Question 1

After years of research,theorists have decided that the optimal span of management is one manager per twenty employees.

Accepted Answer

The optimal span of management varies depending on factors such as the nature of the work, the level of interaction required between manager and employees, the degree of centralization or decentralization, and the competency of both the manager and the employees. There is no one-size-fits-all number.

Question 2

Companies like Southwest Airlines and Saturn attribute a great deal of their success to their strong corporate cultures,which is inaccurate.In reality,research has determined that,over time,corporate culture has only a marginal influence on firm performance.

Accepted Answer

Research and case studies, including those of Southwest Airlines and Saturn, have shown that strong corporate cultures can significantly contribute to a company's success by enhancing employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency, which in turn can lead to improved firm performance.

Question 3

Functional authority allows line managers to make decisions and issue directive relating to the goals of the organization.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Functional authority allows line managers to make...

Question 4

When authority is concentrated at the top level of management,the organization is said to be decentralized.

Accepted Answer

When authority is concentrated at the top level of management, the organization is said to be centralized. When authority is delegated to lower levels of management, the organization is said to be decentralized.

Question 5

The span of management plays a direct role in determining the organization's height.

Accepted Answer

The span of management refers to the number of subordinates that a manager can effectively direct and control. A wider span of management results in a flatter organizational structure and reduces the number of levels of management or organizational height. Conversely, a narrower span of management leads to a taller organizational structure or more levels of management.

Question 6

When a manager has few subordinates,a narrow span of management exists.

Accepted Answer

A narrow span of management means that a manager has few subordinates under them, allowing for more direct supervision and communication.

Question 7

Managers within a line structure are typically known as staff managers.

Accepted Answer

Managers within a line structure are known as line managers, while staff managers are typically found within a functional structure.

Question 8

Walmart has several layers of management in between the entry-level management position and CEO.This implies that the span of management for each manager is relatively narrow and the organizational height of Walmart is tall.

Accepted Answer

The statement correctly describes the organizational structure of Walmart, which is tall with several layers of management and a narrow span of management for each manager.

Question 9

Among an ad hoc committee,a standing committee,and a task force,only a standing committee is relatively permanent.

Accepted Answer

An ad hoc committee is formed for a particular purpose and is disbanded once the purpose is fulfilled. A task force is a temporary group formed to work on a specific project with a definite end date. However, a standing committee is a permanent committee that exists within an organization or governing body and continues to function even after the completion of its initial task or mission.

Question 10

Staff managers are part of the chain of command of an organization.

Accepted Answer

Staff managers provide advice and support to line managers and are not part of the direct chain of command that involves decision-making and authority over the primary activities of the organization.

Question 11

A highly centralized organization usually means that lower-level employees have the opportunity to make decisions regarding the best way to accomplish their assigned tasks.

Accepted Answer

A highly centralized organization typically means that decision-making power is concentrated at the top levels of management, so lower-level employees generally have less autonomy and fewer opportunities to make decisions independently.

Question 12

When the matrix structure is used,employees report to more than one supervisor.

Accepted Answer

In a matrix structure, employees typically report to both a functional manager (based on their expertise) and a project manager (based on the specific project they are working on). Therefore, they have more than one supervisor.

Question 13

Corporate culture has little real influence on the performance of a firm.

Accepted Answer

Corporate culture can have a significant impact on the performance of a firm. A positive culture can lead to improved employee morale, increased productivity, better communication, and a stronger sense of teamwork. On the other hand, a negative culture can have the opposite effect, leading to high turnover rates, low morale, and poor performance. Companies with strong, positive cultures often outperform those with weak cultures.

Question 14

A task force is a committee responsible for investigating a major problem or pending decision.

Accepted Answer

A task force is indeed a committee assigned to investigate and analyze a particular issue or decision.

Question 15

The span of control is the number of subordinates who report directly to one manager.

Accepted Answer

The span of control refers to the number of subordinates who report directly to a manager or supervisor. A wide span of control means that a manager is responsible for many subordinates, while a narrow span of control means that a manager has few subordinates.

Question 16

The matrix organizational structure facilitates greater communication between employees.

Accepted Answer

The matrix organizational structure is designed to encourage cross-functional collaboration and communication between employees from different departments or functional areas. With this structure, employees are assigned to work on projects or tasks that cut across their departmental or functional boundaries, which means they have to interact and communicate with colleagues from other areas of the organization in order to get the job done. This constant communication fosters a shared sense of purpose and can lead to more efficient and effective teamwork.

Question 17

The inner rites,rituals,heroes,and values of a firm make up its corporate culture.

Accepted Answer

Corporate culture is the combination of the inner rites, rituals, heroes, and values that define the organization's personality and influence how employees behave and interact within the workplace.

Question 18

A manager's reluctance to delegate may stem from his or her belief that the subordinate will do the work too well.

Accepted Answer

A manager might fear that a subordinate performing too well could overshadow their own abilities or potentially threaten their position, leading to reluctance in delegating tasks.

Question 19

In a flat organization,administrative costs are higher because more managers are needed.

Accepted Answer

In a flat organization, there are fewer levels of management and decision-making is decentralized. Therefore, administrative costs are typically lower as there are fewer managers needed.

Question 20

Cross-functional teams are not very effective structures to use when developing a new product or service.

Accepted Answer

Cross-functional teams are very effective when developing a new product or service because they bring diverse perspectives and expertise to the table, allowing for a more comprehensive and successful outcome. Collaboration and communication among team members from different departments can lead to better problem-solving and innovation.

Quiz 7: Creating a Flexible Organization