Question 1

In organizations,  _________personnel provide expert advice and guidance to  _________ personnel.
A)manufacturing; marketing
B)line; staff
C)staff; line
D)operating; sales

Accepted Answer

Staff personnel provide expert advice and guidance to line personnel. Staff roles are supportive and advisory, while line roles are directly involved in the core activities of the organization.

Question 2

A telecommunications company that organizes into a wireless division, a home- use division, a long- lines division, and a corporate services division is using which approach to departmentalization?
A)A geographical structure
B)A divisional structure
C)A functional structure
D)A matrix structure

Accepted Answer

This company is using a divisional structure because it is organized around its various product lines or services (wireless, home-use, long-lines, and corporate services), which is characteristic of divisional departmentalization.

Question 3

A _________ span of control is associated with many levels of management, which gives rise to a _________ organizational structure.
A)wide; tall
B)narrow; tall
C)wide; flat
D)narrow; flat

Accepted Answer

A narrow span of control means a manager supervises a small number of subordinates, leading to more levels of hierarchy and a taller organizational structure.

Question 4

_________s not an advantage of the matrix structure.
A)Development of cross- functional skills by employees
B)Reduced conflict about roles and responsibilities
C)Increased employee involvement
D)Efficient use of scarce resources

Accepted Answer

The matrix structure often leads to increased conflict about roles and responsibilities due to the dual reporting relationships inherent in this organizational design. Employees may have to report to both a functional manager and a project or product manager, which can lead to confusion and conflict.

Question 5

Application of Bases of Power
Jerri is confused. She thought that once she had the title of manager, everyone would listen to her and accept her authority and power. However, she has noticed other employees that seem to have power. Whenever someone has a question about the computer system, they always go to Helen who actually established the current system they are using. Usually Helen can get things up and running quicker than going to the support staff for help. Then there is Joe who has a remarkable amount of charm and charisma. He seems to have a power based simply upon him. Then there is Jill, her secretary, who has a power entirely of her own. Jill turns in the timecards weekly, and Jerri has seen her more than once override the time clock and clock somebody in earlier than they actually arrived or clock out for them when the employee left work early. When Jerri questioned her about it, Jill just laughed and said that they had been doing it for years and the time all averaged out. The company allowed no overtime so any extra time spent after work was not compensated. Jerri sometimes wonders if she has any power at all.
-Helen has the ability to influence her coworkers to work harder because she has very strong problem- solving skills. Helen possesses _________ .
A)coercive power
B)legitimate power
C)expert power
D)referent power

Accepted Answer

Helen possesses expert power, which is derived from having special knowledge or expertise in a particular area that others rely on.

Question 6

Application of Organizational Structure
Jim Johnson is the CEO of a major manufacturer of farming equipment. His company has been in business for the last 100 years and has been very profitable. The company is very formal and tall with formalized communication channels and rigid hierarchical relationships. Mr. Johnson makes all major decisions. This has worked very well until lately. It has begun to have some major global competition. Companies overseas are bringing new products into the United States at a lower price.
Furthermore, just yesterday, the new vice- president had mentioned that he felt that there was a major market overseas for the company's products. As its strategy was beginning to change, Mr. Johnson also realized its structure too would need to change, but to what? The company was large and, prior to these changes, the technology utilized, while extensive, had been very routine. What is he to do?
-Mr. Johnson's company probably needs to change from a(n) _________structure to a  _________structure.
A)mechanistic; organic
B)organic; matrix
C)organic; mechanistic
D)mechanistic; bureaucracy

Accepted Answer

The company needs to shift from a mechanistic structure, characterized by its rigid hierarchy and formal communication, to an organic structure, which is more flexible and adaptable, to better respond to global competition and explore new markets.

Question 7

Power based upon one's expertise, special skills, or knowledge is
A)referent power.
B)legitimate power.
C)expert power.
D)coercive power.

Accepted Answer

Expert power is derived from possessing knowledge or expertise in a particular area. People follow those who are knowledgeable and skilled because they trust their expertise.

Question 8

Power can be viewed as a three- dimensional concept. It includes functional and hierarchical dimensions as well as a third dimension called
A)legitimacy.
B)centrality.
C)departmentalization.
D)influence.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Power can be viewed as a three-...

Question 9

The number of employees a manager can direct efficiently and effectively is known as which of the following?
A)span of control
B)departmentalization
C)chain of command
D)work specialization

Accepted Answer

Span of control refers to the number of subordinates a manager or supervisor can directly control. This number varies with the type of work, the nature of the work environment, and the manager's capability.

Question 10

The process of  _________involves making decisions about how specialized jobs should be allocated, the rules to guide employees' behaviors, and at what level decisions are to be made.
A)planning
B)organization design
C)organizing
D)controlling

Accepted Answer

The answer of The process of  _________involves making decisions...

Question 11

When five differing workers each do one specific job preparing a Big Mac at McDonald's, they are engaging in
A)chain of command.
B)span of control.
C)departmentalization.
D)work specialization.

Accepted Answer

When five differing workers each do one specific job preparing a Big Mac at McDonald's, they are engaging in work specialization. Work specialization, also known as division of labor, is the process whereby a job is divided into various tasks that are performed by different workers, focusing on specific tasks to increase efficiency.

Question 12

Organizational structure should always _________organizational strategy.
A)occur at the same time as
B)be independent of
C)follow
D)precede

Accepted Answer

Organizational structure should follow organizational strategy because the structure is designed to support and enable the execution of the strategy.

Question 13

Which of the following has not contributed to the boundaryless organization?
A)changes in technology
B)complex and dynamic environments
C)increases in telecommunication
D)static environments

Accepted Answer

Static environments have not contributed to the development of boundaryless organizations. Boundaryless organizations thrive on adaptability, flexibility, and the rapid flow of information, which are fostered by dynamic environments, technological advancements, and enhanced telecommunications, not by static or unchanging environments.

Question 14

Application of Organizational Structure
Jim Johnson is the CEO of a major manufacturer of farming equipment. His company has been in business for the last 100 years and has been very profitable. The company is very formal and tall with formalized communication channels and rigid hierarchical relationships. Mr. Johnson makes all major decisions. This has worked very well until lately. It has begun to have some major global competition. Companies overseas are bringing new products into the United States at a lower price.
Furthermore, just yesterday, the new vice- president had mentioned that he felt that there was a major market overseas for the company's products. As its strategy was beginning to change, Mr. Johnson also realized its structure too would need to change, but to what? The company was large and, prior to these changes, the technology utilized, while extensive, had been very routine. What is he to do?
-Which type of decision- making authority is currently being used in the company?
A)acceptance theory
B)centralization
C)decentralization
D)span of control

Accepted Answer

The description indicates that Mr. Johnson makes all major decisions, which is a characteristic of centralization in organizational structures.

Question 15

A purchasing department may be created because the hospital administrator cannot effectively handle all purchasing. What type of position authority has been created?
A)responsibility
B)staff authority
C)line authority
D)accountability

Accepted Answer

Staff authority is created in this scenario because the purchasing department is established to advise and assist the hospital administrator in purchasing matters, which is a characteristic function of staff positions.

Question 16

Stanley Milgram, a Yale University social psychologist, performed an experiment in which subjects were instructed to administer a shock to learners when they made a mistake. What can be concluded from his experiments?
A)Most subjects refused to shock the learner on the basis of ethical considerations.
B)A subject's stage of moral development can be used to explain his or her response to being directed to shock the learners.
C)The base of the experimenter's power determines the subject's response to instructions.
D)Authority is a potent source for getting things done.

Accepted Answer

Milgram's experiments demonstrated that a significant number of individuals would follow orders to administer shocks to others, even to the point of causing apparent harm, when those orders were given by an authority figure. This highlighted the powerful influence of authority on human behavior.

Question 17

Jack has just been promoted to line manager for the assembling plant. Since Jack is now a manager, which of the following automatically also goes with the title of manager?
A)span of control
B)authority
C)acceptance by the employees
D)respect

Accepted Answer

Authority is inherently associated with the role of a manager, as it involves the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.

Question 18

_________entitles a manager to direct the work of an employee.
A)Line authority
B)Span of control
C)Responsibility
D)Staff authority

Accepted Answer

Line authority gives a manager the right to direct the work of employees, making decisions and issuing orders within their scope of responsibility.

Question 19

_________is a characteristic of the matrix organizational structure.
A)A dual- reporting relationship
B)A high degree of centralization
C)A lack of functional specialization
D)A lack of flexibility

Accepted Answer

A matrix organizational structure is characterized by a dual-reporting relationship, where employees report to both a functional manager and a project or product manager. This structure combines elements of both functional and projectized organizations to facilitate resource sharing and improve flexibility and responsiveness.

Question 20

Which of the following structures is loose and flexible allowing it to change rapidly as the need arises?
A)bureaucracy
B)organic organization
C)mechanistic organization
D)strategic organization

Accepted Answer

Organic organizations are characterized by their flexibility, flat structures, and decentralized decision-making processes, allowing them to adapt quickly to changes and new demands.

Quiz 5: Basic Organization Designs

In organizations, _personnel provide expert advice and guidance to _ personnel.

A telecommunications company that organizes into a wireless division, a home- use division, a long- lines division, and a corporate services division is using which approach to departmentalization?

A _ span of control is associated with many levels of management, which gives rise to a _ organizational structure.

_________s not an advantage of the matrix structure.

Power based upon one's expertise, special skills, or knowledge is

Power can be viewed as a three- dimensional concept. It includes functional and hierarchical dimensions as well as a third dimension called

The number of employees a manager can direct efficiently and effectively is known as which of the following?

The process of _________involves making decisions about how specialized jobs should be allocated, the rules to guide employees' behaviors, and at what level decisions are to be made.

When five differing workers each do one specific job preparing a Big Mac at McDonald's, they are engaging in

Organizational structure should always _________organizational strategy.

Which of the following has not contributed to the boundaryless organization?

A purchasing department may be created because the hospital administrator cannot effectively handle all purchasing. What type of position authority has been created?

Stanley Milgram, a Yale University social psychologist, performed an experiment in which subjects were instructed to administer a shock to learners when they made a mistake. What can be concluded from his experiments?

Jack has just been promoted to line manager for the assembling plant. Since Jack is now a manager, which of the following automatically also goes with the title of manager?

_________entitles a manager to direct the work of an employee.

_________is a characteristic of the matrix organizational structure.

Which of the following structures is loose and flexible allowing it to change rapidly as the need arises?