to Chapter 8 and proceed to outline some of the major criticisms of these theories (described throughout the chapter). The text takes the position that scientific management and the human relations theory are both part of the consensus perspective and therefore are not critical of power/authority differences and largely ignore conflict in the workplace. Therefore, a good answer should argue that these perspectives do not offer much to work with in terms of reducing inequality in the workplace and enhancing workers’ skills. 29.

See Discussion Questions at the end of Chapter 8 for additional ideas for examination essay questions.

8-6

Chapter 9: In Search of New Managerial Paradigms Multiple-Choice Questions Identify the choice that best answers the question. 1.

Which of the following is not one of the characteristics of a “winner” work organization, according to Tom Peters in his book Thriving on Chaos: Handbook for a Management Revolution?

a. b. c. d.

Obsession with responsiveness to customers. Leadership that loves change. Constant innovation in all areas. Clearly outlined bureaucratic control systems.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 269

BLM: Remember

Which of the following is the best explanation for Japan’s strong economic performance after its economy was basically destroyed during World War II?

a. b. c. d.

The strong work ethic of Japanese workers. Unique management approaches and organizational structures. Access to cheap labour in South Asia. Rapid introduction of automated technologies.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 271

BLM: Remember

Ringi, a Japanese word describing a key component of Japanese management approaches, is best described by which of the following statements?

a. b. c. d.

An emphasis on reducing work–family conflict. Extensive participative decision making. Tasks assigned to work teams rather than individuals. Constant improvement.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 271

BLM: Remember

Hiroto, your neighbour who came to Canada from Japan 15 years ago, is telling you about the job he used to hold in a large Japanese manufacturing company. He describes frequent after-work social activities he enjoyed with his workmates, how he and his workmates worked as a team, the many women who worked in the company, and the opportunities for younger workers to get promoted. Which of these things experienced by Hiroto are basic elements of Japanese management approaches?

a. b. c. d.

Frequent after-hour social activities involving workmates. Work routines devised around teams rather than individuals. A commitment to hiring women. Opportunities for young workers to get promoted.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 271

BLM: Higher Order

TB - 1

Japanese management approaches, quality of working life programs, and Swedish work reforms have many things in common. Swedish work reforms, however, went considerably further in which of the following ways?

a. b. c. d.

Redistributing power relationships within work organizations. Requiring that all workers be union members. Developing family-friendly workplaces. Promoting employee profit-sharing plans.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 274

BLM: Higher Order

Ajit, a machine operator in a factory, was recently trained to perform basic maintenance on his machine, and how to do related paper work (e.g., order replacement parts). Which of the following terms best describes the changes in Ajit’s job description?

a. b. c. d.

Work team training. Job rotation. Workplace re-engineering. Job enrichment.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 276

BLM: Higher Order

A completely new workplace that offers opportunities for both technological and social innovations is best described by which of the following concepts?

a. b. c. d.

Sociotechnical incubator. Innovation transplant. Organizational restart. Greenfield site.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 277

BLM: Remember

Which of the following is a key feature of “total quality management”?

An emphasis on continuous improvement in the production of goods or delivery of services. Less emphasis on the consumer compared to most other management approaches. Extensive consultation with workers about most aspects of their jobs. Heavy reliance on low-skill workers.

b. c. d.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 279

BLM: Remember

TB - 2

The registrar of your university has been telling the vice-president (human resources) that whatever changes she introduces, she must remember to consider everything from a student's perspective. Which new managerial paradigm does the registrar appear to be following?

a. b. c. d.

Total quality management. The learning organization Human relations management. Student-centred organizational redesign.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 279–280 BLM: Higher Order

10.

Amitai Etzioni described different ways managers might try to gain control over workers. Which of the following management approaches would Etzioni likely label as an example of “normative control?”

a. b. c. d.

Lean production. Quality of working life programs. Organizational culture. Total quality management.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 282

BLM: Higher Order

11.

Attempts to convince employees to identify with the “organizational culture” of their company are most similar to which of the following management approaches?

a. b. c. d.

Scientific management. Human relations management. Social and cultural capital management. Industrial betterment.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 282

BLM: Remember

12.

Which of the following strategies might senior managers in a government department pursue if they wanted their department to be recognized as a “learning organization?”

Watching carefully what their counterparts in other provinces were doing, so they could imitate their successes and avoid their mistakes. Paying close attention to what “clients” were saying, to learn what concerned them. Encouraging department employees to take training courses of many kinds. Paying close attention to what motivated employees in order to increase productivity.

b. c. d.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 284

BLM: Higher Order

13.

Piore and Sabel described what they saw as the future of manufacturing and called it “flexible specialization.” Which of the following social theorists would likely have agreed that this is the direction we are heading?

a. b.

TB - 3

c. d.

Adam Smith. Daniel Bell.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 287

BLM: Higher Order

14.

Many different managerial approaches have been developed in Europe, Japan, and North America over the past several decades, all trying to deal with “problems of bureaucracy.” Which of the following new managerial paradigms has placed the most emphasis on employing nonstandard workers (e.g., part-time, temporary)?

a. b. c. d.

The high-performance workplace. Lean production. Total quality management. The flexible firm.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 287

BLM: Higher Order

15.

Training workers to perform a variety of different tasks would represent which of the following forms of work organization flexibility?

a. b. c. d.

Pay flexibility. Work schedule flexibility. Functional flexibility. Numerical flexibility.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 287

BLM: Remember

16.

Which of the following is a key feature of “lean production” methods?

a. b. c. d.

A strong emphasis on keeping unions out of factories and other workplaces. An emphasis on reducing stress experienced by workers in their jobs. The elimination of kaizen in order to increase production. Emphasis on worker-initiated continuous improvement.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 288

BLM: Remember

17.

Which of the following is a key feature of a “high-performance workplace?”

a. b. c. d.

An emphasis on a family-friendly work environment. A management system in which unions are consulted on all key decisions. A high level of job security for all employees. Extensive use of social media by management in their communication with workers.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 290–291

BLM: Remember

TB - 4

18.

Proponents of “high-performance workplaces” advocate, among other things, involving employees in decision making, training them to do a variety of tasks, providing incentives for improved performance, and encouraging teamwork. If Frederick W. Taylor were asked to evaluate this management approach, with which of these approaches would he likely agree?

a. b. c. d.

Employee involvement in decision making. Training employees to perform a variety of tasks. Providing incentives for improved performance. Encouraging teamwork.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 256, 290–291

BLM: Higher Order

19.

Your university’s vice-president (human resources) has asked for your advice on creating a “high-performance workplace” (HPW). She is recommending a series of organizational changes, including: increased training for employees; additional layers of middle management to make sure everyone knows what they are supposed to do; more workplace wellness programs: and financial incentives for improved performance. Which of these proposed changes would concern you the most, given the vice-president’s goal of creating an HPW?

a. b. c. d.

Increased training for employees. Additional layers of middle management. More workplace wellness programs. Financial incentives for improved performance.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 290–291 BLM: Higher Order

20.

Which of the following best describes the introduction of “high-performance workplaces” in North America?

a. b. c. d.

They are found more frequently in the lower-tier than in the higher-tier services. They may be leading to greater labour market segmentation. Unions have opposed them whenever they were introduced. They offer the best solution to the growing problem of social inequality.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 292–293

BLM: Remember

Short Answer Questions 21.

Six central themes can be identified when reviewing the variety of new managerial paradigms that have emerged in the past several decades. In a sentence or two for each, identify and explain at least three of these themes.

REF: p. 269

TB - 5

22.

Quality of working life (QWL) programs can involve a number of different techniques of job task and work organization redesign. In a sentence or two for each, describe four of these techniques.

REF: p. 276 23.

Briefly define and give an example of each: pay flexibility, functional flexibility, and numerical flexibility.

REF: p. 287 24.

List the key features of what organizational analysts call a “high-performance workplace” (HPW). Which of these features, if any, are unique to the HPW approach to management?

REF: p. 291

Essay Questions 25.

A chemical plant built in Sarnia, Ontario, in the late 1970s has come to be seen as a highly successful example of the introduction of new managerial paradigms. Describe the organizational innovations that were implemented, and why this managerial experiment was successful. If the same plant had been built 30 years later, what might have been different?

Suggested student response: Students should be able to describe some of the QWL innovations (p. 277) and recognize that union involvement from the outset and the fact that this was a “greenfield site” contributed to success. Answers to the second part of the question could develop in many ways, but should focus on managerial strategies that have emerged more recently. For example, students could speculate about what might have happened if lean production had been proposed by management, or if they had tried to rely on more part-time workers (numerical flexibility)—unions might have been resistant to participate. Alternatively, management might have proposed a high-performance workplace model, which would have involved less job security while providing other benefits to workers.

26.

Which of the new managerial paradigms discussed in Chapter 9 is likely to be the most influential in Canada 20 years from now, given current labour force and labour market trends? Explain your prediction.

Suggested student response: Earlier chapters have shown how manufacturing is in decline, the lower-tier services are expanding, globalization is pushing companies to cut costs, workers are becoming more educated, inequality is increasing, and so on. Students should identify some of these trends and make connections with what they have read in this chapter. For example, with less manufacturing, we might see fewer opportunities for lean production. Organizational learning might appeal to bettereducated workers, as would high-performance workplaces. Alternatively, pressure to reduce costs might mean fewer HPWs. Test Bank to Accompany Work, Industry, and Canadian Society, 7e Copyright © 2015 Nelson Education Ltd.

TB - 6

27.

Imagine that you were made the manager of a fast-food restaurant staffed largely by university students working part-time. If you could choose to implement any management system (or some part of it) that you wanted, what would you choose? Explain what your goals would be, and how this management approach would help you reach them.

Suggested student response: Students will likely take the position that the primary goal is business profitability, while a secondary goal would be satisfied workers. Based on previous chapters, they should have some sense of the type of business they are involved in (i.e., lower-tier services) and its reliance on nonstandard workers. This would make some types of management unlikely candidates (e.g., Swedish work reforms, advanced forms of QWL, the high-performance workplace model). Total quality management (TQM) with its emphasis on customer satisfaction and organizational culture approaches that try to motivate workers might be more likely (and have been used in the fast-food industry). A few students might insist that, since they could choose any approach they wanted, their goals would be more humanistic than profit-driven. This might lead to some interesting answers, but they should still be plausible.

28.

See Discussion Questions at the end of Chapter 9 for additional ideas for examination essay questions.

TB - 7

Chapter 10: Conflict and Control in the Workplace Multiple-Choice Questions Identify the choice that best answers the question. 1.

If they could come back to life, which of the following classical social theorists would likely be most supportive of the new managerial paradigms that have been introduced in the past several decades in an attempt to solve the problems of bureaucracy and assist managers in motivating workers?

a. b. c. d.

Karl Marx. Adam Smith. Max Weber. Émile Durkheim.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 300

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following statements best defines “surplus value” as discussed by Karl Marx?

a. b. c. d.

The profits remaining for capitalists after they paid workers for their labour. The additional value generated by introducing new technologies to the workplace. The greater societal wealth generated under capitalism compared to feudalism. The contribution to national wealth generated by the petit bourgeoisie.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 301

BLM: Remember

According to Harry Braverman, which of the following occupations experienced deskilling and standardization in the 20th century, much like factory-based manufacturing jobs had been deskilled and standardized decades earlier?

a. b. c. d.

Managerial occupations. Clerical jobs in bureaucratic offices. Sales jobs in rapidly expanding retail businesses. Lower-tier service-sector jobs.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 303

BLM: Remember

Which of the following best explains why Harry Braverman’s 1974 book Labor and Monopoly Capital was so influential?

a. b. c. d.

He proved that deskilling occurred in all occupational groups over the past century. He added an important gender analysis to labour process debates. He challenged work researchers to ask new questions about labour process changes. He placed a great deal of emphasis on how workers resisted efforts to control them.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 303–304

BLM: Remember

10 - 1

Which of the following criticisms has been made of both Harry Braverman’s book Labor and Monopoly Capital and Gordon, Edwards, and Reich’s analysis of the evolution of segmented labour markets in 20th century North America?

a. b. c. d.

Their theories portrayed workers as largely passive. Their theories suggested that workers have much more agency than they really do. Their theories ignored the role of technology in shaping the labour process. Their theories overemphasized the power of unions.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 304–305 BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following core themes in the labour process debate were prompted by Harry Braverman’s 1974 book Labor and Monopoly Capital?

a. b. c. d.

The rise of unions and the decline of industrial democracy. Job deskilling and managerial control over work decisions. Technological change and quality control of production systems. Team conflict and high-performance work systems.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 305

BLM: Higher Order

Gordon, Edwards, and Reich wrote about the evolution of segmented labour markets in North America. Which of the following did they suggest was an outcome of this process?

a. b. c. d.

An increase in global systems of production. A socially fragmented and politically weak working class. A growing gender wage gap. Greater marginalization of immigrants in society.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 305

BLM: Remember

Which of the following terms is used to describe regulation of the labour process through coercive or paternalistic methods?

a. b. c. d.

Technical control. Bureaucratic control. Responsible autonomy. Simple control.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 306

BLM: Remember

Which of the following scenarios would be the best example of Andrew Friedman’s concept of a “shifting frontier of control”?

a. b.

A large manufacturing company shifting its operations to factories in China. An automobile manufacturing company shifting to lean production methods.

10 - 2

c. d.

Nursing home workers forming a union and getting some control over working hours. A large bank introducing a form of electronic surveillance of workers in all branches.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 305–306 BLM: Higher Order

10.

Which of the following definitions of a type of management control is correct?

a. b. c. d.

“Bureaucratic control” involves the use of government laws and regulations. “Responsible autonomy” involves workers regulating themselves. “Technical control” is almost impossible in assembly-line manufacturing. “Electronic control” might be effective, but is illegal in Canada and the United States.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 305–309 BLM: Higher Order

11.

Employees in many workplaces put a great deal of effort into their work. Which of the following reasons for working this hard would be the best example of Michael Burawoy’s concept of “hegemonic organization of work”?

a. b. c. d.

Employees want their company to be successful because they feel committed to it. Employees are anxious about being laid off. Employees are aware their performance is being monitored by management. Employees are paid according to their performance.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 307

BLM: Higher Order

12.

Michael Burawoy uses the term hegemonic organization of work in much the same way as which of the following terms used by Richard Edwards?

a. b. c. d.

Self-control. Simple control. Technical control. Bureaucratic control.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 307

BLM: Remember

13.

Which of the following best describes how sociologists conceptualize “deskilling” and “enskilling?”

a. b. c.

Once they have acquired them, it is very difficult for workers to lose their skills. Jobs can be deskilled, but there are few examples of them being enskilled. Jobs can be redesigned to require fewer or more skills, and workers can both lose or learn skills. Deskilling applies to jobs, while enskilling applies to people.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 310

BLM: Remember

10 - 3

14.

Rosemary began work as a bank teller a year ago. During the first three months, she spent two days a week in formal training, learning about different financial transactions, how the bank’s computer system worked, and other aspects of the job. Over the course of the year, she has also learned from experience how to get around “bugs” in the computer system, and from her coworkers how to deal with difficult customers and, sometimes, difficult bosses. Which of the following terms best describes what Rosemary learned outside of formal training?

a. b. c. d.

Informal knowledge. Worker sub-culture. Organizational culture. Tacit skills.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 310

BLM: Higher Order

15.

Aisha is an office worker in a large insurance company. Her job basically consists of responding to customer enquiries and complaints by telephone. Aisha’s manager recently asked her to design a spreadsheet to record the different types of customer enquiries and complaints she and other office workers received. Which of the following would be the best description of what has taken place?

a. b. c. d.

Multi-tasking. Multi-skilling. Electronic control enhancement. Efficiency enhancement.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 311

BLM: Higher Order

16.

Which of the following are the main definitional components of work-related skill?

a. b. c. d.

Substantive complexity and decision-making autonomy. Social interaction and technological involvement. Substantive complexity and technological involvement. Decision-making autonomy and social interaction.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 311

BLM: Remember

17.

Which of the following statements best describes “informated work” as discussed by Shoshana Zuboff in her early case studies of computer use in workplaces?

a. b. c. d.

Work done traditionally, without the aid of computers. Work previously done by people that is now done completely by computers. Work involving computers and requiring workers to learn new skills. Work involving computers that has led to the deskilling of workers.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 314

BLM: Remember

10 - 4

18.

Over the past few years, there has been a great deal of debate in Canada about: (a) whether or not to build new pipelines to get western Canadian oil to world markets; and (b) where to build them, if they are to be built. Some groups argue that both questions should be answered only if all groups affected, including First Nations, are effectively consulted and if climate change issues are included in the discussion. Which of the following perspectives would best describe this argument?

a. b. c. d.

Technological determinism. Economic determinism. Social determinism. Bio-environmental determinism.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 316–317 BLM: Higher Order

19.

The concept “survivor syndrome” is best defined by which of the following?

a. b. c. d.

Young people who spent years in university and now have to pay off massive debts. The costs employers face trying to rehabilitate workers injured on the job. Manufacturing firms that have remained competitive despite out-dated technology. Negative effects of downsizing on employees who kept their jobs.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 318

BLM: Remember

20.

Which of the following scenarios would best be labelled as an example of “neoTaylorism?”

Workers in a “lean production” factory feel stressed by constant pressure to increase output. Office jobs are simplified and standardized by introducing new computer software. Jobs are outsourced to China and India where labour laws are not as strict. “Teamwork” managerial approaches are introduced to allow assembly line workers some job task autonomy.

b. c. d.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 320

BLM: Higher Order

Short Answer Questions 21.

Karl Marx argued that, in capitalist society, work had become a commodity. In a few sentences, explain what he meant by this.

REF: p. 302 22.

In a sentence or two for each, define simple control, technical control, and bureaucratic control.

REF: p. 305

10 - 5

23.

In a sentence or two for each, define technological determinism, economic determinism, and social determinism.

REF: p. 316

Essay Questions 24.

Wallace Clement and John Myles (1994) are quoted in the textbook as saying that society is faced by a “postindustrial Nirvana of knowledge where everyone will be a brain surgeon, artist, or philosopher (Bell) or, alternatively, a postindustrial Hades where we shall be doomed to labour mindlessly in the service of capital.” Outline the debate framed by Clement and Myles. Which of the two positions is most accurate, in your opinion? Discuss the evidence that leads you to this conclusion.

Suggested student response: Students should be able to outline Daniel Bell’s position on post-industrial society (p. 310, also Chapter 2) as well as Braverman’s argument that deskilling continues to occur in 20th-century workplaces. Research suggests that, on average, we have seen more skill upgrading than deskilling of occupations, but there are a number of important caveats (pp. 311–312). A better answer would discuss the definition and measurement of “skill” (pp. 310–311) and might distinguish between multi-tasking and multi-skilling.

25.

“Technological innovation is the engine of both economic growth and social development.” Critically evaluate this claim, making reference to theories and empirical evidence presented in this and other textbook chapters.

Suggested student response: Students are unlikely to argue that technology does not contribute to economic growth, nor should they. This being a sociology course, the key to a good answer is a discussion of whether technology also contributes to social development. Students might mention Daniel Bell and Gerhard Lenski from earlier chapters, but should discuss Harry Braverman’s position on technology. A good answer would engage with the debates about whether new information and computer technologies (ICT) are leading to job loss, deskilling, and increased inequality (pp. 312–315) and should comment on technological, economic, and social determinism (p. 316).

26.

Outline the core arguments made by Harry Braverman in his 1974 book Labor and Monopoly Capital. Why has this book been influential in the sociology of work? Discuss the criticisms that the book has received. Think back to a job that you have held (or perhaps a friend or family member has held) and describe some aspect of what you did in the job, or how you were treated by your boss, in the way Braverman would have described it if he had held that job.

Suggested student response: Satisfactory answers to the first three sub-questions (core arguments?; why influential?; criticisms?) will basically repeat what students have read in the text (pp. 303–305). Students might go on to discuss different models of Test Bank to Accompany Work, Industry, and Canadian Society, 7e Copyright © 2015 Nelson Education Ltd.

10 - 6

managerial control (pp. 305–309), or more recent evidence of deskilling and enskilling (pp. 310–312), but this is not really necessary. The fourth sub-question (personal experience?) may generate some interesting anecdotes, but they should be described as if Braverman had been in the job.

27.

See Discussion Questions at the end of Chapter 10 for additional ideas for examination essay questions.

10 - 7

Chapter 11: Unions and Industrial Relations Multiple-Choice Questions Identify the choice that best answers the question. 1.

According to mainstream industrial relations theory, the rules and regulations regarding collective agreements have which of the following functions?

a. b.

To ensure that the government does not have to get involved in labour relations. To inject stability into employment relations by making sure unions don’t have too much power. To inject stability into employment relations by tilting the balance of power slightly away from management. To discourage workers from joining unions.

c. d.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 330

BLM: Remember

Which of the following scenarios would be an example of what C. Wright Mills had in mind when he said that unions were “managers of discontent?”

a. b.

Union organizers signing up members in a nonunionized workplace. Union leaders trying to convince their members that a new wage offer received from their employer was not good enough. Union leaders trying to convince their members to not go on strike because their collective agreement had not yet expired. Leaders of one union trying to encourage members of another union to leave that union and join theirs.

c. d.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 331

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following would be evidence in support of Robert Michels’s “iron law of oligarchy?”

a. b. c. d.

Union leaders manipulating union activities in order to stay in power. Strong worker groups opposing the decisions of union leaders. High levels of attendance by members at union meetings. Corporate managers influencing how union members vote during union elections.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 332

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following statements best describes results of research on the economic impact of unions?

a. b.

Overall, unions lead to reduced productivity in unionized workplaces. At the societal level, unions are associated with lower wage inequality.

11 - 1

c. d.

On average, they have virtually no effect on employees’ wages. They generally lead to higher wages for members, but have no other real effect on working conditions or employment relationships.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 333–334

BLM: Remember

Union X represents the 1,200 workers employed in a Canada Bicycle Corporation (CBC) factory in a large Canadian city. The union has not been all that successful in negotiating higher wages for its workers, but it has been able to convince management to allow workers to make decisions about how to do their jobs and to listen to workers’ suggestions for improving health and safety in the factory. Which of the following perspectives on unionism is Union X highlighting, according to Richard Freeman and James Medoff?

a. b. c. d.

The “managers of discontent” perspective. The “social unionism” perspective. The “monopoly face” of unionism. The “collective voice” face of unionism.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 334

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following best distinguishes craft unions from industrial unions?

a. b.

Craft unions exist only in Quebec; industrial unions are active in all parts of Canada. Craft unions represent specific occupations; industrial unions try to organize all the workers in a particular industry Craft unions are mainly found in developing countries; industrial unions are most common in industrialized economies. Craft unions are gaining members; industrial unions are declining in size.

c. d.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 335–336

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following descriptions best defines an “industrial union?”

a. b. c. d.

Unions with membership in the manufacturing industries. Unions with their head offices in the United States. Unions that focus mainly on improving wages and working conditions. Unions that try to organize all the workers in a particular industry.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 336

BLM: Remember

Which of the following is a unique feature of the labour movement in Quebec?

a. b.

Many contemporary unions were originally organized by the Roman Catholic Church. A much lower degree of centralized bargaining than elsewhere in Canada.

11 - 2

c. d.

Despite a high level of nationalism in Quebec, unions in the province have avoided getting involved in debates about separatism and sovereignty. The willingness of unions to accept provincial legislation allowing strike-breaking by employers.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 338

BLM: Remember

Which of the following statements describes the “Rand Formula”?

It is used to determine what percentage of an employee’s earnings can be deducted for union membership dues. It identifies the public sectors in which workers are not allowed to strike because of the percentage of citizens who might be negatively affected. It requires employers to deduct union dues from all employees in a workplace that is unionized, whether or not they belong to the union. It is used to determine whether or not an international union can be forced to allow Canadian workers to set up their own union.

b. c. d.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 339

BLM: Remember

10.

Leo Panitch and Donald Swartz use the phrase permanent exceptionalism to describe which of the following labour relations trends in Canada?

a. b. c. d.

The shift from craft unions to industrial unions. The Canadianization of formerly international unions. Attempts to introduce “right-to-work” laws in Canada. Repeated government intervention in collective bargaining over the past few decades.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 340

BLM: Higher Order

11.

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between “union density” and “collective bargaining coverage?”

Because it includes agricultural workers, union density is usually a bit higher than collective bargaining coverage. Union density describes the strength of unions in the private sector; collective bargaining coverage means the same thing in the public sector. Collective bargaining coverage is usually a bit higher since some nonunion members still receive the wages and benefits negotiated by unions. Collective bargaining coverage is the United States’ term for what we refer to as union density in Canada.

b. c. d.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 341–342

BLM: Higher Order

12.

Unionization in Canada has been characterized by which of the following trends?

a. b.

Overall, union membership has declined somewhat since the 1980s. Newfoundland and Labrador has the lowest rate of unionization.

11 - 3

c. d.

Women are still less likely to be union members than men. The rate of unionization is lower in the public sector than in the private sector.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 343, 349 BLM: Remember

13.

Despite relatively low levels of union density in western European countries like Germany and France, unions have a strong impact on wage settlements for a majority of workers. Which of the following statements best explains this situation?

Highly centralized collective bargaining in which national unions negotiate with employer federations. Decentralized bargaining, whereby local unions negotiate with local employers. European Union legislation that requires workers in all EU countries to receive similar wage settlements. Union density is measured differently in these two countries.

b. c. d.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 344–345

BLM: Higher Order

14.

Which of the following statements best defines “transnational union networks?”

Agreements between unions in different countries that allow members to easily transfer membership from one union to another. Historical agreements between the Canadian Labour Congress and the American Federation of Labor. Limitations on the rights of unions included in Free Trade Agreements between countries like Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Linkages between unions in different parts of the world that allow them to pursue common goals like improved human rights.

b. c. d.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 346

BLM: Remember

15.

Feminist scholars have contributed which of the following insights about Canadian unions?

Women began to become active unionists once they started working in the same occupations as men. Despite growing female membership in unions, women have still never held key leadership positions. While company managers have often exhibited patriarchal attitudes, male union members have generally not done so. There is a long history of collective action in predominantly female occupations.

b. c. d.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 352–353

BLM: Higher Order

11 - 4

16.

A large farm equipment manufacturing company sets up an employee association that provides workers with opportunities to consult on job redesign and the introduction of new production technologies. A large industrial union that has been trying to organize this factory is frustrated by this tactic. Which of the following is the best explanation of why the union might be frustrated?

Once an employee association exists in a workplace, unions cannot try to sign up the workers. Workers are now less likely to see the need for a union in their workplace, and will be less likely to join. Employee association members will not have to pay union dues, even if a union is formed. Even if a union is formed, strikes will not be allowed because of the existence of the employee association.

b. c. d.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 354

BLM: Higher Order

17.

Which of the following is the best description of a “wildcat strike?

a. b. c. d.

A strike that turns violent. An unauthorized strike during the term of a collective agreement. A strike from which employees gain nothing. A strike called by union leaders despite strong opposition from union members.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 359

BLM: Remember

18.

Which of the following statements best describes the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike?

a. b. c. d.

It represents one of the few examples of open class warfare in Canada. The strike was a significant event in Winnipeg, but was not really noticed elsewhere. The government remained neutral, forcing unions and employers to negotiate. The unions involved were fighting against new “right-to-work” laws being introduced by the provincial government.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 362

BLM: Remember

19.

Which of the following statements best explains why Canada’s strike record was higher than that of many western industrialized countries in the last few decades of the 20th century?

a. b. c. d.

Canadian workers have typically been more politically radical. Canadian employers have been much more aggressive in fighting unions. Union negotiations in Canada are much more fragmented and decentralized. Canadian labour legislation made it much easier for workers to go on strike.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 364

BLM: Remember

11 - 5

20.

In which of the following types of industries would Kerr and Siegel predict high strike rates, according to their “isolation hypothesis?”

a. b.

Industries where social isolation keeps workers uninformed about the larger world. Industries where social isolation and limited occupational hierarchies lead to cohesive work groups. Industries where workers are isolated from social values encouraging consensus instead of conflict. Industries that are isolated from labour laws and arbitration procedures designed to avoid conflict.

c. d.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 364–365 BLM: Higher Order

Short Answer Questions 21.

C. Wright Mills once described unions in North America as “managers of discontent.” In a few sentences, explain what he meant by this term.

REF: p. 330 22.

Define and briefly discuss the concepts of “business unionism” and “social unionism.”

REF: pp. 332–333 23.

In a few sentences, explain the significance of the Rand Formula for Canada’s system of industrial relations.

REF: p. 339 24.

Workers face a number of dilemmas when deciding whether to join a union and, if already a member, whether to become an activist. Describe the “free rider” problem and the “exit vs. voice” methods that workers can use to express discontent with unsatisfactory working conditions and employment contracts.

REF: pp. 356–357

Essay Questions 25.

In the Canadian industrial relations system, the state (government) is meant to act as an “impartial umpire.” Discuss what is meant by this concept, and some of the key mechanisms employed by the state in attempting to achieve this goal. In your opinion, how successful has the Canadian state been in reaching this goal? (p. 338)

Suggested student response: Students should be able to define the concepts (pp. 338–339) and should be able to discuss some of the mechanisms employed (e.g., mediation, protecting collective bargaining rights). An explanation of the Rand Formula (p. 339) Test Bank to Accompany Work, Industry, and Canadian Society, 7e Copyright © 2015 Nelson Education Ltd.

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would add to the answer. Regarding success, students might point to the decline in strikes (p. 361) as evidence of success, but this might also mean that unions have been weakened. A good answer would discuss the dilemma of dealing with public-sector unions, and possibly legislating them back to work (the state is not an impartial umpire when it is also the employer). Students might also comment on recent government attempts to make labour legislation more restrictive (p. 366).

26.

“Unionism is essentially a 20th century phenomenon, and will likely not be a significant factor in the 21st century.” Critically discuss this statement with reference to current and past unionization trends in Canada and elsewhere.

Suggested student response: Students might agree, pointing to declining unionization rates elsewhere as a sign of what is to come in Canada, and perhaps arguing that globalization makes unions less effective and that new managerial approaches (Chapter 9) make them redundant. Alternatively, students might disagree (as does the textbook), arguing that unions continue to serve an important function and, hence, will be attractive to workers, at least in some industries. They might point to evidence of the growth of public-sector unions in Canada, which has kept unionization rates fairly stable. They might also argue that unions are changing to adapt, including (a) merging (e.g., Unifor) to stay strong, (b) creating international alliances, (c) shifting from an emphasis on business union to social unionism or social movement unionism, and (d) trying to organize workers in the secondary labour market.

27.

How have Canadian unions changed over the past century? In your opinion, what are some of the key challenges they face today?

Suggested student response: A good answer should describe the shift from craft to industrial and public-sector unions, the Canadianization of unions, their increased size, and the increased involvement of women in unions and changes that resulted from this. Students might also mention recent shifts to social unionism, the willingness of a few unions to get involved with new management approaches, and the recent formation of global union networks. Key challenges include new management approaches that can undercut union strength, shifts in the political climate (i.e., neoliberalism) that might translate into labour legislation changes (e.g., “right-to-work” laws), the growing need to organize secondary sector workers, and other concerns that students might raise.

28.

See Discussion Questions at the end of Chapter 11 for additional ideas for examination essay questions.

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Chapter 12: Alternative Approaches to Economic Organization Multiple-Choice Questions Identify the choice that best answers the question. 1.

Which of the following generalizations has emerged from research on worker militancy in various countries?

Left-wing political parties can help workers translate their grievances about work into criticisms of the larger society. British workers have generally been more militant than French workers. Participating in a strike usually has a significant long-term effect on workers’ militancy. Umbrella organizations like the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) are effective in convincing union members to vote for left-wing political parties.

b. c. d.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 374–376

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following is the best definition of what Michael Mann called “explosions of consciousness?”

Short-term feelings of solidarity with other workers that can be generated by participating in a strike. Patterns of left-wing voting by union members during a specific election. The marches organized by unemployed Canadian workers during the Depression. General strikes against government policies involving many different unions.

b. c. d.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 375

BLM: Remember

Which of the following statements best describes the social contributions of organizations like the “Living Wage” movement and the “Clean Clothes Campaign?”

They have been successful in forcing governments to improve workplace health and safety legislation. They have helped organize unions in China, Africa, and South Asia. They have successfully brought together coalitions of unions and other groups to improve working conditions and raise wages. They have actively fought against allowing children to work in factories.

b. c. d.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 377

BLM: Remember

The history of attempts to reduce workplace health and safety risks in Canada supports which of the following generalizations?

a. b.

Canada has really not moved beyond an “administrative model of regulation.” There has been very little improvement over time in accident and fatality rates.

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c. d.

“No fault compensation systems” are basically ineffective. The “internal responsibility system” encourages workers and management to work together to reduce risks.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 380–382 BLM: Higher Order

The “internal responsibility system” for dealing with workplace health and safety issues in Canada is best defined by which of the following statements?

a. b.

Unions, not employers, are responsible for organizing their own elections. Governments should not get involved in decisions about closing factories; this is the responsibility of owners and managers. Health and safety risks are the responsibility of both workers and management and can be reduced by taking advantage of workers’ knowledge and experience. Individual workers, not their employers, are responsible for health and safety issues.

c. d.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 382

BLM: Higher Order

“No fault compensation systems” for dealing with workplace health and safety issues in Canadian workplaces are characterized by which of the following?

a. b. c. d.

Injured workers are compensated for lost wages but cannot sue their employer. The system is funded by contributions provided by both workers and companies. Companies’ safety records do not affect how much they have to pay into the system. The system is jointly funded by unions, companies, and provincial governments.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 382

BLM: Remember

Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSCs) in Canadian workplaces focus on providing a range of different rights to workers. Which of the following is not a worker right protected by JHSCs?

a. b. c. d.

The right to be involved in health and safety issues. The right to refuse unsafe work. The right to not work with someone who appears to be unconcerned about safety. The right to be informed about potentially hazardous materials.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 383

BLM: Remember

Which of the following is correct about attempts to introduce industrial democracy in North America?

a. b.

Industrial democracy was not considered in North America until the 1980s. The only real attempt at introducing industrial democracy occurred during the Depression in the 1930s. North American unions have been strong proponents of industrial democracy. One of Canada’s early prime ministers was a strong advocate of industrial democracy.

c. d.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 387–388

BLM: Remember

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Which of the following is an essential defining feature of “industrial democracy”?

a. b. c. d.

Effective communication channels between management and workers. Opportunities for workers to decide how they do their own job. Government legislation regarding how workers must be paid and treated. Formal attempts to involve workers in decisions about workplace issues that go beyond how they do their own jobs.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 387

BLM: Higher Order

10.

Which of the following best describes Germany’s “dual representation system” of industrial democracy?

Local works councils deal with working conditions; industry-wide unions negotiate pay rates. Union locals negotiate pay and decide on strikes; national works councils focus on work-related legislation. Works councils represent professionals; unions represent all other workers. Government legislates pay rates; works councils focus on other work-related legislation, and unions concentrate on local working conditions.

b. c. d.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 389

BLM: Remember

11.

Which of the following forms of worker involvement are most typical of industrial democracy in Germany?

a. b. c. d.

Mandatory works councils in all but the very smallest workplaces. Extensive quality-of-working-life programs. Government support for high-performance workplaces. Widespread employee share ownership plans.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 389–390

BLM: Higher Order

12.

Sweden’s approach to industrial democracy goes beyond Germany’s approach in which of the following ways?

a. b. c. d.

Employees are given positions on boards of directors of companies. Employees have representation in all but the smallest companies. Government as well as private-sector employees are included. Unions must be given complete access to companies’ financial records.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 390

BLM: Higher Order

13.

Comparing the German and Swedish models of industrial democracy, which of the two would lead to more long-term job security for workers, and why?

a. b.

Sweden, because of the emphasis on providing fulfilling work for all workers. Sweden, because of the emphasis on negotiation, not just consultation, with unions.

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c. d.

Germany, because of industry-wide wage bargaining by unions. Germany, because of the much longer tradition of works councils.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 390

BLM: Higher Order

14.

Sweden’s approach to industrial democracy is different from Germany’s approach because of which of the following?

Sweden’s economy’s much greater reliance on services, compared to Germany’s manufacturing-dominated economy. The influence of the Communist Party in East Germany prior to 1989. The much smaller companies that are typical of the Swedish economy. A broader government commitment in Sweden to reducing inequality and providing full employment.

b. c. d.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 390

BLM: Remember

15.

What is the purpose of Sweden’s Wage Earner Funds, introduced in 1984?

a. b. c. d.

Set aside funds to cover the costs of benefits paid to injured workers. Redirect corporate taxes into company share purchases for employees. Reduce the gender wage gap within companies. Pay for daycares and other benefits to make workplaces more family-friendly.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 390–391

BLM: Remember

16.

In Canada, about what percentage of private-sector workers own shares in their company?

a. b. c. d.

Less than 2 percent. About 7 percent. About 15 percent. About 30 percent.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 392

BLM: Remember

17.

Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from research on different approaches to worker ownership in North America?

Employee share ownership plans (ESOPs) are more likely to be available to workers in smaller companies. Producer co-operatives are often more sensitive to local concerns about economic development than are privately owned companies. Producer co-operatives have only been successful when they have been very large. Worker buyouts are almost always economically unsuccessful.

b. c. d.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 392–397

BLM: Higher Order

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18.

Which of the following is a defining principle of producer co-operatives, compared to other types of worker ownership?

a. b. c. d.

Governments must be involved, in order to be successful. Unions must be included in all decisions made. Each co-op member owns one share only, and non-members cannot own shares. They are not allowed to grow beyond a certain size, 25 members, for example.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 396

BLM: Higher Order

19.

Which model of worker ownership has delivered more of the democratizing and work-humanizing outcomes promised by the new managerial paradigms that emerged over the past several decades?

a. b. c. d.

Employee share ownership plans (ESOPs). Worker buyouts. Producer co-operatives. High-performance workplaces.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 397

BLM: Higher Order

20.

Which of the following observations about the Mondragon producer co-operatives is correct?

a. b.

They have shown that worker ownership is successful in Canada but not elsewhere. They demonstrate how industrial democracy and quality-of-working-life programs are not compatible. They have virtually eliminated the need for factory workers. Some of their success can be traced to support from the local Roman Catholic Church.

c. d.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 397

BLM: Remember

Short Answer Questions 21.

With respect to approaches to promoting workplace health and safety, briefly explain what is meant by the “administrative model of regulation,” and by “no-fault compensation systems.”

REF: pp. 380–382 22.

Briefly discuss at least three different workers’ rights that current Canadian health and safety legislation attempts to protect.

REF: p. 383

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23.

In a few sentences, explain what is meant by Germany’s “codetermination” (or dualrepresentation) approach to industrial democracy.

REF: p. 389 24.

Briefly explain the key difference between a “worker buyout” and a “producer cooperative.”

REF: p. 396

Essay Questions 25.

Discuss the different ways that workplace health and safety issues have been handled in Canadian workplaces over the past century. What have more recent approaches added that earlier approaches were not covering? Discuss key issues that you believe still need to be addressed.

Suggested student response: Students should discuss the administrative model of regulation, the no-fault compensation system, and the internal responsibility system (pp. 380– 383), with the most discussion of the latter, including joint health and safety committees (JHSCs). A number of contentious issues are discussed in the text (pp. 384–386), including problems with employer self-regulation, management rights, and overly narrow definitions of health and safety issues.

26.

Compare and contrast the different approaches to industrial democracy found in Germany and Sweden. Would either of these approaches, or some aspects of them, possibly be useful in Canada? Explain your answer.

Suggested student response: Students should define industrial democracy (p. 387) and outline how it works in Germany and Sweden (pp. 388–391). A good answer will address codetermination, dual representation, and describe the similarities/differences between how industrial democracy works in the two countries. The last part of the question is fairly open-ended. Here students may describe the history of social democracy/work councils in Canada and address how this might make it more/less difficult to implement aspects of industrial democracy today.

27.

Outline the differences and similarities between worker buyouts and producer cooperatives, and discuss the barriers each of these alternative approaches to economic organization might face. In your opinion, which, if any, of these approaches would have the greatest chance of being successful in your community? Explain why.

Suggested student response: A good answer would go beyond defining and describing these two types of worker ownership (pp. 393–397) to note that worker buyouts could result in producer co-operatives, but seldom do. People who start co-operatives have very different goals than people who are trying to rescue failing industries organized as traditional capitalist enterprises. As a result, co-operatives are much more likely to emphasize democratic decision making, quality of work life, and community Test Bank to Accompany Work, Industry, and Canadian Society, 7e Copyright © 2015 Nelson Education Ltd.

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sustainability. Other observations that students might make include: (1) both types of organization face problems in obtaining loans from banks; (2) workers involved in buyouts often have to hire outside experts to assist them, while producer cooperatives typically involve people who are already experts in their occupations involved; and (3) by insisting on “one vote per member” and by not allowing members to sell shares, producer co-operatives are more successful in not losing control of their enterprises to “outsiders.”

28.

See Discussion Questions at the end of Chapter 12 for additional ideas for examination essay questions.

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Chapter 13: Work Values and Work Orientations Multiple-Choice Questions Identify the choice that best answers the question. 1.

Which of the following best defines the concept “work orientations”?

a. b. c. d.

The meaning attached to work in a particular society. The meaning attached to work by the dominant elites within a society. The aspects of work that a particular individual does not enjoy. The meaning attached to work by particular individuals within a society.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 404

BLM: Remember

Kelly works extremely hard because he feels that this is the right way to live. He saves as much money as he can, and is critical of his friends who spend their money on what he thinks are nonessential things. If he could travel back in time, in which of the following religious or cultural groups would he be most comfortable?

a. b. c. d.

In ancient Greek culture. In early Hebrew or Christian culture. Among the Calvinists, an early Protestant religious group. Among the Lutherans, another early Protestant religious group.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 406

BLM: Higher Order

An historical examination of the meaning of work leads us to which of the following conclusions?

a. b.

The ancient Greeks and Romans had a very positive view of work. Early Hebrew and Christian religious values portrayed the need to work hard as punishment from God. By the 13th century, Western religious philosophers were portraying the work done by merchants and business leaders as the most valued in society. During the Protestant Reformation in Europe, work came once again to be seen as something to be avoided.

c. d.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 405–406

BLM: Remember

Martin Luther, a 16th-century Protestant leader, used the concept of a “calling” to describe which of the following beliefs?

Industriousness and hard work in one’s job, no matter how good or bad it is, is the way to fulfill God’s will. Some occupations (priest and farmer, for example) are better than others such as merchant, since they contribute directly to the good of society.

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c. d.

Men should work outside the home while women should do caring work in the home. Social class differences in society are natural, and should be accepted.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 406

BLM: Remember

Which of the following aspects of Karl Marx’s writings about capitalism did he share with Renaissance philosophies about what it means to be human?

a. b. c. d.

His emphasis on class conflict as the source of major social change. His description of the alienation experienced by workers in capitalist society. His analysis of surplus labour and how it generates social inequality. His belief that capitalism would eventually be transformed into socialism.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 407

BLM: Remember

Which of the following is the central argument in the humanist perspective on work?

a. b.

Work should be a fulfilling and liberating activity. If people only did enough work to “pay the bills,” they would have more time for other activities that would give them pleasure. Workers should be treated humanely, not like slaves. Work should be done by human beings, not by machines.

c. d.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 407

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following would be a “latent function” of work, according to Marie Jahoda?

a. b. c. d.

Enjoyable interactions with coworkers. A pension that helps maintain a person’s standard of living after retirement. The need to get a good education in order to get a good job. The profits a company owner obtains from the work of employees.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 408–409 BLM: Remember

Which of the following would be evidence that clearly contradicts arguments about the impact of the “Confucian work ethic” on economic development?

a. b. c. d.

Rapid economic growth in Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea in the 1990s. Capitalist economic development in Communist China. Late industrialization in Canada, compared to western Europe and the United States. Rapid economic growth in India and Brazil over the past decade.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 411

BLM: Higher Order

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The Japanese economy began to change rapidly in the 1990s. Which of the following occurred during this time?

a. b. c. d.

Large companies began to rely much more on immigrant workers. The Chinese government began buying up big Japanese companies. Large companies stopped offering lifetime jobs to their employees. Unions became much more powerful.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 412

BLM: Remember

10.

Which of the following arguments is made by Jeremy Rifkin in his book The End of Work?

a. b.

New technologies are creating many more jobs than they are destroying. As more people acquire postsecondary education, fewer people will view their jobs negatively. More knowledge-intensive jobs will be created as the service sector expands further. New work values are needed to make working in the voluntary sector more attractive for people who can’t find paid work.

c. d.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 413

BLM: Higher Order

11.

At a family gathering, your uncle, a lawyer, starts talking about how “crazy” life is becoming. The people he works with brag about their long hours, and burn themselves out trying to make more money to buy expensive cars and clothes. He says he can’t believe they are “doing this to themselves,” and that we need to think more about improving society and less about working hard to get rich. Which of the following authors would you suggest he read, since they make the same arguments?

a. b. c. d.

Andre Gorz. Madeline Bunting. Jeremy Rifkin. Jamie Swift.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 414–415 BLM: Higher Order

12.

Canada’s resource-extraction communities often attract large numbers of workers who come there to make a lot of money quickly. They don’t have any strong feelings, either negative or positive, about their bosses, since all they are interested in is earning money and spending it, either immediately or some time later. Which of the following concepts would David Lockwood have used to identify such workers?

a. b. c. d.

Privatized workers. Proletarian workers. Maximizing workers. Deferential workers.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 415–416 BLM: Higher Order

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13.

In the British TV series Downton Abbey, the servants working for the wealthy upperclass family are usually very loyal and generally seem to accept that the rigid class structure within which they live and work as the way things should be. In his analysis of class relations in Britain in the mid-20th century, David Lockwood would have used which of the following concepts to describe such servants?

a. b. c. d.

Privatized workers. Proletarian workers. Deferential workers. The privileged working class.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 415–416

BLM: Higher Order

14.

Which of the following generalizations best reflects current research findings on work orientations of Canadian workers?

Canadian workers consider good pay and benefits to be much more important than interesting and challenging work. Canadian workers consider work that allows them to make decisions to be much more important than job security. Canadian workers are strongly motivated by both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards. The shift to nonstandard work has led to an increase in extrinsic motivations.

b. c. d.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 417–418 BLM: Higher Order

15.

Which of the following conclusions best reflects recent Canadian research on the work orientations of adult women and men?

a. b. c. d.

Women continue to be more focused on extrinsic work rewards, compared to men. Men continue to be more focused on extrinsic work rewards, compared to women. Gender differences in both extrinsic and intrinsic rewards have disappeared. Gender differences in both extrinsic and intrinsic rewards exist only among recent immigrants.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 417–418 BLM: Remember

16.

In recent decades, employers have frequently expressed concerns about the inadequate skills young people bring to the labour market, and have recommended that schools spend more time teaching “employability skills.” Based on recent research, which of the following do employers typically focus on when hiring young people for entry-level jobs?

a. b. c. d.

Academic skills. Personal management skills. Teamwork skills. Personality and perceived work ethic.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 420

BLM: Higher Order

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17.

In his book Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, Douglas Coupland suggested that corporate and government downsizing, and the shift to nonstandard employment, had changed the work orientations of contemporary youth. Which of the following best describes young people as Coupland wrote about them?

a. b. c. d.

They are much more entrepreneurial than their parents were. Compared to their parents, they are moving more quickly from youth to adulthood. They are much more willing to take risks, compared to their parents. They are cynical and alienated, with limited career goals.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 421

BLM: Higher Order

18.

Recent research on the work commitment of Canadian youth leads to which of the following conclusions?

They are now comfortable with being unemployed, but they still do not want to receive social assistance. Only a very small minority would feel OK about being unemployed or about receiving social assistance. They are now comfortable with receiving social assistance, but not with being unemployed. Young people in central and eastern Canada are comfortable with being unemployed, but their counterparts in western Canada are not.

b. c. d.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 421

BLM: Remember

19.

In recent decades, some politicians have expressed concerns about a declining work ethic among the poorest members of society. Recent research typically leads to which of the following conclusions?

a. b. c. d.

Poor immigrants are willing to work hard, but not poor native-born Canadians. The urban poor, but not those in rural areas, seem to have a declining work ethic. The real problem is that most poor people do not have adequate skills and training. The main problem is not enough good jobs and inadequate government policies.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 424

BLM: Remember

20.

Which of the following best defines the concept “underclass”?

a. b. c. d.

The long-term unemployed who become dependent on social assistance. Workers who have no interest in class conflict, so long as they get paid. The disappearing middle class in Karl Marx’s analysis of capitalist class relations. Part-time and temporary workers whose job security is precarious.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 423–424 BLM: Remember

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Short Answer Questions 21.

Briefly outline the core argument in Max Weber’s book The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism.

REF: p. 406 22.

Briefly discuss some of the manifest and latent functions of work. Make reference to research on unemployment which helps us understand the latent functions.

REF: pp. 409–410 23.

In his analysis of the class structure of Britain in the 1950s, David Lockwood described three different types of workers. Identify and define these three types and note which were becoming more common, according to Lockwood.

REF: pp. 415–416

Essay Questions 24.

Andre Gorz, Jeremy Rifkin, Jamie Swift, and Madeline Bunting all argue, in different ways, that new work values are needed in modern society. Choose two of these writers and compare and contrast their arguments. Which is most convincing, in your opinion? Why?

Suggested student response: Students should clearly outline the two writers’ arguments and compare and contrast them since the textbook does so (pp. 412–415). The text also highlights aspects of the various arguments which are either not very plausible or not supported by data. A good answer should take the same approach.

25.

Labour markets and workplaces have changed dramatically over the past three or four decades. At the same time, we have seen significant shifts in age, gender, and ethnic characteristics of the labour force. Have work orientations also changed as a result? Why or why not? Explain the nature of any changes you believe have occurred, making reference to material from this or previous textbook chapters.

Suggested student response: Students could take this essay in many different directions. They might emphasize the aging of the workforce, increased education levels, and larger proportions of immigrants from other cultures (Chapter 3) and then comment on some of the discussion of age, gender, and culture differences (or not) in work values and orientations in Chapter 13. They might also focus on the shift to more precarious work, polarization of working hours, and rising levels of unemployment (Chapter 4) and discuss what various writers mentioned in Chapter 13 (e.g., Douglas Coupland, Andre Gorz, Jamie Swift, Jeremy Rifkin, Madeline Bunting) have to say about the effects of these changes on work orientations.

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26.

Women continue to be responsible for much more caring work in our society, compared to men. Women also earn less than men, on average, typically work in different occupations, and more frequently hold nonstandard jobs. Does this mean that women also tend to have different work orientations? Explain your answer with reference to recent research.

Suggested student response: A good answer would provide more detail on the caring work (paid and unpaid) of women and on their different levels and types of labour market participation (Chapters 4–7). It would also define work orientations and distinguish between intrinsic and extrinsic work orientations. Research (pp. 418–419) suggests that, if there were gender differences in adults’ work orientations in the past, they no longer exist, and that among young workers, women have somewhat higher intrinsic work orientations (likely a result of increasing levels of postsecondary education). Research also shows that women have to adjust their career goals to accommodate the greater role they play in family-based caring work. The textbook takes the position (p. 419) that structural factors tend to shape women’s work preferences, as compared to basic gender differences in preferences leading to different choices. 27.

See Discussion Questions at the end of Chapter 13 for additional ideas for examination essay questions.

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Chapter 14: Job Satisfaction, Alienation, and Work-Related Stress Multiple-Choice Questions Identify the choice that best answers the question. 1.

When asked a general question about how satisfied they are with their job, about what proportion of Canadian workers indicate that they are somewhat or very satisfied?

a. b. c. d.

Less than 25 percent. About 35 percent. About 50 percent. 70 percent or more.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 433

BLM: Remember

Which of the following is a “behavioural intention” measure of job satisfaction?

a. b. c. d.

All in all, how satisfied are you with your job? Would you recommend your job to your best friend? Is your current job better or worse than your last job? Which term best describes your job: “poor” or “excellent”?

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 434

BLM: Higher Order

Younger workers typically report lower job satisfaction. This may be because the younger generation has higher job expectations, which will be harder to meet. Which of the following terms would be the best label for this argument?

a. b. c. d.

Cohort effect. Aging effect. Life-cycle effect. Self-selection effect.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 435

BLM: Higher Order

Older workers typically report higher job satisfaction. This may be because, over time, older workers have reduced their expectations about what a good job should provide, and hence are more easily satisfied. Which of the following terms would be the best label for this argument?

a. b. c. d.

Cohort effect. Aging effect. Life-cycle effect. Self-selection effect.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 435

BLM: Higher Order

14 - 1

Which of the following generalizations best describes the relationship between gender and job satisfaction?

a. b. c. d.

Similar proportions of women and men say they are satisfied with their job. Women are less likely than men to say they are satisfied with their job. Men are less likely than women to say they are satisfied with their job. Younger women are more satisfied with their jobs compared to young men, but the relationship is reversed for older women and men.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 436

BLM: Remember

Which of the following job characteristics would be called an “extrinsic” work reward?

a. b. c. d.

Friendly workmates. The opportunity to join a union. Job security. The opportunity to make decisions about one’s job.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 438

BLM: Remember

According to Frederick Herzberg’s “two-factor theory” of job satisfaction, which of the following work situations would be likely to reduce job dissatisfaction?

a. b. c. d.

A more even distribution of female and male employees. Opportunities to develop skills. The presence of a union in the workplace. Improved physical working conditions.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 438

BLM: Higher Order

According to Frederick Herzberg’s “two-factor theory” of job satisfaction, which of the following work situations would be likely to increase job satisfaction?

a. b. c. d.

A more even distribution of female and male employees. Opportunities to develop skills. The presence of a union in the workplace. Higher salaries.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 438

BLM: Higher Order

Which of the following propositions is central to Arne Kalleberg’s theory of job satisfaction?

a. b.

An individual’s work orientations have the largest effect on her/his job satisfaction. Extrinsic rewards are more important for job satisfaction than are intrinsic rewards.

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c. d.

Job satisfaction is determined by the fit or mismatch between work orientations and work rewards. Social relationships have the largest effect on job satisfaction in modern society.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 439

BLM: Higher Order

10.

Canadian research on the gap between work preferences and work rewards reveals the largest gap for which of the following job characteristics?

a. b. c. d.

Interesting work. Opportunities for career advancement. Good pay. Opportunities to make decisions.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 440

BLM: Remember

11.

Approximately what proportion of Canadian workers report that they feel overqualified for their job?

a. b. c. d.

About 10 percent. About 25 percent. About 50 percent. About 65 percent.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 443

BLM: Remember

12.

Which of the following is the best summary of research on the relationship between job satisfaction and worker productivity?

The relationship is found in only some work settings (high-complexity jobs, for example). Research consistently shows that more satisfied workers are also more productive. The relationship is much weaker in workplaces where unions are present. The relationship exists for middle-aged and older workers, but not young workers.

b. c. d.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 444

BLM: Higher Order

13.

Which of the following propositions is central to Robert Blauner’s argument in his book Alienation and Freedom?

a. b. c. d.

Alienation is a key feature of capitalism, and varies little across industries. Worker ownership of the means of production is necessary to reduce alienation. Automated technologies that demand high skill levels lead to reduced alienation. Industrial democracy offers the best hope of reducing alienation in the workplace.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 446–447 BLM: Remember

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14.

What is the key difference between Robert Blauner’s analysis of work in modern society and Richard Sennett’s analysis?

Blauner emphasized flexibility and change in work organizations, while Sennett emphasizes the impact of different technologies. Blauner was most critical of bureaucracy, while Sennett is most critical of capitalism. Blauner believed that alienation was declining, while Sennett basically thinks it is increasing. Blauner wrote about job satisfaction, while Sennett wrote about work-related stress.

b. c. d.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 447–448 BLM: Higher Order

15.

According to Karasek’s theory of job stress, which of the following working conditions would be most likely to cause high stress?

a. b. c. d.

Low job demands and little social support. High job demands and low employee morale. Low job demands and poor supervision. High job demands and little employee control.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 452

BLM: Remember

16.

Which of the following factors does the “person–environment fit” model add to our understanding of workplace stress?

a. b. c. d.

Work orientations. Job satisfaction. Alienation. Work values.

ANS: B

PTS: 1

REF: p. 454

BLM: Remember

17.

Which is the key difference between the “person–environment fit” (A) and the “demand–control” (B) explanations of workplace stress?

a. b. c. d.

A is most applicable to the service industries; B applies to all industries. A focuses mainly on job characteristics; B also considers work orientations. A focuses mainly on sources of workplace stress; B focuses mainly on consequences. A emphasizes individual solutions to dealing with stress; B emphasizes structural changes to reduce stress.

ANS: D

PTS: 1

REF: p. 455

BLM: Higher Order

18.

Rodrigo, an assembly-line worker, spends much of his weekends playing drums in a jazz group. Matthew, who works on the same assembly line, spends most of his weekends watching movies and sports on television. Which of the following generalizations fits best with findings from Martin Meissner’s research on “the long arm of the job?”

a. b.

Rodrigo is a good example of someone with instrumental work orientations. On average, more workers are like Rodrigo. Test Bank to Accompany Work, Industry, and Canadian Society, 7e Copyright © 2015 Nelson Education Ltd.

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c. d.

On average, more workers are like Matthew. Rodrigo is typical of younger workers; Matthew is a typical older worker.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: pp. 456–457 BLM: Higher Order

19.

Which of the following is the best description of Martin Meissner’s “compensatory leisure” hypothesis?

Job satisfaction increases if employees can participate in company-sponsored leisure activities. Compared to the past, many more Canadians prefer leisure to work. People look for non-work activities that can make up for what they miss at work. Young workers prefer benefit packages that include fitness-club options to packages that emphasize pensions and life insurance.

b. c. d.

ANS: C

PTS: 1

REF: p. 456

BLM: Remember

20.

Which of the following was demonstrated by Melvin Kohn’s research on “occupational self-direction?”

a. b.

Workers in more complex jobs become less fatalistic and more self-confident. People with few things that interest them are more likely to choose jobs that require little thinking. Many people become self-employed because they don’t like taking directions from other people. People working alone are generally more satisfied than those who work in groups.

c. d.

ANS: A

PTS: 1

REF: p. 457

BLM: Remember

Short Answer Questions 21.

Sandy Stewart and Bob Blackburn made an important conceptual distinction between job satisfaction and what individual workers would like with respect to employment. Briefly outline the key point they were making.

REF: p. 434 22.

Researchers typically find that older workers are more satisfied with their jobs, and attribute this finding to a variety of different processes. In a sentence for each, explain what is meant by an “aging effect,” a “job effect,” and a “life-cycle effect.”

REF: p. 435 23.

Briefly outline Frederick Herzberg’s “two-factor theory” of job satisfaction.

REF: p. 438

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24.

Briefly outline Karasek’s “demand–control” model of workplace stress.

REF: p. 452

Essay Questions 25.

When surveyed, a large majority of Canadian workers indicate that they are satisfied with their job, a finding that puzzles some sociologists. Discuss such survey findings and the explanations sociologists have provided for the high level of apparent job satisfaction.

Suggested student response: Students should have some sense of how job satisfaction questions are typically asked on surveys, and what the results look like. A comparison of results from questions about “behavioural intentions” would be useful. A good answer would distinguish between “satisfaction” and “liking” (p. 434) and would explore the psychological reasons why workers might be overly positive in their responses to standard job satisfaction questions.

26.

Discuss the negative consequences of job dissatisfaction. Will worker productivity go up if job satisfaction increases in a workplace? Why or why not?

Suggested student response: Students should be able to list negative outcomes such as increased sick leave, more grievances filed with unions, and more workplace deviance. A better answer would note that dissatisfaction does not necessarily lead to quitting behaviour, since many workers don’t have the option to quit. Research findings on the link between satisfaction and productivity are mixed, and students should be able to speculate about some possible reasons (p. 444). A better answer would discuss the possibility that satisfaction and productivity are linked only in certain conditions. 27.

Based on what you have read in Chapter 14, describe the type of job that you think you would find most satisfying. Outline the theory or theories that support your position.

Suggested student response: Answers to this question could go in many different directions. A good answer should make appropriate use of concepts introduced in Chapters 13 and 14 (e.g., work orientations, intrinsic and extrinsic work rewards) and should reference and outline some theories of job satisfaction (e.g., Herzberg, Kalleberg). Theories about alienation (e.g., Blauner, Sennett) or stress (person–environment fit; demand–control) might also be discussed, but students should realize that these theories focus on alienation and workplace stress, rather than on job satisfaction (although all three overlap). A particularly good answer might reference research findings on the relationship between job satisfaction and age, education, and gender, and then note that the person answering the question fits these typical findings or does not, and why. 28.

See Discussion Questions at the end of Chapter 14 for additional ideas for examination essay questions. Test Bank to Accompany Work, Industry, and Canadian Society, 7e Copyright © 2015 Nelson Education Ltd.

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