Question 1

What is work specialization? Discuss its advantages and drawbacks.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is work specialization? Discuss its advantages...

Question 2

The matrix structure reduces the possibility of power struggles.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

The Acme Products case study notes that the senior management at Acme is concerned because the company takes so long to bring new products to the market. Which of the following approaches would your trainees identify as the most likely solution to resolve this problem?

Accepted Answer

A)  reducing the use of cross-functional work teams 
B)  decentralization of the decision-making process 
C)  decreased work specialization 
D)  decreased formalization of policies and procedures 
E)  reduced diversity within the company's work force

Question 4

You are the CEO of Apex Systems. You have decided to hire other organizations to perform many of the basic functions of your business. You have hired an accounting firm to keep your records, a recruiting firm to handle human resource functions, and a computer firm to handle all records. To keep costs down, you are looking for other areas in which to outsource operations. You have chosen to operate your business as a ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  matrix organization 
B)  virtual organization 
C)  highly centralized organization 
D)  team organization 
E)  bureaucracy

Question 5

Work specialization increases the time spent in changing tasks.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

A bureaucracy is characterized by all of the following except ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  highly routine operating tasks 
B)  formalized rules and regulations 
C)  tasks that are grouped into functional departments 
D)  decentralized decision making 
E)  high work specialization

Question 7

The unity-of-command principle states that ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  managers should limit their oversight to a maximum of 12 employees 
B)  managers should oversee 1-4 employees on average 
C)  an individual should be directly responsible to only one supervisor 
D)  managers should provide direction to their employees in a unified fashion 
E)  employees should report directly to two supervisors to maintain task balance

Question 8

________ refers to the degree to which jobs within the organization are standardized.

Accepted Answer

A)  Formalization 
B)  Decentralization 
C)  Departmentalization 
D)  Span of control 
E)  Chain of command

Question 9

________ refers to the degree to which decision making is concentrated at a single point in the organization.

Accepted Answer

A)  Formalization 
B)  Departmentalization 
C)  Centralization 
D)  Work specialization 
E)  Line of command

Question 10

In structural terms, the virtual organization is highly centralized, with little or no departmentalization.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Matthew is a new divisional manager. In reorganizing his division, he must make some decisions regarding the span of control for management within his division. The question of span of control determines ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  the employee grievance policy of the organization 
B)  the number of levels and managers an organization has 
C)  where decisions are made 
D)  how jobs will be grouped 
E)  how employees will be compensated

Question 12

Formalization is a key element of organizational structure. What is indicated by formalization? Describe the characteristics of a highly formalized organization.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Formalization is a key element of organizational...

Question 13

Describe the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of a virtual organization.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of...

Question 14

Which of the following statements is true regarding a centralized organization?

Accepted Answer

A)  A centralized organization is more flexible than a decentralized organization. 
B)  In a centralized organization, decision making is pushed down to the managers closest to the action. 
C)  A centralized organization is more responsive than a decentralized organization. 
D)  In a centralized organization, top managers are rarely involved in decision making. 
E)  In a centralized organization, decision making is concentrated at a single point in the organization.

Question 15

You instruct the trainees to ask the client organization if they have clearly defined procedures covering most of the jobs in the organization and lots of rules and policies. You want to help them understand the ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  chain of command 
B)  degree of formalization 
C)  span of control 
D)  degree of departmentalization 
E)  degree of centralization

Question 16

What are the three dimensions that characterize the environment of an organization?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the three dimensions that characterize...

Question 17

In a team organization, how does management flatten the hierarchy and minimize status and rank?

Accepted Answer

A)  by eliminating cross-hierarchical teams 
B)  by removing vertical boundaries 
C)  by discouraging participative decision-making practices 
D)  by dividing jobs into small standardized tasks 
E)  by enforcing the chain of command

Question 18

Describe the various ways in which the negative impact of downsizing can be minimized.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the various ways in which the...

Question 19

Organizations following a(n) ________ strategy try to both minimize risk and maximize opportunity for profit, moving into new products or new markets only after innovators have proven their viability.

Accepted Answer

A)  innovation 
B)  cost-cutting 
C)  imitation 
D)  organic 
E)  mechanistic

Question 20

Some individuals want work that makes minimal intellectual demands and provides the security of routine; for them, ________ is a source of job satisfaction.

Accepted Answer

A)  free flow of information 
B)  wide span of control 
C)  low formalization 
D)  high work specialization 
E)  high decentralization

Exam 15: Foundations of Organization Structure

What is work specialization? Discuss its advantages and drawbacks.

The matrix structure reduces the possibility of power struggles.

The Acme Products case study notes that the senior management at Acme is concerned because the company takes so long to bring new products to the market. Which of the following approaches would your trainees identify as the most likely solution to resolve this problem?

Work specialization increases the time spent in changing tasks.

A bureaucracy is characterized by all of the following except ________.

The unity-of-command principle states that ________.

________ refers to the degree to which jobs within the organization are standardized.

________ refers to the degree to which decision making is concentrated at a single point in the organization.

In structural terms, the virtual organization is highly centralized, with little or no departmentalization.

Matthew is a new divisional manager. In reorganizing his division, he must make some decisions regarding the span of control for management within his division. The question of span of control determines ________.

Formalization is a key element of organizational structure. What is indicated by formalization? Describe the characteristics of a highly formalized organization.

Describe the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of a virtual organization.

Which of the following statements is true regarding a centralized organization?

You instruct the trainees to ask the client organization if they have clearly defined procedures covering most of the jobs in the organization and lots of rules and policies. You want to help them understand the ________.

What are the three dimensions that characterize the environment of an organization?

In a team organization, how does management flatten the hierarchy and minimize status and rank?

Describe the various ways in which the negative impact of downsizing can be minimized.

Organizations following a(n) ________ strategy try to both minimize risk and maximize opportunity for profit, moving into new products or new markets only after innovators have proven their viability.

Some individuals want work that makes minimal intellectual demands and provides the security of routine; for them, ________ is a source of job satisfaction.