Deck 3: The Threads of Organizations: Theories

Question 1

Which of the following IS NOT a characteristic of a bureaucratic organization, as defined by Weber?

A) hierarchical structure
B) reliance on rules and regulations
C) impersonal
D) fluid network structure

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Open model theorists developed their models in partial reaction to the ______________ of Weber's bureaucratic theory.

A) flexibility
B) rigidity
C) humanism
D) broadness

Answer 2

B

Question 3

A key representative of scientific management is

A) Elton Mayo
B) Frederick Taylor
C) Max Weber
D) Herbert Simon.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

The tendency of people to change their behavior when they know they are being observed is referred to as the

A) Theory Z
B) principles of administration
C) Maslow pyramid
D) Hawthorne effect

Question 5

Frederick Herzberg theorized that which of the following concepts made people feel good or bad about their jobs?

A) self-actualization and ego motivation
B) hygienic factors and motivator factors
C) economic security and self-esteem
D) hierarchy and rules/regulations

Question 6

Which of the following factors is NOT considered an important motivator by organizations?

A) mentoring
B) recognition of work well done
C) shorter working hours
D) clear job expectations

Question 7

Task environment in organization theory refers to

A) small, collegial, informal work groups
B) the forces that affect the organization's ability to fulfill its mission
C) practitioners who study public organization mission and goals
D) client feedback

Question 8

_________________________ refers to getting people to do what you want them to do within the organization.

A) Manipulation
B) Moral decision making
C) Equitable treatment
D) Rational decision making

Question 9

What percentage of public employees have observed abusive or intimidating behavior by co-workers?

A) 10%
B) 25%
C) 40%
D) 75%

Question 10

What percentage of federal employees believe that the work they do is meaningful?

A) 10%
B) 40%
C) 70%
D) 90%

Question 11

Max Weber argued that an impartial, rule-abiding, efficient, merit based career service would best ensure the fulfillment of the public interest.

Question 12

Self-actualization refers to the physiological and economic needs of the public agency employee.

Question 13

Incivility in organizational life is extensive and costly.

Question 14

Open models of organization posit that workers who have both an emotional and rational commitment to their organization will exert their very best effort on the organization's behalf.

Question 15

Public organizations must deal with far more controls and constraints emanating from the environment than private organizations.

Question 16

Theory Y assumes that people do not like to work and must, therefore, be motivated by direct threats or punishments.

Question 17

What are some of the characteristics of the closed model of organizations? What are its major sub-schools?

Question 18

What are some characteristics of the open model of organizations? What are its major sub-schools?

Question 19

What are the essential differences between the closed and open models of organizations?

Question 20

How are the open and closed models synthesized?

Question 21

Define organization development and list its principal advantages and disadvantages for public agencies.