Question 1

Which of the following is the most accurate description regarding the purpose of an organization structure?
A) to divide up and coordinate resources and tasks to be done for performance success
B) to identify relationships between suppliers and company buyers
C) to design titles for different types of workers
D) to allocate management authority to department heads
E) to assign daily work tasks to workers

Accepted Answer

The purpose of an organizational structure is to divide up and coordinate resources and tasks to be done for performance success. It is about organizing the company's resources, including people, technology, and finances, to meet its goals and objectives. The structure determines how the company will operate and how work will be divided and coordinated among different departments, teams, and individuals.

Question 2

In an organizational structure, major subunits refer to
A) positions and titles that show work responsibilities.
B) lines that show who reports to whom.
C) positions that report to a common manager.
D) lines that show how formal communication flows.
E) the vertical layers of management.

Accepted Answer

Major subunits refer to positions that report to a common manager. This means that these positions are grouped together under a higher-level manager who oversees their work and activities.

Question 3

Positions and job titles, lines of authority, and formal communication channels are often demonstrated for a company by drawing a special diagram. This diagram is called ___.
A) a flow chart
B) a PERT diagram
C) an organization chart
D) an input/output diagram
E) a structural diagram

Accepted Answer

An organization chart is a diagram that depicts the company's positions and job titles, lines of authority, and formal communication channels.

Question 4

Any organization structure should ___ and ___.
A) Allocate task assignments through a division of labour; provide for the coordination of performance results
B) Allocate task assignments through a division of labour;; provide for the creation of a horizontal organization
C) Allocate organizational resources to important departments; provide for the oversight of less important departments
D) Assign good leaders to the effective work teams; assign poorer leaders to marginally effective work teams
E) Assign organizational objectives to divisions, departments, and work teams; provide for the coordination of performance results

Accepted Answer

An organization structure should allocate task assignments through a division of labour to ensure that everyone knows their role and responsibilities within the organization. It should also provide for the coordination of performance results to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals and objectives. This helps to create a clear and efficient work environment.

Question 5

When decision-making authority is dispersed by extensive delegation throughout all levels of management, the organization is decentralized.

Accepted Answer

Decentralization refers to the delegation of decision-making authority to lower levels in the organization, allowing for a more dispersed distribution of power and responsibility. This is characterized by extensive delegation throughout all levels of management, rather than just concentrated at the top. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 6

With respect to centralization and decentralization, the current trend is for organizations to centralize decision making and decentralize control.

Accepted Answer

The current trend in many organizations is to decentralize decision-making to allow for faster responses and adaptability, while centralizing control mechanisms such as standards, policies, and overarching strategies to ensure consistency and alignment with the organization's goals.

Question 7

Which of the following is true of informal structures?
A) They represent supervisory relationships.
B) They help in preventing the occurrence of rumors.
C) They are sources of emotional support and friendship.
D) They show the vertical layers of management.
E) They are characterized by the presence of major subunits.

Accepted Answer

Informal structures in an organization are not based on official hierarchy or formal reporting relationships. Instead, they arise from the personal relationships and interactions between employees. These informal structures often provide a source of emotional support and friendship for employees, as well as a way to share information and solve problems outside of the formal channels. Option A is incorrect because formal structures represent supervisory relationships. Option B is incorrect because informal structures may actually contribute to the spread of rumors. Option D is incorrect because formal structures show the vertical layers of management. Option E is incorrect because major subunits can be present in both formal and informal structures.

Question 8

Which of the following pieces of information cannot be determined from an organization chart? A) formal communication channels B) type of work performed C) division of work D) levels of management E) informal decision-making coalitions

Accepted Answer

An organization chart only shows the formal structure of an organization, including the chain of command and levels of management. It cannot show informal decision-making coalitions or networks. Informal communication channels and work relationships may also not be explicitly shown on an organization chart.

Question 9

The current trend in the use of staff is to reduce the size of staff in order to increase operating efficiency.

Accepted Answer

This statement is generally true in today's business environment as organizations strive to cut costs and improve productivity. However, there may be exceptions in certain industries or situations where hiring more staff may be necessary to meet demand or maintain quality standards.

Question 10

Which of the following are included in the basics of a formal organizational structure?
A) communication channels
B) friendship cliques
C) social relationships
D) grapevine structures
E) sources of emotional support

Accepted Answer

Communication channels are a part of the basics of a formal organizational structure. The other options are more related to informal structures and relationships within the organization.

Question 11

Which of the following is true of a formal structure?
A) Formal structures work only in organizations with diverse operations that extend across many products, customers, and work processes.
B) The lines of the formal structure cut across levels and move from side to side.
C) Formal structures are characterized by the existence of "in" and "out" groups.
D) Lines in a formal structure are drawn from person to person according to frequency and type of relationship maintained.
E) A formal structure consists of vertical layers of management.

Accepted Answer

A formal structure consists of vertical layers of management, with each layer responsible for a different set of tasks and having a different level of authority. This type of structure is commonly found in larger organizations with clearly defined roles and responsibilities.

Question 12

Sara's job includes dividing up the work and assigning tasks to each employee. She identifies people responsible for each task, decides the reporting structure, and decides employees' work relationships. Sarah is a part of the ___ team in her company.
A) financing
B) sourcing
C) controlling
D) decentralizing
E) organizing

Accepted Answer

Sara's job description involves organizing and structuring work within the team, which falls under the function of organizing in management. The other options such as financing, sourcing, controlling, and decentralizing do not accurately describe Sara's role in the company.

Question 13

The ___ of the organization represents the way the organization is intended to function in terms of division of work, supervisory relationships, communication channels, major subunits, and levels of management.
A) informal structure
B) hierarchy or authority
C) management chart
D) channel outline
E) formal structure

Accepted Answer

The formal structure of an organization defines how the organization is intended to function in terms of division of work, supervisory relationships, communication channels, major subunits, and levels of management. The other options, such as informal structure, hierarchy of authority, management chart, and channel outline, may be related but do not represent the overall intended functioning of the organization in a formal manner.

Question 14

Leisure Life is a major tour operator in the country. Four senior managers look after the company's operations in 20 locations. All these senior managers report to the general manager of the company who is stationed at the company headquarters in Chicago. This description represents the ___ of the company.
A) code of conduct
B) social network
C) organization chart
D) focal structure
E) mission

Accepted Answer

The description provided illustrates the organizational structure of the company, with the general manager at the top and the four senior managers and their respective locations below, indicating a clear hierarchy and chain of command. This is best represented by an organization chart. The other options - code of conduct, social network, focal structure, and mission - do not accurately capture the structure of the company as described.

Question 15

___ is the system of tasks, workflows, reporting relationships, and communication channels that link together the work of diverse individuals and groups.
A) Job design
B) Management
C) Organization structure
D) Strategy
E) A work plan

Accepted Answer

Organization structure refers to the system of tasks, workflows, reporting relationships, and communication channels that link together the work of diverse individuals and groups. Job design refers to the process of defining the duties and responsibilities of a position, while management and strategy are broader concepts that encompass multiple elements of an organization's operations. A work plan is a specific document that outlines the specific tasks and timelines for completing a project or initiative.

Question 16

Which of the following asks people to identify others to whom they turn for help most often, with whom they communicate regularly, and who gives them energy and motivation?
A) social network analysis
B) formal structures
C) forces analysis
D) SWOT analysis
E) four corners model

Accepted Answer

Social network analysis is a method used to identify key individuals within a social network. It involves asking people to identify those whom they turn to for help, who they communicate with regularly, and who gives them energy and motivation. This information can be used to determine the strength of connections within the network and to identify potential areas for improvement or intervention. Formal structures, forces analysis, SWOT analysis, and the four corners model do not specifically focus on identifying key individuals within a social network.

Question 17

An organization structure refers to
A) a relationship between two or more firms to meet a particular business need.
B) the group of employees who perform jobs together in the same location.
C) the network of employees in a particular team.
D) a system of tasks, reporting relationships, and communication linkages.
E) a cooperation agreement with another organization to jointly pursue activities of mutual interest.

Accepted Answer

An organization structure is a system that defines tasks, reporting relationships, and communication linkages among employees in an organization. It describes how work is divided and how the roles and responsibilities of employees are defined.

Question 18

Given a clear mission, core values, objectives and strategy, ___ begins the process of implementation by clarifying jobs and working relationships.
A) planning
B) controlling
C) organizing
D) coordinating
E) leading

Accepted Answer

The process of clarifying jobs and working relationships is a function of the organizing stage of the management process. Planning involves setting goals and objectives, controlling involves monitoring and adjusting performance, coordinating involves synchronizing activities, and leading involves motivating and guiding employees.

Question 19

In an organizational structure, division of work refers to
A) lines that show who reports to whom.
B) positions and titles that show work responsibilities.
C) the vertical layers of management.
D) lines that show formal communication flows.
E) positions that report to a common manager.

Accepted Answer

Division of work refers to the way work is divided and assigned among positions in an organization. This is often represented by the positions and titles that show work responsibilities.

Question 20

An organization that operates in a decentralized fashion will allow lower-level persons to participate in decision making.

Accepted Answer

In a decentralized organization, decision making is distributed among lower-level individuals, giving them greater autonomy and responsibility.

Quiz 11: Organization Structures and Design

Which of the following is the most accurate description regarding the purpose of an organization structure?

In an organizational structure, major subunits refer to

Positions and job titles, lines of authority, and formal communication channels are often demonstrated for a company by drawing a special diagram. This diagram is called ___.

Any organization structure should _ and _.

When decision-making authority is dispersed by extensive delegation throughout all levels of management, the organization is decentralized.

With respect to centralization and decentralization, the current trend is for organizations to centralize decision making and decentralize control.

Which of the following is true of informal structures?

Which of the following pieces of information cannot be determined from an organization chart?

The current trend in the use of staff is to reduce the size of staff in order to increase operating efficiency.

Which of the following are included in the basics of a formal organizational structure?

Which of the following is true of a formal structure?

Sara's job includes dividing up the work and assigning tasks to each employee. She identifies people responsible for each task, decides the reporting structure, and decides employees' work relationships. Sarah is a part of the ___ team in her company.

The ___ of the organization represents the way the organization is intended to function in terms of division of work, supervisory relationships, communication channels, major subunits, and levels of management.

___ is the system of tasks, workflows, reporting relationships, and communication channels that link together the work of diverse individuals and groups.

Which of the following asks people to identify others to whom they turn for help most often, with whom they communicate regularly, and who gives them energy and motivation?

An organization structure refers to

Given a clear mission, core values, objectives and strategy, ___ begins the process of implementation by clarifying jobs and working relationships.

In an organizational structure, division of work refers to

An organization that operates in a decentralized fashion will allow lower-level persons to participate in decision making.