1. Providing top-down guidance can aid the task of implementing strategy:
a. by helping align the actions and behavior of company personnel with the requirements for good strategy execution, placing limits on independent action, and helping overcome resistance to change.
b. because really effective internal policies and procedures are not easily duplicated by other firms.
c. by making it easier to impose tight budget controls and avoid wasting scarce resources.
d. they promote greater use of and commitment to best practices and total quality management.
e. because astutely conceived policies or procedures can result in competitive advantage.
2. In prescribing policies and procedures that facilitate independent action on the part of empowered employees for good strategy execution companies need to do ALL of the following EXCEPT?
a. produce policy manuals on strategy execution that prescribe exactly how daily operations are to be conducted.
b. give organization members clear direction and place reasonable boundaries on their actions.
c. empower employees to act within the company's set boundaries in pursuit of company goals.
d. allow company personnel to act with some defined degree of freedom, especially when individual creativity and initiative are more essential to good strategy execution than standardization and strict conformity.
e. institute policies that give employees substantial leeway to carry out activities the way they think best.