Deck 9: Organizational Design, Competencies, and Technology

Question 1

What would Perrow recommend regarding the operations of a nuclear power plant?

A)That decisions be programmed in advance
B)That the technological imperative of matching structure to task should be implemented
C)That they adapt to a continuous- process technology
D)That the technology is so complex that no organizational structure is safe enough for the organization to effectively operate

Answer 1

D

Question 2

CAMM is essential to the success of which of the following technologies?

A)JIT inventory systems
B)CIIS
C)CAD
D)Flexible work teams

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Long- linked technology is characterized by all of the following except .

A)increased production efficiency
B)reciprocal interdependence
C)standardization
D)low- skilled workers

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Technology exists at which of the following levels in an organization?

A)Functional and divisional only
B)Individual, functional, and organizational
C)Functional only
D)Divisional and organizational only

Question 5

A just- in- time inventory system allows for:

A)stockpiling of inventories.
B)a narrow range of products.
C)vertical integration.
D)flexibility in manufacturing.

Question 6

Hewlett- Packard (HP)reduced its product development time by:

A)moving from pooled interdependence to sequential interdependence.
B)changing from mediating technology to long- linked technology.
C)moving from sequential interdependence to reciprocal interdependence.
D)centralizing decision- making.

Question 7

A pharmaceutical company concentrates on producing drugs for diabetes patients. This company is pursuing a strategy.

A)licensing
B)specialism
C)vertical integration
D)outsourcing

Question 8

In mass production, the actions of one employee determine how well the next employee can perform his task. This is an example of technology.

A)large- batch
B)mediating
C)long- linked
D)independent

Question 9

An organization pursuing a low- cost strategy is most likely to use which of the following technologies?

A)Nonroutine research
B)Engineering production
C)Routine manufacturing
D)Craftswork

Question 10

Which of the following technologies is used to develop master production schedules for manufacturing?

A)CIM
B)JIT inventory systems
C)CAD
D)CAMM

Question 11

To protect its conversion process, an organization that uses traditional mass production technology:

A)uses CIM.
B)establishes a new venture.
C)may pursue a vertical integration strategy.
D)uses a JIT inventory system.

Question 12

The sales department will most likely use which of the following technologies?

A)Long- linked
B)Intensive
C)Mediating
D)Operations

Question 13

Which of the following technologies has the highest level of technical complexity?

A)Large- batch
B)Small- batch
C)Craftswork
D)Continuous- process

Question 14

A Just in Time inventory system the level of task interdependence.

A)reduces
B)influences
C)decreases
D)increases

Question 15

A network organization uses which of the following technologies?

A)Operations
B)Intensive
C)Mediating
D)Long- linked

Question 16

is producing only a narrow range of outputs.

A)General production
B)Specialism
C)Environmentalism
D)Innovation

Question 17

If an organization uses intensive technology, then the primary form of task interdependence is , and the type of coordination required is .

A)reciprocal/mutual adjustment
B)sequential/mutual adjustment
C)sequential/standardization
D)reciprocal/standardization

Question 18

In the Perrow framework, task variability refers to the:

A)number of tasks the worker is assigned.
B)number of exceptions encountered in performing a task.
C)number of difficult tasks within the organization.
D)extent of departmental complexity within the organization.

Question 19

Ford principles included all except:

A)workers should be skilled.
B)work should be delivered to the worker.
C)workers should be unskilled.
D)specialization should be increased.

Question 20

Which of the following was not one of Henry Ford's principles of progressive manufacture?

A)Work should be delivered to the worker.
B)Individual tasks should be broken down into their simplest components.
C)Work should proceed in an orderly and specific sequence.
D)Workers should be empowered to make decisions.

Question 21

Slack resources will most likely be used when an organization uses technology.

A)mediating
B)nonroutine
C)long- linked
D)intensive

Question 22

Hospitals are organizations that use technology.

A)long- linked
B)engineering production
C)intensive
D)mediating

Question 23

Which of the following technologies has high task variability and low task analyzability?

A)Engineering production
B)Nonroutine research
C)Craftswork
D)Routine manufacturing

Question 24

The use of robots is an essential part of which of the following technologies?

A)CAMM
B)JIT inventory systems
C)CAD
D)CIM

Question 25

The advantages of stockpiling include all except:

A)protection against disruptions in production.
B)not running out of needed parts.
C)carrying costs of huge inventories.
D)reduced threats of disrupted supplies.

Question 26

AMT does all of the following except:

A)increase task interdependence.
B)reduce the complexity of tasks.
C)reduce the need for inventory buffers.
D)enable an organization to achieve a low- cost advantage and a differentiation advantage simultaneously.

Question 27

Traditional mass production is characterized by all of the following except:

A)rotation of employees among various tasks.
B)stockpiles of raw materials inventory.
C)stockpiles of finished goods inventory.
D)dedicated machines.

Question 28

Which of the following technologies is associated with a flat structure and a relatively narrow span of control?

A)Small- batch
B)Continuous- process
C)Mass production
D)Routine manufacturing

Question 29

An organization that uses the internal systems approach to measure organizational effectiveness will most likely employ technology to .

A)reduce costs
B)increase customer service
C)improve quality
D)reduce product development time

Question 30

Which of the following technologies simplifies the process of developing prototypes?

A)JIT inventory systems
B)CAD
C)CIM
D)CAMM

Question 31

Which of the following strategies is used to decrease the costs of using intensive technology?

A)Specialism
B)Related diversification
C)The use of slack resources
D)Vertical integration

Question 32

consists of innovations in materials technology and in knowledge technology that change the work processes of traditional mass- production organizations.

A)Mass production
B)Advanced manufacturing technology
C)Robotics
D)Computer- aided design

Question 33

When a company has reciprocal interdependence, which of the following structures is most appropriate?

A)Market
B)Product team
C)Geographic
D)Functional

Question 34

Large- batch technology is characterized by all of the following except:

A)high task programmability.
B)high technical complexity.
C)standardized production.
D)high- skilled workers.

Question 35

Written rules are best used to achieve coordination in cases of .

A)pooled interdependence
B)reciprocal interdependence
C)sequential interdependence
D)mutual adjustment

Question 36

Computer- aided materials management (CAMM):

A)uses a push approach to manage inventory flows.
B)decreases technical complexity.
C)increases task interdependence.
D)uses inventory buffers.

Question 37

technology is ideal for producing new products.

A)Small- batch
B)Mass production
C)Continuous- process
D)Routine manufacturing

Question 38

Vertical integration is a strategy that is most likely to be used when an organization employs .

A)long- linked technology
B)intensive technology
C)small- batch technology
D)mediating technology

Question 39

Charles Perrow states that the difference between routine and complex tasks is due to which of the following dimensions?

A)Task variability and task interdependence
B)Task analyzability and technical complexity
C)Task interdependence and task analyzability
D)Task variability and task analyzability

Question 40

comprises machinery, computers, and other equipment.

A)Material technology
B)Facilities management
C)Craftswork
D)Organizational theory

Question 41

As demonstrated at Toyota, an organization that uses flexible manufacturing technology does all of the following except:

A)produce a wide variety of products.
B)stockpile inventory.
C)train workers to perform many tasks.
D)increase its technical complexity.

Question 42

A mechanistic structure is most appropriate for which of the following organizations?

A)A custom furniture maker
B)A specialized chemical processor
C)An automobile manufacturer
D)A biotechnology company

Question 43

Which of the following is not an innovation in materials technology?

A)Just- in- time (JIT)inventory systems
B)Computer- aided design (CAD)
C)Quality control circles
D)Computer- aided materials management (CAMM)

Question 44

In the Woodward study, the classification of technology included all of the following except .

A)mass production
B)continuous- process technology
C)small- batch production
D)operations technology

Question 45

Which of the following technologies has low task variability and high task analyzability?

A)Routine manufacturing
B)Nonroutine research
C)Engineering production
D)Craftswork

Question 46

Lee jeans meets customer demand by sending computer requests from stores to the manufacturing departments that pull in raw materials such as cloth and thread. Lee uses:

A)computer- aided- materials management (CAMM).
B)just- in- time inventory.
C)decentralized decision- making.
D)mass production.

Question 47

According to Perrow, when an organization uses a highly routine technology (where task variability is low and task analyzability is high), the most effective structure is characterized by all of the following except:

A)joint specialization.
B)centralized decision- making.
C)a tall hierarchy of authority.
D)a high degree of formalization.

Question 48

Which of the following technologies has the lowest level of task interdependence?

A)Mass production
B)Intensive
C)Mediating
D)Long- linked

Question 49

Motorola's factory of the future uses .

A)fixed workers
B)mass production
C)robots
D)dedicated machines

Question 50

The communication flow is primarily vertical through the hierarchy in an organization that uses technology.

A)intensive
B)long- linked
C)mediating
D)small- batch

Question 51

One would expect to find the smallest span of control in an organization using which of the following forms of technology?

A)Small- batch
B)Large- batch
C)Mass production
D)Continuous- process

Question 52

In a machine shop, each employee might operate a lathe to bolts, and each is evaluated and rewarded on the basis on individual performance. This is an example of technology.

A)computer
B)mediating
C)intensive
D)specific

Question 53

are machines that can perform only one operation at a time.

A)Transfer machines
B)Dedicated machines
C)Retooling machines
D)Highly complex machines

Question 54

Dedicated machines:

A)require high- skilled operators.
B)are ideal for short production runs.
C)play a significant role in ATM.
D)produce a narrow range of products.

Question 55

Which of the following technologies has low task variability and low task analyzability?

A)Routine manufacturing
B)Craftswork
C)Nonroutine research
D)Engineering production

Question 56

is the number of new or unexpected situations that a person encounters while performing a task.

A)Specialization
B)Task analyzability
C)Task variability
D)Craftswork

Question 57

A just- in- time (JIT)inventory system:

A)requires the use of CAD.
B)decreases task interdependence.
C)focuses only on the conversion stage of the value creation process.
D)reduces the costs of customization.

Question 58

Task analyzability is:

A)the degree to which tasks can be programmed in advance.
B)the degree to which employees must search for solutions to problems.
C)the number of exceptions encountered while performing a task.
D)the degree to which the actions of one person affect another person's ability to perform his or her tasks.

Question 59

Which of the following is a finding of the Aston Study?

A)The type of technology determines organizational structure.
B)Technical complexity depends on task variability and task analyzability.
C)Intensive technology is associated with sequential interdependence.
D)Technology influences organizational structure more in smaller firms than it does in larger ones.

Question 60

Which of the following departments will likely have the most complex tasks?

A)Accounting
B)Sales
C)R&D
D)Manufacturing

Question 61

is a measure of the extent to which a production process can be programmed so that it can be controlled and made predictable.

A)Centralization
B)Technology
C)Technical complexity
D)Quality

Question 62

Which of the following types of technology was not identified by James Thompson?

A)Mediating
B)Intensive
C)Long- linked
D)Operations

Question 63

is the organizational technology that uses conveyor belts and a standardized progressive assembly process to manufacture goods.

A)Specialization
B)Craftswork
C)Innovation
D)Mass production

Question 64

Which of the following technologies electronically links an organization with its suppliers?

A)Fixed automation
B)CAD
C)CAMM
D)CIM

Question 65

Small- batch technology is characterized by:

A)flexibility.
B)low costs.
C)the ability to be programmed.
D)high technical complexity.

Question 66

Which of the following is not a characteristic of mediating technology?

A)It is easy to evaluate employees' performance.
B)It requires a high level of integration.
C)It is relatively inexpensive to operate.
D)It has a high level of standardization.

Question 67

The theory that technology determines structure is known as .

A)the Aston Study
B)the technological imperative
C)resource dependence theory
D)transaction cost theory

Question 68

All of the following innovations in materials technology deal with coordinating the input and conversion stages of the value creation process except .

A)JIT inventory systems
B)CAMM
C)CAD
D)CIM

Question 69

What is the main coordination problem associated with small- batch technology?

A)It is impossible to program conversion activities because production depends on the skills of people working together.
B)Production happens in small batches, making it hard to retrace errors.
C)Structures tend to be too tall, limiting communications.
D)Span of control tends to be so wide that subordinates have too much freedom.

Question 70

According to the Woodward studies,

A)successful firms using continuous- process technology had mechanistic structures.
B)successful firms using mass production technology had organic structures.
C)size is the most important determinant of organizational structure.
D)differences in structure across technologies appeared to be associated with organizational effectiveness.

Question 71

Which of the following is a disadvantage of traditional mass production?

A)Low technical complexity
B)A low level of customer responsiveness
C)Lack of transfer machines
D)High costs

Question 72

An organization's top- management team is most likely to use which of the following types of technology?

A)Craftswork
B)Nonroutine research
C)Routine manufacturing
D)Engineering production

Question 73

According to the Woodward studies, organizations that employ continuous- process technology have structures and a relatively span of control.

A)flat/narrow
B)tall/narrow
C)tall/wide
D)flat/wide

Question 74

In 1913 Henry Ford changed his company's technology from to .

A)routine manufacturing/mass production
B)craftswork/mass production
C)engineering production/mass production
D)long- linked/intensive

Question 75

Organizations use technology for all except:

A)better response to stakeholders.
B)increased innovation.
C)improved efficiency.
D)rites of enhancement.

Question 76

With respect to task interdependencies, which of the following are the three general levels of interdependencies?

A)Pooled, sequential, reciprocal
B)Pooled, backward, forward
C)Reciprocal, forward, pooled
D)Reciprocal, sequential, forward

Question 77

perform standardized, repetitive work procedures.

A)Fixed workers
B)Crafts workers
C)Customer- oriented
D)Production teams

Question 78

The dominant form of workflow interdependence in mediating technologies is .

A)pooled
B)sequential
C)intensive
D)reciprocal

Question 79

The dominant form of workflow interdependence in long- linked technologies is .

A)reciprocal
B)intensive
C)pooled
D)sequential

Question 80

Computer- aided design (CAD)enables an organization to:

A)reduce costs by hiring low- skilled workers.
B)develop master production schedules for management.
C)receive supplies at the time they are needed.
D)physically produce parts by pressing a button.