Question 1

Product team structure and matrix structure are especially suitable for managing innovation in high-tech organizations.

Accepted Answer

Both product team structure and matrix structure allow for more flexibility and collaboration, which are important factors in managing innovation in high-tech organizations. In a product team structure, teams are formed around specific products, allowing for a focus on innovation and quick decision-making. In a matrix structure, teams are formed based on both products and functions, allowing for a mix of expertise and perspectives that can lead to innovative solutions.

Question 2

Lightweight team leaders often function as product champions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Lightweight team leaders often function as product...

Question 3

According to Anderson and Tushman, a technological discontinuity is a(n) ________.
A) incremental innovation
B) unprofitable new product
C) quantum innovation
D) obsolete product

Accepted Answer

According to Anderson and Tushman, a technological discontinuity is a quantum innovation, which refers to a major breakthrough that fundamentally changes the way things are done. It can lead to new products, new markets, or even the demise of old technology. It is not an incremental innovation, an unprofitable new product, or an obsolete product.

Question 4

What percentage of R&D projects result in products that get to market?
A) 1 to 9
B) 12 to 20
C) 24 to 32
D) 33 to 40

Accepted Answer

The answer of What percentage of R&D projects result in...

Question 5

Typically, use of IT results in a flatter organization.

Accepted Answer

IT enables better communication and collaboration among employees, which in turn leads to the flattening of hierarchical structures within an organization. This is because information and decision-making can now flow more easily across different levels of the organization.

Question 6

________ technological change refers to the improvements that are continuously made to particular technologies over time.
A) Quantum
B) Normative
C) Incremental
D) Mimetic

Accepted Answer

Incremental technological change refers to the continuous improvements made to a specific technology, building upon its current state. This type of change is often small and gradual, but can lead to significant advancements over time. Quantum refers to a type of physics, normative refers to what should be done based on values and beliefs, and mimetic refers to imitation or copying of a technology or practice.

Question 7

Skunk works is dissolved when the product is brought to market.

Accepted Answer

Skunk Works is a research and development division of Lockheed Martin that is responsible for developing new aircraft and technologies. Once a product is brought to market, the Skunk Works team is typically dissolved and reassigned to other projects.

Question 8

As organizations age, they tend to become less flexible and innovative.

Accepted Answer

This is because processes and procedures become more rigid and established, which can stifle creativity and make it harder to adapt to changes in the market or industry. Additionally, older organizations may be more focused on maintaining their current position rather than taking risks to try new things.

Question 9

The term "information efficiencies" represents the cost and time savings that occur when IT allows individual employees to perform their current tasks at a higher level, assume additional tasks, and expand their roles in the organization due to advances in the ability to gather and analyze data.

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately defines and explains the concept of information efficiencies.

Question 10

Which of the following statements is true regarding an incremental innovation?
A) An incremental innovation results due to a fundamental shift in technology that revolutionizes products or the way in which they are produced.
B) As compared to quantum innovations, incremental innovations are more likely to cause major changes in an environment.
C) Total quality management (TQM) is an example of an incremental innovation.
D) According to Philip Anderson and Michael Tushman, technological discontinuities result due to incremental innovation.

Accepted Answer

Incremental innovation refers to small improvements and enhancements made to existing products, services or processes. Total quality management (TQM) is an example of an incremental innovation as it involves making continuous improvements to quality standards, processes and procedures. Option A refers to radical or disruptive innovation, while option B is incorrect as incremental innovation is not likely to cause major changes in an environment. Option D is also incorrect, as technological discontinuities are caused by radical or disruptive innovation, rather than incremental innovation.

Question 11

A typical stage-gate development funnel has five stages.

Accepted Answer

A typical stage-gate development funnel has multiple stages, usually ranging from five to seven. The exact number of stages can vary depending on the specific methodology and company implementation.

Question 12

A skunk works is a temporary team that is created to expedite new product design and to promote innovation by coordinating the activities of functional groups.

Accepted Answer

A skunk works is indeed a temporary team created to expedite new product design and promote innovation through coordination of functional groups.

Question 13

During stage 1 of a stage-gate development funnel, prospective project managers draft a detailed new product development plan which contains information about topics such as human resource requirements and strategic and financial objectives.

Accepted Answer

Stage 1 of a stage-gate development funnel typically involves a preliminary assessment or scoping rather than drafting a detailed new product development plan. Detailed plans are developed in later stages after initial feasibility and value are assessed.

Question 14

________ technological change refers to a fundamental shift in technology that revolutionizes products or the way in which they are produced.
A) Normative
B) Quantum
C) Mimetic
D) Incremental

Accepted Answer

Quantum technological change refers to a significant shift in technology that completely transforms products or production methods. This type of change can lead to new industries or the collapse of existing ones. Normative technological change involves incremental improvements to existing technology. Mimetic technological change occurs when competitors adopt the same technology to keep up with market trends. Incremental technological change involves small improvements to existing technology.

Question 15

The introduction in 1971 of Intel's 4004 microprocessor, the first "computer on a chip" ever produced, is an example of a(n) ________ innovation.
A) normative
B) quantum
C) mimetic
D) incremental

Accepted Answer

The introduction of the first "computer on a chip" is a breakthrough innovation, which is a type of quantum innovation characterized by the creation of something entirely new that disrupts existing markets and creates entirely new ones. It is not a normative innovation, which involves conforming to established standards or expectations; a mimetic innovation, which is a copy or imitation of an existing product or service; or an incremental innovation, which is a small improvement or enhancement to an existing product or service.

Question 16

A lightweight team leader is given primary control over key human, technological, and financial resources for the duration of the project.

Accepted Answer

In a lightweight team structure, the team leader typically has limited control over resources, which remain under the control of functional departments.

Question 17

Intel's Pentium chip is an example of a(n) ________ innovation.
A) mimetic
B) incremental
C) normative
D) quantum

Accepted Answer

The Pentium chip introduced improvements and enhancements to the previous generation of Intel chips but did not introduce a completely new technology or paradigm shift, making it an example of an incremental innovation.

Question 18

The term "information synergies" represents the knowledge building created when two or more individuals or subunits pool their resources and cooperate and collaborate across role or subunit boundaries.

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately defines the term "information synergies".

Question 19

According to Prahalad and Hamel, it is the level of knowledge a firm possesses that leads to innovation and competitive advantage and not the velocity with which the knowledge is circulated in the firm.

Accepted Answer

Prahalad and Hamel argue that both the level of knowledge and the velocity at which it is circulated within the firm are crucial for innovation and competitive advantage. The ability to quickly disseminate and apply knowledge across the organization enhances responsiveness and innovation.

Question 20

A heavyweight team leader remains under the control of a functional department head and in order to get access to resources, he or she must pursue the heads of functional departments to obtain them.

Accepted Answer

In a heavyweight team structure, the team leader typically has more autonomy and control over resources and decisions, rather than being under the strict control of a functional department head and needing to negotiate for resources.

Quiz 13: Innovation, Intrapreneurship, and Creativity

Product team structure and matrix structure are especially suitable for managing innovation in high-tech organizations.

Lightweight team leaders often function as product champions.

According to Anderson and Tushman, a technological discontinuity is a(n) ________.

What percentage of R&D projects result in products that get to market?

Typically, use of IT results in a flatter organization.

________ technological change refers to the improvements that are continuously made to particular technologies over time.