Deck 4: Organizational Theory

Question 1

The most basic definition of coordination is

A)developing compatibility of goals and objectives among those within the same organization or in different ones.
B)harmonious collaboration among different groups or organizations.
C)consultation, sharing of information, and negotiation among equals.
D)the process of bringing together divided labor.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Under formal theories of organization, the needs of the organization as a whole are virtually synonymous with management's needs.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

All of the following are part of Weber's model of bureaucracy except

A)formal rules and procedures.
B)hierarchy.
C)narrow span of control.
D)maintenance of files and records.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

The Hawthorne studies established the importance of the informal social structure and worker integration.

Question 5

Which of the following most fully explains organized labor's opposition to industry's adoption of scientific management practices in the early 1900s?

A)Taylor's failure to allow for worker participation in management decision making
B)The fact that the selection of workers was not really scientific in the pure sense of the word
C)The unpopularity of time and motion studies
D)Taylor's failure to account for supply and demand in assuming labor's support for maximum productivity

Question 6

The modern theory of organization, which contrasts sharply with Weber's view of a self-contained bureaucratic structure, is

A)organizational development.
B)game theory.
C)cybernetics.
D)open-systems theory.

Question 7

The federal government has yet to implement total quality management in any of its agencies.

Question 8

The concept of self-actualization is associated with

A)Kurt Lewin.
B)Elton Mayo.
C)Chester Barnard,
D)Abraham Maslow,

Question 9

Which of the following is not part of the open-systems approach to organization theory?

A)Organizations respond to pressures from the environment.
B)Outcomes of organizational actions are predictable.
C)Organizations tend toward differentiation and elaboration.
D)Organizations seek equilibrium.

Question 10

Theory Z is characterized by slow, rather than rapid promotions; collective decision making; and general, rather than specialized career paths.

Question 11

The concept of social-psychological zone of acceptance is associated with Chester Barnard.

Question 12

A modern theory of organization that emphasizes interpersonal trust, participation, subtlety, and intimacy among supervisors and subordinates is

A)Theory Z.
B)Theory X.
C)management according to task.
D)open-systems theory.

Question 13

Which of the following is part of both Weber's and Taylor's theories of organization?

A)Emphasis on productivity, rationality, and profit
B)Assumption of a vertical "chain of command"
C)Finding the "one best way" to perform a task
D)A concern with the professionalism of employees

Question 14

The following are all obstacles to effective coordination except

A)conflicting priorities among program managers.
B)strong, effective leadership of collaborating entities.
C)differing perceptions of program goals.
D)unequal fiscal capabilities.

Question 15

The notion that organizations are arranged rationally-according to functions, geographic areas, processes, or clientele served-was a contribution of scientific management.

Question 16

Organizational centralization promotes all of the following phenomena except

A)greater participation by external clienteles in decision making processes.
B)managerial control over organization activities.
C)internal program consistency.
D)accountability for organization actions.

Question 17

In the Hawthorne experiments, male and female workers tended to act the same way in a number of respects.

Question 18

The actual consequences of communication can be directly affected by whether an organization is characterized by

A)the political or consensual model of communication.
B)individuals deeply desiring to improve communication.
C)senders of messages knowing exactly what they want to say or write.
D)none of the above.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT true of informal channels of communication within organizations?

A)They always follow proper organizational channels to their intended recipients.
B)They may originate with individuals not acting officially.
C)Senders of such communications often try to avoid going through formal hierarchical (or other) channels.
D)They are not "building blocks" to articulate official purposes, strategies, and tactics.

Question 20

Formal organization theory is best implemented by the open-systems model of participation.

Question 21

Issues of centralization and decentralization have little if any political implications, from either philosophical or practical standpoints.

Question 22

The centralization of responsibility in an organization always implies greater internal complexity and uncertainty about outcomes.

Question 23

All lateral communications are informal.

Question 24

Delegation of responsibility by top-level managers to others in an organization would be less extensive if those managers employed Theory X rather than Theory Y.

Question 25

Strictly speaking, decentralization can occur only in an organization that was previously centralized.

Question 26

In flat hierarchies, problems of communication and coordination are generally more serious and complex than in tall hierarchies.

Question 27

Two of the major differences between "line" and "staff" personnel (assuming the latter are concerned primarily with planning) are their respective time frames and priorities for accomplishing work.