Question 1

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 2

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

Accepted Answer

Service technologies typically require the use of skilled labor and knowledge-based processes, while manufacturing technologies often involve large investments in capital equipment and machinery.

Question 3

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

The answer of Mass customization refers to the separation of...

Question 4

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 5

With services technologies, the organization should generally be centralized.

Accepted Answer

With service technologies, the organization can be decentralized as these technologies allow for greater communication and coordination between different departments and locations, reducing the need for a centralized structure.

Question 6

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 is typically influenced by departmental technology, as technology can impact the amount of oversight and coordination required for a given number of employees. However, other factors may also come into play, such as the nature of the work, the level of employee autonomy, and organizational culture.

Question 7

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. FMS alone may not provide a competitive advantage if organizational structures and management processes do not adapt to fully utilize the benefits of the technology.

Question 8

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

Failing to align technology with strategy can result in a mismatch between goals and capabilities, leading to suboptimal performance.

Question 9

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

Sequential interdependence exists when the output of operation A is the input of operation B, but not necessarily when the output of operation B is the input back to operation A. In fact, if operation B is dependent on the output of operation A but the output of operation B is not used as input for operation A, then the interdependence is not sequential.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 11

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 12

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 largely subjective and based on the perception of the customer, which cannot be directly measured or quantified in the same way as a tangible product.

Question 13

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 14

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 computerized system that links all areas of an organization through a common database, facilitating communication, decision-making, and data management. This approach enables companies to streamline processes, reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction, among other benefits.

Question 15

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 reversed. Manufacturing technology produces tangible outputs, while service technology produces intangible ones.

Question 16

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 are usually associated with repetitive tasks that require little variation in their procedures, while engineering technologies are more complex because they often involve a wide range of tasks that require the use of subjective judgment and decision-making. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 17

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 is designed to facilitate communication and coordination between different departments or units within an organization, enabling them to work independently while remaining connected to the larger system. By providing products or services that mediate or link clients from the external environment, mediating technologies help to streamline operations, reduce duplication of effort, and improve overall efficiency and effectiveness. Examples of mediating technologies include project management software, communication tools, and workflow automation systems.

Question 18

Management information systems (MIS) link together manufacturing components that previously stood alone.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Management information systems (MIS) link together manufacturing...

Question 19

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 be more flexible and adaptive than traditional mass production technologies. This means that FMS has a narrower span of control, fewer hierarchical levels, adaptive tasks, low specialization, and decentralization. The overall environment is also characterized as organic and self-regulative, which allows for greater flexibility and adaptability in response to changes in demand or production needs.

Question 20

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 may present challenges for decision making, communication, and coordination, it is also a key component of many organizations and cannot simply be disregarded or given last priority in structure. Effective management strategies can be implemented to address these challenges and ensure success with reciprocal interdependence.

Quiz 7: Manufacturing and Service Technologies