Question 1

Which of the following actions is appropriate where standardization is important?
A)centralize authority  
B)decentralize authority  
C)emphasize line authority  
D)ensure a flat organizational structure

Accepted Answer

Centralizing authority is appropriate where standardization is important because it ensures that decisions are made in a consistent and uniform manner across the organization, which is critical for achieving standardization. Centralization also allows for greater control and coordination of activities, which again is important where standardization is a key concern.

Question 2

In one job design approach,the number of different tasks that a worker performs within one job is increased,and workers are given the authority and control to make meaningful decisions about their work. Which of the following is associated with this approach?
A)job rotation and job enlargement  
B)job specialization and job enrichment  
C)job specialization and job rotation  
D)job enlargement and job enrichment

Accepted Answer

Job enlargement involves increasing the number of different tasks that a worker performs within one job. Job enrichment involves giving workers the authority and control to make meaningful decisions about their work. Therefore, job enlargement and job enrichment are associated with this job design approach. Job rotation involves systematically moving workers from one primary job to another, while job specialization involves breaking down a job into a series of specialized tasks. These two job design approaches are not directly associated with the aforementioned job design approach.

Question 3

Admitting a need for better communication,higher management tethers subordinates to their jobs and appoints newly hired employees who specialize in establishing liaison relationships. Which type of organization does this scenario describe?
A)centralized  
B)mechanistic  
C)departmentalized  
D)organic

Accepted Answer

The scenario describes a mechanistic organization, which is characterized by a rigid and hierarchical structure, where communication is often top-down and roles are clearly defined. The focus on better communication and appointing specialists for liaison roles aligns with mechanistic structures.

Question 4

Which term most closely refers to assigning direct authority and responsibility to a subordinate to fulfill tasks for which the manager is normally responsible?
A)a job description  
B)staff functionality  
C)delegation of authority  
D)decentralization

Accepted Answer

Delegation of authority refers to assigning direct authority and responsibility to a subordinate to fulfill tasks for which the manager is normally responsible. A job description refers to a written statement that describes the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a particular job. Staff functionality refers to the way that an organization or department organizes its staff to achieve its objectives. Decentralization refers to the process of pushing decision-making authority down the organizational hierarchy, giving lower-level employees more power and autonomy.

Question 5

The CEO of an electronics company stated that an organizational chart was inapplicable in his organization and "a dangerous method of thinking." According to this CEO,the first requirement of management is to make the fullest use of the capacities of its members;any individual's job should be as little defined as possible,so that it can "shape itself" to the person's special abilities and initiative. Which type of organization does this company more than likely have?
A)centralized  
B)mechanistic  
C)departmentalized  
D)organic

Accepted Answer

The CEO's statement of encouraging job roles to be less defined and allowing individuals to shape their job roles to their abilities indicates an organic organizational structure. Organic structures are typically more flexible and less hierarchical, allowing for adaptability and innovation within the organization.

Question 6

Which of the following is characterized by simple,easy-to-learn steps,little variety,and much repetition?
A)job consistency  
B)job specialization  
C)task re-engineering  
D)standardization

Accepted Answer

Job specialization involves breaking down jobs into simple, easy-to-learn tasks with little variety and much repetition, allowing workers to become proficient in specific tasks.

Question 7

Which of the following determines the number,kind,and variety of tasks that individual workers perform in their roles?
A)standardization  
B)task mapping  
C)job design  
D)job specialization

Accepted Answer

Job design is the process of determining the responsibilities and requirements of a position. It includes determining the number, kind, and variety of tasks that individual workers perform in their roles. Standardization refers to the level of uniformity and consistency in job tasks across an organization, while task mapping is a process used in project management to identify and categorize project activities. Job specialization refers to the narrowing of job tasks and responsibilities to focus on a specific area or skillset.

Question 8

An organization is characterized by broadly defined jobs and responsibilities;loosely defined,frequently changing roles;decentralized authority;and horizontal communication based on task knowledge. Which of the following best describes its nature?
A)centralized  
B)mechanistic  
C)departmentalized  
D)organic

Accepted Answer

The characteristics described in the question are indicative of an organic organization, which typically operates with loosely defined roles and decentralized authority, relying on horizontal communication and task knowledge to function effectively.

Question 9

The Toronto Blue Jays are owned by media conglomerate Rogers Communications. The team's president and general manager report to Rogers's senior leadership team,but rarely have to seek approval before making trades or signing free agents. Which term best describes this situation?
A)centralization  
B)standardization  
C)top management empowerment  
D)decentralization

Accepted Answer

Decentralization is the situation in which decision-making authority is delegated to lower-level managers and employees. In this case, the president and general manager have the authority to make decisions regarding trades and free agents without seeking approval from senior leadership, indicating a decentralized structure.

Question 10

Which of the following can job specialization result in?
A)high job satisfaction  
B)employee boredom  
C)low employee turnover  
D)complicated job designs

Accepted Answer

Job specialization can lead to employee boredom because they may be doing the same repetitive tasks over and over again, which can decrease motivation and engagement.

Question 11

The marketing manager of a company that manufactures church furniture has been given the job of increasing corporate profits by 5 percent during the upcoming year. The manager has decided to give his assistant the full responsibility and authority for developing a mailing campaign to target churches on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The manager is making this individual accountable for the campaign's success. What has the marketing manager done?
A)implemented feedback controls  
B)created a staff position  
C)embraced the matrix organizational philosophy  
D)delegated the task

Accepted Answer

The marketing manager has delegated the task of creating a mailing campaign to his assistant and has made them accountable for its success. Delegation involves assigning responsibility and authority to someone else to complete a task or project.

Question 12

Robin works in customer service of a department store. She handles returned products. For most products,if they are returned in original packaging,are undamaged,and the customer has the bill,Robin will accept the return for a full refund. However,for camping gear,the policy is no returns and no exceptions. What term describes how Robin handles returned products?
A)consistency planning  
B)organizational autonomy  
C)standardization  
D)problem empowerment

Accepted Answer

The term that describes how Robin handles returned products is standardization, as there are specific criteria that must be met for a return to be accepted, and there is a specific policy in place for camping gear returns. Consistency planning, organizational autonomy, and problem empowerment do not accurately describe the situation.

Question 13

Boxing Canada has moved its head office and training facilities to Montreal from various locations across the country. Which of the following best represents the principle Boxing Canada is relying upon? A)centralization of authority B)standardization C)top management reciprocity D)job specialization

Accepted Answer

Boxing Canada is relying upon the principle of centralization of authority by moving its head office and training facilities to one location in Montreal from various locations across the country. This allows for better coordination, control and decision-making from a central location.

Question 14

Which of the following is characteristic of decentralization?
A)It leads to faster decision making and more satisfied customers and employees. 
B)It tends to stymie employee capabilities. 
C)It pertains most to large companies. 
D)It has proven to be more appropriate where standardization is important.

Accepted Answer

Decentralization typically leads to faster decision making and greater employee empowerment, which in turn can result in higher levels of customer and employee satisfaction.

Question 15

In certain organizations,the normal procedure for dealing with any matter lying outside the boundaries of one individual's functional responsibility is handled one of two ways. One is to refer it to the point in the system where such responsibility is known to reside. Failing that,the matter is brought before one's superior. What type of organization is described?
A)centralized  
B)mechanistic  
C)departmentalized  
D)organic

Accepted Answer

The organization described is mechanistic. In mechanistic organizations, tasks and responsibilities are clearly defined, and there is a strict hierarchy and procedural approach to addressing issues that fall outside an individual's specific role. This is reflected in the process of referring matters to the appropriate point in the system or escalating them to a superior.

Question 16

Nigel works for a high-tech company that has a dynamic working environment. Nigel's job title is technical support but he really works in all areas of operations. He rarely knows what he will be doing from day to day and enjoys the ability to make decisions to solve problems as they arise. What type of organization does Nigel work in?
A)organic  
B)mechanistic  
C)matrix  
D)functional

Accepted Answer

Nigel's job in a dynamic work environment with the ability to make decisions and work in all areas of operations indicates an organic organizational structure which is designed to be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances.

Question 17

Large hospitals purchase more than 15,000 individual products on a routine basis. One challenge for a hospital's purchasing department is that the various hospital departments use different product descriptions and classifications for the same item. One purchasing manager plans to institute a hospital-wide purchasing policy that gives a specific code to each item. In doing so,what is the purchasing manager engaging in?
A)consistency planning  
B)organizational autonomy  
C)standardization  
D)problem empowerment

Accepted Answer

The purchasing manager is engaging in standardization by creating a hospital-wide purchasing policy that gives a specific code to each item. This will help to overcome the challenge of different departments using different product descriptions and classifications for the same item. Standardization will ensure that everyone is using the same classification system, which will lead to more efficient purchasing processes and greater cost savings.

Question 18

The Ryerson University Library is organized in a hierarchy with six unit heads reporting to a chief librarian. The units are archives,audiovisual/interlibrary loans,library access services,reference and information,systems,and technical services. Within these units are 15 librarians and 47 full-time library staff. One tool used in the organizational development of the library was to systematically move employees from one job to another to give them an opportunity to learn and use different skills. Which of the following was the Ryerson University Library using?
A)task aggregation  
B)job specialization  
C)job enlargement  
D)job rotation

Accepted Answer

The Ryerson University Library was using job rotation, which involves systematically moving employees from one job to another to give them an opportunity to learn and use different skills. This strategy helps to develop employee skills and knowledge, and it can also improve employee motivation and job satisfaction. Task aggregation involves combining tasks to create a broader range of responsibilities, job specialization involves focusing on a narrow range of tasks, and job enlargement involves expanding an employee's responsibilities within a particular job.

Question 19

Josephine notices that one of her better workers seems less enthusiastic about her work. Josephine adds different tasks to the job to hopefully reduce the boredom the worker is feeling. What did Josephine engage in to alter the worker's job?
A)task aggregation  
B)job specialization  
C)job enlargement  
D)employee specialization

Accepted Answer

Josephine engaged in job enlargement by adding different tasks to the worker's job to reduce boredom. Job enlargement involves increasing the number of tasks or responsibilities within a job to provide variety and reduce monotony.

Question 20

When managers delegate work,three transfers occur. Two of the transfers are responsibility and authority. What is the third?
A)utility  
B)synergy  
C)reciprocity  
D)accountability

Accepted Answer

The third transfer that occurs when managers delegate work is accountability. When responsibility and authority are transferred, accountability for the outcome of the work also shifts to the person to whom the work was delegated. They are expected to deliver the results and are held accountable for any success or failure.

Quiz 8: Designing Adaptive Organizations

Which of the following actions is appropriate where standardization is important?

In one job design approach,the number of different tasks that a worker performs within one job is increased,and workers are given the authority and control to make meaningful decisions about their work. Which of the following is associated with this approach?

Admitting a need for better communication,higher management tethers subordinates to their jobs and appoints newly hired employees who specialize in establishing liaison relationships. Which type of organization does this scenario describe?

Which term most closely refers to assigning direct authority and responsibility to a subordinate to fulfill tasks for which the manager is normally responsible?

Which of the following is characterized by simple,easy-to-learn steps,little variety,and much repetition?

Which of the following determines the number,kind,and variety of tasks that individual workers perform in their roles?

An organization is characterized by broadly defined jobs and responsibilities;loosely defined,frequently changing roles;decentralized authority;and horizontal communication based on task knowledge. Which of the following best describes its nature?

The Toronto Blue Jays are owned by media conglomerate Rogers Communications. The team's president and general manager report to Rogers's senior leadership team,but rarely have to seek approval before making trades or signing free agents. Which term best describes this situation?

Which of the following can job specialization result in?

Boxing Canada has moved its head office and training facilities to Montreal from various locations across the country. Which of the following best represents the principle Boxing Canada is relying upon?

Which of the following is characteristic of decentralization?

Josephine notices that one of her better workers seems less enthusiastic about her work. Josephine adds different tasks to the job to hopefully reduce the boredom the worker is feeling. What did Josephine engage in to alter the worker's job?

When managers delegate work,three transfers occur. Two of the transfers are responsibility and authority. What is the third?