Exam 1: Organizations and Organization Theory

Describe the difference between formalization and specialization. Is it possible for an organization to be high in one and low in the others or vice versa?

Common structural variables studied as dimensions of organizations are goals, culture, and environment.

For much of the twentieth century, organizations operated in a world that was relatively stable, but today the environment can be characterized as turbulent.

Meso theory concerns the integration of both micro and macro levels of analysis.

Today, companies are cooperating with their competitors, sharing information and technology to their mutual advantage.

The definition of "organization" is:

The science of ____ suggests that relationships in complex, adaptive systems are nonlinear and made up of numerous interconnections and divergent choices that create unintended effects and render the whole unpredictable.

The learning organization:

The 385-page book that McDonald's uses to describe all rules and procedures in each of its stores best represents which of the following dimensions:

Scientific management was:

The primary level of analysis in organization theory is first line supervision.

Contingency means that:

A key element of an organization is a building or set of policies and procedures, not the people and their relationships.

The machine bureaucracy is very large, typically mature, and the technical core is often oriented to mass production.

In the learning organization, the vertical structure that creates distance between managers at the top and workers in the technical core is disbanded.

In all organizations, managers have to evaluate stakeholder concerns and establish goals that can achieve at least minimal satisfaction for major stakeholder groups.

Outsourcing firms in low-wage countries can often do work for 70 to 80 percent less than companies based in the United States.

Discuss why the Hawthorne Studies are so important to today's organizations and their workers.

Contextual dimensions:

An organization's culture is usually contained in the written policy manual.