Question 1

The tendency of the parts of an organization to disperse and fragment is known as differentiation.

Accepted Answer

Differentiation is the tendency of the parts of an organization to break down into subunits, each with their own tasks and responsibilities, leading to dispersion and fragmentation.

Question 2

According to the competing values framework, clan, adhocracy, market, and hierarchy are ____.
A) organizational values
B) industry cultural standards
C) organizational norms
D) MBO levels of achievement
E) organizational cultures

Accepted Answer

The competing values framework identifies four types of organizational cultures: clan, adhocracy, market, and hierarchy. These cultures are characterized by the values, beliefs, and behaviors that dominate the organization and influence its practices and decisions. Therefore, the correct answer is E - organizational cultures.

Question 3

Jean-Paul, the store manager, was speaking with Patty, his new assistant manager, about the store's system of job relationships and whom she will report to and who will report to her. He said, "This structure is one of the things that motivates our workers to work together to achieve our company's goals." Jean-Paul was telling Patty about the store's _____.
A) organizational structure
B) organizational culture
C) code of ethics
D) diversity plan
E) analytics

Accepted Answer

Jean-Paul is discussing the store's organizational structure, which refers to how the organization is arranged in terms of job roles, reporting relationships, and communication channels.

Question 4

Two advantages of decentralization are that managers are encouraged to solve their own problems, and decisions are made more quickly, increasing the organization's flexibility and efficiency.

Accepted Answer

Decentralization allows for decision-making authority to be spread among different levels of management, which encourages managers to take responsibility for their own departments or teams. This can result in quicker problem-solving and decision-making, as well as increased flexibility and efficiency throughout the organization.

Question 5

Companies that have gone through a rough start-up period may decide to change their structures so that they are less mechanistic, with greater flexibility.

Accepted Answer

Companies that have gone through a rough-and-tumble start-up period may decide to change their structures so that they are more mechanistic,with clear lines of authority.

Question 6

Key IT Products has decided to retain its computer design, human resources, and marketing departments at its corporate office. But to cut costs and increase speed, it outsources many other functions such as production in Canada, accounting in a neighboring city, warehousing and distribution across town. Many components are manufactured overseas. This is an example of a matrix structure.

Accepted Answer

The scenario described is an example of a functional structure where departments are organized by their function. A matrix structure would involve individuals being assigned to multiple projects or teams across different departments and reporting to multiple managers.

Question 7

Paulina works as an order-taker at a fast food restaurant. She does not cook food, or even package the final order, but inputs the order and takes payment. Paulina reports directly to the shift manager, and seldom interacts with the general manager. This is an example of a mechanistic organization.

Accepted Answer

In a mechanistic organization,authority is centralized,tasks and rules are clearly specified,and employees are closely supervised.Mechanistic organizations,then,are bureaucratic,with rigid rules and top-down communication.

Question 8

When there are fewer rules and procedures, and networks of employees are encouraged to cooperate and respond quickly to unexpected tasks, this is known as integration.

Accepted Answer

Integration is the tendency of the parts of an organization to draw together to achieve a common purpose.

Question 9

The clan culture has a(n) _____.
A) internal focus and values flexibility
B) strong external focus and values stability and control
C) external focus and values flexibility
D) internal focus and values stability and control
E) continual focus on efficiency, cost cutting, and outsourcing

Accepted Answer

The clan culture is characterized by an internal focus on the well-being of employees and values flexibility in adapting to changing circumstances. This culture is often found in family-owned businesses or non-profit organizations. Option B) is incorrect as a strong external focus and a desire for stability and control are traits of the hierarchy culture. Option C) is incorrect as an external focus and flexibility are facets of the adhocracy culture. Option D) is incorrect as an internal focus and a desire for stability and control are characteristics of the hierarchy culture. Option E) is incorrect as efficiency, cost cutting, and outsourcing are traits of the market culture.

Question 10

The simple structure is not often found in a firm's very early, entrepreneurial stages.

Accepted Answer

The simple structure is the form for small firms,often found in a firm's very early,entrepreneurial stages,when the organization is apt to reflect the desires and personality of the owner or founder.An organization with a simple structure has authority centralized in a single person,a flat hierarchy,few rules,and low work specialization.

Question 11

Fine Oil uses a structure that includes both functional divisions, such as marketing and HR, and a divisional chain of command, such as the chemical and petroleum products divisions. For example, Glen, a salesperson, reports to both the marketing manager and the petroleum products manager as he starts to develop the Shell Oil account. Fine Oil is an example of a matrix structure.

Accepted Answer

The description provided clearly mentions a matrix structure, which includes both functional divisions and a divisional chain of command. The example of Glen reporting to both marketing and petroleum products managers further supports this.

Question 12

Becky, the CEO of an electronics retailer, is looking at the corporate structure that groups employees by specialties, such as store sales, HR, and accounting. This is an example of a functional structure.

Accepted Answer

A functional structure groups employees by their areas of expertise or specialized skills, such as HR or accounting, which is described in the question.

Question 13

Adam, the owner of Adam's Roofing, was talking to a visitor in his office, telling her that "We are a fun-loving group that believes in teamwork and a family atmosphere at work, which significantly affects our work outcomes. Plus, we do things together outside of work. This is the 'social glue' that binds the members of our company together." Adam was referring to his company's _____.
A) organizational MBO
B) organizational culture
C) code of ethics
D) diversity plan
E) analytics

Accepted Answer

Adam is referring to the shared values, beliefs, and behaviors that make up the culture of his company. This includes their emphasis on teamwork and a family atmosphere, as well as their social activities outside of work. The other options are not relevant to Adam's statement.

Question 14

While figuring out how to save money for a bride who is having financial problems, Paula, the catering manager, asked her assistant, "What do you think is the best menu to offer under these particular circumstances?" Paula and her assistant are trying to use the contingency approach.

Accepted Answer

The contingency approach involves adapting to the specific circumstances of a situation, which Paula and her assistant are doing by considering the bride's financial problems and choosing an appropriate menu.

Question 15

Reliable Office Equipment established a structure where people are grouped by similar products, such as the copier and computer divisions. It also has groups that handle certain types of customers, such as those in education and government. Reliable uses a divisional structure.

Accepted Answer

The description indicates that Reliable Office Equipment has groups based on similar products and types of customers, indicating the use of divisional structure.

Question 16

When managers from different functional divisions are brought together in cross-functional teams to solve particular problems, this is a team-based design.

Accepted Answer

When managers from different functional divisions are brought together in cross-functional teams to solve particular problems, it is considered a team-based design.

Question 17

Authority is decentralized, tasks and rules are flexible, and employees are given a lot of freedom at Reliable Copy Products, where the sales representatives are not closely supervised. Reliable is an example of a mechanistic organization.

Accepted Answer

Reliable Copy Products is an example of an organic organization, not a mechanistic one, as it has decentralized authority and flexible rules, and employees have a lot of freedom. Mechanistic organizations have centralized authority, rigid rules, and strict supervision of employees.

Question 18

According to productivity expert Odette Pollar, "To do more in a day, ____."
A) do not delegate, but be more focused
B) you must do more-not do everything faster
C) you must do more-not do everything slower
D) hire more employees
E) you must do less-not do everything faster

Accepted Answer

According to productivity expert Odette Pollar,"To do more in a day,you must do less-not do everything faster."

Question 19

Routine tasks and paperwork, as well as jobs that help your subordinates grow are __.
A) things that a manager should not delegate, according to Odette Pollar
B) tasks that should be delegated, according to Maslow
C) things that a manager should delegate, according to Odette Pollar
D) tasks that should not be delegated, according to Maslow
E) things that a manager should delegate, according to Frank Gilbreth

Accepted Answer

According to Odette Pollar, routine tasks and paperwork, as well as jobs that help subordinates grow, are tasks that should be delegated in order to free up the manager's time for more important matters and allow subordinates to develop new skills and take on greater responsibilities.

Question 20

Beautiful Homes builds new homes with products from numerous companies, such as garages from Home Depot and specially designed kitchens from a company in North Carolina. Beautiful Homes is an example of a modular structure.

Accepted Answer

In a modular structure,a firm assembles product chunks,or modules,provided by outside contractors.

Quiz 8: Organizational Culture, Structure, and Design: Building Blocks of the Organization