Deck 3: Fundamentals of Organization Structure

Question 1

_____ means an organization embraces two or more structural grouping alternatives simultaneously.

A)Functional grouping
B)Divisional grouping
C)Multifocused grouping
D)Horizontal grouping

Answer 1

C
Explanation:Multifocused grouping means an organization embraces two or more structural grouping alternatives simultaneously.These structural forms are often called matrix or hybrid.

Question 2

_____ means employees are organized around core work processes,the end-to-end work,information,and material flows that provide value directly to customers.

A)Functional grouping
B)Divisional grouping
C)Multifocused grouping
D)Horizontal grouping

Answer 2

D
Explanation:Horizontal grouping means employees are organized around core work processes,the end-to-end work,information,and material flows that provide value directly to customers.All the people who work on a core process are brought together in a group rather than being separated into functional departments.

Question 3

Which of the following is not a key component in the definition of organization structure?

A)Organization structure includes the design systems to ensure effective communication, coordination, and integration of effort across departments.
B)Organization structure identifies the tasks, functions, and processes for each department and position within the organization.
C)Organization structure identifies the grouping together of individuals into departments and of departments into the total organization.
D)Organization structure designates formal reporting relationships, including the number of levels in the hierarchy and the span of control of managers and supervisors.

Answer 3

B
Explanation:The following three key components define organization structure:1.Organization structure designates formal reporting relationships,including the number of levels in the hierarchy and the span of control of managers and supervisors.2.Organization structure identifies the grouping together of individuals into departments and of departments into the total organization.3.Organization structure includes the design of systems to ensure effective communication,coordination,and integration of efforts across departments.

Question 4

Which of the following is true of relational coordination?

A)Relational coordination is the lowest level of horizontal coordination.
B)Relational coordination is the first device in the variety of structural devices to achieve vertical linkage.
C)Relational coordination provides a standard information source enabling employees to be coordinated without actually communicating about every task.
D)Relational coordination is not a device or mechanism like other elements, but rather is part of the very fabric and culture of the organization.

Question 5

With _____,decision authority is pushed downward to lower organization levels.

A)centralization
B)decentralization
C)full-time integration
D)task forces

Question 6

A full-time integrator:

A)improves vertical linkages in an organization.
B)has a title such as brand manage or product manager.
C)reports to one of the functional departments being coordinated.
D)has the responsibility of coordinating only one department.

Question 7

Organization structure identifies the grouping together of individuals into departments and of departments into the total organization.?3.Organization structure includes the design of systems to ensure effective communication,coordination,and integration of efforts across departments.??2.Which of the following is true of effective information sharing in an organization?

A)Information should be shared vertically, but not horizontally.
B)Vertical linkages are designed primarily for coordination and collaboration.
C)The structure should fit the information requirements of the organization.
D)It is not possible to give people a lot of information.

Question 8

Which of the following is true of full-time integrators?

A)They have a lot of authority but little responsibility.
B)They communicate with and are responsible for one department.
C)They need excellent people skills.
D)They are usually a part of the team being coordinated.

Question 9

The highest level of horizontal coordination is:

A)relational coordination.
B)departmental grouping.
C)hierarchical referral.
D)functional grouping.

Question 10

Brian is the brand manager for Bake 'n Bite Pastries.His job requires him to coordinate several aspects of the brand,right from the design to the distribution of the product.Although he does not report to any of the teams being coordinated,he still plays an active role in managing the product.In the context of horizontal linkages,Brian is _____.

A)a liaison
B)a full-time integrator
C)the head of a task force
D)a team leader

Question 11

Which of the following is true of teams?

A)Teams tend to be the weakest horizontal linkage mechanism.
B)Teams are the first device in a variety of structural devices to achieve vertical linkage.
C)Teams provide a standard information source enabling employees to be coordinated without actually communicating about every task.
D)Teams are often used in conjunction with a fulltime integrator.

Question 12

A liaison role exists when:

A)there is direct contact between managers affected by a problem.
B)there is an exchange of paperwork during a hiring process.
C)a temporary committee composed of representatives from each department affected by a problem is formed.
D)a person located in one department has the responsibility for communicating and achieving coordination with another department.

Question 13

The overall design of organization structure indicates all of the following except:

A)work activities.
B)reporting relationships.
C)departmental groupings.
D)information systems.

Question 14

Which of the following strategies includes periodic reports,written information,and computer-based communications?

A)Rules and plans
B)Task forces
C)Vertical information systems
D)Hierarchical referral

Question 15

_____ refers to frequent,timely,problem-solving communication carried out through relationships of shared goals,shared knowledge,and mutual respect.

A)Relational coordination
B)Departmental grouping
C)Hierarchical referral
D)Functional grouping

Question 16

_____ are used to coordinate activities between the top and bottom of an organization and are designed primarily for control of the organization.

A)Vertical linkages
B)Functional groups
C)Horizontal linkages
D)Divisional groups

Question 17

A(n)_____ is a group that is made up of organizationally or geographically dispersed members who are linked primarily through advanced information and communications technologies.

A)vertical linkage
B)functional department
C)organizational committee
D)virtual team

Question 18

_____ means people are organized according to what the organization produces.

A)Functional grouping
B)Divisional grouping
C)Multifocused grouping
D)Horizontal grouping

Question 19

_____ means that decision authority is located near the top of the organization.

A)Centralization
B)Decentralization
C)Joint collaboration
D)Horizontal linkage

Question 20

_____ places together employees who perform similar functions or work processes or who bring similar knowledge and skills to bear.

A)Functional grouping
B)Divisional grouping
C)Multifocused grouping
D)Horizontal grouping

Question 21

Managers create information linkages to facilitate communication and coordination among organizational elements.

Question 22

Integrators need excellent people skills.

Question 23

Which of the following is not a symptom of structural deficiency?

A)Decision making is delayed or lacking quality.
B)The organization does not respond innovatively to a changing environment.
C)There is an absence of collaboration among units.
D)Employees begin to resign in large numbers.

Question 24

With a _____,separate divisions can be organized with responsibility for individual products,services,product groups,major projects or programs,divisions,businesses,or profit centers.

A)functional structure
B)divisional structure
C)geographic structure
D)hybrid structure

Question 25

In _____,departments are separate organizations that are electronically connected for the sharing of information and completion of tasks.

A)functional grouping
B)virtual network grouping
C)divisional grouping
D)horizontal grouping

Question 26

Which of the following is true of a divisional structure?

A)It is also known as chain of command.
B)It is also called a U-form (unitary) structure.
C)It is a centralized structural form.
D)It is used to promote flexibility and change.

Question 27

The term _____ means the redesign of a vertical organization along its horizontal workflows and processes.

A)vertical linkage
B)vertical network grouping
C)innovating
D)reengineering

Question 28

The purpose of the organization chart is to encourage and direct employees into activities and communications that enable the organization to achieve its goals.

Question 29

Which of the following is a weakness of a functional structure?

A)It has slow response time to environmental changes.
B)It restricts economies of scale within functional departments.
C)It restricts in-depth knowledge and skill development.
D)It restricts organizations from accomplishing functional goals.

Question 30

The lowest level of horizontal coordination is relational coordination.

Question 31

In a _____,activities are grouped together by common function from the bottom to the top of the organization.

A)functional structure
B)divisional structure
C)geographic structure
D)hybrid structure

Question 32

A task force personnel is located in one department but has the responsibility for communicating and achieving coordination with another department.

Question 33

Integrators have a lot of authority.

Question 34

Project teams are permanent task forces.

Question 35

Which of the following is true of a functional structure?

A)It reacts quickly to environmental changes.
B)It has a strong need for horizontal coordination.
C)It often results in hierarchy overload.
D)It cannot work in small organizations.

Question 36

Teams are never used in conjunction with a fulltime integrator.

Question 37

Which of the following is a strength of a functional structure?

A)It has fast response time to environmental changes.
B)It leads to excellent horizontal coordination among departments.
C)It results in more innovation.
D)It allows economies of scale within functional departments.

Question 38

The matrix structure is the correct structure when three conditions are met.Which of the following is one of these three conditions?

A)Pressure exists to share scarce resources across product lines.
B)Technical quality is not very important.
C)The environmental domain of the organization is simple.
D)The environmental domain of the organization is certain and stable.

Question 39

An organization chart is the visual representation of a whole set of underlying activities and processes in an organization.

Question 40

Emphasis on learning and adaptation is associated with centralized decision making.

Question 41

When functional and divisional structures do not work for a particular function or product,then matrix structure will not work either.

Question 42

There are two variations of matrix structure: the geographic matrix and the divisional matrix.

Question 43

The strengths and weaknesses of a geographic divisional structure are similar to the divisional organization characteristics.

Question 44

A functional structure is also called an M-form (multidivisional)structure.

Question 45

Compare liaison roles with task forces.

Question 46

Explain the three components that define organizational structure.

Question 47

The horizontal structure organizes employees around core processes.

Question 48

An advantage of the divisional structure is that coordination across functions is excellent.

Question 49

What do organizational charts reflect?

Question 50

The matrix structure is best when environmental change is high and when goals reflect a dual requirement.

Question 51

Explain collaboration with an example.

Question 52

The distinctive feature of a divisional structure is that grouping is based on organizational outputs.

Question 53

Alternatives for grouping employees and departments into overall structural design include functional grouping,divisional grouping,multifocused grouping,horizontal grouping,and virtual network grouping.

Question 54

A weakness of functional structures is that they seldom enable in-depth knowledge and skill development.

Question 55

As organizations grow larger,and more complex,managers find that less functions need to be performed for company's growth.

Question 56

The biggest strength of virtual network structures is that managers have hands-on control over every activity and employee.

Question 57

One disadvantage of the matrix is that some employees experience dual authority,reporting to two bosses and sometimes juggling conflicting demands.

Question 58

For the organization to be effective,departments should be located together in one geographic location rather than being spread all over the world.

Question 59

Discuss how rules and plans can be used to achieve vertical linkage.

Question 60

Divisional structures are centralized,while functional structures are decentralized.

Question 61

What are the symptoms of structural deficiency?

Question 62

Discuss the role of a full time integrator.

Question 63

Compare divisional grouping with multifocused grouping.

Question 64

Discuss the strengths of functional structures.

Question 65

A dual hierarchy may seem an unusual way to design an organization,but the matrix is the correct structure when certain conditions are present.What are those conditions?