Question 1

One of the defining characteristics of a matrix organisational structure is that it:

Accepted Answer

A)  Overlays two organisational structures in order to leverage the benefits of both types of structure 
B)  Has a narrow span of control and high degree of formalisation and centralisation 
C)  Is the only structure that organises employees around specific knowledge or other resources 
D)  Uses self-directed work teams rather than individuals as the basic building block of organisations 
A)  Overlays two organisational structures in order to leverage the benefits of both types of structure 
B)  Has a narrow span of control and high degree of formalisation and centralisation 
C)  Is the only structure that organises employees around specific knowledge or other resources 
D)  Uses self-directed work teams rather than individuals as the basic building block of organisations

Question 2

The trend toward flatter organisational structures (delayering)has occurred because this action:

Accepted Answer

A)  Tends to reduce overhead costs 
B)  Narrows the span of control for supervisors 
C)  Puts decision makers closer to front-line staff and information about customer needs 
D)  Reduces overhead costs AND puts decision makers closer to front-line staff and information about customer needs 
A)  Tends to reduce overhead costs 
B)  Narrows the span of control for supervisors 
C)  Puts decision makers closer to front-line staff and information about customer needs 
D)  Reduces overhead costs AND puts decision makers closer to front-line staff and information about customer needs

Question 3

For which type of environment should organisations adopt an organic structure?

Accepted Answer

A)  Munificent environments 
B)  Dynamic environments 
C)  Stable environments 
D)  Simple environments 
A)  Munificent environments 
B)  Dynamic environments 
C)  Stable environments 
D)  Simple environments

Question 4

In which of the four external environments would a network structure be effective?

Accepted Answer

The four types of external environments

Question 5

An organic structure works better than a mechanistic structure where tasks have high variety and low analysability.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Which form of departmentalisation organises employees around specific skills or other resources?

Accepted Answer

A)  Divisional structure 
B)  Functional structure 
C)  Simple structure 
D)  Matrix structure 
A)  Divisional structure 
B)  Functional structure 
C)  Simple structure 
D)  Matrix structure

Question 7

Decentralisation is the preferred strategy for organisations in simple,integrated (one market)and hostile environments.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Which form of departmentalisation tends to have a very flat hierarchy,little formalisation and organises employees around work processes?

Accepted Answer

A)  Divisional structure 
B)  Functional structure 
C)  Team-based structure 
D)  Matrix structure 
A)  Divisional structure 
B)  Functional structure 
C)  Team-based structure 
D)  Matrix structure

Question 9

Which organisational structure exists temporarily and reshapes itself quickly to fit immediate client needs?

Accepted Answer

A)  Virtual corporation 
B)  Simple 
C)  Divisional 
D)  Matrix 
A)  Virtual corporation 
B)  Simple 
C)  Divisional 
D)  Matrix

Question 10

Mechanistic structures operate best:

Accepted Answer

A)  In stable environments 
B)  Where employees dislike hierarchy and status 
C)  In rapidly changing environments 
D)  Where knowledge management is a competitive advantage to the organisation 
A)  In stable environments 
B)  Where employees dislike hierarchy and status 
C)  In rapidly changing environments 
D)  Where knowledge management is a competitive advantage to the organisation

Question 11

Departmentalisation does all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  Establish a system of common supervision 
B)  Discourage coordination through informal communication 
C)  Create common measures of performance among employees in the unit 
D)  Typically determine which positions and units must share resources 
A)  Establish a system of common supervision 
B)  Discourage coordination through informal communication 
C)  Create common measures of performance among employees in the unit 
D)  Typically determine which positions and units must share resources

Question 12

Many companies claim to have a team-based organisation,yet relatively few have actually adopted this form of departmentalisation.Describe three structural features that would suggest that a company has adopted a team-based organisational structure.

Accepted Answer

Students may describe other features of

Question 13

Larger firms tend to be more centralised and make greater use of direct supervision than do smaller firms.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

One problem with the divisional structure is that it increases the risk of duplication and under-utilisation of resources.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Organisations operating in diverse environments should:

Accepted Answer

A)  Adopt a functional structure 
B)  Centralise so that more decisions are made by top management alone 
C)  Develop a set of formal rules and regulations specifically addressing what employees should do about that diversity 
D)  Adopt a divisional structure aligned with that diversity 
A)  Adopt a functional structure 
B)  Centralise so that more decisions are made by top management alone 
C)  Develop a set of formal rules and regulations specifically addressing what employees should do about that diversity 
D)  Adopt a divisional structure aligned with that diversity

Question 16

Define division of labour.How is it connected with coordination of work activities?

Accepted Answer

Division of labour refers to the subdivi

Question 17

As the number of employees increases,the organisation tends to have:

Accepted Answer

A)  More decentralisation and job specialisation 
B)  More elaborate coordinating mechanisms 
C)  More standardisation rather than just informal communication as a coordinating mechanism 
D)  All of the options listed here are correct 
A)  More decentralisation and job specialisation 
B)  More elaborate coordinating mechanisms 
C)  More standardisation rather than just informal communication as a coordinating mechanism 
D)  All of the options listed here are correct

Question 18

Large organisations encourage informal communication as a coordinating mechanism by keeping each workplace small.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

McDonald's restaurants and most other efficient fast food chains typically have a high degree of:

Accepted Answer

A)  Mechanism 
B)  Organisational flexibility 
C)  Formalisation 
D)  Decentralisation 
A)  Mechanism 
B)  Organisational flexibility 
C)  Formalisation 
D)  Decentralisation

Question 20

Job descriptions and training are examples of coordination through standardisation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

One of the defining characteristics of a matrix organisational structure is that it:

The trend toward flatter organisational structures (delayering)has occurred because this action:

For which type of environment should organisations adopt an organic structure?

In which of the four external environments would a network structure be effective?

An organic structure works better than a mechanistic structure where tasks have high variety and low analysability.

Which form of departmentalisation organises employees around specific skills or other resources?

Decentralisation is the preferred strategy for organisations in simple,integrated (one market)and hostile environments.

Which form of departmentalisation tends to have a very flat hierarchy,little formalisation and organises employees around work processes?

Which organisational structure exists temporarily and reshapes itself quickly to fit immediate client needs?

Mechanistic structures operate best:

Departmentalisation does all of the following EXCEPT:

Many companies claim to have a team-based organisation,yet relatively few have actually adopted this form of departmentalisation.Describe three structural features that would suggest that a company has adopted a team-based organisational structure.

Larger firms tend to be more centralised and make greater use of direct supervision than do smaller firms.

One problem with the divisional structure is that it increases the risk of duplication and under-utilisation of resources.

Organisations operating in diverse environments should:

Define division of labour.How is it connected with coordination of work activities?

As the number of employees increases,the organisation tends to have:

Large organisations encourage informal communication as a coordinating mechanism by keeping each workplace small.

McDonald's restaurants and most other efficient fast food chains typically have a high degree of:

Job descriptions and training are examples of coordination through standardisation.

Introduction to the Field of Organisational Behaviour

Individual Behaviour, Personality and Values

Perceiving Ourselves and Others in Organisations

Workplace Emotions, Attitudes and Stress

Foundations of Employee Motivation

Applied Performance Practices

Decision Making and Creativity

Team Dynamics

Communicating in Teams and Organisations

Power and Influence in the Workplace

Conflict and Negotiation in the Workplace

Leadership in Organisational Settings

Organisational Culture

Organisational Change

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Exam 13: Organisational Structure

One of the defining characteristics of a matrix organisational structure is that it:

The trend toward flatter organisational structures (delayering)has occurred because this action:

For which type of environment should organisations adopt an organic structure?

In which of the four external environments would a network structure be effective?

An organic structure works better than a mechanistic structure where tasks have high variety and low analysability.

Which form of departmentalisation organises employees around specific skills or other resources?

Decentralisation is the preferred strategy for organisations in simple,integrated (one market)and hostile environments.

Which form of departmentalisation tends to have a very flat hierarchy,little formalisation and organises employees around work processes?

Which organisational structure exists temporarily and reshapes itself quickly to fit immediate client needs?

Mechanistic structures operate best:

Departmentalisation does all of the following EXCEPT:

Many companies claim to have a team-based organisation,yet relatively few have actually adopted this form of departmentalisation.Describe three structural features that would suggest that a company has adopted a team-based organisational structure.

Larger firms tend to be more centralised and make greater use of direct supervision than do smaller firms.

One problem with the divisional structure is that it increases the risk of duplication and under-utilisation of resources.

Organisations operating in diverse environments should:

Define division of labour.How is it connected with coordination of work activities?

As the number of employees increases,the organisation tends to have:

Large organisations encourage informal communication as a coordinating mechanism by keeping each workplace small.

McDonald's restaurants and most other efficient fast food chains typically have a high degree of:

Job descriptions and training are examples of coordination through standardisation.

Introduction to the Field of Organisational Behaviour

Individual Behaviour, Personality and Values

Perceiving Ourselves and Others in Organisations

Workplace Emotions, Attitudes and Stress

Foundations of Employee Motivation

Applied Performance Practices

Decision Making and Creativity

Team Dynamics

Communicating in Teams and Organisations

Power and Influence in the Workplace

Conflict and Negotiation in the Workplace

Leadership in Organisational Settings

Organisational Culture

Organisational Change

Filters