MGMT 3302 Chapter 9

Pooled Interdependence

work completed by having each job or department independently contribute to the whole

​_____ is a method of subdividing work and workers into separate organizational units that take responsibility for completing particular tasks.

Departmentalization Departmentalization is a method of subdividing work and workers into separate organizational units that take responsibility for completing particular tasks. Bayer, a Germany-based company, has separate departments or divisions for health care, crop science, material science, and services.

_________ are characterized by precisely defined, unchanging roles and a rigid chain of command based on centralized authority and vertical communication. This type of organization works best in stable, unchanging business environments.

Mechanistic Organizations Rationale: Mechanistic organizations are characterized by specialized jobs and responsibilities; precisely defined, unchanging roles; and a rigid chain of command based on centralized authority and vertical communication. This type of organization works best in stable, unchanging business environments.

​_____ is solving problems by consistently applying the same rules, procedures, and processes.

Standardization Standardization can be best defined as solving problems by consistently applying the same rules, procedures, and processes. The key question is no longer whether companies should decentralize, but where they should decentralize. One rule of thumb is to stay centralized where standardization is important and to decentralize where standardization is unimportant.

T/F: In a decentralized organization, workers closest to problems are authorized to make the decisions necessary to solve the problems on their own.

TRUE In a decentralized organization, workers closest to problems are authorized to make the decisions necessary to solve the problems on their own. An organization is decentralized if it has a high degree of delegation at all levels.

​_____ is a management principle that workers should report to just one boss.

Unity of command Unity of command is a management principle that workers should report to just one boss. In practical terms, this means that only one person can be in charge at a time.

Inter-organizational Process

a collection of activities that take place among companies to transform inputs into outputs that customers value

Simple Matrix

a form of matrix departmentalization in which managers in different parts of the matrix negotiate conflicts and resources

Complex Matrix

a form of matrix departmentalization in which managers in different parts of the matrix report to matrix managers who help them sort out conflicts and problems

Matrix Deparmentalization

a hybrid organizational structure in which tow or more forms of departmentalization, most often product and functional are used together

Job Specialization

a job composed of a small part of a larger task or processes

Unity of Command

a management principle that workers should report to just one boss

Line Function

an activity that contributes directly to creating or selling the company's products

Staff Function

an activity that doesn't contribute directly to creaking or selling the company's products but instead supports line activities

Job Characteristics Model

an approach to job redesign that seeks to formulate jobs in ways that motivate workers and lead to positive work outcomes

Organic Organization

an organization characterized by broadly defined jobs and responsibilities; loosely defined, frequently changing roles; and decentralized authority and horizontal communication based on task knowledge

Mechanistic Organization

an organization characterized by specialization jobs and responsibilities; precisely defined, unchanging roles; and a rigid chain of command based on centralized authority and vertical communication

Virtual Organization

an organization that is part of a network in which many companies share skills, costs, capabilities, markets, and customers to collectively solve customer problem or provide specific products or services

Modular Organization

an organization that outsources noncore business activities to outside companies suppliers specialists or consultants

Empowerment

feeling of intrinsic motivation in which workers perceive their work to have impact and meaning and perceive themselves to be competent and capable of selling determination

Reengineering

fundamental rethinking and radical redesign of business processes to achieve dramatic improvements in critical measures of performance such as cost, quality, service, and speed

Job Enlargement

increasing the number of different tasks that a worker performs within one particular job

Internal Motivation

motivation that comes from the job itself rather than from outside rewards

Geographic Departmentalizaton

organizing work and workers into separate units responsible for doing business in particular geographic areas

functional departmentalizatoin

organizing work and workers into separate units responsible for particular business functions or areas of expertise

customer deparmentalization

organizing work and workers into separate units responsible for particular kinds of customers

product departmentalization

organizing work and workers into separate units responsible for producing particular products or services

Job Rotation

periodically moving workers from one specialized job to another to give them more variety and the opportunity to use different skills

Empowering workers

permanently passing decision making authority and responsibility from managers to workers by giving them the information and resources they need to make and carry out good decisions

​Bridget's Gifts, a greetings and gifts store in Janville, has four departments: flowers and soft toys, cards and e-cards, metal collectibles, and photo albums and scrapbooks. These departments are responsible for producing their own products. This scenario is an example of _____.

product departmentalization

Standardization

solving problems by consistently applying the same rules, procedures, and processes

departmentalization

subdividing work and workers into separate organizational units responsible for complete particular tasks

Feedback

the amount of information the job provides to workers about their work performance

Delegation of Authority

the assignment of direct authority and responsibility to a subordinate to complete tasks for which the manager is normally responsible

Intra-organizational Process

the collection of activities that take place within an organization to transform inputs into outputs that customers value

organizational process

the collection of activities that transforms inputs into outputs that customers value

Task Identity

the degree to which a job from beginning to end requires the completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work

Autonomy

the degree to which a job gives workers the discretion, freedom, and independence to decide how and when to accomplish the job

Task Significance

the degree to which a job is percieved to have substantial impact on others inside or outside the organization

Task Interdependence

the extent to which collective action is required to complete and entire piece of work

Decentralization

the location of a significant amount of authority in the lower levels of the organization

Centralization of Authority

the location of most authority at the upper level of the organization

Skill Variety

the number of different activities performed in a job

Job Design

the number, kind, and variety, of tasks that individual workers perform in doing their jobs

Staff Authority

the right to advise, but not command, others who are not subordinates in teh chain of the command

Line Authority

the right to command immediate subordinates in the chain of command

Authority

the right to give commands, take action, and make decisions to achieve organizational objectives

Organizational structure

the vertical and horizontal configuration of departments, authority, and jobs within a company

Chain of Command

the vertical line of authority that clarifies who reports whom throughout the organization

Reciprocal Interdependence

work completed by different jobs or groups working together in a back and forth manner

Sequential Interdependence

work completed in succession, with one group's or job's outputs becoming the inputs for the next group or job

​Which of the following is an advantage of matrix departmentalization?

​It allows companies to manage in an efficient manner large, complex tasks. The primary advantage of matrix departmentalization is that it allows companies to manage in an efficient manner large, complex tasks like researching, developing, and marketing pharmaceuticals or carrying out complex global businesses. Efficiency comes from avoiding duplication

​Which of the following is an advantage of decentralization?

​It develops employee capabilities throughout a company and leads to faster decision making and more satisfied customers and employees.

​In the context of the job characteristics model, which of the following best defines autonomy?

​It is the degree to which a job gives workers the discretion, freedom, and independence to decide how and when to accomplish the work. Autonomy is the degree to which a job gives workers the discretion, freedom, and independence to decide how and when to accomplish the work. Feedback is the amount of information a job provides to workers about their work performance.

​Which of the following is a disadvantage of modular organizations?

​They are characterized by a loss of control that occurs when key business activities are outsourced to other companies. The primary disadvantage of modular organizations is the loss of control that occurs when key business activities are outsourced to other companies. Also, companies may reduce their competitive advantage in two ways if they mistakenly outsource a core business activity