Deck 9: Organizational Design, Competences, and Technology

Question 1

A mechanistic structure is the appropriate structure for managing continuous-process technology.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Continuous-process production is more cost efficient than both unit and mass production.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The conversion process that results from small-batch and unit technology tends to be flexible.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Mass production is the technology that involves groups of skilled workers interacting closely and combining their skills to produce custom-designed products.

Question 5

Small-batch and unit technology scores highest on the dimension of technical complexity.

Question 6

Continuous-process technology is associated with the tallest hierarchy of authority.

Question 7

An organization taking the technical approach to measure organizational effectiveness uses technology to develop new products, services, and processes.

Question 8

The most appropriate structure for unit and small-batch technology is an organic structure.

Question 9

A conversion process that is fully automated and that can be programmed in advance is considered to be having low technical complexity.

Question 10

Task variability is low when a task is highly standardized or repetitious so a worker encounters the same situation time and time again.

Question 11

Craftswork is the organizational technology based on competences in using a standardized, progressive assembly process to manufacture goods.

Question 12

Routine manufacturing is characterized by high task variability and low task analyzability.

Question 13

According to Aston Studies, an organization's technology is more important than organizational size in determining the organization's choice of structure.

Question 14

In the case of small-batch technology, production continues with little variation in output and rarely stops.

Question 15

Continuous-process technology is typically used for producing one-of-a-kind customized products.

Question 16

When conversion processes depend primarily on the performance of people, rather than on machines, technical complexity of the process is said to be high.

Question 17

Small-batch technology has a higher level of technical complexity than large-batch technology.

Question 18

Technology is used at all three stages in the value creation process: input, conversion, and output.

Question 19

An organization taking the internal systems approach uses technology to reduce the time needed to bring new products to market.

Question 20

The low-cost advantages of mass production are obtained by making tasks low in variability and high in analyzability.

Question 21

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

A) technical complexity
B) resource customizability
C) situational adaptability
D) environmental compatibility

Question 22

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

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

Question 23

Intensive technology is characterized by a work process where input, conversion, and output activities are inseparable.

Question 24

A computer-integrated manufacturing system eliminates the need to retool machines physically.

Question 25

Intensive technology is less expensive to manage than either mediating or long-linked technology.

Question 26

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

A) Craftswork
B) Mass production
C) Customization
D) Differentiated production

Question 27

________ is the technology that involves groups of skilled workers who interact closely to produce custom-designed products.

A) Mass production
B) Engineering technology
C) Craftswork
D) Progressive manufacturing

Question 28

A company uses new technological developments to improve its service to customers and to increase products' quality and reliability. This information indicates that the company is taking the ________ approach to measure organizational effectiveness.

A) external resource
B) technical
C) internal systems
D) competitive

Question 29

The interactions of the members of a surgical operating team, the cooperative efforts of scientists in a research and development laboratory, and techniques developed by assembly-line workers are all examples of competences and technology at the ________ level.

A) functional
B) external resource
C) environmental
D) organizational

Question 30

Ford increased his organization's effectiveness by organizing its functional resources to create better quality cars at a lower cost for both manufacturer and consumer. This information indicates that Ford is taking the ________ approach to measure organizational effectiveness.

A) environmental
B) internal systems
C) competitive
D) technical

Question 31

Mediating technology at the organizational level is also found in organizations that use franchise arrangements to organize their businesses.

Question 32

Typically, organizations performing nonroutine tasks have organic structures.

Question 33

Mass production technology is based on sequential task interdependence.

Question 34

Engineering production technology is characterized by low task variability and low task analyzability.

Question 35

Organizations that employ ________ technology make one-of-a-kind customized products.

A) sequential-process
B) small-batch and unit
C) continuous-process
D) large-batch and mass production

Question 36

Long-linked technology is characterized by work process in which input, conversion, and output activities can be performed independently of one another.

Question 37

Typically, organizations performing routine tasks have flat hierarchy of authority.

Question 38

A just-in-time inventory system increases task interdependence between stages in the production chain.

Question 39

Which of the following statements is most likely to be true regarding a process that has a high technical complexity?

A) Such processes rely more on human skills and less on machines.
B) In such a process, work activities cannot be programmed in advance.
C) Outputs that result from such processes can be predicted accurately.
D) Such processes are very costly and they cannot be changed once established.

Question 40

Advanced manufacturing technology (AMT) tries to protect the conversion process from disruptions at the input and output stages by using stockpiles of inventory as buffers to increase control and reduce uncertainty.

Question 41

The Aston Studies concluded that ________ in determining an organization's choice of structure.

A) external environment of the organization is more important than organizational size
B) organizational size is more important than technology
C) organizational culture is more important than organizational size
D) organizational technology is more important than organizational culture

Question 42

The argument that technology determines structure is known as the ________.

A) transaction cost imperative
B) resource dependency
C) technological imperative
D) external dependency

Question 43

According to Woodward's research, an organization using which of the following technologies is most likely to have the flattest organizational structure?

A) small-batch technology
B) sequential-process technology
C) large-batch technology
D) continuous-process technology

Question 44

With reference to the types of production technologies identified by Joan Woodward, which of the following technologies has the highest level of technical complexity?

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

Question 45

With reference to the types of production technologies identified by Joan Woodward, which of the following technologies is the most suitable to producing new or complex products?

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

Question 46

With reference to the types of production technologies identified by Joan Woodward, which of the following technologies gives an organization the capacity to produce a wide range of products that can be customized for individual customers?

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

Question 47

With reference to the types of production technologies identified by Joan Woodward, which of the following technologies is most likely to be used by an Internet software company?

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

Question 48

Which of the following statements is true regarding small-batch and unit technology?

A) The conversion process that results from this technology is typically flexible.
B) This technology is used by companies to produce massive volumes of standardized products.
C) This technology is characterized by highest level of technical complexity.
D) This technology is used in the production of oil-products and chemicals.

Question 49

A furniture maker that constructs furniture customized to the needs and tastes of specific clients is most likely to use ________ technology.

A) mass production
B) small-batch and unit
C) standardized production
D) continuous-process

Question 50

Which of the following technologies is most likely to be used for producing huge volumes of standardized products, such as cars, razor blades, aluminum cans, and soft drinks?

A) sequential-process technology
B) large-batch technology
C) continuous-process technology
D) small-batch technology

Question 51

According to Joan Woodward's research, organization using which of the following technologies is most likely to have the tallest hierarchy of authority?

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

Question 52

With reference to the types of production technologies identified by Joan Woodward, which of the following technologies is most likely to be used by an oil refinery?

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

Question 53

With reference to the types of production technologies identified by Joan Woodward, which of the following technologies, when operated at full capacity, has the lowest production costs?

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

Question 54

With reference to the types of production technologies identified by Joan Woodward, a mechanistic structure is most appropriate for an organization using ________ technology.

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

Question 55

According to Charles Perrow, task ________ is the number of new or unexpected situations that a person encounters while performing a task.

A) variability
B) analyzability
C) customizability
D) adaptability

Question 56

According to Charles Perrow, which of the following dimensions underlie the difference between routine and nonroutine or complex tasks?

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

Question 57

Which of the following types of production technologies, as identified by Joan Woodward, scores lowest on the dimension of technical complexity?

A) continuous-process technology
B) large-batch and mass production technology
C) small-batch and unit technology
D) sequential-process technology

Question 58

Which of the following statements is true regarding large-batch and mass production technology?

A) This technology has the lowest level of technical complexity.
B) In the case of this technology, any machines used during the conversion process are less important than people's skills and knowledge.
C) This technology is typically used for producing customized products in small quantities.
D) This technology allows tasks to be specified and programmed in advance.

Question 59

Small-batch technology is typically characterized by ________.

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

Question 60

According to Woodward's research, which of the following is a main factor that determines the design of organizational structure?

A) technology
B) size of the organization
C) organizational culture
D) external environment of the organization

Question 61

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

A) routine manufacturing
B) craftswork
C) engineering production
D) nonroutine research

Question 62

Which of the following statements is true regarding long-linked technology?

A) Employees working according to long-linked technology become highly skilled as they have to perform a wide range of tasks.
B) Long-linked technology is characterized by routine tasks.
C) Long-linked technology is based on pooled task interdependence.
D) Long-linked technology requires less direct coordination than mediating technology.

Question 63

With reference to the Perrow's model, in an organization, which of the following departments is most likely to have an organic structure?

A) manufacturing
B) sales
C) accounting
D) R&D

Question 64

Long-linked technology is based on ________ task interdependence.

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

Question 65

With reference to the types of technologies as identified by Thompson, hospitals are organizations that use ________ technology.

A) intensive
B) mediating
C) long-linked
D) continuous-process

Question 66

A manufacturing company stockpiles inputs and holds inventories of component parts so the conversion process is not disrupted if there is a problem with suppliers. It also stockpile finished products so it can respond quickly to an increase in customer demand without changing its established conversion processes. Which of the following technologies, as identified by Thompson, is most likely being used by this company?

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

Question 67

Each of the Walmart stores operates essentially independently. The performance of one store does not affect another store, but together all stores determine the performance of the whole organization. According to this information, which of the following technologies, as identified by Thompson, is being used by Walmart?

A) mediating technology
B) sequential-process technology
C) long-linked technology
D) intensive technology

Question 68

Intensive technology is based on ________ task interdependence.

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

Question 69

Which of the following technologies identified by Thompson is characterized by a work process in which input, conversion, and output activities can be performed independently of one another?

A) mediating technology
B) operations technology
C) long-linked technology
D) intensive technology

Question 70

Nonroutine research is characterized by ________.

A) high task variability and high task analyzability
B) low task variability and low task analyzability
C) low task variability and high task analyzability
D) high task variability and low task analyzability

Question 71

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

A) routine manufacturing
B) craftswork
C) engineering production
D) nonroutine research

Question 72

Which of the following technologies as identified by Thompson, is based on a work process where input, conversion, and output activities must be performed in series?

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

Question 73

Mediating technology is based on ________ task interdependence.

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

Question 74

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

A) routine manufacturing
B) craftswork
C) engineering production
D) nonroutine research

Question 75

An organization using which of the following technologies, as identified by Thompson, is most likely to use vertical integration as a strategy for reducing uncertainty?

A) mediating technology
B) long-linked technology
C) sequential-process technology
D) intensive technology

Question 76

According to Perrow an organization that performs nonroutine tasks will have a(n) ________.

A) mechanistic structure
B) flat hierarchy of authority
C) centralized decision-making authority
D) high degree of formalization

Question 77

According to Perrow an organization that performs routine tasks will have a ________.

A) flat hierarchy of authority
B) decentralized decision-making authority
C) mechanistic structure
D) low degree of standardization

Question 78

Which of the following strategies is most likely to be used by an organization using mediating technology for reducing uncertainty?

A) creating slack resources
B) using vertical integration
C) increasing the number of customers served
D) producing only a narrow range of outputs

Question 79

According to Charles Perrow, task analyzability is the ________.

A) number of exceptions encountered while performing a task
B) degree to which the actions of one person affect another person's ability to perform his or her tasks
C) maximum number of tasks a worker is assigned
D) degree to which search activity is needed to solve a problem

Question 80

The manufacture of specialized or customized products like furniture, clothing are examples of ________.

A) routine manufacturing
B) craftswork
C) engineering production
D) nonroutine research