Question 1

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?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the difference between formalization and specialization....

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

The definition of "organization" is:

Accepted Answer

A)  A goal-directed entity that has members who set goals and achieve them through strategic planning. 
B)  An entity with identifiable permanent boundaries. 
C)  A social entity that is goal-directed, has a deliberately-structured activity system, and a permeable boundary. 
D)  A business that performs work activities and contributes to its society by employing people.

Question 7

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.

Accepted Answer

A)  organization theory 
B)  chaos theory 
C)  meso theory 
D)  bureaucracy theory

Question 8

The learning organization:

Accepted Answer

A)  Places high value on problem solving. 
B)  Emphasizes training as the essential value. 
C)  Engages people in sessions focused on finding maximum organizational efficiency. 
D)  Is most effective when the organization's environment is recognized as stable.

Question 9

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:

Accepted Answer

A)  Learning theory. 
B)  Sequential interdependence. 
C)  Formalization. 
D)  Specialization.

Question 10

Scientific management was:

Accepted Answer

A)  Pioneered by Henri Fayol. 
B)  An outgrowth of the Hawthorne studies which found that people performed best in an environment of clearly specified, narrow job task. 
C)  Focused on effectiveness rather than efficiency. 
D)  Successful at increasing output, in part through the use of incentive systems.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Contingency means that:

Accepted Answer

A)  Organizations should be structured loosely. 
B)  Management structure is determined by the era or times. 
C)  One thing depends on other things, such as structure depending on environment. 
D)  The key contingent of workers should be college graduates.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss why the Hawthorne Studies are so...

Question 19

Contextual dimensions:

Accepted Answer

A)  Represent only the external environment. 
B)  Are centralization and personnel ratios. 
C)  Represent only the organization characteristics. 
D)  Include size and environment.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

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.