OBHR Chapter 4

Why do companies perform a work-flow analysis?

-to determine what tasks need to be performed to create an output -to determine what skills are needed by employees in order to create an output

Which of the following statements is true about divisional structures for an organization in contrast to functional structures?

Division structures can result in one unit achieving gains at the expense of another unit.

Which of the following types of organization structures would be most appropriate in a volatile environment?

Divisional

Which of the following statements is true about divisional structures for an organization in contrast to functional structures?

Divisional structures can exploit consumer opportunities faster.

Which of following are potential drawbacks of a divisional structure?

inefficiency inability of units to see the "big picture" self-cannibalization

In regard to a work-unit activity analysis, which of the following are raw inputs?

information materials data

Performing a(n) ______ helps an organization match the appropriate people with the appropriate jobs for them.

job analysis

A list of the tasks, duties, and responsibilities (TDRs) that a position entails is called a ______.

job description

What is the term for the process of defining how work will be performed and the tasks that will be required in a given job?

job design

______ is performed so that each job can be paid fairly and in accordance with the organization's pay structure.

job evaluation

The list of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics (KSAOs) that are necessary for successful performance of a job is known as a ______.

job specification

What are the types of information most helpful when performing a job analysis?

job specification job description

Work processes originally developed in Japan that focus on manufacturing goods with a minimum amount of time, materials, money, and people are referred to as ________ production

lean

Organization structure is usually depicted by way of a(n) ______, which presents relationships between employees and their responsibilities.

organizational chart

The motivational approach to job design is derived from which discipline?

organizational psychology

Which of the following offers a cross-sectional overview of the relationships between individual workers and units that create output?

organizational structure

Errors in job analysis are likeliest to arise from which of the following?

outdated job descriptions

The product of a work unit is known as a(n) ______.

output

In carrying out a job analysis, who is considered to have the most accurate information about what is actually done on the job?

the job incumbent

Job analysis is important to line managers for which of the following reasons?

Managers need to understand the possible dangers associated with a job to ensure work is being done safely. Understanding job requirements is critical to making intelligent hiring decisions.

The biological approach to job design is derived from which disciplines?

biomechanics, work physiology, and occupational medicine

Which of the following describes the process by which current workers in an organization are matched with jobs in the organization that suit their qualifications and interests?

career planning

What are the most critical dimensions of organization structure?

centralization departmentalization

The mechanistic approach to job design is derived from what discipline?

classical industrial engineering

Which of the following are potential conditions that lead to a need for redesigning jobs?

decreases in work-group size increases in work loads in a work group

Which of the following are potential uses of the information gathered through performance appraisal?

demonstrate reasoning behind punishment of employees for low performance compensate employees for high performance

Which of the following issues would likely be of interest to an ergonomics researcher?

design of the workspace level of lighting in the workspace

The first step in identifying which applicants are most qualified during human resource selection is to ______.

determine duties for a job and figure out what qualifications an individual needs to perform the job successfully

A(n) _________ organization structure is best in steady, relatively unchanging environments where outputs can be produced efficiently.

functional

An organization with a ______ structure is highly centralized and departmentalized.

functional

The jobs in an organization using a(n) ______ structure tend to be very focused and specific, with very little room for workers to make their own decisions.

functional

The jobs in an organization using a(n) _______ structure tend to be very focused and specific, with very little room for workers to make their own decisions.

functional

A disadvantage of a ______ is that individual workers may grasp their department's mission, but not that of the larger company. Multiple choice question.

functional structure

Managers utilizing the motivational approach to job design will focus on increasing the meaningfulness of jobs through which types of the following interventions?

giving employees the freedom to make decisions giving employees tasks that they feel are important

Unlike the biological approach, which focuses on physical capabilities and limitations, the perceptual-motor approach focuses on which of the following?

human mental capabilities and limitations

Effective ______ requires managers to determine the skills needed to perform the organization's jobs, as well as the number of people needed to perform those jobs.

human resource planning

Which of the following describes the analysis of an organization's staffing requirements?

human resource planning

The perceptual-motor approach to job design is derived from which the following?

human-factors literature

Because they form organically, social networks in the workplace are more ______ than formal organizational charts

volatile

When obtaining job analysis information, under which of the following circumstances are the ratings of several job incumbents doing the same job likely to disagree?

when the job is complex

By closely examining workplace social networks, companies are able to determine which of the following?

which employers over-communicate

Which is the section of the Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ) concerned with the physical activities, tools, and devices used by an employee to perform his or her job?

work output

By performing a(n) ______, an organization determines the raw input, equipment, and human resources needed to produce an output.

work-flow analysis

Which aspect of the Job Characteristics Model motivates employees the most?

task significance

______ is the degree to which work units are grouped based on functional similarity or similarity of work flow

Departmentalization

The money an organization invests in equipment is calculated in terms of ______ per worker.

Capital spending

______ seeks to connect workers with jobs that they find fulfilling and will perform well.

Career planning

Which of the following conditions would require the use of job design?

Creation of a new work unit

______ is concerned with examining the interface between individuals' physiological characteristics and the physical work environment.

Ergonomics

True or false: In terms of work-flow analysis, work output refers to physical objects but not intangible services.

False

True or false: Lean production makes use of technology and large groups of low-skilled employees.

False

True or false: Work processes should be studied before the work outputs of a work unit are identified.

False

Which of the following characteristics of divisional structures helps them be more creative and able to respond quickly to change?

Focus on work flow

______ identifies the best and most capable potential employees.

Human resource selection

Which of the following statements is accurate concerning recent changes in technological capabilities?

Interruptions, such as incoming texts or emails, can distract a worker performing a complicated task.

According to the ______, jobs can be described by five features: skill variety, task identity, autonomy, feedback, and task significance.

Job Characteristics Model

______ helps managers understand work flow, select the best applicants for jobs, improve employees' job performance, and ensure the safety of workers.

Job analysis

The U.S. Department of Labor currently produces the ______, a resource that provides information about various occupations and the qualifications needed to do them.

Occupational Information Network

Which of the following replaced the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT) in 1998?

Occupational Information Network (O*NET)

The way jobs are connected vertically and horizontally throughout a company is referred to as which of the following?

Organization structure

______ is the process that organizations use to determine how well an employee is doing at his or her job.

Performance appraisal

The ______ is a survey that is useful in job analysis process.

Position Analysis Questionnaire

Which of the following statements are true about work process in the analysis of work flow?

Work process are activities used to produce a given output. Every work process consists of operating procedures. Operating procedures include tasks used to produce output.

Which of the following is the term that describes the process of examining the actions that are required in order for a product to be made or a service to be provided?

Work-flow design

Which of the following is the term that refers to the reduced attention of a person who is interacting with multiple media?

absence presence

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 10% of U.S. workers are engaged in which of the following?

alternative work arrangements

The process of obtaining detailed information about jobs is known as job ____

analysis

The process of obtaining detailed information about jobs is known as job ______ .

analysis

Managers in ______ structures often need to have more on-the-job know-how and a greater ability to think critically. They have decision-making responsibility.

divisional

Organizations using a ______ structure are made up of different units that operate somewhat independently.

divisional

A(n) ______ has relatively low rates of centralization.

divisional structure

Which of the following refers to the technology and facilities needed to create a product from raw materials?

equipment

What is another term for the biological approach to job design?

ergonomics

Organizations perform job ______________ to determine the dollar value of a job.

evaluation

Which of the following are components identified in a work-unit activity analysis?

raw inputs human resources equipment

The resources that will be converted into the work unit's product are known as ______.

raw materials

Which of the following are inputs? (Select all that apply)

raw materials equipment human skills

Situations such as changes in the work loads within work units, changes in the work group size, and work not being completed in the most efficient manner all require ______ of existing jobs.

redesign

Which was one of the first examples of the mechanistic approach to job design in the workplace?

scientific management

A(n) ______ is the individual's level of proficiency at doing a specific action, whereas a(n) ______ is his or her overall aptitude.

skill; ability