Question 1

Matrix management

Accepted Answer

A)  creates an environment in which the unity-of-command principle is strictly followed. 
B)  is a collection of independent, mostly single-function firms that collaborate to produce a good or service. 
C)  is composed of dual reporting relationships in which some employees report to two superiors. 
D)  involves holding employees together by contracts that stipulate results expected, rather than by hierarchy and authority. 
E)  results in a centralized decision-making system.

Question 2

For the lean manufacturing approach to work well,

Accepted Answer

A)  specific-purpose equipment must be used. 
B)  product development should be sequential rather than concurrent. 
C)  supplier relationships should be short term. 
D)  communication must be formal among line workers. 
E)  people should be broadly trained rather than specialized.

Question 3

________ strives to achieve the highest possible productivity and total quality, cost-effectively, by eliminating unnecessary steps in the production process and continually striving for improvement.

Accepted Answer

A)  Lean manufacturing 
B)  Continuous processing 
C)  Mass customization 
D)  Large batch technology 
E)  Crowdsourcing

Question 4

Which of the following is true of just-in-time (JIT)?

Accepted Answer

A)  JIT calls for subassemblies and components to be manufactured in very large volumes. 
B)  JIT offers efficiency only when the costs of storing items are lower than the costs of frequent delivery. 
C)  JIT is limited to the production department and cannot be applied as a companywide philosophy. 
D)  In JIT, a customer order triggers a factory order and the production process. 
E)  In JIT, external suppliers deliver raw materials to the company at least three months before production.

Question 5

Compare and contrast centralized and decentralized organizations.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare and contrast centralized and decentralized organizations....

Question 6

In the context of coordination in an organization, explain the two strategies that can be used by managers to cope with high uncertainty and heavy information demands.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the context of coordination in an...

Question 7

What are the advantages of the traditional functional approach to departmentalization?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the advantages of the traditional...

Question 8

Sometimes, competitors create strategic alliances.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

In decentralized organizations, decision making occurs at the level of the people who are most directly_______________ and have the most ________ about the problem.

Accepted Answer

A)  harmed; serious misgivings 
B)  affected; intimate knowledge 
C)  affected; ignorance 
D)  affected; serious fears 
E)  harmed; intimate knowledge

Question 10

A(n) ________ is a person who assembles and coordinates participants in a network.

Accepted Answer

A)  entrepreneur 
B)  broker 
C)  innovator 
D)  chairperson 
E)  intrapreneur

Question 11

In a high-involvement organization, top management determines and dictates the direction in which the business is heading.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Define a learning organization and then give at least two examples defending how they meet the definition.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define a learning organization and then give...

Question 13

When delegating work responsibilities to a subordinate, a manager delegates any ________ to the subordinate.

Accepted Answer

A)  authority 
B)  evaluation 
C)  employees 
D)  responsibility 
E)  project deliverables

Question 14

________ is a structure authority directly related to the three broad levels of the organizational pyramid.

Accepted Answer

A)  Hierarchy 
B)  Value chain 
C)  Locus of control 
D)  Specialization 
E)  Division of labor

Question 15

Lawrence and Lorsch found that

Accepted Answer

A)  the more highly differentiated the firm, the lesser the need for integration among its units. 
B)  focusing on integration may speed up innovation for a while in an organization. 
C)  highly differentiated firms were more likely to fail in a complex environment if they failed to integrate their activities adequately. 
D)  companies with more structural integration were more likely to introduce new products soon after acquisition. 
E)  a firm's ability to launch new products is independent of its structural integration.

Question 16

Quantum Inc. and Cosmic Corp often compete with one another in the marketplace. A new business area is emerging that appeals to both firms. However, organizations that will successfully compete in the new business area will need to have a robust laboratory capability as well as an established construction capability. Quantum has the former, and Cosmic has the latter. Although unusual for two competitors, they negotiate and create a(n) ________. Under the terms of this agreement, Quantum and Cosmic formally and jointly pursue their mutual goals.

Accepted Answer

A)  merger 
B)  strategic alliance 
C)  acquisition 
D)  vertical integration 
E)  related diversification

Question 17

Technology supports agility through

Accepted Answer

A)  low volume of production. 
B)  technologies that start and do not stop. 
C)  methods, processes, systems, and skills. 
D)  inflexible manufacturing. 
E)  calamity.

Question 18

In the context of organizational agility, learning organizations

Accepted Answer

A)  base their decisions on guesswork and assumptions. 
B)  avoid learning from other organizations. 
C)  avoid benchmarking in order to keep up internal performance standards. 
D)  are primarily concerned about finding quick fixes to current problems. 
E)  are skilled at experimenting with new approaches.

Question 19

Adriana manages a large chemical plant that manufactures a few specialty products for the roofing industry. As a ________ operation, the plant manufactures products in large volumes but with little variety. Production is not continuous but is standardized. Adriana manages the plant in a formal and hierarchical manner, and most major decisions are made by Adriana, in a centralized fashion.

Accepted Answer

A)  job shop 
B)  large batch 
C)  six sigma 
D)  just-in-time 
E)  modular

Question 20

The span of control should be wide when

Accepted Answer

A)  tasks are not clearly defined and instructions are ambiguous. 
B)  subordinates are poorly trained. 
C)  employees' access to information is restricted. 
D)  jobs are similar, and performance measures are comparable. 
E)  subordinates prefer close supervisory control to autonomy.

Exam 7: Organizing for Success