Question 1

When employees perform highly interdependent work, generally a narrow span of control is necessary.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 2

One of the defining characteristics of a functional organizational structure is that it:

Accepted Answer

A) has a narrow span of control and high degree of formalization and centralization. 
B) is the structure that organizes employees around specific knowledge or other resources. 
C) overlays two organizational structures in order to leverage the benefits of both types of structure. 
D) uses self-directed work teams rather than individuals as the basic building block of organizations. 
E) is an alliance of several organizations for the purpose of creating a product or serving a client. 
A) has a narrow span of control and high degree of formalization and centralization. 
B) is the structure that organizes employees around specific knowledge or other resources. 
C) overlays two organizational structures in order to leverage the benefits of both types of structure. 
D) uses self-directed work teams rather than individuals as the basic building block of organizations. 
E) is an alliance of several organizations for the purpose of creating a product or serving a client. B

Question 3

The geographic-product matrix structure is likely the most common matrix design among global companies.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 4

A wholesale grocery business operates in one city and provides one service-stocking retailers with fresh produce.The company wants to ensure that employees develop expertise in their skill specialization and that these specializations are used efficiently.The aim is to create specialized pools of talent that serve everyone in the company.Which of the following forms of departmentalization would be most appropriate here?

Accepted Answer

A) Simple structure 
B) Matrix structure 
C) Geographic divisional structure 
D) Functional structure 
E) Product divisional structure 
A) Simple structure 
B) Matrix structure 
C) Geographic divisional structure 
D) Functional structure 
E) Product divisional structure

Question 5

Departmentalization establishes interdependencies among employees and subunits and frames the membership of formal work teams.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Informal communication is a coordination mechanism only in small and a few medium-sized organizations.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

In organizational structures, integrator roles serve mainly as:

Accepted Answer

A) a form of standardization. 
B) an informal communication coordinating mechanism. 
C) a form of direct supervision. 
D) technological contingency. 
E) main element in divisionalized structures. 
A) a form of standardization. 
B) an informal communication coordinating mechanism. 
C) a form of direct supervision. 
D) technological contingency. 
E) main element in divisionalized structures.

Question 8

What are "mechanistic" and "organic" structures? What are their characteristics?

Accepted Answer

A mechanistic structure is characterized

Question 9

Which of the following forms of departmentalization organizes employees around specific skills or other resources?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

The span of control is interconnected with organizational size and the number of layers in the hierarchy.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

An organic structure has:

Accepted Answer

A) a narrow span of control. 
B) centralized decision making. 
C) little formalization. 
D) vertical communication flows. 
E) rigidly defined tasks. 
A) a narrow span of control. 
B) centralized decision making. 
C) little formalization. 
D) vertical communication flows. 
E) rigidly defined tasks.

Question 12

Mechanistic structures are better suited to dynamic environments than to stable environments.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

The primary source of environmental diversity or uncertainty mainly determines the best form of divisional structure an organization should adopt.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

An organization that wants to compete through innovation should:

Accepted Answer

A) adopt an organic structure and make extensive use of informal communication to coordinate work. 
B) centralize by typically giving the decision making authority to those at the top of the organizational hierarchy and formalize its organizational structure. 
C) coordinate employees by establishing formal rules and procedures. 
D) switch to a cost leadership strategy as quickly as possible. 
E) adopt a mechanistic structure with functional departmentalization. 
A) adopt an organic structure and make extensive use of informal communication to coordinate work. 
B) centralize by typically giving the decision making authority to those at the top of the organizational hierarchy and formalize its organizational structure. 
C) coordinate employees by establishing formal rules and procedures. 
D) switch to a cost leadership strategy as quickly as possible. 
E) adopt a mechanistic structure with functional departmentalization.

Question 16

When a manager has many direct reports, a narrow span of control exists.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Job descriptions help improve quality and consistency of a product or service by standardizing work activities.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Functional structures tend to have higher dysfunctional conflict and poorer coordination across units than other forms of departmentalization.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Mechanistic structures operate best:

Accepted Answer

A) in stable environments. 
B) where employees dislike hierarchy and status. 
C) when there are horizontal rather than vertical communication flows. 
D) where knowledge management is a competitive advantage to the organization. 
E) where employees perform tasks with high variability and low analyzability. 
A) in stable environments. 
B) where employees dislike hierarchy and status. 
C) when there are horizontal rather than vertical communication flows. 
D) where knowledge management is a competitive advantage to the organization. 
E) where employees perform tasks with high variability and low analyzability.

Question 20

Team-based organizational structures are usually found within larger divisionalized structures.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

When employees perform highly interdependent work, generally a narrow span of control is necessary.

One of the defining characteristics of a functional organizational structure is that it:

The geographic-product matrix structure is likely the most common matrix design among global companies.

Departmentalization establishes interdependencies among employees and subunits and frames the membership of formal work teams.

Informal communication is a coordination mechanism only in small and a few medium-sized organizations.

In organizational structures, integrator roles serve mainly as:

What are "mechanistic" and "organic" structures? What are their characteristics?

Which of the following forms of departmentalization organizes employees around specific skills or other resources?

The span of control is interconnected with organizational size and the number of layers in the hierarchy.

An organic structure has:

Mechanistic structures are better suited to dynamic environments than to stable environments.

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

The primary source of environmental diversity or uncertainty mainly determines the best form of divisional structure an organization should adopt.

An organization that wants to compete through innovation should:

When a manager has many direct reports, a narrow span of control exists.

Job descriptions help improve quality and consistency of a product or service by standardizing work activities.

Functional structures tend to have higher dysfunctional conflict and poorer coordination across units than other forms of departmentalization.

Mechanistic structures operate best:

Team-based organizational structures are usually found within larger divisionalized structures.

Introduction to the Field of Organizational Behavior

Individual Behavior, Personality, and Values

Perceiving Ourselves and Others in Organizations

Workplace Emotions, Attitudes, and Stress

Foundations of Employee Motivation

Applied Performance Practices

Decision Making and Creativity

Team Dynamics

Communicating in Teams and Organizations

Power and Influence in the Workplace

Conflict and Negotiation in the Workplace

Leadership in Organizational Settings

Organizational Culture

Organizational Change

Filters

Exam 13: Designing Organizational Structures

When employees perform highly interdependent work, generally a narrow span of control is necessary.

One of the defining characteristics of a functional organizational structure is that it:

The geographic-product matrix structure is likely the most common matrix design among global companies.

Departmentalization establishes interdependencies among employees and subunits and frames the membership of formal work teams.

Informal communication is a coordination mechanism only in small and a few medium-sized organizations.

In organizational structures, integrator roles serve mainly as:

What are "mechanistic" and "organic" structures? What are their characteristics?

Which of the following forms of departmentalization organizes employees around specific skills or other resources?

The span of control is interconnected with organizational size and the number of layers in the hierarchy.

An organic structure has:

Mechanistic structures are better suited to dynamic environments than to stable environments.

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

The primary source of environmental diversity or uncertainty mainly determines the best form of divisional structure an organization should adopt.

An organization that wants to compete through innovation should:

When a manager has many direct reports, a narrow span of control exists.

Job descriptions help improve quality and consistency of a product or service by standardizing work activities.

Functional structures tend to have higher dysfunctional conflict and poorer coordination across units than other forms of departmentalization.

Mechanistic structures operate best:

Team-based organizational structures are usually found within larger divisionalized structures.

Introduction to the Field of Organizational Behavior

Individual Behavior, Personality, and Values

Perceiving Ourselves and Others in Organizations

Workplace Emotions, Attitudes, and Stress

Foundations of Employee Motivation

Applied Performance Practices

Decision Making and Creativity

Team Dynamics

Communicating in Teams and Organizations

Power and Influence in the Workplace

Conflict and Negotiation in the Workplace

Leadership in Organizational Settings

Organizational Culture

Organizational Change

Filters