Test Review

Test #1 Review:

Here are some focus areas:

I would expect that you have read all these cases, worked them out on your own and have read all discussion postings in the GRADED:   Module 1 Discussions Postings area and all areas of discussions.   There will be some summary points and possibly other postings that would help direct focus for questions on the Exam #1.

Unit 1: Planning, Control, and Performance Evaluation

• Define management control

Management control is the process by which managers influence other members of the organization to implement the organization’s strategies.

• Explain the general structure of management control systems

1. A detector or sensor – a device that measures what is actually happening in the process being controlled.
2. An assessor – a device that determines the significance of what is actually happening by comparing it with some standard or expectation of what should happen
3. An effector – a device (often called “feedback”) that alters behavior if the assessor indeicates the need to do so.
4. A communications network – devices that transmit information between the detector and the assessor and between the assessor and the effector.

• Know strategy formulation, management control and task control (which is transaction-oriented) and their relationships with each other

Strategy formulation (Deciding on goals, strategies, and policies) – is the process of deciding on the goals of the organization and the strategies for attaining these goals.  

Management control (implementation) – is the process by which managers influence other members of the organization to implement the organization’s strategies.

o Planning
o Coordinating
o Communicating
o Evaluating
o Deciding
o Influencing

Task control (Performance of Tasks) – is the process of ensuring that specified tasks are carried out effectively and efficiently.

• Define technology’s impact on management control

1. Instant access.   On the Web,... [continues]

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