Environmental Scanning Methods for Strategic Planning in Higher Education Administration

Question 1

Which of these is not a component of PEST analysis?

Accepted Answer

Internal Factors

Answer

Political Factors

Answer

Economic Factors

Question 2

Which environmental scanning method involves identifying key stakeholders and analyzing their influence?

Accepted Answer

Stakeholder Analysis

Answer

Benchmarking

Answer

Trend Analysis

Answer

SWOT Analysis

Question 3

What does SWOT stand for?

Accepted Answer

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats

Answer

Social, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Technology

Answer

Strategy, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Trends

Answer

Strengths, Weak Points, Opportunities, Threats

Question 4

Trend analysis involves:

Accepted Answer

Identifying and analyzing long-term trends

Answer

Examining internal operations

Answer

Conducting surveys

Answer

Studying historical statistics

Question 5

When conducting environmental scanning for a higher education institution, what would be considered an external factor?

Accepted Answer

Technological advancements

Answer

Student demographics

Answer

Budgetary limitations

Answer

Teaching expertise

Question 6

In the context of strategic planning, why is environmental scanning essential?

Accepted Answer

To make informed decisions and adapt to change

Answer

To cut costs

Answer

To boost employee morale

Answer

To comply with regulations

Question 7

What is a limitation of environmental scanning?

Accepted Answer

Can be time-consuming and resource-intensive

Answer

Eliminates uncertainty

Answer

Always provides accurate predictions

Question 8

Environmental scanning should be conducted how often?

Accepted Answer

Regularly and systematically

Answer

Only when there is a crisis

Answer

Annually

Question 9

The PEST analysis framework primarily focuses on scanning the:

Accepted Answer

External macro-environment

Answer

Internal stakeholders

Answer

Internal micro-environment

Answer

External trends

Question 10

In the context of a university, which of the following could be considered a SWOT strength?

Accepted Answer

Renowned faculty expertise

Answer

Changing demographics

Answer

Low tuition fees

Answer

Government regulations

Question 11

Stakeholder analysis involves identifying and understanding the:

Accepted Answer

Needs, interests, and potential influence of key stakeholders

Answer

Political trends

Answer

Economic indicators

Question 12

The purpose of trend analysis in environmental scanning is to:

Accepted Answer

Identify emerging patterns and anticipate potential future developments

Answer

Predict immediate environmental threats with certainty

Answer

Identify internal organizational weaknesses

Question 13

Which of the following is a primary benefit of conducting environmental scanning?

Accepted Answer

Improved decision-making through enhanced external awareness

Answer

Elimination of all potential risks

Answer

Reduced operational costs

Question 14

A comprehensive environmental scan typically involves:

Accepted Answer

Applying a combination of various relevant methods

Answer

Using the SWOT analysis exclusively

Answer

Relying solely on trend analysis

Answer

Focusing only on the PEST analysis

Question 15

When conducting stakeholder analysis, it is important to:

Accepted Answer

Prioritize stakeholders based on their relative levels of power and influence

Answer

Disregard stakeholders with opposing viewpoints

Answer

Communicate exclusively with stakeholders who support the organization

Question 16

Trend analysis can be effectively utilized to:

Accepted Answer

Identify both opportunities and threats

Answer

Predict the future with absolute certainty

Answer

Eliminate all uncertainties in decision-making

Answer

Solve complex mathematical problems

Question 17

A potential limitation of environmental scanning is the:

Accepted Answer

Time and resources required to conduct a thorough and effective scan

Answer

Irrelevance of external factors to internal decision-making

Answer

Inability to perfectly predict future events

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT considered a primary method of environmental scanning?

Accepted Answer

Benchmarking

Answer

SWOT Analysis

Answer

Stakeholder Analysis

Answer

PEST Analysis

Question 19

PEST Analysis primarily focuses on identifying factors in the:

Accepted Answer

General environment

Answer

Competitive environment

Answer

Internal environment

Answer

Industry environment

Question 20

A key benefit of conducting a SWOT Analysis is:

Accepted Answer

Identifying potential opportunities

Answer

Eliminating strategic threats

Answer

Avoiding stakeholder engagement

Answer

Budget justification

Question 21

Stakeholder Analysis involves identifying individuals or groups who:

Accepted Answer

Influence or are affected by the organization

Answer

Have the authority to make binding decisions

Answer

Are directly related to financial performance

Answer

Hold technical expertise in a particular field

Question 22

Trend Analysis is a technique used primarily for:

Accepted Answer

Detecting patterns and predicting future events

Answer

Developing detailed job descriptions

Answer

Enhancing employee motivation

Answer

Evaluating supplier performance

Question 23

An ethical consideration in environmental scanning practices includes:

Accepted Answer

Respecting the privacy of individuals

Answer

Using manipulative tactics to gather information

Answer

Sharing sensitive data with external stakeholders

Answer

Ignoring negative or unfavorable findings

Question 24

The Delphi Technique is a method of environmental scanning characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Gathering expert opinions through iterative surveys

Answer

Observing stakeholder behaviors and interactions

Answer

Using statistical models to predict future events

Answer

Analyzing financial statements to identify trends

Question 25

A potential limitation of environmental scanning is that it can be:

Accepted Answer

Time-consuming and resource-intensive

Answer

Only suitable for large and complex organizations

Answer

Eliminates the need for stakeholder engagement

Answer

Always accurate and reliable

Question 26

The primary purpose of conducting environmental scanning in strategic planning is to:

Accepted Answer

Understand external factors that may impact the organization

Answer

Identify the best employees to promote

Answer

Reduce the risk of financial losses