Exam 2 (Ch. 6 - 9)
Which of the following is a characteristic of the ideal bureaucracy?
A hierarchy of positions
Which of the following job elements is listed under the job specification?
Abilities
Which can be a period of high economic performance for an organization?
Application growth (bc demand for the product or service is often greater than supply)
At which point in the product innovation process does a firm try to determine if customers will want to buy the innovative product or service?
Application launch (innovation development: evaluation, modification, and improvement of creative ideas)
Which of the following is a characteristic of the ideal bureaucracy as put forth by Weber?
Appropriate social distance maintained
What are the psychological demands, emotional, and physical attributes that vary from person to person called?
Individual differences
Which dimension of the job characteristics approach deals with the degree of control the worker has over how the work is performed?
Autonomy
According to Weber, how should positions in organizations be filled in an ideal bureaucracy?
Based on expertise
Which of the following is the clear and distinct line of authority among the positions in an organization?
Chain of command (includes unity of command and scalar principle, which suggests an unbroken line of authority)
As his company has grown, Geert finds that he can no longer manage everything. He is now working to group jobs together in some way that makes sense for the workers and managers. What is Geert trying to establish?
Departmentalization
The Federal Reserve lowered adjusted interest rates, making it difficult for Chartab to get the loans needed to expand certain operations. Chartab had to adjust its production and sales forecasts accordingly. In this scenario, Chartab is responding to an external force for change in which dimension?
Economic
In an attempt to reduce the level of job dissatisfaction, which alternative to job specialization increases the total number of tasks workers perform without increasing worker control over the job?
Enlargement (enrichment increases the number of tasks and level of control a worker has)
Which of the following refers to a large-scale information system for integrating and synchronizing the many activities in the extended enterprise?
Enterprise resource planning (ERP)
Which of the following is least likely to be considered a work-related stressor?
Environmental demands (work-related demands fall into four categories - task, physical, role, and interpersonal demands)
Because Jolanta believes that each item she produces should be custom fit for each customer, she does not allow the online purchasing of her specialty clothing line. However, she now finds her sales are declining, and once-steady customers who asked for online ordering are no longer shopping with her. Which of the following is affecting Jolanta's business?
Failure to recognize opportunities
When a new position in her collective bargaining unit opened up, Anke thought she should get the position because she had similar experience at a previous job. However, the job went to someone who had more seniority, but less skill. Anke thought this was unfair. What is the first thing Anke should do to ensure the contract was enforced correctly?
File a grievance
Which of the following can be used to overcome resistance to organizational change so that employees can understand the facilitation of change will be less detrimental than the consequences of not changing?
Force-field analysis
Hua enjoys his job and the company he works for. Hua frequently volunteers for projects, and he actively looks for ways to contribute. He even volunteers at company-sponsored events on the weekend. What can be said about Hua and his work for the company?
He has a high level of organizational management (people who think that forces beyond their control dictate what happens to them = external locus of control)
Which type of organization might have three related divisions and one unrelated division and uses a design that is a cross between an M-form and an H-form?
Hybrid
In addition to their hourly rate, the production line workers at Theta Corp. are paid an extra amount for each unit they produce above the weekly quota. This extra money is a(n) _____.
Incentive
What contributed to the decline in union membership in the mid-1950s?
Increased standard of living
The second phase of the creative process, during which there is less intense conscious concentration and ideas mature and develop, is called _____.
Incubation
Ramkumar supplies parts to a variety of customers and is in a very stable environment. He has various subunits in his organization, but they all work together in a coordinated fashion to get parts to the customer. Which dimension of the organization is Ramkumar using?
Integration
Marah likes to start large projects immediately and get them done. Ozlem likes to think about her projects for a while before starting them. When Marah and Ozlem were asked to work together on a project, both experienced stress. What was this stress due to?
Interpersonal demands
Which of the following is true of ranking, a common method of employee appraisal?
It competes employees directly with each other and orders them from best to worst.
Which of the following is true of an incremental innovation?
It modifies existing products and processes. (examples: new products, services, or processes that modify existing ones)
Which of the following is a disadvantage of internal recruiting?
Its ripple effect throughout the organization
Which approach to job design takes into account the work system and employee preferences by considering the core dimensions of skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy, and feedback?
Job characteristics
The divisional design, which is based on multiple businesses in related areas operating within a larger organizational framework, is also called _____.
M-form (U-form arranges structure around functional activities performed throughout the company)
A furniture company assembles parts to make dining room sets in five standard configurations. This is done by creating basic pieces and combining them in different ways. This company uses which type of technology?
Mass-production
How can an organization test the effectiveness of its training programs?
Measuring criteria before and after training
What should be the goal for an organization when it is experiencing high absenteeism?
Minimize feigned absenteeism (determinant of organizational citizenship behaviors is likely to be a complex of mosaic of individual, social, and organizational variables)
According to research, a person with which personality attribute is more likely to produce higher overall job performance?
More extroverted
Because employees report to both a functional superior and a project manager, matrix design results from a strategy of....
Multiple-command structure (conglomerate design = unrelated diversification)
Zereth has set up her organization based on product departmentalization. What is the advantage of this approach?
Objective assessment of product groups
What are the relatively stable set of psychological attributes that distinguish one person from another?
Personality
According to Jinhoon's analysis, the market for products made in his plant should grow three to five percent over the next five years. To prepare for this, Jinhoon is making arrangements to expand his manufacturing facility and increase staff to meet the increased demand. Which type of change is Jinhoon implementing?
Planned (orderly and timely fashion in anticipation of future events)
Nour has identified future staffing needs and is now comparing those to internal supply. What is Nour hoping to determine by making this comparison?
Potential shortfalls or overstaffing (If the organization needs to hire, the external labor supply forecast helps managers plan how to recruit, based on whether the type of person needed is readily available or scarce in the labor market)
Sabine has developed an improved system for delivering parts to production employees when and where they need them. Which type of innovation did Sabine make?
Process (manufactured, created, or distributed)
What are considered to be the two most important types of technical innovations?
Product and process
Which type of change is based on developing circumstances?
Reactive
Julius knows how costly it an be when the wrong person is hired for the position. To help minimize hiring mistakes, Julius tries to ensure the candidate knows as much as possible about the position for which he or she is applying. What is Julius using to help provide an accurate idea of the job!
Realistic job preview
which issue has become a legal battleground specifically in the arena of contingent workers who have made the argument that they are contingent in name only?
Receiving benefits
Mable was chosen to lead a project where she has to deal with a lot of unknowns and take chances in order to meet its goals. Which personality trait will aid Mabel in her ability to succeed on this project?
Risk propensity (willingness to take chances and make risky decisions)
What is the compensation paid for total contributions, instead of hours worked?
Salary
In addition to their hourly rate, the production line workers at Theta Corp. are paid an extra amount for each unit they produce above the weekly quota. This extra money is a(n) _____.
Selective perception
Ugar is interviewing candidates, and he is paying special attention to their communication skills. He believes communication skills are critical for this position. Which of the following is Ugar using as part of his selection process?
Stereotyping
The Lewin model of organizational change process includes refreezing which involves......
Supporting the change (third step in lewin model: reinforcing and supporting the change so that it becomes a part of the system
Olesia needed to take a leave of absence from work to take care of her child who had been in a car accident. She estimated she would need six weeks off and didn't have enough vacation time. What should Olesia do to protect her position while caring for her son?
Take a leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Which dimension of the job characteristics approach deals with the perceived importance of the task?
Task significance (perceived importance of the task)
Pallavi has created a successful company based on her ability to identify new opportunities in the markets her company serves. She almost exclusively uses fluid groups of employees to tackle emerging issues in lieu of a functional hierarchy, which has helped the organization achieve a very high level of adaptability. Which type of organization does Pallavi's company use to maximize the company's responsiveness to changes in the external environment?
Team
Which of the following is an external force that drives an organization toward change?
Technological innovations in the market
Merrill Lynch allows clients to view statements, make payments, and conduct stock trades, all online. Additionally, clients can read about market trends and other activities in the stock market. Which type of process do they use to transform information into a format that clients can use?
Technology
Which of the following is likely to occur when an organization has high absenteeism?
The quantity or quality of output is likely to suffer (high absenteeism may also be a symptom of job dissatisfaction and low morale)
In which way are large organizations fundamentally different from small organizations?
They tend to have a higher level of job specialization
Zero Defect Machinery (ZDM) has very few women working on the plant floor, and all managers are men. This raises concerns that ZDM may be violating _____.
Title VII of Civil rights act (forbids discrimination in all areas of the employment relationship)
Aisha's organization uses special performance tests, which are then supplemented by other appraisal methods. Why would her firm use these types of tests?
To measure motivation (regular performance method do not measure the extent to which one is motivated to use their abilities on a daily basis)
Petra has lost four employees this year, and she has now learned that Julien, her most creative designer, is leaving the company. Petra needs to focus on the cause of which organizational behavior?
Turnover
Azim's organization is a highly adaptable, with little or no formal structure. The company is able to respond to continually evolving customer expectations by using temporary workers, outsourcing, and leasing facilities when needed. What does Azim use to maximize the company's ability to adapt to its changing environment?
Virtual
When might a matrix design be most effective for an organization?
When there is pressure from the environment
Which unique skill does a product champion usually possess?
Where to secure resources for successful development
Which type of organizational behavior includes absenteeism and turnover?
Withdrawal
Which of the following is a legally required benefit?
Worker's compensation
Raphael and some coworkers feel their manager should provide more in overtime opportunities, and they are concerned about costs of health insurance. They are talking about the need for a union. To proceed in this direction, the next step for Raphael and his fellow employees would involve _____.
authorization cards (must collect signed authorization cards from at least 30% of bargaining unit members to proceed)
For employees to form a new local union, several things must occur. First, employees must become interested in having a union. The second step is to _____.
collect employee signature on authorization cards
Bhavik and his coworkers were interested in having the plant become unionized. After signing up members and electing officers, the next step for Bhavik and his fellow employees involves _____.
collective bargaining (after union is certified)
Issues of wages, work hours, job security, and discipline are handled through the process of...
collective bargaining (intent of collective bargaining is to agree on a labor contract between management and the union that is sat for both parties)
Issues of wages, work hours, job security, and discipline are handled through the process of _____.
collective bargaining (issues of wages, work hours, job security, and discipline are handled by this process)
Part-time workers are often considered part of the general category of workers called _____.
contingent workers (categories include: independent contractors, on-call workers, temporary employees, contract and leased employees, and part-time)
What are the goals for most learning organizations?
continuous improvement (improved quality, continuous improvement, and performance measurement are frequent goals)
Dana has a reputation for being creative. Colleagues have noticed that Dana is skilled at seeing similarities between different situations, and applying those lessons to come up with new ideas. This skill is known as _____.
convergent thinking (divergent is to see the difference)
Which of the following stressors is a task demand?
critical decisions (conflicting personalities = interpersonal demands; critical decisions is about having to make decisions that have consequences)
Marah initiated a new quality assurance process. It will be faster than the old process with little impact on actual quality. Ozlem continues to argue against the change process because she feels that the new process will negatively impact product quality and will, ultimately, harm sales. Her resistance is based on _____.
different perceptions
In what way do professional union organizers try to convince workers of the benefits of a union?
distributing literature
Raul and Raj have worked together on a project since the project began, and they have formed a close working relationship. Since the project was so well done, regular project meetings are no longer necessary, and monitoring the project will be given to a junior member of the team. Raul and Raj are resistant to the restructuring. Their resistance is based on _____.
feelings of loss
Which of the following allows the assessment of an employee on one dimension to spread to ratings of that employee on other dimensions?
halo error
What is the second step in the Lewin model of organizational change?
implementation
Sales commissions and bonuses represent special compensation opportunities that are usually tied to performance, and they are examples of _____.
incentives
At which stage in the organizational innovation process does the organization no longer maintain a competitive advantage because of a decrease in demand?
innovation decline (innovation maturity is the second to last stage, this is the stage most orgs have access to an innovation and are applying it the same way)
Which of the following best describes organizational citizenship?
it is the behavior of individuals that makes a positive overall contribution to an organization
Dorina seems to invent problems where they do not exist. Even when given an ample budget and a roomy schedule, she warns that she may not be able to finish on time and points out all the areas where things could go wrong or come in over budget. Dorina has a high degree of .......
negative affectivity (downbeat, pessimistic, bad mood)
After several employees complained about being underpaid, management was able to collect data from the industry to show that the firm pays a competitive wage and offers excellent benefits. In this scenario, management is trying to change _____.
perceptions (common focus of organization change)
It has been very hot this summer, and the air conditioning in Marah's office is not working properly. It is hot in the office to the point that it has become difficult for people to focus on their work. This stressor is which type of demand?
physical
Based on the Americans with Disabilities Act, what must employers do for disabled employees?
provide reasonable accomodation
For years, Rabeya's purchasing department has used a cycle counting system to monitor inventory levels. Upper management has decided to convert to an automated perpetual inventory system that will reduce costs and improve accuracy. This type of organization change is known as _____.
reengineering (involves the redesign of internal systems to improve performance)
Dezmon maintains a high degree of confidence in the accuracy and quality of his work. Dezmon has a high level of _____.
self-efficacy (ability to perform specific tasks well)
Aviva is generally short with people and always seems to be in a bad mood. However, she just got a raise, and today, Aviva seems rather positive for a change. What can be said about Aviva's attitude?
she has a high degree of negative affectivity
According to experts, the optimal design for any given organization depends on _____.
situational factors
In order for change to have a realistic opportunity to succeed, what must that change be?
systematic and logical
Span of management indicates _____.
the number of people who report to a particular manager.
Polani was hired specifically because of her unique skills and track record of success. Based on the psychological contract, what are the expectations of the employer?
the use of those skills on the new job
Which act set up procedures that would allow employees to vote on whether they want to have a union?
the wagner act
Which of the following is true of contributions?
they are what an individual provides to the organization (effort, skills, ability, time, loyalty, and so forth)
Helena has been particularly resistant to the new restructuring where she works. Her department is now slightly smaller than it was before, and she feels that this will give her less influence in the company. Helena's resistance is based on _____.
threatened self interest (changes that diminish their power or influence within the company (managers))
What is the purpose of the collective bargaining process?
to agree on a labor contract
Which of the following is a disadvantage of using a matrix design?
uncertain reporting relationships
Employees who think they may not be able to fully understand or follow new procedures may resist change because of _____.
uncertainty (biggest cause of employee resistance)
orgnanic organizations are .....
very informal (most often found in unstable and unpredictable environments)
Hua's firm does not allow a manager to make more than three times what the manager's lowest paid direct report earns. Which type of pay decision is this?
wage structure
Which unique skill does a product champion usually possess?
where to secure resources for successful development
