Exam 5: Basic Organization Designs

In more centralized organizations employees at all levels of the organization are involved in the decision- making process.

List and explain French and Raven's five bases of power.

An organization where decisions are made by those employees closest to the problems is using which type of decision- making authority?

Decentralized organizations concentrate most of the authority and responsibility for making decisions at the top levels of management.

_________entitles a manager to direct the work of an employee.

The number of employees a manager can direct efficiently and effectively is known as which of the following?

Because they report to more than one supervisor, employees in a matrix organization can experience role confusion and power struggles.

A(n) _________structure involves creating work units based on product, process, customer, or geographic territory.

_________involves the delegation of decision- making and authority to lower levels in the organization.

In a consulting firm, the consultants have _________ authority since their work directly contributes to the bottom line, whereas consultants in a manufacturing firm have _ authority because they are used in an advisory capacity.

The strength of the functional structure is which of the following?

The system or patterns or values, symbols, rituals, myths, and practices that have evolved over time are an organization's

Power based upon one's expertise, special skills, or knowledge is

An organization with a narrower span of control will have fewer managers and more direct reports per manager than an organization with a wider span of control.

What is the difference between line authority and staff authority?

Which of the following has not contributed to the boundaryless organization?

Describe the impact that strategy, size, technology, and environment have on structure.

What is a boundaryless organization?

Application of Bases of Power Jerri is confused. She thought that once she had the title of manager, everyone would listen to her and accept her authority and power. However, she has noticed other employees that seem to have power. Whenever someone has a question about the computer system, they always go to Helen who actually established the current system they are using. Usually Helen can get things up and running quicker than going to the support staff for help. Then there is Joe who has a remarkable amount of charm and charisma. He seems to have a power based simply upon him. Then there is Jill, her secretary, who has a power entirely of her own. Jill turns in the timecards weekly, and Jerri has seen her more than once override the time clock and clock somebody in earlier than they actually arrived or clock out for them when the employee left work early. When Jerri questioned her about it, Jill just laughed and said that they had been doing it for years and the time all averaged out. The company allowed no overtime so any extra time spent after work was not compensated. Jerri sometimes wonders if she has any power at all. -What type of power does Helen possess?

What factors have contributed to the rise of boundaryless designs in today's organizations?