Question 1

A furniture store's employees have historically held distinct roles in either showroom sales or order processing and fulfilment services. What would be the best strategy for the company to adopt in order to have employees participate in both aspects of the business?

Accepted Answer

Job enlargement strategy involves expanding the range of tasks and responsibilities of employees, allowing them to participate in both showroom sales and order processing and fulfilment services.

Question 2

Describe three of the factors that must be considered by managers when designing an organizational structure. Explain how each factor contributes to the flexibility of the organization.

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Question 3

Vijay, who works in the marketing department, meets monthly with a colleague from the research department to ensure marketing stays apprised of any potential new technologies. Vijay is performing a(n)________ role.

Accepted Answer

Vijay is performing a liaison role as he is maintaining communication between the marketing and research departments to ensure information flow about new technologies.

Question 4

Many organizations choose a divisional structure to enable functions to work better together toward achieving business goals. Demonstrate your understanding of the three forms of divisional structure by providing an example for each form.

Accepted Answer

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Question 5

As companies evolve, effective communication and coordination across divisions and functions are essential. Identify three integrating mechanisms and discuss the use of each in terms of complexity.

Accepted Answer

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Question 6

What is task analyzability? How does it relate to decision making, and how does it differ regarding nonroutine and routine technology?

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a matrix structure?

Accepted Answer

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Question 8

Use Hackman and Oldham's job characteristics model to discuss the desired job attributes for a start-up high technology company that aims to create a motivating, empowering culture with a high-performing workforce.

Accepted Answer

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Question 9

Demonstrate your understanding of organizational culture and explain what shapes the culture of an organization.

Accepted Answer

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Question 10

Define the key factors used to characterize technology and describe how the factors determine whether a technology is routine or complicated.

Accepted Answer

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Question 11

Differentiate between job enlargement and job enrichment. Describe how each affects the performance of employees.

Accepted Answer

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Question 12

When designing an organizational structure in a business with high levels of uncertainty, a(n)________ structure is best.

Accepted Answer

An adaptive structure is best for businesses with high levels of uncertainty because it allows for flexibility and quick responses to changing environments.

Question 13

The production process at an appliance assembly plant is very complex. Quality is essential for every step in the production process. In recent days, the product team managers have identified similar problems at each of the various inspection stations. What integrating mechanism would you recommend? Explain your reasoning.

Accepted Answer

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Question 14

In an inert organizational culture,

Accepted Answer

In an inert organizational culture, there is often a lack of engagement and motivation, leading to poor working relationships between the organization and its employees.

Question 15

Explain how a matrix structure makes the most of human resources.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain how a matrix structure makes the...

Question 16

Rosa is assigned new projects to be completed each week. She determines how best to approach each one, only consulting with her manager for project clarification or assistance with road blocks. Rosa's job demonstrates

Accepted Answer

Rosa's job demonstrates high autonomy because she has the freedom to determine how to approach each project and only consults her manager when necessary.

Question 17

Julian's business is growing and the number of functions and divisions are increasing. He is concerned that the organization is becoming too tall and contains too many managers. What approach would you recommend Julian take for reducing the number of managers? Explain your reasoning.

Accepted Answer

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Question 18

Explain why an organization may choose to decentralize authority. What are some possible downsides to this approach?

Accepted Answer

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Question 19

Discuss the advantages of grouping functions into divisions that focus their efforts on the production and marketing of specific products.

Accepted Answer

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Question 20

Discuss why different business strategies often call for the use of different organizational structures and cultures.

Accepted Answer

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Quiz 10: Managing Organizational Structure and Culture