Deck 7: Information and Decision-Making

Question 1

Which of the following management functions entails the process of arranging people and resources to work toward a common goal?

A) Controlling
B) Leading
C) Planning
D) Organizing

Answer 1

D

Question 2

At Ink Pens Manufacturing (IPM), there are departments for marketing, engineering, and manufacturing. Which of the following structures does IPM exemplify?

A) A matrix structure
B) A cross-functional structure
C) An informal structure
D) A functional structure

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which of the following divisional structures brings together people and jobs performed in the same location?

A) Product structures
B) Customer structures
C) Geographical structures
D) Process structures

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Organization charts provide all of the following EXCEPT:

A) a clear division of work.
B) diagrams of reporting relationships among employees.
C) job titles of employees.
D) unofficial relationships among employees.

Question 5

An organizational structure consists of all the following EXCEPT:

A) a system of tasks.
B) reporting relationships.
C) a management mission.
D) communication linkages.

Question 6

A __________ groups together people with similar skills who perform similar tasks.

A) cross-functional structure
B) functional structure
C) horizontal structure
D) matrix structure

Question 7

The __________ allocates jobs to different people and groups.

A) organization chart
B) division of labor
C) shadow organization
D) informal structure

Question 8

The network of unofficial relationships among an organization's members is called the __________.

A) informal structure
B) planned structure
C) formal structure
D) industrial structure

Question 9

Community Bank Inc. currently operates with a functional structure. A lack of communication across functional departments has affected the performance of the employees. This scenario illustrates the concept of:

A) matrix structure.
B) top-down structure.
C) functional chimneys.
D) cross-functional team.

Question 10

Your roommate wants to learn about organization charts. You can tell her that an organization chart can tell you all of the following about an organization EXCEPT its:

A) division of work.
B) formal structure.
C) reporting relationships.
D) control mechanisms.

Question 11

Big Money Bank has several branches that are headed by branch managers. The loan manager, investments manager, operations manager, and trust manager in each branch report directly to the branch manager. This scenario is an example of a __________.

A) dysfunctional structure
B) matrix structure
C) network structure
D) product structure

Question 12

Maria, the vice-president of operations at Choco Candy, Inc. (CCI), plans to create new divisions of CCI in China, India, and Malaysia. In this scenario, Maria develops a _______ for CCI.

A) product structure
B) geographical structure
C) team structure
D) service structure

Question 13

Which of the following structures groups together people working on the same product, in the same geographical area, or with similar customers?

A) A matrix structure
B) A network structure
C) A divisional structure
D) An informal structure

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a form of divisional structure?

A) Product structure
B) Functional structure
C) Customer structure
D) Geographical structure

Question 15

A chart that describes a company's formal structure is called a(n):

A) PERT chart.
B) employee chart.
C) organization chart.
D) Pareto chart.

Question 16

__________ are made up of relationships between organizational members that are unofficial and not specified by the formal structure.

A) Strategic organizations
B) Vertical organizations
C) Shadow organizations
D) Formal organizations

Question 17

All of the following are problems with informal structures EXCEPT that they:

A) assist in getting the work done.
B) may work against organizational goals.
C) breed resistance to change.
D) distract members from their work.

Question 18

The process of grouping together people and jobs into work units is called __________.

A) breakeven analysis
B) relationship management
C) socialization
D) departmentalization

Question 19

In a functional structure, a lack of communication between functional departments leads to a lack of:

A) coordination between the functional units.
B) expertise in solving technical problems.
C) a clear career path for employees.
D) training within the departments.

Question 20

A(n) __________ graphically describes the arrangement of work positions within an organization.

A) informal structure
B) PERT chart
C) organization chart
D) business strategy

Question 21

Matrix structures offer all of the following advantages EXCEPT:

A) a less expensive organizational structure.
B) a clear accountability for projects.
C) improved communication across functions.
D) problem-solving at the team level.

Question 22

A __________ brings together members from different functional departments.

A) matrix team
B) cross-functional team
C) sales team
D) vertical team

Question 23

A _____ uses information technologies to operate as a shifting form of alliances.

A) functional organization
B) matrix organization
C) virtual organization
D) divisional organization

Question 24

Which of the following is a disadvantage of a matrix structure?

A) The power struggle between two managers produce conflicting demands on employees.
B) Expertise to solve problems is unavailable at the team level.
C) Subunits focus on functional goals rather than on organizational objectives.
D) A lack of communication develops between functional units.

Question 25

A cross-functional team member in a matrix structure reports to __________ manager(s).

A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3

Question 26

Span of control refers to:

A) the power a manager has over all employees.
B) the number of employees directly reporting to a manager.
C) the area in which a manager supervises.
D) the number of top level managers a middle manager must report to.

Question 27

A customer structure groups together people who:

A) work on a single product.
B) work in the same location.
C) serve the same customer or client.
D) possess the same qualifications.

Question 28

Who among the following is responsible for a cross-functional team member's performance appraisal in a matrix structure?

A) The functional supervisor
B) The project manager
C) Both the functional supervisor and the team leader
D) The general manager

Question 29

Your manager is considering the implementation of either a matrix structure or a team structure. Based on what you have learned in this class, you can tell her that the major difference between a matrix structure and a team structure is that a team structure:

A) has no functional management.
B) has project management.
C) is always permanent.
D) has temporary teams to solve problems.

Question 30

Delegation refers to:

A) telling employees how to do their work.
B) managers promoting their employees.
C) the process of entrusting work to others.
D) managers favoring certain employees.

Question 31

A classical management principle says authority should equal responsibility when:

A) delegating work to a subordinate.
B) centralizing organizational decisions.
C) empowering subordinate employees.
D) employing strategic alliances.

Question 32

Which of the following is a requirement for a virtual structure?

A) Functional management
B) Cross-functional teams
C) Information technology
D) Large projects

Question 33

A manager from LMT Corporation allows her employees to do their jobs as they see fit. This scenario illustrates the concept of:

A) span of control.
B) centralization.
C) empowerment.
D) organizational design.

Question 34

An organizational structure that combines functional and divisional approaches to emphasize project or program teams is called a(n) __________.

A) informal structure
B) operational structure
C) vertical structure
D) matrix structure

Question 35

In a ______ organization, the top management has the power to make most of the important decisions.

A) centralized
B) flat
C) decentralized
D) wide

Question 36

Which of the following is an advantage of a network structure?

A) An easy transition from other types of structures
B) Simplicity of operating the structures
C) Control over each part of the system
D) Lower costs and flexibility

Question 37

ABC and XYZ, two organizations in the same industry, have come together to pursue areas of mutual interest. This scenario exemplifies a(n):

A) unethical venture.
B) acquisition.
C) corporate takeover.
D) strategic alliance.

Question 38

Remote Servicing Inc. (RSI) has a flat organizational structure. In this scenario, managers at RSI would have a __________ span of control.

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

Question 39

ABC Inc. uses information technology to connect with outside suppliers and service contractors. In this scenario, which of the following structures does ABC Inc. use?

A) A cross-functional structure
B) A matrix structure
C) A network structure
D) A horizontal structure

Question 40

__________ is the process of configuring organizations to meet environmental challenges.

A) Centralization
B) Decentralization
C) Organizational design
D) Strategic planning

Question 41

Organizations that are most likely to have centralized management are:

A) empowered organizations.
B) organic organizations.
C) mechanistic organizations.
D) matrix organizations.

Question 42

An organization chart describes a company's mission.

Question 43

A cross-functional team structure has no functional supervisor.

Question 44

The key feature of a network structure is a minimal core staff, with as much of the support activity contracted out as possible.

Question 45

Which of the following statements is true of organizations with a mechanistic design?

A) They are not bureaucratic.
B) They are easily adaptable to less-predictable situations.
C) They handle change better than organizations with an organic design.
D) They thrive in stable environments.

Question 46

A flexible and adaptive organization is most likely the outcome of an organic design.

Question 47

__________ allows a worker to complete a full-time job in less than five days.

A) A flexible working hours policy
B) A compressed workweek
C) Job sharing
D) Telecommuting

Question 48

Informal structures and interpersonal networks are more likely to be the characteristics of a(n) __________ .

A) functional design
B) vertical design
C) organic design
D) bureaucratic design.

Question 49

The informal structure of an organization is also known as a shadow organization.

Question 50

To create an empowering environment, a manager should avoid:

A) allowing employees to make decisions themselves.
B) taking suggestions and ideas from subordinates.
C) giving workers a chance to take the initiative in solving problems.
D) closely supervising and regulating the work process.

Question 51

A basic principal of management is that, "When delegating, authority should equal responsibility."

Question 52

A(n) __________ emphasizes formal authority, rules, order, fairness, and efficiency.

A) organic organization
B) horizontal structure
C) decentralized organization
D) bureaucratic organization

Question 53

__________ are adaptive, using a decentralized and horizontal structure.

A) Classical designs
B) Mechanistic designs
C) Bureaucracies designs
D) Organic designs

Question 54

Controlling arranges people and resources to work toward a goal.

Question 55

At AZN Media Inc., each job is split between at least two people. This scenario illustrates:

A) job enlargement.
B) job enrichment.
C) job sharing.
D) teamwork.

Question 56

Which of the following alternate work arrangements involves using information technology to work at home or outside the office?

A) Job sharing
B) Telecommuting
C) Compressed workweeks
D) Flexible working hours

Question 57

A flexible working hours policy allows employees to work whenever they want.

Question 58

The three types of divisional structures are geographical structures, customer structures, and functional structures.

Question 59

Which of the following organizational designs is more bureaucratic and has a vertical structure?

A) Organic design
B) Mechanistic design
C) Matrix design
D) Empowered design

Question 60

The essence of the functional chimneys problem is that the subunits of an organization compete among themselves.

Question 61

With __________, top management allows lower levels to help make decisions on matters where they are best prepared or informed.

Question 62

The shadow organization that operates within a formal organization is known as a(n) __________.

Question 63

__________ group together people and jobs that serve the same customers or clients.

Question 64

A(n) __________ is a place where telecommuters share office space outside the home.

Question 65

__________ identifies the informal structures and their embedded social relationships that are active in an organization.

Question 66

Network strategies implemented through the use of information technologies create __________.

Question 67

Why are network structures, given their efficiency, not more prevalent? As a manager, would you use a network structure? Give reasons.

Question 68

Separating people to perform different tasks that aggregate into a unified whole is known as the __________.

Question 69

Describe a division structure and the various substructures within it.

Question 70

What is a matrix structure? What are the two structures from which it is formed? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a matrix structure?

Question 71

The structural approach that attempts to generate the advantages of both the functional and divisional forms is the __________.

Question 72

Describe a functional structure and some of its important advantages and disadvantages.

Question 73

__________ give employees some choice in daily work hours.

Question 74

__________ combine members from different departments to work on a common task.

Question 75

Once goals are set in the planning phase of an organization, __________ puts people and resources in place to carry them out.

Question 76

A(n) __________ is a diagram of positions and reporting relationships within an organization.

Question 77

Network structures use __________ to dramatically reduce the need for full-time staff.

Question 78

As a manager of a new marketing branch of a company, you will be supervising 30 employees that have been transferred from other branches of the company. These employees have a preexisting structure of informal relationships because they have worked together in the past. How will you identify and use this structure of informal relationships to effectively manage this new branch?

Question 79

A significant problem with functional organizations is the lack of communication between the various functional areas. This problem is known as the __________.

Question 80

A(n) __________ uses permanent and temporary cross-functional teams to improve lateral relations.