Exam 8: Organizing and Managing Work

Describe a work organization that you are familiar with and address how it utilizes elements of scientific management or human relations theory, or both. In your opinion, do these practices work well in this organization? Why or why not?

Which of the following is not a core principle of scientific management?

Which of the following observations was central to Gerhard Lenski's theory about changing levels of inequality over the past centuries?

Which of the following work settings would be most likely to employ the practices of Taylorism?

Which of the following general approaches to management would best characterize the management approach adopted by Best Electric Cars (see Q. 15)?

In general, which of the following is the most important role of managers?

Which of the following is a primary criticism of the human relations approach to management?

Describe what is meant by the term bureaucracy. What are some of the criticisms that researchers have mounted against bureaucratic organizations? In your opinion, what role will bureaucracies have in Canada over the next half-century? Support your argument with material from Chapter 8, as well as earlier chapters if necessary.

Briefly describe human relations theory and outline one of its major criticisms.

Kareem has worked for a large technology company for the past 10 years. During his last performance review, his manager told him his efficiency is declining because he is trying too hard to follow organizational rules and job procedures. Which of the following terms best describes Kareem's behaviour?

Alfred D. Chandler Jr. wrote that, "The 'visible hand' of the corporate manager replaced the 'invisible hand' of market forces." Explain what Chandler means by this statement?

Which of the following was demonstrated by the Hawthorne Studies?

Jenn is a human resources manager for a large Crown corporation. Rather than following organizational policy, Jenn has hired and promoted a number of individuals who were on her university hockey team. Which of the following best describes Jenn's actions?

In a few sentences, describe the basic principles of scientific management.

Workplace inequality and the ability of workers to develop skills and become involved in decision making represent two crucial issues facing Canadian workers and work organizations. How well do the scientific management and human relations approaches address these issues? Support your position with reference to the chapter.

Which of the following is a central principal of human relations theory?

Managers of Best Electric Cars try to motivate their workers by reminding them that each person in the company is part of a team in constant competition with foreign companies and that if they work together to increase production and improve quality, the company, their community, and Canada will all benefit. Which of the following terms would Amitai Etzioni use to describe this management strategy?

Which of the following is most correct about scientific management?

Which of the following is correct about Burns and Stalker's study of work organization in the 1950s?

According to Frederick Winslow Taylor, workers were primarily motivated by which of the following?