Question 1

As companies evolve, effective communication and coordination across divisions and functions are essential. Identify three integrating mechanisms and discuss the use of each in terms of complexity.

Accepted Answer

The answer of As companies evolve, effective communication and coordination...

Question 2

Define the key factors used to characterize technology and describe how the factors determine whether a technology is routine or complicated.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define the key factors used to characterize...

Question 3

Organizations can increase the flexibility in their hierarchy by

Accepted Answer

A) decreasing the span of control. 
B) increasing the number of levels of management. 
C) decentralizing authority. 
D) using dual command. 
E) decreasing autonomy.

Question 4

A large, multidomestic organization recently adopted a geographic structure, with numerous divisions. What mechanism would best increase communication and coordination between divisions in this complex structure?

Accepted Answer

A) liaison roles 
B) task forces 
C) cross-functional teams 
D) integrating roles 
E) ad hoc committees

Question 5

When designing an organizational structure in a business with high levels of uncertainty, a(n)________ structure is best.

Accepted Answer

A) adaptive 
B) job simplification 
C) tall organizational 
D) mechanistic 
E) inert

Question 6

According to Hackman and Oldham's job characteristics model, what type of employee would most likely be satisfied and perform at a high level?

Accepted Answer

A) an employee focused on a specialized task and not the full production process 
B) an employee not expected to learn new skills 
C) an employee in an organization where authority is centralized 
D) an employee allowed to work in total seclusion 
E) an employee responsible for his or her own work outcomes

Question 7

________ is the degree to which a position requires a worker to use a wide range of knowledge and abilities.

Accepted Answer

A) Task identity 
B) Task significance 
C) Job autonomy 
D) Skill variety 
E) Job feedback

Question 8

When pursuing a multidomestic strategy, managers are likely to adopt a global geographic structure.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Lewis is responsible for all installation activities at a large utility company. He would be considered a ________ manager.

Accepted Answer

A) task force 
B) zone 
C) assistant 
D) line 
E) staff

Question 10

The COO at Stevens Distribution asks the top managers to redesign their organization to reduce the number of managers. This will help

Accepted Answer

A) centralize authority. 
B) create a mechanistic structure. 
C) maintain an entrepreneurial culture. 
D) initiate a tall organizational structure. 
E) minimize the chain of command.

Question 11

________ is the combination of skills, knowledge, machines, and computers that are used to produce and distribute goods and services.

Accepted Answer

A) Human resources 
B) Technology 
C) Organizational design 
D) Job design 
E) Strategy

Question 12

A cross-functional team is a(n)

Accepted Answer

A) group of employees cross-trained in all tasks required to produce a product. 
B) organizational structure in which each type of customer is served by a self-contained division. 
C) group of managers brought together from different departments to perform organizational tasks. 
D) organizational structure in which each region is served by a self-contained division. 
E) organizational structure in which each product line is handled by a self-contained division.

Question 13

Use Hackman and Oldham's job characteristics model to discuss the desired job attributes for a start-up high technology company that aims to create a motivating, empowering culture with a high-performing workforce.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Use Hackman and Oldham's job characteristics model...

Question 14

Julian's business is growing and the number of functions and divisions are increasing. He is concerned that the organization is becoming too tall and contains too many managers. What approach would you recommend Julian take for reducing the number of managers? Explain your reasoning.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Julian's business is growing and the number...

Question 15

________ is increasing the number of different tasks in a given job by changing the division of labor.

Accepted Answer

A) Job simplification 
B) Job enlargement 
C) Job enrichment 
D) Span of control 
E) Job autonomy

Question 16

Organizational ________ is/are the formal system of task and job reporting relationships that determine(s)how employees use resources to achieve organizational goals.

Accepted Answer

A) design 
B) culture 
C) structure 
D) strategy 
E) values

Question 17

When an organization is competing in a stable market environment with resources readily available,

Accepted Answer

A) less coordination and communication are needed among functions. 
B) an entrepreneurial culture will be encouraged. 
C) managers typically design more flexible organizational structures. 
D) authority is likely to be decentralized. 
E) lower-level employees are given autonomy to make important operating decisions.

Question 18

Employees at Pinnacle share the belief that every product defect is the responsibility of the entire organization to resolve, regardless of which team may have caused the defect. This shared belief is an aspect of Pinnacle's organizational

Accepted Answer

A) structure. 
B) culture. 
C) design. 
D) strategy. 
E) enrichment.

Question 19

A(n)________ organizational culture focuses on driving employees to meet immediate business needs without investing in ongoing employee development and long-term job satisfaction.

Accepted Answer

A) entrepreneurial 
B) flexible 
C) inert 
D) normative 
E) adaptive

Question 20

To increase the degree of responsibility workers have over their jobs, managers should

Accepted Answer

A) encourage workers to continue using previously established methods of doing a job. 
B) allow workers to monitor and measure their own performance. 
C) encourage workers to hone their current skills rather than develop new skills. 
D) give workers detailed instructions to help them do their work. 
E) encourage workers to turn to their superiors when faced with unexpected situations.

Exam 10: Managing Organizational Structure and Culture