Orga_MCQ_Ch9_Competences, and Technology, OT Chapter 11, Chapter 8: Organizational Design and Strategy in a Changing Global Environment, Chapter 9 Organizational Design, competence, and Technology
A pharmaceutical company concentrates on producing drugs for diabetes patients. This company is pursuing a strategy of ________. A) specialism B) licensing C) outsourcing D) vertical integration
Answer: A
According to Charles Perrow, task ________ is the number of new or unexpected situations that a person encounters while performing a task. A) variability B) analyzability C) customizability D) adaptability
Answer: A
With reference to the types of technologies as identified by Thompson, hospitals are organizations that use ________ technology. A) intensive B) mediating C) long-linked D) continuous-process
Answer: A
Which of the following advanced manufacturing techniques is developed from the Japanese kanban system? A) fixed automation system B) computer-aided design system C) just-in-time inventory system D) computer-integrated manufacturing system
Answer: C
With reference to the types of production technologies identified by Joan Woodward, which of the following technologies gives an organization the capacity to produce a wide range of products that can be customized for individual customers? A) continuous-process technology B) mass production technology C) small-batch technology D) sequential-process technology
Answer: C
________ is the technology that involves groups of skilled workers who interact closely to produce custom-designed products. A) Mass production B) Engineering technology C) Craftswork D) Progressive manufacturing
Answer: C
Technology and Organizational effectiveness
Technology is present in all organizational activities: -Input: Allows each organizational function to handle relationships with outside stakeholders -Conversion: Transforms inputs into outputs -Output: Allows an organization to effectively dispose of finished goods and services to external stakeholders
What is technology?
The combination of skills, knowledge, abilities, techniques, materials, machines, computers, tools, and other equipment that people use to convert or change raw materials into valuable goods and services
Related Diversification
The entry into a new domain in which it can exploit one or more of its existing competences ex:when honda entered the small car and lawn-mower markets
According to Weitzel and Jonsson's model of organizational decline, when an organization reaches the ________ stage, its decline becomes irreversible.
dissolution
Which of the following terms refers to a particular set of resources or skills?
environmental niche
Organizational ________ is the life cycle stage in which organizations develop value-creation skills and competences that allow them to acquire additional resources.
growth
Which of the following is the first stage of growth according to Greiner's model of organizational growth?
growth through creativity
According to Weitzel and Jonsson's model of organizational decline, if an organization does not realize it is in trouble in the blinded stage, its decline advances to the ________ stage.
inaction
Organizational resources
the attributes that give an organization a competitive advantage such as the skills of the top-management team or possession of valuable and scarce resources
According to Greiner's model of organizational growth, during the "growth through direction stage" an organization experiences a crisis of autonomy.
true
The term "liability of newness" refers to the dangers associated with being the first to operate in a new environment.
true
Task Interdependence:Theroy of James D. Thompson
-Task interdependence: The manner in which different organizational tasks are related to one another affects an organization's technology and structure -Three types of technology --Mediating --Long-linked --Intensive
Which of the following is a typical characteristic of traditional mass production? A) sequential task interdependence B) low technical complexity C) nonroutine nature of production tasks D) rotation of workers among multiple tasks
Answer: A
Which of the following statements is true regarding small-batch and unit technology? A) The conversion process that results from this technology is typically flexible. B) This technology is used by companies to produce massive volumes of standardized products. C) This technology is characterized by highest level of technical complexity. D) This technology is used in the production of oil-products and chemicals.
Answer: A
Coordination ability
an organizations ability to coordinate its functional and organizational resources to create maximal value -effective coordination of resources lead to competitive advantage by means of controls systems, centralized or decentralized of authority, development and promotion o shared cultural values
Which of the following technologies identified by Thompson is characterized by a work process in which input, conversion, and output activities can be performed independently of one another? A) mediating technology B) operations technology C) long-linked technology D) intensive technology
Answer: A
Which of the following is one of the five stages in Greiner's model of growth?
direction
Four types of Technology
routine manufacturing, craftswork, engineering production, non-routine research
Functional-level strategy and structure:
-The strategic goal of each function is to create a core competence that gives the organization a competitive advantage -The strength of a function's core competence depends not only on the function's resources, but on its ability to coordinate the use of its resources -According to contingency theory, each function should develop a structure that suits its human and technical resources
Vertical Inegration
A strategy in which an organization takes over and owns its suppliers (backward vertical integration) or its distributors (forward vertical integration)
Conglomerate Structure
A structure in which each business is placed in a self-contained division and there is no contact between divisions
Which of the following statements is true regarding computer-aided design (CAD)? A) It makes it possible for an organization to develop a new component and produce it by pressing a button. B) It increases the costs of product designing. C) It decreases the ability of an organization to customize products to satisfy particular customers. D) It helps an organization receive supplies exactly at the time they are needed.
Answer: A
Which of the following technologies has low task variability and high task analyzability? A) routine manufacturing B) craftswork C) engineering production D) nonroutine research
Answer: A
With reference to the types of production technologies identified by Joan Woodward, which of the following technologies is most likely to be used by an oil refinery? A) small-batch technology B) continuous-process technology C) mass production technology D) intensive technology
Answer: B
With reference to the types of production technologies identified by Joan Woodward, which of the following technologies is the most suitable to producing new or complex products? A) sequential-process technology B) small-batch technology C) continuous-process technology D) mass production
Answer: B
39) Which of the following statements is most likely to be true regarding a process that has a high technical complexity? A) Such processes rely more on human skills and less on machines. B) In such a process, work activities cannot be programmed in advance. C) Outputs that result from such processes can be predicted accurately. D) Such processes are very costly and they cannot be changed once established.
Answer: C
Which of the following departments in an organization is most likely to use intensive technology? A) sales B) manufacturing C) R&D D) accounting
Answer: C
Business Level Strategy
It involves: Selecting the domain the organization will compete in Positioning the organization so that it can use its resources and abilities to manage its specific and general environments to protect and enlarge that domain
_______ is the process by which organizations in a population become more alike or similar
Organizational isomorphism
Focus Strategy
Specialization in one segment of a market, and focusing all of the organization's resources on that segment. ex: KFC
According to Greiner's model of organizational growth, during the "growth through direction" stage an organization experiences a crisis of ________.
autonomy
routine technology and organizational structure
because employees tasks can be standardized with routine technology, the hierarchy is tall and decision making is centralized. Using a mechanistic structure to operate
According to Weitzel and Jonsson's model of organizational decline, which of the following is the first stage of decline?
blinded
According to Weitzel and Jonsson's model of organizational decline, the five stages of decline are ________.
blinded, inaction, faulty action, crisis, and dissolution
The term population density refers to the number of organizations that ________.
can compete for the same resources in a particular environment
According to Greiner's model, an organization experiences crisis of leadership in "growth through ________" stage.
creativity
Many of the top software engineers in an organization left the company because they felt lost in the growing organizational bureaucracy and became frustrated with their lack of autonomy. According to Greiner's model of organizational growth and based on the given information, the company is most likely to be in the "growth through ________" stage of organizational growth.
direction
According to Weitzel and Jonsson's model of organizational decline, which of the following is most likely to halt the decline of an organization that has reached the crisis stage?
employing a new top-management team
Organizations are born when people called ________ recognize and take advantage of opportunities to use their skills and competences to create value.
entrepreneurs
A "population of organizations" comprises the organizations that are going through the same stage of organizational life cycle at the same time.
false
The first stage of growth in Greiner's model of organizational growth is "growth through delegation."
false
Growth allows an organization to increase its division of labor and specialization.
true
37) An organization that uses the internal systems approach to measure organizational effectiveness will most likely employ technology to ________. A) reduce costs B) improve quality C) improve customer service D) reduce product development time
Answer: D
According to Charles Perrow, task analyzability is the ________. A) number of exceptions encountered while performing a task B) degree to which the actions of one person affect another person's ability to perform his or her tasks C) maximum number of tasks a worker is assigned D) degree to which search activity is needed to solve a problem
Answer: D
Ford increased his organization's effectiveness by organizing its functional resources to create better quality cars at a lower cost for both manufacturer and consumer. This information indicates that Ford is taking the ________ approach to measure organizational effectiveness. A) environmental B) internal systems C) competitive D) technical
Answer: D
Intensive technology is based on ________ task interdependence. A) random B) pooled C) sequential D) reciprocal
Answer: D
The use of robots is integral to ________. A) CAD B) CAMM C) JIT inventory systems D) CIM
Answer: D
Which of the following statements is true regarding an organization that uses fixed automation? A) The organization will have to train its employees so that they can perform multiple tasks skillfully. B) The organization generally performs nonroutine tasks. C) The organization uses highly complex machines that can perform a wide range of tasks. D) The organization finds it difficult to quickly respond to changing customer needs.
Answer: D
With reference to the Perrow's model, in an organization, which of the following departments is most likely to have an organic structure? A) manufacturing B) sales C) accounting D) R&D
Answer: D
________ isomorphism results when organizations are forced to adopt nondiscriminatory equitable hiring practices because they are mandated by law.
Coercive
Business-level strategy and culture
-Challenge is to develop organization-wide values and specific norms and rules that allow the organization to combine and use its functional resources to the best advantage -Organizations pursuing low-cost strategy must develop values of economy and frugality -Differentiators must develop values of innovation, quality, excellence, and uniqueness
Strategies to lower costs or differentiate products
-Low-cost business-level strategy: An organization produces low priced goods and services for all customer groups -Differentiation business-level strategy: A plan whereby an organization produces high priced, quality products aimed at particular market segments
Structures for related diversification
-Related diversification creates value by sharing resources or transferring skills from one division to another -Requires lateral communication between divisions as well as vertical communication between divisions and headquarters -Integrating roles and teams of functional experts are needed to coordinate skills and resource transfers -Multidivisional structures or matrix allow for the coordination needed
Business-Level strategy and structure
3 factors affect an organization's choice of a structure to create a competitive advantage: -As an organization produces a wider range of products, it needs greater control over the development, marketing, and production of these products -As an organization seeks to find new customer groups for its products, it needs a structure that allows it to serve the needs of its customers -As the pace of new product development in an industry increases, an organization will need a structure that increases coordination among its functions
Which of the following statements is most likely to be true regarding an organization that follows an r-strategy?
An organization following an r-strategy obtains first-mover advantages.
Which of the following technologies has low task variability and low task analyzability? A) routine manufacturing B) craftswork C) engineering production D) nonroutine research
Answer : B
A company uses new technological developments to improve its service to customers and to increase products' quality and reliability. This information indicates that the company is taking the ________ approach to measure organizational effectiveness. A) external resource B) technical C) internal systems D) competitive
Answer: A
According to Woodward's research, an organization using which of the following technologies is most likely to have the flattest organizational structure? A) small-batch technology B) sequential-process technology C) large-batch technology D) continuous-process technology
Answer: A
According to Woodward's research, which of the following is a main factor that determines the design of organizational structure? A) technology B) size of the organization C) organizational culture D) external environment of the organization
Answer: A
As identified by Thompson, ________ technology is characterized by a work process where input, conversion, and output activities are inseparable. A) intensive B) continuous-process C) mediating D) long-linked
Answer: A
Mediating technology is based on ________ task interdependence. A) pooled B) sequential C) reciprocal D) intensive
Answer: A
Which of the following techniques controls the changeover from one operation to another by means of the commands given to the machines through computer software and eliminates the need to retool machines physically? A) computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) B) computer-aided materials management (CAMM) C) computer-aided design (CAD) D) JIT inventory systems
Answer: A
With reference to the types of production technologies identified by Joan Woodward, which of the following technologies is most likely to be used by an Internet software company? A) small-batch technology B) mass production technology C) sequential-process technology D) continuous-process technology
Answer: A
A furniture maker that constructs furniture customized to the needs and tastes of specific clients is most likely to use ________ technology. A) mass production B) small-batch and unit C) standardized production D) continuous-process
Answer: B
A just-in-time (JIT) inventory system ________. A) decreases technical complexity B) requires the use of CAMM for working effectively C) makes it difficult for an organization to respond quickly to the changing customer preferences D) decreases task interdependence
Answer: B
A manufacturing company stockpiles inputs and holds inventories of component parts so the conversion process is not disrupted if there is a problem with suppliers. It also stockpile finished products so it can respond quickly to an increase in customer demand without changing its established conversion processes. Which of the following technologies, as identified by Thompson, is most likely being used by this company? A) small-batch technology B) long-linked technology C) intensive technology D) mediating technology
Answer: B
According to Charles Perrow, which of the following dimensions underlie the difference between routine and nonroutine or complex tasks? A) task variability and task interdependence B) task variability and task analyzability C) task analyzability and technical complexity D) task interdependence and task analyzability
Answer: B
According to Perrow an organization that performs nonroutine tasks will have a(n) ________. A) mechanistic structure B) flat hierarchy of authority C) centralized decision-making authority D) high degree of formalization
Answer: B
An organization using which of the following technologies, as identified by Thompson, is most likely to use vertical integration as a strategy for reducing uncertainty? A) mediating technology B) long-linked technology C) sequential-process technology D) intensive technology
Answer: B
Dedicated machines ________. A) are ideal for short production runs B) produce a narrow range of products C) are very expensive to operate D) require high-skilled operators
Answer: B
Long-linked technology is based on ________ task interdependence. A) pooled B) sequential C) reciprocal D) intensive
Answer: B
________ is the organizational technology that uses conveyor belts and a standardized progressive assembly process to manufacture goods. A) Craftswork B) Mass production C) Customization D) Differentiated production
Answer: B
According to Joan Woodward's research, organization using which of the following technologies is most likely to have the tallest hierarchy of authority? A) small-batch technology B) mass production technology C) continuous-process technology D) sequential-process technology
Answer: C
According to Perrow an organization that performs routine tasks will have a ________. A) flat hierarchy of authority B) decentralized decision-making authority C) mechanistic structure D) low degree of standardization
Answer: C
Computer-aided materials management (CAMM) ________. A) uses a push approach to manage inventory flows B) increases the costs of carrying inventory C) increases task interdependence D) increases the cost of designing a product
Answer: C
The argument that technology determines structure is known as the ________. A) transaction cost imperative B) resource dependency C) technological imperative D) external dependency
Answer: C
Which of the following organizational structures is most likely to be used by an organization that uses intensive technology? A) functional structure B) geographic structure C) product team structure D) market structure
Answer: C
Which of the following strategies is most likely to be used by an organization using mediating technology for reducing uncertainty? A) creating slack resources B) using vertical integration C) increasing the number of customers served D) producing only a narrow range of outputs
Answer: C
Which of the following types of production technologies, as identified by Joan Woodward, scores lowest on the dimension of technical complexity? A) continuous-process technology B) large-batch and mass production technology C) small-batch and unit technology D) sequential-process technology
Answer: C
Corporate-level strategy
Involves a search for new domains in which to exploit and defend the ability to create value from its core competences
________ is the process that ensures the survival of the organizations that have the skills and abilities that best fit the environment.
Natural selection
________ concentrate their competences and skills to compete for resources in a single niche.
Specialist organizations
Which of the following statements is most likely to be true about specialists?
Specialists are often able to develop core competences that allow them to outperform generalists in that niche.
The benefits an organization derives from being an early entrant into a new environment are called ________.
first-mover advantages
The dangers associated with being the first to operate in a novel environment is known as the ________.
liability of newness
Strategies to lower costs or differentiate products:
pg 213, table 8.1
Continuous Process Technology
the conversion process is entirely automated and mechanized; employees are generally not involved -task for employees is primary to work on machines if they breakdown or malfuctioning
According to population ecology theory, ________.
the number of organizations in a population is determined by the availability of resources
Functional resources
the skills possessed by an organization's functional personnel
According to the population ecology theory, the number of organizational births in a new environment is rapid at first because ________.
there is an increase in the knowledge and skills available to generate similar new organizations
Organizations that employ ________ technology make one-of-a-kind customized products. A) sequential-process B) small-batch and unit C) continuous-process D) large-batch and mass production
Answer: B
Small-batch technology is typically characterized by ________. A) high technical complexity B) flexibility C) low costs D) the ability to be programmed
Answer: B
Which of the following statements is most likely to be true regarding an organization that follows a K-strategy?
Organizations following a K-strategy wait to enter a new environment until the uncertainty in that environment is reduced.
According to Weitzel and Jonsson's model of organizational decline, which of the following is most likely to help an organization in the blinded stage to become successful?
monitoring internal and external factors to get accurate information
Isomorphism is ________ when organizations come to resemble one another over time because they indirectly adopt the norms and values of other organizations in the environment.
normative
Managers and employees frequently move from one organization to another and bring with them the norms and values of their former employers. This leads to ________ isomorphism.
normative
Organizations indirectly acquire specific sets of values and norms through membership in industry, trade, and professional associations. Through meetings, personal contacts, and publications, these associations promote specific ideas and norms to their members. This leads to ________ isomorphism.
normative
Which of the following stages of the organizational life cycle is associated with the greatest chance of failure?
organizational birth
Which of the following controls an organization's behavior when it is in the "growth through creativity" stage of Greiner's model?
organizational culture
Which of the following terms refers to a sequence of stages of growth and development through which organizations may pass?
organizational life cycle
The term ________ of organization refers to the organizations that are competing for the same set of resources in the environment.
population
Which of the following theories seeks to explain the factors that affect the rate at which new organizations are born (and die) in a population of existing organizations?
population ecology theory
All the fast-food restaurants in Houston, Texas, compete to obtain environmental resources in the form of dollars that people are willing to spend on to obtain food conveniently. This group of restaurants is an example of a(n) ________.
population of organizations
Large-Bash and Mass Production Technology
produce massive volumes, examples coco-cola, razor blades--machine controls the work process -organizations saves money and charge lower price for its products
An entrepreneur designs a new product. Which of the following strategies is most likely to be pursued by the entrepreneur?
r-specialist
Early in an environment, as a niche develops and new resources become available, new organizations that begin to operate in this niche are likely to be ________.
r-specialists
According to the population ecology theory, which of the following strategies advocates entering a new environment early?
r-strategy
Population ecologists have identified two sets of strategies that organizations can use to gain access to resources and enhance their chances of survival in the environment. Which of the following is one of these strategies?
r-strategy
According to Greiner's model of organizational growth, during the "growth through coordination" stage an organization experiences crisis of ________.
red tape
Which of the following factors is most likely to cause organizational inertia?
risk aversion
According to Weitzel and Jonsson's model of organizational decline, when an organization reaches the dissolution stage, it cannot recover, and decline is irreversible.
true
According to population ecology theory, the availability of resources determines the number of organizations in a population.
true
According to population ecology theory, the rate of birth in a new environment increases rapidly at first and then tapers off.
true
Isomorphism is normative when organizations come to resemble one another over time because they indirectly adopt the norms and values of other organizations in the environment.
true
Natural selection is the process that ensures the survival of the organizations that have the skills and abilities that best fit with the environment.
true
Organizational isomorphism is the process by which organizations in a population become more alike or similar.
true
Population ecology theory seeks to explain the factors that affect the rate at which new organizations are born (and die) in a population of existing organizations
true
Specialists and generalists normally coexist in many environments.
true
The institutional environment is the set of values and norms that govern the behavior of a population of organizations.
true
The term environmental niche refers to a particular set of resources or skills
true
Strategy and the Environment
-Strategy: The specific pattern of decisions and actions that managers take to use core competences to achieve a competitive advantage and outperform competitors -Core competences: The skills and abilities in value creation activities that allow a company to achieve superior efficiency, quality, innovation, or customer responsiveness -the more resource the organization can obtain from the environment the better able it is to set ambitious long-term goals and them develop a strategy and invest resources to create core competences to allow it to achieve those goals.
The Technical Imperative
-Technological imperative: The argument that technology determines structure -For small organizations the importance of technology as a predictor of structure may be more important than it is for large organizations
Which of the following technologies simplifies the process of developing prototypes? A) CAD B) CAMM C) JIT inventory systems D) CIM
Answer: A
With reference to the types of production technologies identified by Joan Woodward, a mechanistic structure is most appropriate for an organization using ________ technology. A) mass production B) small-batch C) intensive D) continuous-process
Answer: A
According to Joan Woodward, the ________ of a production process is a measure of the extent to which a production process can be programmed so that it can be controlled and made predictable. A) technical complexity B) resource customizability C) situational adaptability D) environmental compatibility
Answer: A
Each of the Walmart stores operates essentially independently. The performance of one store does not affect another store, but together all stores determine the performance of the whole organization. According to this information, which of the following technologies, as identified by Thompson, is being used by Walmart? A) mediating technology B) sequential-process technology C) long-linked technology D) intensive technology
Answer: A
The interactions of the members of a surgical operating team, the cooperative efforts of scientists in a research and development laboratory, and techniques developed by assembly-line workers are all examples of competences and technology at the ________ level. A) functional B) external resource C) environmental D) organizational
Answer: A
The Aston Studies concluded that ________ in determining an organization's choice of structure. A) external environment of the organization is more important than organizational size B) organizational size is more important than technology C) organizational culture is more important than organizational size D) organizational technology is more important than organizational culture
Answer: B
The manufacture of specialized or customized products like furniture, clothing are examples of ________. A) routine manufacturing B) craftswork C) engineering production D) nonroutine research
Answer: B
Which of the following statements is true regarding long-linked technology? A) Employees working according to long-linked technology become highly skilled as they have to perform a wide range of tasks. B) Long-linked technology is characterized by routine tasks. C) Long-linked technology is based on pooled task interdependence. D) Long-linked technology requires less direct coordination than mediating technology.
Answer: B
Which of the following technologies electronically links an organization with its suppliers? A) CAD B) CAMM C) Fixed automation D) CIM
Answer: B
Which of the following technologies is most likely to be used for producing huge volumes of standardized products, such as cars, razor blades, aluminum cans, and soft drinks? A) sequential-process technology B) large-batch technology C) continuous-process technology D) small-batch technology
Answer: B
Which of the following technologies is used to develop master production schedules for manufacturing? A) CAD B) CAMM C) JIT inventory system D) CIM
Answer: B
Which of the following statements is true regarding intensive technology? A) Intensive technology is less expensive to manage than either mediating or long-linked technology. B) Intensive technology is based on pooled task interdependence. C) In an organization using intensive technology, activities of all people and all departments fully depend on one another. D) Typically, organizations using intensive technology create slack resources to reduce uncertainty.
Answer: C
Which of the following strategies is most likely to be used by an organization using intensive technologies to reduce uncertainty and the costs associated with intensive technology? A) creating slack resources B) increasing the number of customers served C) producing only a narrow range of outputs D) using vertical integration
Answer: C
Which of the following technologies as identified by Thompson, is based on a work process where input, conversion, and output activities must be performed in series? A) mediating technology B) small-batch technology C) long-linked technology D) intensive technology
Answer: C
Which of the following technologies has high task variability and high task analyzability? A) routine manufacturing B) craftswork C) engineering production D) nonroutine research
Answer: C
With reference to the types of production technologies identified by Joan Woodward, which of the following technologies, when operated at full capacity, has the lowest production costs? A) sequential-process B) small-batch C) continuous-process D) mass production
Answer: C
Lee jeans meets customer demand by sending computer requests from stores to the manufacturing departments as jeans sell out in stores. Lee's manufacturing department then pulls in raw materials, such as cloth and thread, from suppliers as it needs them. This information indicates that Lee uses ________. A) traditional mass production B) computer-aided designing (CAD) C) six sigma strategy for managing quality of the products D) computer-aided-materials management (CAMM)
Answer: D
Nonroutine research is characterized by ________. A) high task variability and high task analyzability B) low task variability and low task analyzability C) low task variability and high task analyzability D) high task variability and low task analyzability
Answer: D
Which of the following statements is true regarding large-batch and mass production technology? A) This technology has the lowest level of technical complexity. B) In the case of this technology, any machines used during the conversion process are less important than people's skills and knowledge. C) This technology is typically used for producing customized products in small quantities. D) This technology allows tasks to be specified and programmed in advance.
Answer: D
With reference to the types of production technologies identified by Joan Woodward, which of the following technologies has the highest level of technical complexity? A) small-batch technology B) sequential-process technology C) mass production technology D) continuous-process technology
Answer: D
Sources of Core Competences:
Functional resources, organizational resources and coordination ability
Four Levels of Strategy
Functional-level strategy: a plan of action to strengthen an organizations functional and organizational resources, as well its coordination abilities, in order to create core competences. Business-level strategy: a plan to combine functional core competences in order to position the organizations so that it has a competitive advantage in its domain Corporate-level strategy: a plan to use and develop core competences so that the organization can not only protect and enlarge its existing domain but can also expand into new domains Global expansion strategy: a plan that involves choosing the best strategy to expand into overseas markets to obtain scare resources and develop core competences as discussed above
from mass production to advance manufacturing technology
Mass production is based on: -Dedicated machines: Machines that can perform only one operation at a time, such as repeatedly cutting or drilling or stamping out a car body part -Fixed workers: Workers who perform standardized work procedures increase an organization's control over the conversion process Mass production: -Attempts to reduce costs by protecting its conversion processes from the uncertainty of the environment -Makes an organization inflexible -Fixed automation is a combination of dedicated machines and fixed workers -Advanced manufacturing technology: Technology which consists of innovations in materials and in knowledge that change the work process of traditional mass-production organizations
nonroutine technolgoy and organizational structure
Organic structure are based on mutual adjustment between employees who work together face-to-face, to develop procedures to find solutions to the problems. Mutual adjustment through task forces and team become important in facilitating communication and increasing integration between team members
________ use their well-developed competences to compete for resources in many or all niches in an environment.
Generalist organizations
Which of the following statements is most likely to be true about generalists?
Generalists can often outcompete specialists when there is considerable uncertainty in the environment.
________ proposes that during the process of organizational growth each stage ends with a crisis that must be resolved before the organization can advance to the next stage.
Greiner's model
A large, established organization pursues a broad range of resources in many niches. This company created a new niche in which a new firm could enter and survive. Which of the following strategies is most likely to be used by the organization that enters the newly created niche?
K-specialist
A large video company observes that smaller companies are having success with pay-per-view movies and decides to enter the pay-per-view market. According to the population ecology theory, which of the following strategies is being followed by the large video company?
K-strategy
According to the population ecology theory, which of the following strategies advocates entering an environment late, after the uncertainty in that environment is reduced and the correct way to compete is apparent?
K-strategy
According to Greiner's model of organizational growth, which of the following statements is true regarding the "growth through delegation" stage?
Organizations solve the crisis occurring in this stage by moving into the "growth through coordination" stage.
Which of the following statements is most likely to be true regarding organizational inertia?
Overly bureaucratic culture is one of the factors that cause organizational inertia.
Technical Complexity:The theory of Joan Woodward
Programmed technology: A technology in which the procedures for converting inputs into outputs can be specified in advance -Tasks can be standardized and the work process can be made predictable -Technical complexity: The extent to which a production process can be programmed so that it can be controlled and made predictable -High technical complexity - Exists when conversion processes can be programmed in advance and fully automated -Low technical complexity - Exists when conversion processes depend primarily on people and their skills and knowledge and not on machines -Woodward identified 10 levels of technical complexity that are associated with three types of production technology: Small-batch and unit technology Large-batch and mass production technology Continuous-process technology
According to Greiner's model of organizational growth, an organization experiences a crisis of control in the "growth through ________" stage of Greiner's model.
delegation
In Greiner's model, the "growth through creativity" stage is immediately followed by the "growth through ________" stage.
direction
mediating technology and pooled interdependence
each part of the organization whether person, team or department--contributes separately to the performance of the whole organization -task interdependence is low -implications for organizational structure at both the departmental and organizational level ex: piecework or franchiese
Unrelated Diversification
The entry into new domains that have nothing in common with its core domain ex:GE and United Technologies seek out under performing companies and restructure them; sell off unprofitable and keep the those that can be reorganized to operate profitably
Functional-level strategy and culture:
The importance of culture for functional-level strategy -To gain a competitive advantage, an organization must design its functional structure and culture to provide a setting in which core competences develop -If culture is embedded in the day-to-day interactions of functional personnel, it is difficult for a competitor to imitate another organization's culture
Technical complexity and organizational structure:
Woodward argued that with each technology is associated with different structures because each technology presents different control and coordination problems. -small batch technology have 3 levels in their hierarchy -mass production have 4 levels -continuous have 6 levles
Long-linked technology and sequential interdependence
actions of one person or department directly affect the actions of another example: mass production (assembly line) -allows managers to simply task so the variability of each works task is reduced and the analyzability of each task is increased
intensive technology and reciprocal interdependence
activities of all people and all departments fully depend on each other ex: hospitals -high levels of coordination -mutual adjustment replaces programming and standardization -product team and matrix structures are suited to operating
An organization that increasingly depends on other organizations will tend to adopt their values and norms so it will become increasingly similar to them. This is an example of ________.
coercive isomorphism
According to Greiner's model of organizational growth, to resolve the crisis of control, an organization enters into the "growth through ________" stage.
coordination
According to Weitzel and Jonsson's model of organizational decline, during which of the following stages of decline an organization has the least chance of survival?
crisis
Global expansion and Core Competences
expanding global into overseas markets ca be an important facilitator of the development of an organization core competences. (creation value cycle) 1.transferring core competences aboard 2. establishment of a global network 3.gaining access to the global skills and resources 4. use of global learning to enhance core competences
According to Greiner's model of organizational growth, organizations experience a crisis of control during the "growth through creativity" stage.
false
According to Greiner's model of organizational growth, the stage of "growth through collaboration" immediately follows the stage of "growth through direction."
false
According to Weitzel and Jonsson's model of organizational decline, "faulty action" is the first stage of decline.
false
All the organizations pass through the four principal stages of the organizational life cycle at the same rate.
false
Early in an environment, as a niche develops and new resources become available, new organizations that begin to operate in this niche tend to be K-generalists.
false
Isomorphism is normative when organizations intentionally imitate and copy one another to increase their legitimacy.
false
Managers and employees frequently move from one organization to another and bring with them the norms and values of their former employers. This leads to coercive isomorphism.
false
Organizations that follow a K-strategy are founded early in a new environment—they are early entrants.
false
Organizations that follow an r-strategy are usually established in other environments and wait to enter a new environment until the uncertainty in that environment is reduced and the correct way to compete is apparent.
false
Specialist organizations concentrate their competences and skills to compete for resources in a single niche.
false
Specialists can often outcompete generalists when there is considerable uncertainty in the environment.
false
The Institutional theory argues that the organizations operating in uncertain environments should use a tall hierarchy of authority.
false
The organizational growth stage in the organizational life cycle is associated with the greatest chance of failure.
false
The term "organizational inertia" refers to the forces outside an organization that make it difficult for the organization to change.
false
The term population density refers to the number of organizations that have the same rate of growth in a particular industrial segment.
false
According to Weitzel and Jonsson's model of organizational decline, if managers fail to halt decline at the inaction stage, the immediate next stage of decline into which the organization moves is the ________ stage.
faulty action
In Greiner's model, "________" becomes the way to solve the crisis of red tape and push the organization up the growth curve.
growth through collaboration
According to Greiner's model of organizational growth, which of the following stages immediately follows the "growth through direction" stage?
growth through delegation
The ________ is the set of values and norms that govern the behavior of a population of organizations.
institutional environment
Which of the following theories proposes that an organization must gain legitimacy in the eyes of stakeholders in order to grow and survive?
institutional theory
A new organization tends to imitate the structure and processes of successful organizations when the environment is highly uncertain and so it needs to search for a structure, strategy, culture, and technology that will increase its chance of survival. This process of imitation results in ________ isomorphism.
mimetic
An auto manufacturer increased its effectiveness by implementing total quality management (TQM). Many other companies have intentionally imitated this manufacturer in order to increase their effectiveness. This is an example of ________ isomorphism.
mimetic
