Question 1

Rob is a middle manager who spends much of his time devising ways to implement the ideas of top management.Max Weber would have considered Rob a bureaucrat.

Accepted Answer

Max Weber defined bureaucracy as a system of management characterized by hierarchical authority, formalized rules, and a clear division of labor. Middle managers like Rob, who focus on implementing top management's ideas within the framework of bureaucratic structures, would be considered bureaucrats according to Weber's perspective.

Question 2

Most businesses adopt a bureaucratic organization in order to speed up their decision making process.

Accepted Answer

Bureaucratic organizations tend to have a slower decision making process due to the hierarchy and layers of bureaucracy. They prioritize rules, regulations, and following procedures over efficiency and speed.

Question 3

An advantage of decentralized authority is that those individuals closest to the customers and more familiar with local conditions make decisions.

Accepted Answer

Decentralized authority allows decision-making power to be distributed among individuals who are closer to the situation and have a better understanding of local conditions. This can lead to quicker, more informed decisions and better customer service.

Question 4

In firms with centralized authority,each business unit is treated as if it is a completely separate and independent organization.

Accepted Answer

In firms with centralized authority, the decision-making power is concentrated in one location or person, and the different business units are part of the same organization, linked by a centralized management structure. Therefore, they are not treated as completely separate and independent.

Question 5

Centralized authority provides for the delegation of authority to employees who are then better able to respond to customers' needs.

Accepted Answer

Centralized authority concentrates decision-making power at the top level, limiting the delegation of authority to lower-level employees and potentially slowing response to customers' needs.

Question 6

Sam supervised a group of people in a very large organization.The refrigerator in the lunchroom stopped functioning.Although he started the paperwork on the day it died,the refrigerator request went out for bid;two middle managers needed to approve it;and,the purchasing director had final approval.The refrigerator arrived six months later.Max Weber would have approved of the detail and documentation Sam's company accumulated to back-up the purchase.

Accepted Answer

The passage suggests that Sam's company had a detailed and documented process for purchasing items, which aligns with Max Weber's ideas about bureaucracy.

Question 7

In today's business environment,the trend is to decrease the span of control.

Accepted Answer

The trend in today's business environment is towards increasing the span of control, facilitated by advancements in technology and communication tools that allow managers to effectively oversee more employees.

Question 8

Bryce is a manager at a car seat manufacturing company.He believes that it is very important and less confusing if each worker has only one boss.Bryce's view is consistent with Fayol's unity of command principle.

Accepted Answer

Bryce's view that each worker should have only one boss aligns with Fayol's unity of command principle, which states that each employee should receive orders from only one supervisor to avoid confusion and potential conflict.

Question 9

Span of control refers to the number of different markets a business can serve efficiently.

Accepted Answer

Span of control refers to the number of employees or subordinates that a manager can effectively manage, not the number of markets a business can serve efficiently.

Question 10

Antonio works in the accounting department of a large firm.This is an example of Fayol's division of labor concept.

Accepted Answer

Fayol's division of labor concept refers to the specialization of tasks in an organization, with each individual or department having a specific role or function to perform. In this case, Antonio's role in the accounting department demonstrates the implementation of this concept.

Question 11

The optimum number of subordinates a manager should supervise is referred to as the span of control.

Accepted Answer

The span of control is defined as the number of subordinates that a manager or supervisor can effectively manage and supervise. It is important for managers to have an appropriate span of control to ensure effective communication, delegation of tasks, and overall productivity.

Question 12

As a new employee in a bureaucratic organization,Nancy can expect a great deal of independence and authority.

Accepted Answer

As a new employee in a bureaucratic organization, Nancy can expect a great deal of rules, regulations and hierarchical structure. Bureaucratic organizations are characterized by strict processes, defined roles, and centralized power which limits the authority and independence of employees.

Question 13

Soprano Industries follows a chain of command with authority moving from the top of the hierarchy down to lower-level managers.The company is organized by department with established rules and regulations that everyone is expected to follow.All of these characteristics suggest that Soprano is an example of a bureaucratic organization.

Accepted Answer

The characteristics mentioned in the statement, such as chain of command, departmental organization, and established rules and regulations, are all key features of a bureaucratic organization.

Question 14

At Dilly-Dally Sportswear Store a manager needs to be called to the front of the store and sign-off on every return that a cashier performs.The CEO continues this policy because he wants every manager to "look those customers right in the eye" and "stake their job on taking those items back." Clearly,Dilly-Daly empowers its employees to make decisions at their jobs.

Accepted Answer

The answer of At Dilly-Dally Sportswear Store a manager needs...

Question 15

As a result of rapidly changing markets and global differences in consumer tastes,more firms are considering centralized authority.

Accepted Answer

Due to rapidly changing markets and global differences in consumer tastes, more firms are considering decentralized authority to allow for faster decision-making and adaptations to local preferences.

Question 16

The more standardized the work,the wider the span of control.

Accepted Answer

When work is standardized, it becomes easier to manage and supervise, thus allowing managers to have a wider span of control over their subordinates.

Question 17

A weakened corporate image is one of the disadvantages of a decentralized business organization.

Accepted Answer

Decentralized business organizations may lead to inconsistent branding, messaging and customer experience. This can result in a lack of clarity and a weakened corporate image.

Question 18

The degree to which an organization allows lower level managers to make decisions determines the degree of decentralization.

Accepted Answer

Decentralization refers to the distribution of decision-making authority throughout an organization. The more decision-making power delegated to lower level managers, the more decentralized an organization is. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 19

Kate holds a middle management position with a large corporation.She prefers to involve her subordinates in decision-making.She also favors allowing workers a fair amount of flexibility in how they do their jobs.Kitty's approach to management exemplifies the principles first popularized by Max Weber.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Kate holds a middle management position with...

Question 20

Ping believes all workers should receive the same wage rate regardless of their position within a company.Ping's views on wages illustrate Fayol's principle of equity.

Accepted Answer

Ping's views contradicts with Fayol's principle of equity, which states that employees should receive fair and equal treatment, but their wages should be based on their position, responsibilities, and contribution to the company.

Quiz 8: Adapting Organizations to Todays Markets