Question 1

The line of authority that vertically links each position with successively higher levels of management is chain of command.

Accepted Answer

This is the definition of the chain of command.

Question 2

Adaptive organizations operate with a minimum of bureaucratic structure and with cultures that encourage worker empowerment and participation.

Accepted Answer

Adaptive organizations prioritize flexibility and employee autonomy over rigid hierarchical structures and centralized decision-making. They seek to empower their workers and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Question 3

Delegation is the process of entrusting work to others in the organization by giving them the right to make decisions and take action.

Accepted Answer

Delegation involves empowering others to make decisions and take action on behalf of the delegator.

Question 4

Dynamic environments and changing conditions call for more organic designs.

Accepted Answer

Organic designs are more adaptable to changing conditions and dynamic environments. They can evolve and adjust over time, making them better suited to these types of situations than rigid, static designs.

Question 5

Adaptive organizations stimulate the utilization of narrow spans of control and tall structures.

Accepted Answer

Adaptive organizations typically have decentralized decision-making and flatter organizational structures to promote faster communication and flexibility. Wide spans of control are often utilized to empower employees and reduce bureaucracy.

Question 6

The authority-and-responsibility principle states: "authority should equal responsibility when work is delegated from a supervisor to a subordinate."

Accepted Answer

This principle emphasizes that when a supervisor delegates work to a subordinate, they should also delegate the necessary authority to complete that work effectively. This includes providing the requisite resources, information, and decision-making power. At the same time, the subordinate should be accountable for the outcomes of the work they have been entrusted with, and take responsibility for their actions and decisions. By ensuring that authority and responsibility are aligned in this way, organizations can promote a culture of trust, confidence, and collaboration, as well as improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Question 7

According the research findings of Paul Lawrence and Jay Lorsch, successful firms operating in certain environments had more organic designs, whereas successful firms operating in uncertain environments had more mechanistic designs.

Accepted Answer

According to Paul Lawrence and Jay Lorsch, successful firms operating in uncertain environments had more organic designs, whereas successful firms operating in more certain environments had more mechanistic designs.

Question 8

Tom Burns and George Stalker found that the mechanistic organizations thrived when the environment was unstable and changing because it provided a necessary counterbalancing sense of order.

Accepted Answer

Tom Burns and George Stalker found that organic organizations, not mechanistic ones, thrived in unstable and changing environments because they are more adaptable and flexible, which is necessary for coping with rapid changes.

Question 9

Centralized organizations delegate decision making throughout all levels of management, and decentralized organizations concentrate decision making at the top levels of management.

Accepted Answer

Centralized organizations concentrate decision making at the top levels of management, while decentralized organizations delegate decision making throughout all levels of management.

Question 10

An organization with narrow spans of control will have fewer managers and more subordinates per manager, whereas an organization with wide spans of control will have more managers and fewer subordinates per manager.

Accepted Answer

An organization with narrow spans of control will have more managers with fewer subordinates per manager, whereas an organization with wide spans of control will have fewer managers with more subordinates per manager.

Question 11

Mechanistic designs are tight structures with a horizontal form.

Accepted Answer

Mechanistic designs are characterized by a rigid and tightly controlled structure with a vertical or hierarchical form, not horizontal.

Question 12

Organic designs are laissez-faire systems in which a lot of work gets done through informal structures and networks of interpersonal contacts.

Accepted Answer

Organic designs are characterized by a more informal structure and reliance on interpersonal connections rather than formal hierarchy and rules.

Question 13

Decentralized authority, fewer rules and procedures, and personal means of coordination are characteristics of organic designs.

Accepted Answer

These are all characteristics of organic designs. In contrast, bureaucratic designs have centralized authority, many rules and procedures, and rely on formal communication channels.

Question 14

Narrow spans of control create an organization that is more efficient and flexible, whereas wider spans of control usually result in additional management overhead costs.

Accepted Answer

Wider spans of control reduce the number of management layers, leading to a more efficient organization with lower overhead costs, while narrow spans of control increase the number of managers needed, potentially raising overhead costs and reducing flexibility.

Question 15

The mechanistic design is characterized by decentralization, wider spans of control, and few rules and procedures.

Accepted Answer

The mechanistic design is characterized by centralization, narrow spans of control, and many rules and procedures, making it more rigid and hierarchical.

Question 16

Effective delegation leads to empowerment of workers and can increase employees' job satisfaction and work performance.

Accepted Answer

Effective delegation involves assigning tasks and responsibilities to employees, which can result in them feeling trusted and valued. This leads to a sense of empowerment, which can increase their job satisfaction and motivation to perform well.

Question 17

A clear-cut division of labour, a strict hierarchy of authority, formal rules and procedures, and promotion based on competency are features that characterize bureaucracy.

Accepted Answer

These are indeed the features that are commonly associated with bureaucracy.

Question 18

Span of control refers to the number of subordinates reporting directly to a manager.

Accepted Answer

Span of control is defined as the number of subordinates that a manager can directly manage and supervise effectively.

Question 19

As organizations grow, they get taller as more levels are added to the chain of command.

Accepted Answer

As organizations grow, they typically add more levels of management, resulting in a taller structure.

Question 20

In a mechanistic organization, an employee works in an orderly and disciplined environment, adheres to many rules and procedures, and is closely supervised.

Accepted Answer

A mechanistic organization is characterized by a highly structured, formalized, and centralized approach to management, with tight control over employee behavior and adherence to rules and procedures. Employees operate in a controlled environment and are closely supervised to ensure conformity and efficiency.

Quiz 11: Organization Structures and Design