Deck 14: Restructuring Organizations

Question 1

The matrix structure is the best and most flexible organization structure.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Which is not a characteristic of reengineering?

A) involves a fundamental rethinking of work
B) vertical disaggregation of structure
C) radical redesign of business processes
D) associated with downsizing and work redesign
E) streamlines work processes or makes them faster and more flexible

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Process-based structures remove layers of management, and consequently information flows more quickly and accurately throughout the organization.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Reengineering begins with __________ and ____________of an organization's context and objectives:

A) strategic planning/implementation
B) process planning/implementation
C) clarification/assessment
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Question 5

Global competition, rapid technological and environmental changes are forcing organizations to become more hierarchical and immutable.

Question 6

Customer centric organizations work best under which of the following conditions?

A) stable and predictable markets
B) uncertain and complex markets
C) larger, mature organizations
D).. A and C
E) B and C

Question 7

Downsizing is generally a response to at least two major conditions: organization decline due to implementation of a new structure or opposition to growth and expansion issues.

Question 8

Which of the following is not one of the four basic network-based structures?

A) internal market network
B) opportunity network
C) strategic market network
D) aftermarket network
E) vertical market network

Question 9

Which is not a characteristic of a process-based structure?

A) management defines performance metric standards
B) structures organized around 3-5 key processes that define the work of the organization
C) work is simplified by removing non-essential tasks and reducing layers of management
D) teams are fundamental

Question 10

The customer centric organization enables an organization to _______________.

A) respond quickly to changing customer preferences
B) develop a clear cut marketing strategy
C) operate without reliance on lateral relationships
D) B and C
E) None of the above

Question 11

Diagnostic guidelines are extremely important for determining the appropriate structure for a particular organization.

Question 12

Process-based structures generally appear in small to medium sized organizations having several products or projects.

Question 13

Process structures eliminate ______________ and _____________:

A) process stagnation/autonomy
B) hierarchical/departmental boundaries
C) technology/help work design
D) process stagnation/help job satisfaction
E) none of the above

Question 14

Which requirements are necessary for the success of a matrix structure?

A) dual focus, high information processing capacity, low intra-organizational conflict
B) shared scarce resources, dual focus, and high information processing capacity
C) dual focus, low intra-organizational conflict, shared scarce resources
D) shared scarce resources, dual focus, and low intra-organizational conflict
E) all of the above

Question 15

Process-based structures are essential for eliminating many of the hierarchical and departmental boundaries that can impede task coordination.

Question 16

The primary goal of any team in a process-based structure is quality of work life.

Question 17

Two organization structures that are more integrative and flexible are

A) process-based and functional
B) self-contained and functional
C) network-based and process-based
D) A and C
E) none of the above

Question 18

Interventions aimed at structural design include

A) traditional ways of dividing the organization's overall work
B) integrative and flexible ways of dividing work
C) how to assess work flows
D) A and B
E) all of the above

Question 19

Which of the following is a key step in the downsizing intervention?

A) working without a clear strategy
B) announcing the layoffs early in the process
C) addressing the needs of survivors and those who leave
D) clarifying the strategy after the layoffs

Question 20

Network structures typically have the following characteristics

A) vertical disaggregation
B) brokers
C) coordinating mechanisms
D) A, B, and C
E) none of the above

Question 21

Discuss the difference between process-based and network-based structures.

Question 22

Under what conditions are customer-centric structures appropriate? What challenges does this type of organization structure face and why?

Question 23

When sub-units operate as independent profit centers, an internal market network exists.

Question 24

Describe either a functional, self-contained, or matrix structure and discuss its advantages and disadvantages.

Question 25

Describe the short term, medium and longer term approaches to downsizing. What are the key differences between them?

Question 26

Network forms of organizations are quite efficient but not very flexible and adaptive.

Question 27

It is possible to have the self-contained unit and matrix organization structure in the same organization at the same time.

Question 28

Compare the two primary technostructural interventions (downsizing and reengineering) discussed in this chapter and note their general differences and similarities.