foundations of management

Foundations of Management challenges members to demonstrate their understanding of fundamental management principles through an objective test. This event covers topics such as planning, organizing, leading, and controlling within business environments, as well as leadership styles, team dynamics, and decision-making

Event Overview

Division: Collegiate
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Objective Test, 100-multiple choice questions (breakdown of question by competencies below)
Objective Test Time: 50 minutes

Educational Alignments

Items Competitor Must Provide: Pencil, Computer, Conference-provided nametag, Photo identification, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code.

Items FBLA Must Provide: Testing log-in information

This event is intended for students who are early in their collegiate academic journey and just beginning their study of management. Only members who have completed no more than six credit hours on a semester schedule (or the equivalent number of quarter hours) of college-level management coursework by May 1, 2027, are eligible to compete.

 Competencies

• Management Fundatmentals
• Management Planning and Decision Making
• Organizing and Staffing
• Leadership and Team Dynamics
• Managerial Controlling and Performance Evaluation
• Risk Management and Compliance

Test questions are based on the knowledge areas and objectives outlined for this event. Detailed objectives can be found in the study guide included in these guidelines.

State

Eligibility

·         FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on February 1st of the current program year.

·         Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.

·         Members must stay within the official FBLA housing block of the official FBLA hotel to be eligible to compete.

·         Each chapter may submit six students in this event.

·         On the state level, each member can compete in up to three different events in the following combinations: three objective tests OR two objective tests and one presentation OR two objective tests and one production or one objective test and two production OR one objective test, one presentation, and one production. Students may enter the Christopher Heider, Rob Kelleher, Who’s Who event, and one Chapter event (Community Service, State of the Chapter) in addition to their above chosen events.

·         Picture identification (physical or digital: driver’s license, passport, state-issued identification, or school-issued identification) matching the conference nametag is required when checking in for competitive events.

·         If competitors are late for an objective test, they may be either disqualified or permitted to begin late with no extension of the time as scheduled. This is at the discretion of the proctor.

·         Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted to participate in the competitive event.

Recognition

·         The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event on the state level is 4.

Event Administration

·         This event is an objective test administered prior to the SLC. Advisers will be sent information regarding the testing requirements.

·         No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.

·         No calculators may be brought into the testing site; online calculators will be provided through the testing software.

Scoring

·         Ties are broken by comparing the correct number of answers to the last 10 questions on the test. If a tie remains, answers to the last 20 questions on the test will be reviewed to determine the winner. If a tie remains, the competitor who completed the test in a shorter amount of time will place higher.

·         Results announced at the State Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the State Leadership Conference.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·         FBLA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for competitors. Accommodation requests must be submitted through the conference registration system by the official registration deadline. All requests will be reviewed, and additional documentation may be required to determine eligibility and appropriate support.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

Electronic Devices

·        Unless approved as part of a documented accommodation, all cell phones, smartwatches, electronic devices, and headphones must be turned off and stored away before the competition begins. Visible devices during the event will be considered a violation of the FBLA Honor Code.

National

If competing at the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/collegiate/competitive-events/

Study Guide: Knowledge Areas and Objectives

This study guide outlines the skills and knowledge assessed for this event. Objectives followed by a two-letter, three-digit code in parentheses are aligned to the National Business Administration Standards from MBA Research and Curriculum Center. Some objectives reference MBA Research’s Learning Activity Packages (LAPs), which are instructional resources with readings, activities, and assessments available exclusively to teacher advisers. For more information, visit MBAResearch.org/FBLA. 

Important Notice Regarding Test Preparation 

MBA Research materials are not required to study for or prepare for FBLA competitive event tests. MBA Research provides curriculum and instructional resources directly to teachers and does not administer or manage individual student testing or competition participation. 

Note for members and parents: All questions related to tests, study materials, scores, or competition guidelines should be directed to the local FBLA adviser. Only teacher advisers should contact MBA Research directly. 

Management Fundamentals (15 test items)  

  1. Explain the concept of management (SM:001, LAP-SM-001) (CS)  

  2. Explain management theories and their applications (SM:030) (MN)  

  3. Describe factors that influence management (SM:028) (MN)  

  4. Explain the nature of managerial ethics (SM:002, LAP-SM-002) (MN)  

  5. Explain the nature of corporate social responsibility (SM:082) (SP)  

  

Managerial Planning and Decision-Making (15 test items)  

  1. Discuss the nature of managerial planning (SM:063) (SP)  

  2. Explain the nature of business plans (SM:007, LAP-SM-007) (MN)  

  3. Explain external planning considerations (SM:011) (MN)  

  4. Describe the strategic planning process in an organization (SM:040) (MN)  

  5. Develop strategies for achieving company vision (SM:042) (MN)  

  

Organizing and Staffing (15 test items)  

  1. Explain managerial considerations in organizing (SM:064, LAP-SM-064) (SP)  

  2. Explain the organizational design of businesses (EC:103, LAP-EC-103) (SP)  

  3. Describe managerial considerations in staffing (SM:065, LAP-SM-065) (SP)  

  4. Develop an organizational plan for human resources (SM:032) (MN)  

  5. Discuss issues associated with workplace diversity (e.g., ethnic, generational, religious, gender) (HR:515) (SP)  

Leadership and Team Dynamics (20 test items)  

  1. Discuss managerial considerations in directing (SM:066, LAP-SM-066) (SP)  

  2. Explain motivation theories and their applications (SM:080) (MN)  

  3. Explain expectation-setting processes and their application (SM:081) (MN)  

  4. Assist with leadership development of individuals (HR:509) (MN)  

  5. Mentor an employee (HR:514) (MN)  

  6. Explain the nature of change management (SM:095) (SP)  

  7. Describe strategies and approaches for leading change (SM:088) (SP)  

  

Managerial Controlling and Performance Evaluation (20 test items)  

  1. Describe the nature of managerial control (control process, types of control, what is controlled) (SM:004, LAP-SM-004) (SP)  

  2. Discuss the importance of the coordinating/controlling role in the business environment (SM:055) (MN)  

  3. Identify and set benchmarks for key performance indicators (SM:041) (MN)  

  4. Select and apply metrics for measuring organizational success (SM:074) (MN)  

  5. Evaluate individual department's contribution to organizational effectiveness (SM:056) (MN)  

  6. Analyze operating results in relation to budget/industry (SM:005) (MN)  

  7. Explain the nature of quality management (QM:001, LAP-QM-001) (SP)  

  

Risk Management and Compliance (15 test items)  

  1. Explain the nature of risk management (SM:075, LAP-SM-075) (SP)  

  2. Discuss the nature of operational risk management (OP:448) (SP)  

  3. Assess enterprise risk (RM:067) (MN)  

  4. Select risk-management strategies (RM:089) (MN)  

  5. Explain the nature of a compliance program (BL:162) (SP)  

  6. Develop policies/procedures to comply with regulatory requirements and self-regulatory guidelines (BL:150) (MN)