Question 1

One reason that matrix organizations are difficult to manage is that the organizational structure violates the principle of delegation of authority.

Accepted Answer

One reason that matrix organizations are difficult to manage is that they violate the principle of unity of command.

Question 2

In a decentralized organization,workers closest to problems are authorized to make the decisions necessary to solve the problems on their own.

Accepted Answer

This is the fundamental concept of decentralization – decision-making authority is delegated to lower-level employees, providing them with more autonomy to solve problems and improve results.

Question 3

All organizations can clearly be categorized as either completely mechanistic or completely organic.

Accepted Answer

These dimensions represent bipolar extremes.Since the characteristics that define them can vary along a continuum,so can organizations,which may be more or less mechanistic or organic,rather than completely one or the other.

Question 4

In matrix departmentalization,as in other forms of departmentalization,most employees report to a single boss.

Accepted Answer

In matrix departmentalization,most employees report to two bosses.

Question 5

Matrix departmentalization is a hybrid structure in which two or more forms of departmentalization are used together,such as the product and functional forms.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true as matrix departmentalization combines different structures, such as product and functional, to create a hybrid structure.

Question 6

Specialized jobs are characterized by simple,easy-to-learn steps,low variety,and much repetition.

Accepted Answer

Specialized jobs are designed to be highly focused with a narrow scope, involving simple, easy-to-learn tasks that are repeated frequently, leading to low variety in the job activities.

Question 7

Under product departmentalization,it is easier for top managers to assess work-unit performance.

Accepted Answer

Under product departmentalization, work-units are organized around specific products or product groups. This makes it easier for top managers to assess the performance of each work-unit as they can easily measure the performance of each product or product group.

Question 8

Job enlargement and job enrichment mean essentially the same thing.

Accepted Answer

While job enlargement increases the number of tasks performed,job enrichment adds a fundamentally different dimension: authority and control to make meaningful decisions about the work.

Question 9

One advantage of virtual organization is that it allows member companies to share costs.

Accepted Answer

Since virtual organizations operate electronically, there is no need for physical office spaces and infrastructure. This allows member companies to reduce costs related to rent, utilities, equipment, and maintenance. Additionally, virtual teams can collaborate and communicate through various online tools and platforms, without the need for travel expenses.

Question 10

While the inter-organizational process revolves around a central company in modular organizations,a virtual organization is part of a network in which many companies share skills,costs,capabilities,markets,and customers with one another.

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately describes the difference between inter-organizational processes in modular organizations and virtual organizations.

Question 11

In spite of the jobs' disadvantages,companies continue to create and use specialized jobs because they are economical.

Accepted Answer

Companies continue to create and use specialized jobs because it is more cost-effective as they can hire people with specific skills which increase productivity and efficiency. Although there may be some disadvantages, the benefits of specialized jobs outweighs the costs for many companies.

Question 12

Task significance is the degree to which a job gives workers the discretion,freedom,and independence to decide how and when to accomplish the job.

Accepted Answer

This definition applies to autonomy.Task significance is defined as the degree to which a job is perceived to have a substantial impact on others inside or outside the organization.

Question 13

The term task description refers to the number,kind,and variety of tasks that individual workers perform in doing their jobs.

Accepted Answer

The term job design refers to the number,kind,and variety of tasks that individual workers perform in doing their jobs.

Question 14

An organic organization is an organization characterized by broadly defined jobs and responsibility,loosely defined,frequently changing roles,decentralized authority,and horizontal communication based on task knowledge.

Accepted Answer

This is the correct definition of an organic organization.

Question 15

Specialized jobs are generally inefficient.

Accepted Answer

Specialized jobs are highly efficient but can be tedious unless managers use job rotation,job enlargement,and job enrichment to make them more interesting.

Question 16

Empowerment can lead to changes in organizational processes because meaning,competence,impact,and self-determination produce empowered employees who take active rather than passive roles in their work.

Accepted Answer

Empowered employees feel a sense of ownership over their work and are motivated to make positive changes in their work processes, which can lead to overall improvements in the organization.

Question 17

The most common matrix combines customer and functional forms of departmentalization.

Accepted Answer

The most common matrix combines product and functional forms of departmentalization.

Question 18

In reciprocal interdependence,work must be performed in succession because one group or job's outputs become the inputs for the next group or job.

Accepted Answer

The definition applies to sequential interdependence.Reciprocal interdependence exists when work is completed by different jobs or groups working together in a back-and-forth manner.

Question 19

A virtual organization is an organization that outsources noncore business activities to outside companies,suppliers,specialists,or consultants.

Accepted Answer

This definition applies to a modular organization.A virtual organization is an organization that is part of a network in which many companies share skills,costs,capabilities,markets,and customers to collectively solve customer problems or provide specific products or services.

Question 20

The coordination of departmental activities tends to be more difficult with the geographic approach to departmentalization than with the other approaches.

Accepted Answer

The geographic approach groups activities based on their location, which can lead to difficulties in coordination and communication between departments that are physically distant from each other. This is because they may have different resources, cultures, and operating procedures. In contrast, functional, product, and customer-based departmentalization focus on the specific functions, products, or customers that the organization serves, making it easier to coordinate activities within and between departments.

Quiz 9: Designing Adaptive Organizations