Question 1

Since decision-making, communication, and coordination problems are greatest for reciprocal interdependence, reciprocal interdependence should receive last priority in organization structure.

Accepted Answer

While reciprocal interdependence does pose challenges for decision making, communication, and coordination, it is still an important aspect of many organizations. It may be necessary for certain tasks or projects, and can promote collaboration and teamwork. Therefore, it should not necessarily receive last priority in organization structure.

Question 2

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

Routine technologies involve repetitive tasks that are typically handled with standard procedures, while engineering technologies involve complex tasks that require a variety of approaches to be employed. Therefore, there is more variety in the tasks performed with engineering technologies compared to routine technologies.

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

This statement is true according to research, indicating that without proper management, FMS can hinder competitiveness rather than enhance it.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Engineering technologies tend to be low in...

Question 5

Advanced technology does not always have a positive effect on employees, but research findings in general are encouraging, suggesting that jobs for workers are enriched rather than simplified, engaging their higher mental capacities, offering opportunities for learning and growth, and providing greater job satisfaction.

Accepted Answer

The statement is suggesting that research findings are encouraging and indicate that advanced technology enriches jobs for workers rather than simplifying them, engaging their higher mental capacities, offering opportunities for learning and growth, and providing greater job satisfaction.

Question 6

A baseball team is an example of pooled interdependence.

Accepted Answer

Pooled interdependence is a type of interdependence in which individuals or groups share a common resource or outcome without necessarily interacting with each other. In a baseball team, players share a common goal of winning the game and contribute to the team's overall success without necessarily directly depending on each other's performance.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Service industries rely heavily on skilled labor and knowledge, such as healthcare, education, and consulting. In contrast, manufacturing industries require large capital investments in equipment and machinery.

Question 8

Intensive technologies refers to "the combination in one organization of successive stages of production; each stage of production uses as its inputs the production of the preceding stage and produces inputs for the following stage."

Accepted Answer

The answer of Intensive technologies refers to "the combination in...

Question 9

Job simplification means that jobs are made less difficult and with fewer tasks.

Accepted Answer

Job simplification involves reducing complexity and streamlining tasks to make jobs less difficult and easier to perform.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Boundary roles are used extensively in manufacturing...

Question 11

More advanced technology tends to cause job enrichment.

Accepted Answer

More advanced technology typically allows for tasks to be automated or outsourced, which can lead to employees being able to take on more challenging and fulfilling roles that require higher-level skills and decision-making. This can result in job enrichment for those employees. However, it is important to note that not all jobs may be enriched by the introduction of new technology, as some tasks may become obsolete or require less human input.

Question 12

Sequential interdependence exists when the output of operation A is the input of operation B, and the output of operation B is the input back again to operation A.

Accepted Answer

This definition describes circular interdependence, not sequential interdependence. In sequential interdependence, the output of operation A is the input of operation B, but the output of operation B is not the input back to operation A.

Question 13

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 can be influenced by departmental technology, as technology can enable managers to efficiently oversee a larger number of employees through tools such as digital communication and remote monitoring systems.

Question 14

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. Manufacturing technology is concerned with the production of tangible outputs, while service technology deals with intangible outputs.

Question 15

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 acts as a mediator or a link between different departments, enabling them to work independently yet interconnectedly. Thus, it provides products or services that allow clients to interact with the organization's external environment seamlessly.

Question 16

With services technologies, the organization should generally be centralized.

Accepted Answer

With service technologies, the organization should generally be decentralized to ensure quick and efficient decision-making and service delivery. Decentralization allows for better coordination and communication between teams and departments, leading to increased flexibility and responsiveness to customer needs.

Question 17

Sociotechnical systems design requires detailed design specifications.

Accepted Answer

Sociotechnical systems design focuses on the interaction between people and technology, emphasizing adaptability and user involvement rather than rigid, detailed design specifications.

Question 18

Job enrichment refers to the expansion of the number of different tasks performed by an employee.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Job enrichment refers to the expansion of...

Question 19

E-commerce entails the customer's landing on the home page.

Accepted Answer

E-commerce involves various activities such as browsing, selecting, and purchasing products online, not just landing on the home page.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

FMS (Flexible Manufacturing System) is characterized by a narrow span of control, few hierarchical levels, adaptive tasks, low specialization, decentralization, and an organic/self-regulative environment, which is different from traditional mass production technologies.

Quiz 7: Manufacturing and Service Technologies