Question 1

Which of the following is most likely to be a characteristic of an organization pursuing an innovation strategy?
A) high formalization
B) high specialization
C) decentralized control
D) rigid departmentalization
E) narrow span of control

Accepted Answer

An organization pursuing an innovation strategy would typically have decentralized control, as it allows for greater flexibility and empowerment of employees to generate and implement new ideas. High formalization, rigid departmentalization, and narrow span of control are more commonly associated with organizations pursuing stability or efficiency strategies, while high specialization may or may not be present depending on the industry and type of innovation being pursued.

Question 2

Work specialization contributes to higher employee productivity - but at the price of ________.
A) reduced economies of scale
B) increased cost
C) reduced job satisfaction
D) restricted flow of information
E) increased complexity

Accepted Answer

Work specialization can lead to employees feeling bored or unchallenged in their repetitive tasks, leading to reduced job satisfaction and potentially higher turnover rates.

Question 3

A(n) ________ model is generally synonymous with the bureaucracy in that it has highly standardized processes for work, high formalization, and more managerial hierarchy.
A) mechanistic
B) organic
C) network
D) boundaryless
E) pyramidal

Accepted Answer

The characteristics of the mechanistic model include highly standardized processes for work, high formalization, and more managerial hierarchy, making it synonymous with bureaucracy. Organic models, on the other hand, have low formalization, flexible processes, and decentralized decision-making structures. Network and boundaryless models focus on collaboration and breaking down traditional organizational barriers. Pyramidal models are hierarchical, but do not necessarily have the same level of standardization and formalization as the mechanistic model.

Question 4

Which of the following terms refers to the way an organization transfers inputs into outputs?
A) volatility
B) formalization
C) complexity
D) technology
E) environment

Accepted Answer

Technology refers to the way an organization transfers inputs into outputs. It includes machinery, equipment, tools, and techniques used in the production process.

Question 5

The chain of command is an unbroken line of authority that extends from the top of the organization to the lowest echelon and clarifies who reports to whom.

Accepted Answer

The statement describes the definition of a chain of command.

Question 6

The ________ of an environment refers to the degree of heterogeneity and concentration among environmental elements.
A) density
B) simplicity
C) complexity
D) intricacy
E) permeability

Accepted Answer

Complexity refers to the degree of heterogeneity and concentration among environmental elements. Density refers to the number of individuals or objects in a given space, simplicity refers to the absence of complexity, intricacy refers to the complexity of details, and permeability refers to the ability of substances to move through a material or membrane.

Question 7

Organizations following a(n) ________ strategy try to both minimize risk and maximize opportunity for profit, moving into new products or new markets only after innovators have proven their viability.
A) innovation
B) cost-cutting
C) imitation
D) organic
E) mechanistic

Accepted Answer

Organizations following an imitation strategy minimize risk by only entering markets or developing products that have already been proven successful by other companies. They maximize opportunity for profit by imitating and improving upon successful products or business models.

Question 8

Narrow spans of control make vertical communication in the organization more complex.

Accepted Answer

Narrow spans of control mean there are fewer subordinates under each manager, leading to more levels of hierarchy. This increases the complexity of vertical communication as information has to pass through more layers within the organization.

Question 9

Which of the following is typically a characteristic of an organic model of organization?
A) narrow spans of control
B) centralization
C) free flow of information
D) high formalization
E) inflexibility

Accepted Answer

A free flow of information is typically a characteristic of an organic model of organization, as opposed to a mechanistic model which tends to be more centralized and formalized with narrow spans of control and inflexibility.

Question 10

Volatility refers to the degree of ________ within an environment.
A) heterogeneity
B) instability
C) flexibility
D) diffusivity
E) conformity

Accepted Answer

Volatility pertains to the amount of instability within a particular setting or environment. It refers to the degree of unpredictability, inconsistency, or turbulence that may be present in a situation. Therefore, option B is the most appropriate choice.

Question 11

Narrow spans of control increase the speed of decision making.

Accepted Answer

Narrow spans of control typically involve more layers of management, which can slow down decision-making processes as more approvals and consultations are required.

Question 12

Some individuals want work that makes minimal intellectual demands and provides the security of routine; for them, ________ is a source of job satisfaction.
A) free flow of information
B) wide span of control
C) low formalization
D) high work specialization
E) high decentralization

Accepted Answer

High work specialization, or having a narrow and repetitive job scope, appeals to individuals who prefer routine and low intellectual demands. The more specialized the job, the more predictable the work processes and outcomes, which can provide a sense of security and job satisfaction.

Question 13

Harald is opening a manufacturing plant with a mechanistic and centralized structure. Employees from which of the following countries will be least comfortable with this type of a structure?
A) Greece
B) Peru
C) Canada
D) France
E) Chile

Accepted Answer

Employees from Canada are likely to be least comfortable with a mechanistic and centralized structure due to Canada's cultural emphasis on individualism and low power distance, which contrasts with the hierarchical and rigid nature of a mechanistic and centralized structure.

Question 14

Which of the following dimensions of an environment describes the degree to which the environment can support growth?
A) capacity
B) flexibility
C) volatility
D) sustainability
E) complexity

Accepted Answer

The dimension that describes the degree to which an environment can support growth is capacity, which refers to the amount of resources and opportunities available.

Question 15

Which of the following is most likely to be a characteristic of an organization pursuing a cost-minimization strategy?
A) lack of tight control
B) wide span of control
C) low work specialization
D) high centralization
E) low formalization

Accepted Answer

An organization pursuing a cost-minimization strategy is focused on reducing costs as much as possible, which often requires high levels of centralization where decisions can be made quickly and efficiently. Tight control, a wide span of control, low work specialization, and low formalization may not necessarily be characteristics of a cost-minimization strategy.

Question 16

What are the key dimensions to any organization's environment?
A) conformity, criticality, and diffusivity
B) complexity, volatility, and capacity
C) complexity, diffusivity, and criticality
D) conformity, criticality, and capacity
E) criticality, volatility, diffusivity

Accepted Answer

The key dimensions to any organization's environment are complexity (number of components and interdependence among them), volatility (unpredictability of the environment), and capacity (resources available to the organization).

Question 17

A(n) ________ strategy emphasizes the introduction of major new products and services.
A) innovation
B) cost-minimization
C) imitation
D) organic
E) mechanistic

Accepted Answer

An innovation strategy emphasizes the development and introduction of major new products and services. This involves investing heavily in research and development, as well as taking risks in order to bring new and innovative offerings to the market. This strategy is focused on gaining a competitive advantage through differentiation and uniqueness.

Question 18

Which of the following is typically a characteristic of the mechanistic model of organization?
A) low formalization
B) rigid departmentalization
C) decentralized management
D) wide spans of control
E) low specialization

Accepted Answer

The mechanistic model of organization is characterized by rigid departmentalization, meaning that the structure is highly hierarchical and there are clear lines of authority and communication. This allows for a high degree of control and standardization of processes, which is seen as necessary for efficiency and effectiveness. The other options, including low formalization, decentralized management, wide spans of control, and low specialization, are more commonly associated with the organic model of organization.

Question 19

A(n) ________ model is a structure that is flat, uses cross-hierarchical and cross-functional teams, has low formalization, possesses a comprehensive information network, and relies on participative decision making.
A) mechanistic
B) organic
C) boundaryless
D) network
E) pyramidal

Accepted Answer

The characteristics described in the question, such as low formalization, cross-functional teams, and participative decision making, are all associated with an organic organizational model. The other choices, such as mechanistic and pyramidal, have more rigid structures with high formalization and hierarchical decision making. The boundaryless and network models may have similar characteristics to the organic model, but they are not specifically described in the question.

Question 20

Work specialization increases the time spent in changing tasks.

Accepted Answer

Work specialization reduces the time spent in changing tasks because it allows employees to focus on a narrow set of activities, leading to greater efficiency and productivity.

Quiz 15: Foundations of Organization Structure

Which of the following is most likely to be a characteristic of an organization pursuing an innovation strategy?

Work specialization contributes to higher employee productivity - but at the price of ________.

A(n) ________ model is generally synonymous with the bureaucracy in that it has highly standardized processes for work, high formalization, and more managerial hierarchy.

Which of the following terms refers to the way an organization transfers inputs into outputs?

The chain of command is an unbroken line of authority that extends from the top of the organization to the lowest echelon and clarifies who reports to whom.

The ________ of an environment refers to the degree of heterogeneity and concentration among environmental elements.

Organizations following a(n) ________ strategy try to both minimize risk and maximize opportunity for profit, moving into new products or new markets only after innovators have proven their viability.

Narrow spans of control make vertical communication in the organization more complex.

Which of the following is typically a characteristic of an organic model of organization?

Volatility refers to the degree of ________ within an environment.

Narrow spans of control increase the speed of decision making.

Some individuals want work that makes minimal intellectual demands and provides the security of routine; for them, ________ is a source of job satisfaction.

Harald is opening a manufacturing plant with a mechanistic and centralized structure. Employees from which of the following countries will be least comfortable with this type of a structure?

Which of the following dimensions of an environment describes the degree to which the environment can support growth?

Which of the following is most likely to be a characteristic of an organization pursuing a cost-minimization strategy?

What are the key dimensions to any organization's environment?

A(n) ________ strategy emphasizes the introduction of major new products and services.

Which of the following is typically a characteristic of the mechanistic model of organization?

A(n) ________ model is a structure that is flat, uses cross-hierarchical and cross-functional teams, has low formalization, possesses a comprehensive information network, and relies on participative decision making.

Work specialization increases the time spent in changing tasks.