Question 1

Routine technologies are characterized by little task variety and the use of objective, computational procedures, whereas engineering technologies tend to be complex because there is substantial variety in the tasks performed.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Routine technologies involve simple, repetitive tasks that can be standardized and automated, while engineering technologies require a higher level of expertise and involve more complex, non-routine tasks.

Question 2

An integrated information network refers to a computerized system with a common database linking all areas of the organization such as accounting, inventory control, design, marketing, production, etc.

Accepted Answer

An integrated information network is a system with a common database linking all areas of an organization.

Question 3

Research suggests that FMS can become a competitive burden, rather than a competitive advantage, unless organizational structures and management processes are redesigned to take advantage of the new technology.

Accepted Answer

Research has suggested that FMS can be a burden unless organizational structures and management processes are restructured to take advantage of the technology.

Question 4

Span of control is the number of employees who report to a single manager or supervisor and is normally influenced by departmental technology.

Accepted Answer

Span of control refers to the number of employees reporting to a manager or supervisor. The span of control can be affected by various factors such as departmental technology, job complexity, type of work, etc.

Question 5

In a service firm, the quality of a service is perceived and cannot be directly measured and compared in the same way that the quality of a tangible product can.

Accepted Answer

The quality of a service is subjective and perceived through the customer's experience, making it difficult to measure and compare in the same way as tangible products.

Question 6

Products of different sizes, types, and customer requirements freely intermingling on the assembly line is an advantage of lean manufacturing.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Products of different sizes, types, and customer...

Question 7

A mediating technology provides products or services that mediate or link clients from the external environment and, in doing so, allows each department to work independently.

Accepted Answer

A mediating technology, such as a communication platform or software, facilitates communication and collaboration between departments or individuals, helping them work independently while staying connected with each other and the external environment.

Question 8

Service technologies are considered to be labor and knowledge intensive, while manufacturing technologies tend to be capital asset intensive.

Accepted Answer

Service technologies often require skilled labor and knowledge workers to provide the service, while manufacturing technologies typically require large investments in machinery and equipment.

Question 9

Mass customization refers to the separation of one product from the mass production line so that it can be adapted to the needs of a particular market.

Accepted Answer

Mass customization refers to the process of producing goods and services to meet individual customer's needs with near mass production efficiency, not separating a product from the production line.

Question 10

The management systems in both unit production and continuous process are characterized as mechanistic, whereas mass production is seen as organic.

Accepted Answer

The management systems in both unit production and continuous process are characterized as organic, whereas mass production is seen as mechanistic.

Question 11

Boundary roles are used extensively in manufacturing firms, but rarely used in service organizations.

Accepted Answer

Boundary roles are used extensively in manufacturing firms because they are responsible for interacting with customers and suppliers. In service organizations, however, boundary roles are less common because the organization's primary focus is on providing services to customers, rather than on manufacturing products.

Question 12

Perrow's study is classified as pertaining to organization-level technology, while Woodward's is classified as pertaining to department-level technology.

Accepted Answer

Woodward's study is classified as pertaining to organization-level technology,while Perrow's is classified as pertaining to department-level technology.

Question 13

"Technology" could be considered to be the tools, techniques, and actions that are used to transform organizational inputs into outputs.

Accepted Answer

This definition of technology is accurate and widely accepted in the field of organizational management. Technology can encompass a wide range of tools and practices, from simple physical devices to complex software systems, that enable organizations to efficiently and effectively carry out their operations and achieve their goals.

Question 14

Large-batch production is considered to have greater technical complexity than small-batch production on Woodward's scale.

Accepted Answer

Large-batch production involves more complex machinery, longer production cycles, and requires sophisticated inventory management systems compared to small-batch production. Therefore, it is considered to have greater technical complexity on Woodward's scale.

Question 15

Failing to adopt appropriate technologies to support strategy, or adopting a new technology and failing to realign strategy to match it, can lead to poor performance.

Accepted Answer

This is true as technology can have a significant impact on a company's ability to achieve their strategic goals. If the technology is not aligned with the strategy, then it may not effectively support the desired outcomes and can lead to poor performance. Similarly, if the strategy is not adapted to take advantage of new technologies, companies may miss out on opportunities to improve their performance.

Question 16

Compared with traditional mass production technologies, FMS has a narrow span of control, few hierarchical levels, adaptive tasks, low specialization, and decentralization, and the overall environment is characterized as organic and self-regulative.

Accepted Answer

FMS (Flexible manufacturing system) is designed to provide flexibility in manufacturing operations. It is characterized by a narrow span of control, few hierarchical levels, adaptable tasks, low specialization, decentralization, and an organic and self-regulative overall environment compared to traditional mass production technologies.

Question 17

The production of tangible outputs from service technology, rather than intangible ones from manufacturing technology, is the most obvious difference between the two technologies.

Accepted Answer

The statement is incorrect. The correct difference is that manufacturing technology produces physical goods, while service technology produces non-physical or intangible services.

Question 18

Core-technology is a department work process that is important to the organization but is not directly related to its primary mission.

Accepted Answer

Core-technology refers to the essential technologies and processes that are directly related to an organization's primary mission and objectives.

Question 19

Engineering technologies tend to be low in analyzability and high in variety.

Accepted Answer

Engineering technologies are typically high in analyzability due to their systematic and logical nature, and they can vary in variety depending on the specific field or application.

Question 20

Perrow was most concerned with two aspects of technology: variety and interdependence.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Perrow was most concerned with two aspects...

Quiz 7: Manufacturing and Service Technologies