Exam 9: Organizing for a Complex World: Structure and Design

Define environmental uncertainty and provide a current,real-life example.

Explain the paradox in human workplace dynamics that often results in the formation of hybrid structures.

Ignacio is an expert in motivation.Speaking at a luncheon for business executives,he says that a key strategy to motivate employees is empowering them.This will result in more ________ decision making.

Which of the following is a key advantage of centralized decision making?

Who has the greatest span of leadership?

The catalyst for a starfish organization supplies ________.

Ming's catering company is structured as a sole proprietorship.The business has grown and he is hiring more employees and getting high-profile jobs.Ming is worried about the personal impact of potential lawsuits such as an employee getting burned or a refrigerator failing before a huge party.What would you advise Ming to do?

In a cross-equity alliance,________.

You are president of a company with 38 brick-and-mortar flower shops.The board has decided the company should expand into e-commerce.You tell your vice-presidents about the shift in strategy.They will in turn pass the word down through the ________ to lower level managers,supervisors,and employees.

An organization is a group of people who unite to carry out activities that are designed to ________.

In general,individuals who are located in which part of the hierarchy have more authority?

Which statement is TRUE?

Explain open systems theory and give an example of it at work in the restaurant business.

Marta was recently named president of a natural cosmetics company.Despite having a cheerful demeanor,most of her friends would say she is a control freak - and Marta would agree.Which of the following would Marta prefer?

What is flexible specialization? What is the benefit of this approach? Give an example of how functional specialization can work in manufacturing.

Responsibility within an organization refers to the legitimate right to direct the actions of another person.

Betty is attending a one-day retreat with her company's management team.The group is exploring questions such as "How do our values affect our actions?" and "Do we have a clear,shared sense of purpose?" What would be a good name for this retreat?

Which of the following is a starfish organization?

The primary function of an organizational hierarchy is to define ________.

Managers who metaphorically envision their organization as a machine typically focus on ________.