46. the optimal span of control of a manager is contingent upon several situational variables. for instance, a manager supervising workers within the same work area who are performing identical tasks that are simple and repetitive would best be able to supervisea.an unlimited number of employees.b.only a few workers (a narrow span of control).c.a relatively large number of employees (a wide span of control).d.fewer workers than if the workers were geographically dispersed.c correct. in any situation. there are underlying variables that influence the number of subordinates a manager can supervise. in general, if jobs are similar, procedures are standardized, and physical dispersion is minimized, a wide span of control is most effective.a incorrect. although a manager under these conditions would be able to supervise a large number of employees, an upper limit must exit.b. incorrect. the conditions described support a wide rather than a narrow span.d incorrect. geographical dispersion would decrease rather than increase the span of control. 47. control by management is the result of effective and propera . planning, organizing, and directing of organizational activities.b . ascertaining needs, identifying alternative courses of action, setting standards for measuring performance, and comparing outcomes with predetermined standards.c authorizing and monitoring performance, and comparing actual performance with planned performance.d determining efficiency and economy of operations, including whether objectives and goals have been met.a correct. according to sias 1 , control: concepts and responsibilities: “a control is any action taken by management to enhance the likelihood that established objectives and goals will be achieved”. management plans, organizes, and directs the performance of sufficient actions to provide reasonable assurance that objectives and goals will be achieved. thus, control is the result of proper planning, organizing, and directing by management.”b incorrect. this activity is encompassed by the basic management functions.c and d are incorrect same as b. 48. which of the following activities performed by a factory foreman is a control strength rather than a control weakness?a.sets the pay rate for production workers.b.prepares a job time report that summarizes regular and overtime hours.c.distributes paychecks to the production workers.d.returns any unclaimed payroll checks to the payroll clerk.b correct. according to sias 1, control: same as forty-fourth. a control strength identifies an adequate control. preparation of time summaries by a factory foreman for a specific job is a control. preparation of time summaries by a factory foreman for a specific job is a control strength because it creates independent records that may be compared with employee time cards. the time report will show each hour of work assigned to a particular job.a incorrect. the personnel department should authorize pay rates.c incorrect. a person independent of time keeping and other payroll functions should distribute paychecks.d incorrect. unclaimed payroll checks should be sent to the treasurer for prompt redeposit. moreover, a foreman should not serve as paymaster and thus should never have custody of payroll checks. 49. according to the standards, a control is a an action taken by management to enhance the likelihood that established goals and objectives will be achieved.b a statement of what the organization plans to achieve.c a subset of an objective that recognizes the risks associated with failure to achieve the objective.d an arrangement of activities or people that are interrelated to achieve goals and objectives.a yes. b no. it defines an objective.c no. a goal explicitly recognizes the risks of failure. goals are specific objectives of specific systems.d no. such an arrangement is a system. 50. in a school district, the overall system of control is adequate when reasonable assurance is provided that.