Question 1

Post-Fordism describes flexible systems of production that are designed to produce differentiated goods and services for niche markets.

Accepted Answer

Post-Fordism refers to the transition from mass production methods, characterized by Fordist principles, to more flexible forms of production. This includes the use of new information technologies, the decentralization of production processes, and a focus on producing a wider variety of goods and services tailored to specific market segments or niche markets.

Question 2

Japanese-style management control systems rely on which of the following?&#10;A)Pre-employment screening&#10;B)Pluralist perspectives&#10;C)Suggestion programmes&#10;D)High wages

Accepted Answer

Japanese-style management control systems often include pre-employment screening to ensure that employees fit well with the company culture and values. Suggestion programs are also a key feature, encouraging continuous improvement and innovation from all levels of staff.

Question 3

Resistance of one form or another is always possible in organizations.

Accepted Answer

Resistance in organizations can manifest in various forms, such as overt opposition, passive resistance, or subtle pushback against changes, policies, or leadership decisions, making it a common occurrence in organizational dynamics.

Question 4

Which of the following is a feature of the impact of 'downsizing' on employees?&#10;A)Betrayal&#10;B)Guilt&#10;C)Relief&#10;D)Greater commitment

Accepted Answer

Downsizing often leads to feelings of betrayal among remaining employees who may lose trust in the organization. It can also lead to guilt among survivors who keep their jobs while their colleagues are laid off.

Question 5

The critical approach challenges the credibility of main stream thinking and exposes its limitations.

Accepted Answer

The critical approach involves questioning and evaluating the assumptions, values, and practices of mainstream thinking, aiming to uncover and challenge its limitations and biases.

Question 6

Job enrichment requires workers to specialise in a limited number of tasks to increase efficiency.

Accepted Answer

Job enrichment involves increasing the depth of a job through giving employees more autonomy, responsibility, and variety in their tasks, rather than specializing in a limited number of tasks.

Question 7

Which of the following are reasons for the changes in public sector organizations?&#10;A)To erode inefficiencies&#10;B)To promote 'new right' political ideologies&#10;C)To provide better value-for-money&#10;D)All of the above

Accepted Answer

The changes in public sector organizations are often driven by a combination of factors, including the desire to erode inefficiencies, promote certain political ideologies (such as those associated with the 'new right'), and to provide better value-for-money. These goals reflect broader efforts to reform and improve public sector performance and responsiveness to public needs.

Question 8

In advanced industrial societies in recent decades a radical change has taken place in the way that work is organized and experienced.

Accepted Answer

Advanced industrial societies have seen significant changes in work organization and experience due to technological advancements, globalization, and shifts towards service-oriented economies, leading to more flexible, diverse, and often precarious employment conditions.

Question 9

Strong organizational cultures can provide employees with a valued sense of purpose and self-identity.

Accepted Answer

Strong organizational cultures often embody clear values, beliefs, and expectations that can help employees feel a sense of belonging and purpose, contributing to their self-identity within the workplace.

Question 10

Which of the following are benefits of job enrichment?&#10;A)Increased job satisfaction&#10;B)Increased sense of achievement&#10;C)Higher bonuses&#10;D)Reduced conflict

Accepted Answer

Job enrichment involves redesigning jobs to give employees more responsibility and variety, leading to increased job satisfaction and a greater sense of achievement among workers. It does not directly relate to higher bonuses or reduced conflict.

Question 11

People resist change for a variety of reasons.

Accepted Answer

The answer of People resist change for a variety of...

Question 12

Which of the following are characteristics of 'Post-Fordism' organizations?&#10;A)Close supervision&#10;B)Flexible systems of production&#10;C)Differentiated goods produced&#10;D)Hierarchy of authority

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following are characteristics of...

Question 13

Which of the following are forms of waste in organizations according to JIT enthusiasts?&#10;A)Rest breaks&#10;B)Overtime&#10;C)Idle machine time&#10;D)Late deliveries

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following are forms of...

Question 14

Which of the following are benefits of new organizational forms?&#10;A)Financial flexibility&#10;B)Higher productivity&#10;C)Numerical flexibility&#10;D)Greater efficiency

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following are benefits of...

Question 15

Cultural management alone can raise employee performance and productivity, change values and reshape beliefs and attitudes.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Cultural management alone can raise employee performance...

Question 16

Work intensification no longer exists.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Work intensification no longer exists....

Question 17

Which of the following are reasons for resisting change?&#10;A)Fear of the unknown&#10;B)Job security&#10;C)Work-life balance&#10;D)All of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following are reasons for...

Question 18

Which of the following list explains the principles of scientific management?&#10;A)A scientific study of work tasks&#10;B)Detailed instruction and close supervision&#10;C)A concern for motivation&#10;D)A focus on the social dimension of work

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following list explains the...

Question 19

Which of the following are disadvantages experienced by 'peripheral workers'?&#10;A)Limited job security&#10;B)Limited career prospects&#10;C)Lower salaries&#10;D)Longer hours

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following are disadvantages experienced...

Question 20

The flexible firm model has incorporates functional flexibility, numerical flexibility and financial flexibility.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The flexible firm model has incorporates functional...

Deck 11: Change and Innovation: New Organizational Forms