Designing Organizational Structures

What is the process of dividing work into separate jobs and assigning tasks to workers called?

Which form of departmentalization is based on the primary functions performed within an organizational unit, such as marketing, finance, and production?

What is a key characteristic of a line organization structure?

In a line-and-staff organization, what is the role of individuals in staff positions?

A matrix structure combines which two different forms of departmentalization?

What is a primary disadvantage of the matrix structure?

How is a committee structure defined in an organization?

What does the term 'group cohesiveness' refer to?

What is the primary difference between a work group and a work team?

Which type of team is typically made up of employees from the same department and hierarchical level who meet regularly to improve processes?

What is the management pyramid, also known as the managerial hierarchy, generally composed of?

The line of authority that extends from one level of the organization to the next, from top to bottom, is known as the:

What does the 'unity of command' principle guarantee?

Which of the following is a benefit of a wide span of control?

What is centralization in an organizational context?

Which condition typically makes decentralization desirable for an organization?

A mechanistic organization is characterized by which of the following?

Which type of organizational structure would be most efficient for a company operating in a simple, stable environment?

What is the informal organization?

What is the term for the complete redesign of business structures and processes to improve operations, often described as 'starting over'?

Which of the following is a key attribute of a virtual corporation?

What is the primary purpose of an organization chart?

A high degree of specialization, where employees perform a limited number and variety of tasks, can lead to what negative outcome?

According to the text, what percentage of Fortune 1000 companies use some sort of self-managed teams?

What is the term for legitimate power, granted by the organization and acknowledged by employees, that allows an individual to request action and expect compliance?

A flat organizational structure is a result of which combination of elements?

What is the informal communication channel, such as the rumor mill, within an organization often referred to as?

A recent survey mentioned in the chapter found that what percentage of respondents would put more credibility in a message heard over the grapevine than in a speech by a company leader?

What is the primary goal of reengineering an organization's structure?

In cellular manufacturing, how many workers are typically found in a work cell?

Which type of departmentalization would a company be using if it organized its structure into units for North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific?

What defines a cross-functional team?

Which of the following describes delegation of authority?

Which of the following is a disadvantage of a narrow span of control?

What is the term for the network of independent companies linked by information technology to share skills, costs, and access to one another’s markets?

Which of the following is an example of a factor that would favor choosing an organic organizational structure?

The organizing process is accomplished by determining work activities, grouping jobs, and what other key step?

What is a key difference between a mechanistic and an organic organization regarding decision-making?

The gig economy, where freelancers take on contract work, is identified in the chapter as a form of what broader organizational trend?

A self-managed work team is characterized by what level of supervision?

What is the primary reason a company's organizational structure might change from organic to mechanistic?

Which of the following is NOT one of the five basic types of departmentalization mentioned in the chapter?

When is a fixed-position layout typically used?

What is meant by the term 'accountability' in an organizational context?

Which of the following is a primary benefit of decentralization?

What is the primary risk associated with decentralization?

What is a major challenge that must be addressed when two large global firms merge?

A tall organizational structure is a result of which type of model?

In the context of the informal organization, what is one of its important functions?

The chapter discusses how Procter & Gamble (P&G) integrates four different types of departmentalization, which it calls the 'four pillars'. Which of the following is NOT one of those pillars?