Deck 12: Formal Organizations

Question 1

When participants in a research study know they are being studied,it has been suggested that they become more productive simply because they know their behavior is being studied.This phenomenon is known as the ______.

A)Hawthorne effect
B)humanism effect
C)Weber effect
D)Marx effect

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following critical perspective theories posits the idea that organizations exclude and discriminate against multiple groups?

A)nonhierarchical organizations
B)organizations as multiple oppressions
C)organizational culture model
D)managing diversity model

Answer 2

B

Question 3

The assumption that workers regard work as a natural activity,are self-directed and committed,and make creative contributions to the organization describes which of the following theories?

A)theory Y
B)decision theory
C)theory X
D)scientific management

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which of the following critical perspective theories posits the idea that organizations run by consensus,with few rules and with informality,and are least likely to oppress employees?

A)nonhierarchical organizations
B)organizations as multiple oppressions
C)organizational culture model
D)managing diversity model

Question 5

Which of the following represent a theory where the central idea is focused on interpersonal relationships for organizational efficiency and effectiveness?

A)ideal-type bureaucracy
B)scientific management
C)human relations theory
D)decision theory

Question 6

Which term best represents the most efficient form of organization for goal accomplishment in the rational perspective?

A)community
B)social welfare
C)bureaucracy
D)industry

Question 7

Which of the following interpretive perspective theories posits the central idea that organizational systems and practices should maximize the potential advantages of varied membership in organizational membership?

A)social action model
B)organizational culture model
C)managing diversity model
D)discourse theory of public administration

Question 8

Which of the following perspectives has a basic premise that organizations are instruments of exploitation and domination?

A)critical perspective
B)interpretive perspective
C)systems perspective
D)rational perspective

Question 9

______ is the name given to organizations that combine political advocacy and service provision in their core identity.

A)Public organization
B)Private organization
C)Hybrid organization
D)Social entrepreneurial organization

Question 10

Which of the following perspectives has a basic premise that organizations provide members with a sense of connection and are creations of human consciousness and reflect the worldviews of the creators,and are social constructions of reality?

A)critical perspective
B)interactional/interpretive perspective
C)systems perspective
D)rational perspective

Question 11

Which of the following interactional/interpretive perspective theories posits the central idea that organizations are ongoing,interactive processes of reality construction,involving many actors,not just managers and owners?

A)social action model
B)organizational culture model
C)managing diversity model
D)discourse theory of public administration

Question 12

The assumption that workers have an inherent dislike of work,prefer to be told what to do,and respond to money as the primary motivator describes which of the following theories?

A)theory Y
B)decision theory
C)theory X
D)scientific management

Question 13

Which of the following represents a theory where the main idea centers on formal rationality and highlights rules,regulations,and structures that are essential to goal accomplishment?

A)ideal-type bureaucracy
B)scientific management
C)human relations theory
D)decision theory

Question 14

Which of the following represents a theory that focuses on the most effective approach to maximizing internal efficiency and finding the one best way?

A)ideal-type bureaucracy
B)scientific management
C)human relations theory
D)decision theory

Question 15

Which of the following systems perspectives posits the idea that rational planning is insufficient for an organization to be able to survive in a rapidly changing environment?

A)discourse theory of public administration
B)political economy model
C)social action model
D)learning organization theory

Question 16

Which of the following systems perspectives posits the idea that the organization depends on the environment for legitimacy,power,and market resources?

A)discourse theory of public administration
B)political economy model
C)social action model
D)learning organization theory

Question 17

When a formal organization is viewed as a goal-directed and purposefully designed machine that maximizes efficiency and effectiveness,it is based on which of the following?

A)the critical perspective
B)the interpretive perspective
C)the systems perspective
D)the rational perspective

Question 18

Which of the following perspectives has a major theme focused on the assumption that an organization is in constant interaction with multiple environments?

A)critical perspective
B)interpretive perspective
C)systems perspective
D)rational perspective

Question 19

Which of the following represents a theory where the central idea is focused on the fact that organizational rationality has limits?

A)ideal-type bureaucracy
B)scientific management
C)human relations theory
D)Decision-making theory

Question 20

Which of the following is best described as a collectivity of people with a high degree of structure who work together to meet goals?

A)community
B)formal organization
C)federal government
D)unions

Question 21

Which organizational theory model serves as a bridge between the systems perspective and the interpretive perspective?

A)learning organization theory
B)political economy model
C)ideal-type bureaucracy
D)scientific management

Question 22

______ is defined as "the engagement,suppression,or evocation of the worker's emotions necessary to get the job done."

A)Burnout
B)Emotional fatigue
C)Emotional labor
D)Work-related depression

Question 23

Schools,correctional facilities,and hospitals are examples of what type of organizations social workers may work in?

A)helping organizations
B)social work-oriented organizations
C)human service organizations
D)host organizations

Question 24

Recent research by O'Conner and Netting suggests that,compared to older social service organizations,newer social service organizations are ______.

A)less likely to have traditional bureaucratic cultures
B)more likely to have traditional bureaucratic cultures
C)the same type of bureaucratic cultures
D)more likely to operate from a rational perspective

Question 25

Which of the following is not a dimension of work life associated with burnout?

A)workload demand
B)failure to provide appropriate rewards
C)compromising values
D)generous annual leave policy

Question 26

The central idea of decision-making theory is that the most effective organizations will maximize internal efficiency.

Question 27

Organizational humanism ______.

A)focuses on maximizing efficiency and effectiveness
B)endorses the interests of owners and managers
C)promotes individual happiness and well-being
D)none of these

Question 28

The central idea of scientific management theory is that organizational rationality has limits.

Question 29

An assumption of Theory X is that workers see work as a natural activity.

Question 30

The purpose of managing diversity in the managing diversity model is to ______.

A)maximize advantages of diversity while minimizing its disadvantages
B)standardize the culture of a formal organization
C)assist workers in understanding their own culture and how it contributes to the formal organization
D)all of these

Question 31

The model most helpful for social service organizations in deciding which clients to serve,which services to provide,and how to organize services and staff functions is ______.

A)systems
B)scientific management
C)political economy
D)social action

Question 32

Consensual models of formal organizations are characterized by ______.

A)formal relationships among members
B)financial reward for leadership roles
C)maximum number of rules
D)leadership based on election

Question 33

The shifting of management of programs from government to nongovernment organizations is termed ______.

A)rational choice
B)privatization
C)social engineering
D)scientific management

Question 34

A goal-directed and purposefully designed machine is reflective of the rational perspective on organizations.

Question 35

The central idea of human relations theory is that focusing on interpersonal relationships is central to organizational efficiency and effectiveness.

Question 36

When there is a collectivity of people with a high degree of formality of structure and working towards meeting a goal or goals,this is known as a formal organization.

Question 37

Existing theories of organizations have been developed and studied primarily in ______.

A)former socialist countries
B)stable-market economic systems
C)transformative organizations
D)all of these

Question 38

All of the following are dimensions of burnout,except ______.

A)cynicism
B)exhaustion
C)difficulty of tasks
D)inefficacy

Question 39

______ is a "prolonged response to chronic emotional and interpersonal stressors on the job."

A)Exhaustion
B)Burnout
C)Compassion fatigue
D)Boredom

Question 40

The central idea of the ideal-type bureaucracy theory is that rules,regulations,and structures are essential for goal accomplishment.

Question 41

Compare and contrast the interactional/interpretive perspective and the critical perspective on formal organizations citing examples from the Beacon Center to illustrate your points.

Question 42

List and describe three of the functions of formal organizations in our contemporary society.

Question 43

Describe your ideal social services agency using concepts from the four broad categories delineated in this chapter: rational perspective (bureaucracy,management style,human relations,management by objectives,decision-making),systems perspective (political economy,learning organization),interactional/interpretive perspective (organizational culture,managing diversity),and critical perspective (gendered organizations,multiple oppressions,nonhierarchical organizations).

Question 44

The central idea of the learning organization theory is that an organization must be able to change in a rapidly changing environment.

Question 45

Compare and contrast the rational perspective and the systems perspective on formal organizations citing examples from the Beacon Center to illustrate your points.

Question 46

List the three assumptions associated with Theory X.

Question 47

Explain and discuss human relations theory for maximizing organizational efficiency and effectiveness.Relate your discussion to the concepts of organizational humanism and the X and Y theories.Cite examples of how Helen Blue or Martha Green could utilize this approach at the Beacon Center?

Question 48

Define and explain Weber's concept of an "iron cage of rationality" when thinking about bureaucracies.

Question 49

List the three assumptions associated with Theory Y.

Question 50

List three of the principles of Taylor's scientific management theory.

Question 51

Explain and discuss how the new type of organizational style (Ritzer,The McDonaldization of Society)that combines principles of bureaucratization and scientific management is an important influence on social service delivery.Elaborate on Ritzer's key traits as they apply to social service delivery.Cite several examples from the case study of the Beacon Center that relate to this organizational style.

Question 52

An assumption of Theory Y is that workers have an inherent dislike of work.

Question 53

Consider the functions of formal organizations.Which of these functions are most consistent with and which seem contrary to social work's goals and values.Are there any organizations in which a social worker should not work? Provide a rationale for your answer.

Question 54

List three of the characteristics of Weber's ideal-type bureaucracy.

Question 55

The central idea of the political economy model is that an organization depends on the environment for legitimacy,power,and market resources.

Question 56

Briefly explain the meaning of the Hawthorne effect.

Question 57

List and define the four key traits of an organization that operates on the combined principles of bureaucratization and scientific management as based on the McDonald's Corporation.

Question 58

Hofstede asserts that the worldview undergirding organization theory varies by country.Identify world views associated with each country.Do you agree with designated worldview for each of the countries? Why or why not?