Hard4 marksMultiple Choice
Business & TechnologyTime ManagementStressNegotiationCommunication

ACCA · Question 51 · Business & Technology

Section B — Multi-Task Question (Syllabus Area E)

Scenario: A procurement manager at "TradeLogistics" is feeling overwhelmed. She spends hours every day scrolling through industry news—a task she enjoys but isn't required for her job. She is highly stressed because her job description is vague and she doesn't know what her boss expects of her. In a recent meeting with a supplier, she aggressively demanded a 20% discount, threatening to walk away if they didn't concede, treating it as a battle to be won. During this meeting, a loud construction drill outside made it impossible to hear the supplier's counter-offer.

Evaluate the scenario and complete the following 4 tasks:
Task 1: Categorize 'scrolling industry news' in the Eisenhower Matrix.
Task 2: Identify the specific cause of her occupational stress.
Task 3: Identify her negotiation strategy with the supplier.
Task 4: Identify the type of communication barrier caused by the drill.

Which of the following combinations correctly answers Tasks 1 to 4?

Answer options:

A.

1: Urgent but Not Important, 2: Role conflict, 3: Integrative (Win-Win), 4: Semantic barrier

B.

1: Not Urgent and Not Important, 2: Role ambiguity, 3: Distributive (Win-Lose), 4: Physical barrier

C.

1: Important but Not Urgent, 2: Work overload, 3: Accommodating, 4: Psychological barrier

D.

1: Not Urgent and Not Important, 2: Role ambiguity, 3: Integrative (Win-Win), 4: Physical barrier

How to approach this question

Task 1: Not required/just for fun = Not Urgent/Not Important. Task 2: Vague expectations = Role ambiguity. Task 3: Aggressive, fixed-pie haggling = Distributive. Task 4: Environmental noise = Physical barrier.

Full Answer

B.1: Not Urgent and Not Important, 2: Role ambiguity, 3: Distributive (Win-Lose), 4: Physical barrier✓ Correct
Task 1: Time-wasting activities are Not Urgent and Not Important. Task 2: Stress from unclear expectations is Role Ambiguity. Task 3: A competitive, win-lose approach to negotiation is Distributive. Task 4: Background noise (like a drill) is a Physical communication barrier.

Common mistakes

Confusing Role Ambiguity (unclear expectations) with Role Conflict (conflicting expectations).

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