Question 1

A manager's ability to supervise and control subordinates' behavior directly is limited by two factors: the complexity and the interrelatedness of subordinates' tasks.

Accepted Answer

A manager's ability to supervise and control subordinates' behavior directly is limited by the complexity and interrelatedness of subordinates' tasks. If tasks are highly complex and interdependent, it may be difficult for a manager to closely monitor every action of their subordinates. In such cases, the manager may need to rely on other forms of control such as formalized policies and procedures, clear performance expectations, and performance feedback.

Question 2

Contingent workers are employees who belong to self-managed teams.

Accepted Answer

Contingent workers are not employees who belong to self-managed teams. They are workers who are hired on a temporary or contract basis, rather than being permanently employed by a company.

Question 3

As an organization grows, ________.

Accepted Answer

As organizations grow, there is usually a trend towards a flatter structure with fewer levels of management. This means that the increase in the number of managers is less than proportional to the increase in size. This is because as the organization becomes larger, there are more people to manage but the development of technology, service delivery techniques and effective communication tools make it possible for one manager to manage a larger team.

Question 4

An organization in which the hierarchy has many levels relative to the size of the organization is a(n) ________ organization.

Accepted Answer

A tall organization has many hierarchical levels relative to its size, while a flat organization has few hierarchical levels relative to its size. Decentralized and organic are different organizational structures that are not necessarily related to the number of hierarchical levels.

Question 5

According to Weber, rational-legal authority emerges due to qualities that a person possess, such as charisma or wealth.

Accepted Answer

According to Weber, rational-legal authority emerges based on the legitimacy of the formal rules and procedures of an organization or government, rather than personal qualities of leaders. Personal qualities such as charisma may contribute to a leader's authority, but they do not define rational-legal authority.

Question 6

An increase in the horizontal differentiation leads to an increase in the vertical differentiation.

Accepted Answer

Horizontal differentiation refers to differences in the characteristics or features of products, while vertical differentiation refers to differences in quality or performance. When there is an increase in horizontal differentiation, it creates more options and variety in the market, which leads to customers being more discerning and selective in their choices. This, in turn, can lead to a higher demand for products with better quality or performance, leading to an increase in the vertical differentiation of products.

Question 7

Standardization makes it easier to increase span of control.

Accepted Answer

Standardization refers to the process of establishing standards, norms, or guidelines for consistent performance or quality. When tasks are standardized, they become more predictable, efficient, and replicable. This can enable managers to increase their span of control, which means they can supervise a larger number of subordinates without sacrificing effectiveness. By ensuring that everyone follows the same procedures or protocols, managers can reduce the need for detailed supervision and micromanagement. Instead, they can focus on strategic decision-making, leadership development, and performance evaluation. Therefore, standardization can support the delegation of authority, reduce bureaucracy, and improve coordination across different departments or units.

Question 8

According to Weber's third principle of bureaucratic structure, a role's task responsibility and decision-making authority and its relationship to other roles in the organization should be clearly specified.

Accepted Answer

Weber's third principle of bureaucratic structure states that roles should have clearly specified task responsibilities, decision-making authority, and relationship to other roles in the organization.

Question 9

Which of the following statements is true regarding direct supervision?

Accepted Answer

Direct supervision allows managers to closely monitor the work of their subordinates and ensure that they are not withholding any important information. This can help prevent mistakes or misunderstandings that could harm the organization. Option B is incorrect because the effectiveness of direct supervision does not depend on the structure of the organization. Option C is incorrect because direct supervision can be a useful tool for on-the-job learning and development. Option D is incorrect because the effectiveness of direct supervision does not depend on whether the organization is organic or inorganic.

Question 10

Role ambiguity occurs when two or more people have different views of what another person should do and, as a result, make conflicting demands on the person.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Role ambiguity occurs when two or more...

Question 11

Which of the following statements is most likely to be true regarding a tall organization?

Accepted Answer

A tall organization is characterized by having many levels in its hierarchy, which means there are more managers to oversee employees. Therefore, option C is the most likely statement to be true among the given options. Option A is incorrect as it states the opposite of the definition of a tall organization. Option B is not necessarily true, as the size of the organization does not always determine its structure. Option D is also incorrect as a tall organization is typically more centralized, with decisions being made at the top levels of the hierarchy.

Question 12

Decentralization does not eliminate the need for many hierarchical levels in a large and complex organization.

Accepted Answer

Although decentralization can reduce the number of hierarchical levels in an organization, it does not necessarily eliminate the need for them altogether in larger and more complex organizations. In some cases, there may still be a need for certain levels of management to oversee different functions or areas of the organization.

Question 13

Which of the following is most likely to be done by an organization to improve its ability to control its members and influence their behavior?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the number of levels in its managerial hierarchy would enable the organization to have a more structured and hierarchical approach to control and influence the behavior of its members. It would allow for more layers of management to oversee and monitor employee behavior, which can increase accountability and ensure compliance with organizational policies and procedures. On the other hand, options A and B focus on empowering employees to take more control over their work, which may decrease the organization's ability to control and influence them. Option D, increasing decentralization, would also lead to a reduction in control as decision-making is spread out among more individuals and teams.

Question 14

Contingent workers do not receive indirect benefits such as health insurance or pensions.

Accepted Answer

Contingent workers are typically classified as independent contractors or temporary workers and are not entitled to the same benefits as full-time employees, including health insurance or pensions.

Question 15

In a bureaucracy, obedience is owed to a person because of the level of authority and responsibility associated with the organizational position the person occupies.

Accepted Answer

In a bureaucracy, levels of authority and responsibility are clearly defined and individuals in higher positions of authority are owed obedience and respect from those in lower positions.

Question 16

In a bureaucratic organization, individuals can be held accountable for what they do, and such accountability reduces the transaction costs.

Accepted Answer

In a bureaucratic organization, clear lines of authority and responsibility are established, which allows for individuals to be held accountable for their actions. This accountability can reduce the transaction costs associated with uncertainty and confusion in decision making.

Question 17

Role conflict occurs when a person's tasks or authority are not clearly defined and the person becomes afraid to act on or take responsibility for anything.

Accepted Answer

Role conflict occurs when there are incompatible demands placed upon a person such that compliance with both would be difficult. It is not about unclear tasks or authority, but rather about conflicting expectations or demands.

Question 18

Weber's first principle indicates that choices affecting the design of an organization's hierarchy should be based on the needs of the task, not on the needs of the person performing the task.

Accepted Answer

Weber's first principle of bureaucracy emphasizes on rationality and efficiency in task performance over personal preferences, hence the design of an organization's hierarchy should be based on the needs of the task, not on the needs of the person performing the task.

Question 19

Decentralization enables even a relatively tall structure to be more flexible in its responses to changes in the external environment.

Accepted Answer

Decentralization allows decision-making to be distributed throughout an organization, which means that responses to external changes can be made more quickly and efficiently, even in a relatively tall structure. This is because decision-makers are closer to the action and can make more informed decisions based on local knowledge and context.

Question 20

The primary advantage of a bureaucracy is that it lays out the ground rules for designing an organizational hierarchy that efficiently controls interactions between organizational levels.

Accepted Answer

A bureaucracy provides a clear structure of authority and rules for decision making, which can help to streamline processes and increase efficiency.

Quiz 5: Designing Organizational Structure: Authority and Control