Question 1

To decrease their administrative intensity,many organizations are
A) eliminating staff positions.
B) hiring managers who are less intense.
C) decreasing the number of middle managers.
D) increasing job rotation programs.
E) modifying job designs so as to alleviate worker stress.

Accepted Answer

The answer of To decrease their administrative intensity,many organizations are
A)...

Question 2

Integrating departments
A) are never used for coordination.
B) are more permanent than task forces.
C) have only permanent members.
D) never contain temporary members.
E) are used when pooled or simple sequential interdependence exists.

Accepted Answer

Integrating departments are more permanent than task forces, meaning they are meant to exist long-term to maintain coordination and communication between departments. Task forces, on the other hand, are created for specific projects and disbanded once the project is completed.

Question 3

Which of the following coordination techniques is appropriate when interdependence is of the complex reciprocal variety?
A) Integrating department
B) Task force
C) Managerial hierarchy
D) Centralization
E) Rules and procedures

Accepted Answer

Task force coordination technique is appropriate when interdependence is of the complex reciprocal variety as it involves a temporary team or group of employees from different departments or units who work together to solve a specific problem or address a particular issue. This technique allows for flexibility and collaboration among diverse groups, which is essential when dealing with complex reciprocal interdependence. Other coordination techniques like integrating department or managerial hierarchy may be too rigid or hierarchical, while centralization and rules and procedures may not be suitable for complex and dynamic interdependencies.

Question 4

Derda,Inc.manufactures equipment used for professional woodworking.It has one department devoted to producing embossing machines,which are used to create wood moldings and panels.It has another department that produces sanding machines.The departments interact very little on a day-to-day basis,and their only responsibility to each other is to see that they both contribute to Derda's success.There is,however,an engineer assigned to the embosser department who stays in contact with people in the sander department to make sure that each is being treated equitably.As the engineer has no formal role,he is likely playing the coordinating role of
A) integrator.
B) disseminator.
C) monitor.
D) liaison.
E) taskmaster.

Accepted Answer

The engineer in the embosser department who stays in contact with people in the sander department to make sure that each is being treated equitably is likely playing the coordinating role of a liaison. A liaison is an individual who connects and coordinates activities between different departments or groups within an organization. The engineer acts as a bridge between the embosser and sander departments, ensuring that there is open communication and coordination between them.

Question 5

Paul supervises a crew engaged in laying a pipeline from Dallas to Ponca City,Oklahoma.The crew is able to lay about a mile of pipe each day.Supplies of pipe are delivered by truck to various points along the pipeline route.When shipments of pipe are delayed,it results in a work stoppage for Paul's crew.What level of interdependence does this represent?
A) Pooled
B) Reciprocal
C) Functional
D) Hierarchical
E) Sequential

Accepted Answer

This scenario represents sequential interdependence because the work process is linear, with each step depending on the completion of the previous one. In this case, the delivery of supplies directly affects the crew's ability to lay the pipeline, indicating a sequence of operations where one step follows another in a specific order.

Question 6

Jerry is Chief Ethics Officer.He is involved with risk management,stakeholder relationships,whistle-blowing,ethics training,investigations,and preparation of financial statements.Jerry has a(n)____ position.
A) line
B) integrating
C) hierarchical
D) staff
E) managerial

Accepted Answer

Jerry is involved with supporting and advising various functions within the company, such as risk management and preparation of financial statements. These functions are carried out by line employees, and Jerry's role is to provide specialized expertise and guidance in the area of ethics. This aligns with the responsibilities of a staff position.

Question 7

Demetra is head underwriter for Beta Insurance.She supervises the underwriting department and the administrative section that receives applications from the sales force and gathers other information needed.What coordination technique does this represent?
A) Integrating department
B) Task force
C) Managerial hierarchy
D) Centralization
E) Rules and procedures

Accepted Answer

This represents managerial hierarchy, in which Demetra is in charge of supervising the underwriting department and administrative section. This indicates a clear chain of command and reporting structure.

Question 8

____ requires line managers to at least listen to comments and suggestions from staff agencies even if they do not take the advice.
A) Functional authority
B) Staff authority
C) Compulsory advice
D) Line authority
E) Advice authority

Accepted Answer

Compulsory advice requires line managers to listen to comments and suggestions from staff agencies, although they are not obligated to follow the advice.

Question 9

Functional authority is
A) formal authority given to staff.
B) an effective way to use staff positions.
C) related to the expertise of staff.
D) used to help maintain the chain of command.
E) All of these choices

Accepted Answer

The answer of Functional authority is
A) formal authority given to...

Question 10

With respect to their use as coordinating devices,what is the difference between a task force and an integrating department?
A) Task forces are more temporary.
B) Task forces are used with more complex forms of interdependence.
C) Task forces require the use of more people.
D) Task forces are more permanent.
E) Task forces require fewer people.

Accepted Answer

Task forces are typically created for a specific project or objective and are dissolved once this has been achieved, making them a more temporary coordinating device compared to integrating departments.

Answer: B 
 Task forces are often used in situations where there is complex interdependence between different departments or teams, which requires a more focused and coordinated effort from a specialized group of individuals.

Answer: E 
 Task forces are usually made up of a smaller group of individuals who possess the necessary skills and expertise required to achieve a specific objective. Thus, they often require fewer people than an integrating department, which is typically responsible for coordinating the activities of multiple departments across an organization.

Question 11

The vice president of marketing has ____ to the CEO of a business unit.The vice president of marketing will have to rely on her reputation for excellence to convince the CEO to accept her recommendation.
A) functional authority
B) staff authority
C) compulsory advice
D) line authority
E) advice authority

Accepted Answer

The answer of The vice president of marketing has ____...

Question 12

Which of the following methods of coordination is MOST appropriate for pooled or simple sequential interdependence?
A) Task forces or integrating departments
B) Managerial hierarchy or liaison roles
C) Task forces or liaison roles
D) Formalized rules or liaison roles
E) Managerial hierarchy or rules and procedures

Accepted Answer

Pooled or simple sequential interdependence involves a low level of interaction and coordination between different units or teams. Therefore, the most appropriate methods of coordination would be through a clear managerial hierarchy or formalized rules and procedures to ensure that the different units or teams are aligned with the overall goals and objectives of the organization. Managerial hierarchy helps to clarify reporting lines and decision-making authority, while rules and procedures provide a standardized approach to work processes and minimize the need for communication and interaction between units.

Question 13

To see a doctor,a person makes an appointment,signs in,fills out paper work,talks to the technician,talks to the doctor,and,if needed,arranges a follow-up visit.What level of interdependence does this example represent?
A) Pooled
B) Mixed
C) Functional
D) Hierarchical
E) Sequential

Accepted Answer

This example represents sequential interdependence, as each step in the process is dependent on the completion of the previous step.

Question 14

Nora is chief legal counsel for Midco Waste.She has ____.
A) functional authority
B) staff authority
C) compulsory advice
D) line authority
E) advice authority

Accepted Answer

The answer of Nora is chief legal counsel for Midco...

Question 15

In schools math,English,science and social studies departments operate separately.Student test scores in each area are gathered to evaluate the effectiveness of the school.What level of interdependence does this represent?
A) Pooled
B) Reciprocal
C) Sequential
D) Hierarchical
E) Functional

Accepted Answer

Pooled interdependence is characterized by different departments or units working independently but contributing to the overall performance of the organization, similar to the scenario described.

Question 16

To write a press release,the communications department at Ford depends on information provided by other departments.The final draft is reviewed by the directors before announcement.What level of interdependence does this represent?
A) Pooled
B) Reciprocal
C) Sequential
D) Hierarchical
E) Functional

Accepted Answer

The answer of To write a press release,the communications department...

Question 17

At BMW the marketing department helps develop sales forecast for the operations managers,who give availability information to dealerships.When dealerships have a specific order,they send it to operations.What level of interdependence does this example represent?
A) Pooled
B) Mixed
C) Functional
D) Reciprocal
E) Sequential

Accepted Answer

The answer of At BMW the marketing department helps develop...

Question 18

Employees in staff positions
A) are part of the direct chain of command.
B) are given total responsibility for the achievement of organizational goals.
C) have more authority than people in line positions.
D) have the same organizational purpose as employees in line positions.
E) None of these choices

Accepted Answer

Employees in staff positions typically provide support and expertise to line positions but are not part of the direct chain of command, do not have total responsibility for organizational goals, and do not have more authority than line positions. Their purpose is different from line positions, which are directly involved in achieving the core objectives of the organization.

Question 19

When departments or units operate with little interaction,and the profits and losses are simply added together,the units operate with ____ interdependence.
A) pooled
B) mixed
C) functional
D) hierarchical
E) sequential

Accepted Answer

Pooled interdependence occurs when each unit operates separately with little interaction or coordination between them, and the outputs of each unit are combined to produce the final product or service. In this case, profits and losses are simply added together, which is characteristic of pooled interdependence. Mixed interdependence involves some level of coordination and communication between units, functional interdependence involves units working together to produce a specific product or service, hierarchical interdependence involves a clear chain of command and authority, and sequential interdependence involves units working in a specific sequence to complete a task or project.

Question 20

The activities of a hotel depend on information sharing between reservations,front-desk,housekeeping,and dining.What level of interdependence is this?
A) Pooled
B) Reciprocal
C) Functional
D) Hierarchical
E) Sequential

Accepted Answer

Reciprocal interdependence is when activities are directly dependent on each other, as in the case of a hotel where reservations, front-desk, housekeeping, and dining need to share information constantly to operate smoothly.

Quiz 10: Basic Elements of Organizing

To decrease their administrative intensity,many organizations are

Integrating departments

Which of the following coordination techniques is appropriate when interdependence is of the complex reciprocal variety?

Jerry is Chief Ethics Officer.He is involved with risk management,stakeholder relationships,whistle-blowing,ethics training,investigations,and preparation of financial statements.Jerry has a(n) ____ position.

Demetra is head underwriter for Beta Insurance.She supervises the underwriting department and the administrative section that receives applications from the sales force and gathers other information needed.What coordination technique does this represent?

____ requires line managers to at least listen to comments and suggestions from staff agencies even if they do not take the advice.

Functional authority is

With respect to their use as coordinating devices,what is the difference between a task force and an integrating department?

The vice president of marketing has ____ to the CEO of a business unit.The vice president of marketing will have to rely on her reputation for excellence to convince the CEO to accept her recommendation.

Which of the following methods of coordination is MOST appropriate for pooled or simple sequential interdependence?

To see a doctor,a person makes an appointment,signs in,fills out paper work,talks to the technician,talks to the doctor,and,if needed,arranges a follow-up visit.What level of interdependence does this example represent?

Nora is chief legal counsel for Midco Waste.She has ____.

In schools math,English,science and social studies departments operate separately.Student test scores in each area are gathered to evaluate the effectiveness of the school.What level of interdependence does this represent?

To write a press release,the communications department at Ford depends on information provided by other departments.The final draft is reviewed by the directors before announcement.What level of interdependence does this represent?

At BMW the marketing department helps develop sales forecast for the operations managers,who give availability information to dealerships.When dealerships have a specific order,they send it to operations.What level of interdependence does this example represent?

Employees in staff positions

When departments or units operate with little interaction,and the profits and losses are simply added together,the units operate with ____ interdependence.

The activities of a hotel depend on information sharing between reservations,front-desk,housekeeping,and dining.What level of interdependence is this?