Assignment: Chapter 10: Designing Organization Structure

According to Joan Woodward, which of the following conclusions is most likely to be true?

A small-batch production process will allow you to charge the maximum amount per cake.

Managers are engaged in ________________ when they make sure the activities of various employees are synchronized to achieve desired results over time.

coordination

"Under what circumstances should I hire more managers so each can have a narrower span of control?" Check all that apply.

-When few management support resources, such as technology or people, are in place-When tasks are new and few procedures are in place to guide how work should be done

"Recently, our managers have suggested making a variety of changes. Which of the following changes should not be implemented if we want to achieve a high level of relational coordination?" Check all that apply.

-Write job descriptions so they outline very specific tasks and reward each employee based on how well they achieve their designated tasks. -Provide employees with training on the technical aspects of their jobs and in negotiating skills so they can win in conflict situations -Redesign office floorplans to include more private offices so employees have quiet time for strategic thinking.

Each worker will become more productive, because he will develop a high level of expertise in his task.

Benefit

The cost of renting one large blanket-selling stand at the market is less than the combined cost of renting five small stands.

Benefit

Which of the following characteristics would you expect Alfredo's Sausage to have? Check all that apply.

Decision making in this company is decentralized, with responsibility pushed to lower levels. The emphasis in this company is on horizontal communication, which facilitates rapid decision making. This organizational structure is particularly effective when operating in an environment that demands flexibility.

According to Joan Woodward,________________ is classified as a continuous process production company.

Design 2

The workers may focus on their own needs and not understand or be concerned with the needs of the four workers doing different jobs.

Drawback

The CEO of Alfredo's Sausage is considering moving to a functional structure. What would be the best reason to make such a move?

To gain more control over how the organization operates and centralize decision making

After several incidents in which the company's computer systems were not ready to support new products, the CEO established a _________________________ consisting of employees from different departments who would work together on future product rollouts.

cross-functional team

Alfredo's Sausage has a _____________________ structure.

team-based

Federated Investors has a ______________ , with each mutual fund being managed by several portfolio managers who together take responsibility for the fund's performance.

team-based structure

Cisco Systems uses a differentiation strategy. It offers its customers the latest in routers and switches. Cisco products may cost a bit more, but customers believe they are worth every penny. Cisco Systems will be more effective if it has __________ structure. Which of the following reasons explain this? (Check all that apply.)

an organic-Decentralized decision making allows for greater flexibility in meeting customer needs.-Shorter chains of command and horizontal communication allow for increased innovation.