Assume your boss asks you to create a spreadsheet to evaluate the key variables that early contingency theories suggested were important for determining the appropriateness of managerial actions. Which variables would you need to include in the spreadsheet?
A)Size of the organization, how customized the technology is, how turbulent/predictable the environment is, and what kind of individuals are employed by the organization
B)Size of the organization, how customized the technology is, whether or not the organization operates globally, and the degree of political unrest in the environment
C)Complexity of government regulations, stability of the environment, and interdependence across divisions of the organization
D)Age of the organization, size of the industry, barriers to entry due to high capital requirements, and how customized the technology is
E)Age of the organization, how customized the technology is, what type of products the organization sells, and how employees are compensated

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The variables mentioned in option A are the key variables suggested by early contingency theories, including organization size, customized technology, environmental turbulence/predictability, and employee characteristics. Option B includes variables that may be important, but are not as critical to determining the appropriateness of managerial actions. Option C focuses on government regulations and internal factors rather than external factors, and option D includes variables that are not as relevant for contingency theories. Option E includes variables that are not as critical to determining the appropriateness of managerial actions as those in option A.

Assume Your Boss Asks You to Create a Spreadsheet to Evaluate