Chapter 2 CMST 2061

applied settings

the practical "real-world" environments

organization as machine

a metaphor used by Classical theorists to describe organizations and the people within them need operating muck like efficient machines

humanistic theory

A class of organizational theories developed in response to the concern that Classical theory oppressed employees, that defines employees as people with knowledge, ideas, and needs or support, guidance, rewards, and social interaction.

classical theory

A group of individual theories of organizing and organizational communication that was developed in the early 1900s at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Collectively, they emphasize structure, rules, hierarchy, and control as a means of promoting employee performance.

time and motion studies

A methodology developed by Fredrick Taylor to analyze the most time-efficient way to complete a task with the lowest amount of error.

replaceability

A notion associated with classical theory that workers can easily be replaced because anyone can learn to do a standardized job

ivory tower

A pejorative term used to refer to universities, implying that the work done there is irrelevant to the real world.

hawthorne studies

A research program conducted by a team led by Elton Mayo of Harvard at Western Electric Company's Hawthorne Works that provide evidence of workers' social and emotional needs and their relationship to productivity.

b

A system of concepts with indications of the relationships among them that help us to understand a phenomenon is the definition of: a. Everyday way of knowing b. Formal, scholarly theory c. Hypothesis d. Informed hunch

theory, formal, or scholarly

A system of concepts with indications of the relationships among these concepts that help us to describe, explain, predict, and control a phenomenon.

traditional authority

A term associated with Weber's theory of Bureaucracy describing a type of power that is based on an individual's title or position in the hierarchy that may or may not be a reflection of his or her actual talents and abilities.

charismatic authority

A term associated with Weber's theory of Bureaucracy describing power that is based on a manager or leader's communication style, personality, and ability to relate on an interpersonal level to those around him or her.

rational-legal authority

A term associated with Weber's theory of Bureaucracy that describes the power carried by laws, rules, norms, and policies of a bureaucratic organization.

systems theory

A theory of effective organizing based on the organization's relationship to its outside environment, internal interdependence, and synergy.

true

A useful theory helps its user describe, explain, predict and control. True or false?

bureaucracy

An administrative structure that governs a large system

hierarchical structure

An organizational design in which each individual or group is subordinate to another, except for one at the very top. Hierarchies are characterized by top-down communication, and a concentration of power an influence at the top. People in positions at the bottom of the hierarchy carry out the directives of those at the top.

participative organization

An organizational structure proposed by Rensis Likert in which all members have input into organizational goals, groups and individuals are responsible for establishing their own goals in alignment with the company's, multidirectional communication is encourages, and reward systems recognize employee contributions.

contingency

An unexpected but possible deviation from standard operating procedures.

false

Critics claimed that, of the two Humanistic theories, the Human Resources approach didn't do enough to emphasize organizational goals and needs. True or false?

false

Excellent cultures spend more time planning, discussing, and analyzing that weak, ineffective organizational cultures. True or false?

predictability

In the context of Classical theory, the idea that organizational outcomes can be easily anticipated as a result of highly specialized and standardized jobs.

theory

It is a systematic explanation or description of some phenomenon.

true

It is difficult to change an organization's culture if the change you want to make is different than the vision help by senior leadership or management. True or false?

a

Laid back meetings, long lunch breaks, lots of water cooler talk, and pets in the office are all indicators of: a. Organizational culture b. Synergy c. Interdependence d. How the machine functions

c

Max Weber's Theory of Bureaucracy is an example of: a. Systems theory b. Humanistic theory c. Classical theory d. Human resources theory

true

More than one theory can explain the same phenomenon. True or false?

c

Permeable boundaries enable an organization to: a. Communicate b. Be vulnerable to security risks c. Function as a relatively open system d. None of the above

d

The Hawthorne Studies led to a new classification of theories about organizing, called: a. Organizational culture theory b. Systems theory c. Classical theory d. Humanistic theory

centralization

The concentration of power, control, and decision-making among individuals high in the organization's hierarchy.

organizational culture

The set of artifacts, values, and assumptions that emerge from the interactions of organizational members, as well as a way to perceive, think, and feel in relation to the organization

organizational communication

The study of oral, written, and nonverbal messages among people working to accomplish shared goals.

specialization

The idea that employees should perform clearly defined, specific functions to keep the overall organization running smoothly. Sometimes referred to as division of labor.

standardization

The idea that jobs within an organization are very clearly defined and documented to maximize the efficiency of the workers performing them.

d

The machine metaphor is most closely associated with: a. Human relations theory b. Systems theory c. Organizational culture theory d. Classical theory

true

Using past experiences to guide our decision making at work can be a faulty, unreliable method. True or false?

c

What characterizes life in a particular organization? is a question explored in theories of: a. Human resources systems b. Systems c. Organizational cultures d. Bureaucracies

d

Which organizational theory is concerned with inputs, throughputs, and outputs? a. Human resources theory b. Human relations theory c. Organizational culture theory d. Systems theory

structure

it defines who does what; who has the power to delegate, evaluate, and discipline; and who supervise whom within an organization.