Question 1

Reutiko Inc., a private detective agency, has experts from different fields. These experts work in small teams on different cases based on the requirements of the case. In the context of Mintzberg's organizational structures, Reutiko Inc. is an example of a(n)_____.
A)simple structure
B)professional bureaucracy
C)machine bureaucracy
D)adhocracy

Accepted Answer

Reutiko Inc. exemplifies an adhocracy due to its reliance on specialized experts working in flexible, project-based teams to address varying case requirements. This structure is characterized by adaptability and a lack of rigid hierarchy, focusing instead on collaborative, innovative problem-solving approaches tailored to specific needs.

Question 2

According to Mintzberg's organizational structures, the adhocracy emphasizes:
A)the support staff and mutual adjustment among people.
B)strong centralization of decision making in the upper echelon.
C)a minimal middle-level management.
D)coordination through direct supervision.

Accepted Answer

The adhocracy structure emphasizes flexibility, innovation, and the support staff, relying on mutual adjustment among people rather than formal hierarchy or direct supervision.

Question 3

The _____ is the appropriate definition of size when discussing the design of organizational structure.
A)number of product units produced
B)area of the building
C)sales volume
D)total number of employees

Accepted Answer

The appropriate definition of size when discussing the design of organizational structure is the total number of employees. This factor is crucial because it influences aspects such as the complexity of communication, the degree of formalization, and the need for coordination mechanisms within the organization.

Question 4

In the context of Mintzberg's organizational structures, which of the following is a difference between a simple structure and a machine bureaucracy?
A)A simple structure is a centralized form of organization, whereas a machine bureaucracy is a moderately decentralized form of organization.
B)A simple structure emphasizes support staff differentiated from the line operations of the organization, whereas a machine bureaucracy emphasizes a small technical and support staff.
C)A simple structure has limited horizontal decentralization of decision making, whereas a machine bureaucracy has a minimum of vertical differentiation of authority and minimal formalization.
D)A simple structure achieves coordination through the standardization of work processes, whereas a machine bureaucracy achieves coordination through direct supervision by the upper echelon.

Accepted Answer

DA simple structure is characterized by its centralized form of organization, where the chief executive officer typically makes most of the decisions. This contrasts with a machine bureaucracy, which is more decentralized in its decision-making processes, relying on standardized procedures and routines. Additionally, in a simple structure, coordination is often achieved through direct supervision by the top management, whereas a machine bureaucracy relies on the standardization of work processes for coordination, making both A and D correct in highlighting key differences between the two organizational structures.

Question 5

The strength of the machine bureaucracy is:
A)its fast responsiveness to external changes.
B)its fast responsiveness to individual employee preferences.
C)efficiency of operation in stable, unchanging environments.
D)ease of coordination achieved through direct supervision by the upper echelon.

Accepted Answer

Machine bureaucracies excel in stable, unchanging environments where their highly structured and routine operations can be performed efficiently.

Question 6

In the context of Mintzberg's structural configurations for organizations, an automobile plant with routinized operating tasks is an example of a_____.
A)simple structure
B)machine bureaucracy
C)professional bureaucracy
D)divisionalized form

Accepted Answer

Machine bureaucracy is characterized by standardized operations and routinized tasks, which is typical for an automobile plant. This structure relies heavily on the formalization of behaviors and the standardization of work processes.

Question 7

BuiltFine is a company that manufactures kids' Halloween costumes. The costumes are custom-made based on clients' themes and ideas. According to Joan Woodward's classification schemes for technology, the technology used by BuiltFine is _____.
A)unit technology
B)process production
C)mass technology
D)large-scale production

Accepted Answer

Unit technology is characterized by the production of items in small quantities or on a project basis, tailored to specific customer requirements, which aligns with BuiltFine's custom-made approach to creating kids' Halloween costumes.

Question 8

Magical Cloves, a cake shop, is co-owned by Sarah and Zeba. All the cake recipes are their own and they directly supervise the staff at the store. No decisions are taken by the staff without prior approval from Sarah or Zeba. In the context of Mintzberg's organizational structures, Magical Cloves has adopted a(n)_____.
A)professional bureaucracy
B)simple structure
C)machine bureaucracy
D)adhocracy

Accepted Answer

Magical Cloves operates with a simple structure, characterized by direct supervision and centralized decision-making by the owners, Sarah and Zeba, without much delegation of authority to the staff.

Question 9

According to Mintzberg's organizational structures, hospitals and universities are examples of a:
A)simple structure.
B)professional bureaucracy.
C)divisionalized form.
D)machine bureaucracy.

Accepted Answer

Hospitals and universities are examples of a professional bureaucracy according to Mintzberg's organizational structures. This is because they rely heavily on the expertise of their professionals (doctors, nurses, professors, etc.) and have a standardized but complex operation that requires a high degree of specialization and formal education.

Question 10

Zaplinc is a multinational company with over 2000 employees. Communication between managers and subordinates in the company is affected as the managers at Zaplinc have a large span of control. In this scenario, which of the following strategies should Zaplinc employ to reduce their managers' span of control?
A)Defining employees' role by extensive formal documentation
B)Delegating decision-making authority to lower levels of management
C)Adding more levels to hierarchy of authority
D)Dividing organizational tasks into specialized jobs.

Accepted Answer

Adding more levels to the hierarchy of authority reduces the span of control by distributing the number of subordinates across more managers, allowing for more effective communication and supervision.

Question 11

_____ is a contextual variable and is defined as the tools, techniques, and actions used by an organization to transform inputs into outputs.
A)Technology
B)Throughput
C)Task environment
D)Vertical linkage

Accepted Answer

Technology is the correct answer because it encompasses the tools, techniques, and methods that an organization employs to convert inputs into outputs, aligning with the definition provided in the question.

Question 12

According to Mintzberg's organizational structures, the _____ is designed to fuse interdisciplinary experts into smoothly functioning temporary project teams.
A)simple structure
B)adhocracy
C)divisionalized form
D)bureaucracy

Accepted Answer

Adhocracy is designed to be flexible and adaptable, often utilizing interdisciplinary teams that come together for projects and dissolve after the project ends. This structure is characterized by a lack of formal hierarchy and is often used in innovative and creative industries where rapid response to changes is crucial.

Question 13

In the context of structural configurations proposed by Mintzberg, the _____ is a decentralized form of organization that emphasizes the expertise of the employees in the operating core of the organization.
A)professional bureaucracy
B)machine bureaucracy
C)adhocracy
D)simple structure

Accepted Answer

The professional bureaucracy is a decentralized form of organization that relies heavily on the expertise and knowledge of professionals in the operating core. This structure is common in organizations where specialized knowledge and skills are critical, such as hospitals, universities, and law firms.

Question 14

Contextual variables refer to a set of four:
A)variables that decide the function of an organization.
B)characteristics that decide the norms of behavior in organizations.
C)variables that assess the performance of employees in an organization.
D)characteristics that influence the success of an organization's design.

Accepted Answer

Contextual variables are characteristics that influence the success of an organization's design, affecting how it should be structured to achieve its goals efficiently.

Question 15

Which of the following is true of Woodward's classification schemes for technology?
A)Mass technology is the least complex technology.
B)Mass technology is a continuous-production process.
C)Process technology is classified as the most complex.
D)Unit technology is large-batch manufacturing technology.

Accepted Answer

Woodward's classification schemes categorize process technology as the most complex due to its continuous production processes and high levels of automation.

Question 16

Which of the following is a planned strategy to reduce the size of an organization?
A)Merger
B)Acquisition
C)Decentralization
D)Downsizing

Accepted Answer

Downsizing is a planned strategy specifically aimed at reducing the size of an organization by eliminating jobs, with the goal of improving its efficiency and performance.

Question 17

In the context of structural configurations proposed by Mintzberg, the _____ is a loosely coupled, composite structural configuration composed of units, each of which may have its own structural configuration.
A)professional bureaucracy
B)machine bureaucracy
C)divisionalized form
D)simple structure

Accepted Answer

The divisionalized form is a type of organizational structure where the organization is divided into semi-autonomous units or divisions, each of which operates like a separate business or entity with its own structure. This allows for a more flexible and responsive organizational configuration, where each division can adapt its structure and processes to its specific context or market.

Question 18

In the context of Mintzberg's organizational structures, the professional bureaucracy achieves coordination through:
A)direct supervision of professionals.
B)selective decentralization of professional teams.
C)the standardization of professionals' skills.
D)the standardization of professionals' work processes.

Accepted Answer

In a professional bureaucracy, coordination is achieved through the standardization of professionals' skills, meaning that professionals operate independently based on their training and expertise, rather than through direct supervision or the standardization of work processes.

Question 19

The machine bureaucracy emphasizes:
A)loosely-defined hierarchy of authority.
B)a flexible hierarchy of authority.
C)limited horizontal decentralization of decision making.
D)strong centralization of decision making in the upper echelon.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The machine bureaucracy emphasizes:
A)loosely-defined hierarchy of authority.
B)a...

Question 20

Which of the following statements is true of the divisionalized form of organizational structure?
A)It emphasizes the importance of middle management.
B)It achieves coordination through direct supervision by the upper echelon.
C)It is designed to fuse interdisciplinary experts into smoothly functioning ad hoc project teams.
D)It is a centralized form of organization that emphasizes a small technical and support staff.

Accepted Answer

The divisionalized form of organizational structure emphasizes the importance of middle management by delegating authority and responsibility to divisional managers who oversee their own segments of the business. This structure allows for specialization and focus on specific product lines, markets, or geographic areas.

Quiz 15: Organizational Design and Structure

Reutiko Inc., a private detective agency, has experts from different fields. These experts work in small teams on different cases based on the requirements of the case. In the context of Mintzberg's organizational structures, Reutiko Inc. is an example of a(n) _____.

According to Mintzberg's organizational structures, the adhocracy emphasizes:

The _____ is the appropriate definition of size when discussing the design of organizational structure.

In the context of Mintzberg's organizational structures, which of the following is a difference between a simple structure and a machine bureaucracy?

The strength of the machine bureaucracy is:

In the context of Mintzberg's structural configurations for organizations, an automobile plant with routinized operating tasks is an example of a_____.

BuiltFine is a company that manufactures kids' Halloween costumes. The costumes are custom-made based on clients' themes and ideas. According to Joan Woodward's classification schemes for technology, the technology used by BuiltFine is _____.

According to Mintzberg's organizational structures, hospitals and universities are examples of a:

_____ is a contextual variable and is defined as the tools, techniques, and actions used by an organization to transform inputs into outputs.

According to Mintzberg's organizational structures, the _____ is designed to fuse interdisciplinary experts into smoothly functioning temporary project teams.

In the context of structural configurations proposed by Mintzberg, the _____ is a decentralized form of organization that emphasizes the expertise of the employees in the operating core of the organization.

Contextual variables refer to a set of four:

Which of the following is true of Woodward's classification schemes for technology?

Which of the following is a planned strategy to reduce the size of an organization?

In the context of structural configurations proposed by Mintzberg, the _____ is a loosely coupled, composite structural configuration composed of units, each of which may have its own structural configuration.

In the context of Mintzberg's organizational structures, the professional bureaucracy achieves coordination through:

The machine bureaucracy emphasizes:

Which of the following statements is true of the divisionalized form of organizational structure?