Exam 5: Basic Organization Designs

Values refer to a system of shared meaning within an organization.

An organization that groups activities according to women's footwear, men's footwear, apparel, accessories, and leggings would use ________departmentalization.

There is a point at which the diseconomies from division of labor exceed the economic advantage.

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 Jerri actually possess?

is a potential disadvantage of the matrix structure.

_________is an individual's capacity to influence decisions.

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. -In Jerri's organization most decision- making authority is concentrated at the top levels of the organization, and most managers rely on their position as a source of power. In this organization power is _________and is referred to as _________ .

The terms authority and power are frequently confused. Authority is a right based on the legitimacy of the person's position in the organization. Power is the person's capacity to influence decisions.

Briefly explain the three distinct technologies found in Joan Woodward's studies. What conclusions did she reach?

_________is the ability to influence the behavior of other people because of one's capacity to offer rewards, or other desirable outcomes.

A matrix organizational structure fits best with an organization that uses a focused differentiation strategy.

Organization design decisions are typically made by

Which of the following structures combines the advantages of the functional specialization with the focus and accountability of product departmentalization?

Legitimate power is based on the ability to distribute something that others value.

As the CEO of a company that develops educational computer software applications should your firm be structured mechanistically, organically? or centralized or decentralized? Explain your answer.

An organizational structure made up of self- contained and self- managed operating units is called a matrix organization.

Line authority is a person's capacity to influence decisions.

Information, leadership, and organizational culture are all important in shaping a learning organization.

_________facilitates effective coordination of the various organizational parts or functions in a consistent manner, while _________provides greater flexibility to respond to change.

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. -Helen has the ability to influence her coworkers to work harder because she has very strong problem- solving skills. Helen possesses _________ .