Question 1

Electrolux, the company described in the opening vignette for the chapter, has organized itself primarily around the types of products it offers.

Accepted Answer

Electrolux has structured its organization based on product categories, focusing on different types of products to streamline operations and cater to specific market needs.

Question 2

A typical orchestra is organized into a matrix structure, with each musician reporting to both the conductor and the concertmaster.

Accepted Answer

In a typical orchestra, musicians report to the conductor, who is the primary leader. The concertmaster is the lead violinist and serves as a liaison between the conductor and the orchestra, but musicians do not report to them in a matrix structure.

Question 3

Specialization, as one of the structural facets of organizations, refers to how narrow or broad the product scope of the company is.

Accepted Answer

Specialization in organizational structure refers to the degree to which tasks are divided into separate jobs, not the product scope.

Question 4

The key components of an organization to be considered in the structuring process are the core, techno structure, and staff support.

Accepted Answer

The structuring process of an organization typically involves considering its core operations, the techno structure (which includes roles related to planning and control), and staff support functions that provide necessary services.

Question 5

The pilots employed by airlines in the United States are typically in the strategic core of the company.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The pilots employed by airlines in the...

Question 6

Organizations use five coordinating mechanisms, ranging from the standardization of work processes at one end of a continuum to the standardization of work output at the other end of the continuum.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Organizations use five coordinating mechanisms, ranging from...

Question 7

When employees are coordinated through output measures, as in the coordination method of standardization of work output, it is important to have a well-established code of conduct.

Accepted Answer

When employees are coordinated through output measures, it is important to have a well-established code of conduct to ensure that employees are working towards the same goals and objectives, and that they are not engaging in unethical or illegal behavior.

Question 8

As a company increasingly depends on a low-cost leadership competitive approach, consistency of output, or significant control over operations it will tend toward the direct supervision end of the coordination methods continuum.

Accepted Answer

A low-cost leadership strategy often requires tight control over operations to maintain efficiency and cost-effectiveness, which is achieved through direct supervision.

Question 9

A simple structure is most effectively used when a firm has several products sold through different channels or is trying to train people as specialists.

Accepted Answer

A simple structure is most effective for small organizations with a single product or service, where specialization and complex coordination are not required.

Question 10

A functional structure groups people together by their abilities as measured by an aptitude test given during the hiring process.

Accepted Answer

A functional structure groups people based on their job functions or roles within the organization, not by aptitude test results.

Question 11

A university has several colleges, each with a number of academic departments. This is a divisional structure in which each college is a division and each division is organized functionally.

Accepted Answer

A divisional structure organizes a larger entity into semi-autonomous units or divisions, each responsible for its own operations, and within each division, functional organization can occur.

Question 12

Electrolux, described in the opening vignette for the chapter, has structured itself primarily around
A) the different activities that it performs.
B) the countries in which it operates.
C) crucial value-creating resources.
D) the types of products that it offers.

Accepted Answer

Electrolux has structured itself primarily around the types of products that it offers, focusing on its product lines to organize its operations and strategy.

Question 13

It becomes increasingly difficult to coordinate the activities of people in an organization as
A) the number of employees increases.
B) employees are increasingly dispersed geographically.
C) the business becomes more multidimensional with different products, services, and operating divisions.
D) all of the above contribute to difficulties in coordination.

Accepted Answer

As the number of employees increases, they become more geographically dispersed, and the business becomes more multidimensional, coordination becomes more complex.

Question 14

Which of the following is not a structural facet of organizations?
A) specialization
B) operations.
C) centralization
D) formalization

Accepted Answer

Operations is not a structural facet; it refers to the day-to-day activities and processes within an organization, whereas the other options relate to the organizational structure.

Question 15

The issue of where important decisions are made in an organization, either by upper management or at lower levels of the firm, is one of
A) formalization.
B) accession.
C) centralization.
D) policy capturing.

Accepted Answer

Centralization refers to the degree to which decision-making authority is concentrated at higher levels in an organization.

Question 16

Which of the following is not one of the key components or parts of an organization that must be identified in the process of structuring?
A) the core
B) information systems
C) staff support
D) the techno structure

Accepted Answer

Information systems are tools used within an organization but are not considered a key structural component like the core, staff support, or techno structure.

Question 17

The groups that are directly responsible for the competitive advantages that the firm enjoys are known as
A) the techno structure.
B) the core.
C) line management.
D) the key operators.

Accepted Answer

The core refers to the central group within a firm that is directly responsible for creating and maintaining the firm's competitive advantages.

Question 18

Noncore functions of the business can be classified into two distinct areas: ________ and ________.
A) domestic; international
B) critical; non-critical
C) techno structure; staff support
D) primary activities; support activities

Accepted Answer

Noncore functions of a business often refer to those that are not central to the main business operations, such as techno structure (technical and administrative support) and staff support (HR, legal, etc.).

Question 19

The pilots employed by commercial airlines in the United States are typically in the ________ of the company.
A) techno structure
B) strategic core
C) policy group
D) non-unionized part

Accepted Answer

The answer of The pilots employed by commercial airlines in...

Question 20

The five coordinating mechanisms used by organizations can be placed on a continuum that ranges from ________ at one end to ________ at the other end.
A) standardization of work skills; standardization of output
B) policies; procedures
C) instant messaging; written memos
D) mutual adjustment; direct supervision

Accepted Answer

The continuum of coordinating mechanisms in organizations ranges from mutual adjustment, which is the most flexible and informal, to direct supervision, which is more structured and formal.

Quiz 11: Strategy and Structure

Electrolux, the company described in the opening vignette for the chapter, has organized itself primarily around the types of products it offers.

A typical orchestra is organized into a matrix structure, with each musician reporting to both the conductor and the concertmaster.

Specialization, as one of the structural facets of organizations, refers to how narrow or broad the product scope of the company is.

The key components of an organization to be considered in the structuring process are the core, techno structure, and staff support.

The pilots employed by airlines in the United States are typically in the strategic core of the company.

Organizations use five coordinating mechanisms, ranging from the standardization of work processes at one end of a continuum to the standardization of work output at the other end of the continuum.

When employees are coordinated through output measures, as in the coordination method of standardization of work output, it is important to have a well-established code of conduct.

As a company increasingly depends on a low-cost leadership competitive approach, consistency of output, or significant control over operations it will tend toward the direct supervision end of the coordination methods continuum.

A simple structure is most effectively used when a firm has several products sold through different channels or is trying to train people as specialists.

A functional structure groups people together by their abilities as measured by an aptitude test given during the hiring process.

A university has several colleges, each with a number of academic departments. This is a divisional structure in which each college is a division and each division is organized functionally.

Electrolux, described in the opening vignette for the chapter, has structured itself primarily around

It becomes increasingly difficult to coordinate the activities of people in an organization as

Which of the following is not a structural facet of organizations?

The issue of where important decisions are made in an organization, either by upper management or at lower levels of the firm, is one of

Which of the following is not one of the key components or parts of an organization that must be identified in the process of structuring?

The groups that are directly responsible for the competitive advantages that the firm enjoys are known as

Noncore functions of the business can be classified into two distinct areas: and .

The pilots employed by commercial airlines in the United States are typically in the ________ of the company.

The five coordinating mechanisms used by organizations can be placed on a continuum that ranges from at one end to at the other end.