Question 1

Which of the following statements about matrix departmentalization is true?
A)Most employees in an organization that uses matrix departmentalization report to two bosses.
B)With matrix departmentalization, there tends to be more cross-functional interaction among employees than in other types of departmentalization.
C)With matrix departmentalization, there needs to be significant coordination between functional and project managers.
D)The most common matrix combines product and functional departmentalization.
E)All of these statements about matrix departmentalization are true.

Accepted Answer

Matrix departmentalization involves employees reporting to two bosses, encourages cross-functional interaction, requires coordination between managers, and often combines product and functional departmentalization.

Question 2

Honeywell Inc. reorganized its European operations along customer lines to prepare for a unified European Union. In doing so, it abandoned matrix departmentalization. Why would Honeywell engage in such restructuring?
A)to create pools of resources
B)to empower its employees
C)to better adhere to the management philosophy of staff authority
D)to improve its ability to handle complex tasks
E)to end conflict between product managers in different parts of its matrix

Accepted Answer

By abandoning matrix departmentalization, Honeywell aimed to reduce conflicts between product managers that often arise in a matrix structure, thereby streamlining operations and improving efficiency.

Question 3

Organizational authority is traditionally characterized by ____.
A)chain of command
B)empowerment
C)behavioral informality
D)reengineering
E)all of these

Accepted Answer

Organizational authority is traditionally characterized by a chain of command, which is a clear hierarchy of authority, showing who reports to whom and who has decision-making power. Empowerment, behavioral informality, and reengineering are not necessarily traditional characteristics of organizational authority.

Question 4

Because of problems associated with conflicts over schedules, budgets, and available resources (including employees), ____ departmentalization often evolves from a simple form to a more complex form.
A)hierarchical
B)functional
C)customer
D)product
E)matrix

Accepted Answer

Matrix departmentalization evolves from a simple form to a more complex form to address conflicts over schedules, budgets, and resources by allowing for more flexibility and collaboration across different departments.

Question 5

In a(n)____, managers from different parts of the matrix report to matrix managers who help them sort out problems and conflicts.
A)networked matrix
B)synergistic matrix
C)complex matrix
D)hierarchical matrix
E)organic matrix

Accepted Answer

In a complex matrix, managers from different parts of the organization report to matrix managers who assist in resolving issues and conflicts. This structure is designed to handle the complexity of multiple reporting lines and interdependencies.

Question 6

With ____ departmentalization, most employees report to two bosses.
A)geographic
B)matrix
C)product
D)customer
E)functional

Accepted Answer

Matrix departmentalization creates a dual reporting structure, where employees report to both a functional manager and a project manager.

Question 7

Which of the following types of departmentalization does NOT have a problem with the duplication of resources?
A)functional
B)geographic and matrix
C)product and customer
D)customer and functional
E)geographic

Accepted Answer

Functional departmentalization groups together jobs that perform similar functions, such as a finance department or a marketing department. Each department focuses on its own function and has little overlap with other departments, reducing the likelihood of resource duplication.

Question 8

In terms of the chain of command, ____ authority is the right to command immediate subordinates, while ____ authority is the right to advise but not command others who are not subordinates.
A)departmental; functional
B)centralized; decentralized
C)functional; expert
D)internal; external
E)line; staff

Accepted Answer

Line authority is the right to command immediate subordinates, while staff authority is the right to advise but not command others who are not subordinates.

Question 9

With divisions that focus on business clients and consumer clients, companies like Sprint, American Express, and others are examples of ____ departmentalization.
A)boundaryless
B)product
C)customer
D)functional
E)matrix

Accepted Answer

These companies are examples of customer departmentalization because they organize their divisions based on the type of customer they serve, such as business clients and consumer clients.

Question 10

Large accounting agencies typically have separate departments that deal with households, businesses, and governments. This allows them to better serve the needs of their clients, by using ____ departmentalization.
A)matrix
B)product
C)customer
D)geographic
E)functional

Accepted Answer

Customer departmentalization is used when organizations structure their departments based on the type of customer they serve, such as households, businesses, and governments, to better meet their specific needs.

Question 11

Robert Strickland works in the legal department at a large consumer products manufacturer. It is his job to craft warnings on package labels. This is Strickland's ____.
A)line function
B)boundary-spanning role
C)chain of command role
D)staff function
E)personal empowerment role

Accepted Answer

Strickland's role in crafting warnings on package labels is a staff function, as it supports the core activities of the organization by providing specialized expertise and assistance.

Question 12

Commerce Insurance Services has five divisions. They are personal; core commercial; Main Street business; major commercial; and benefits. The company is also departmentalized along product lines. Commerce Insurance Services uses ____ departmentalization.
A)boundaryless
B)product
C)customer
D)functional
E)matrix

Accepted Answer

The answer of Commerce Insurance Services has five divisions. They...

Question 13

The primary disadvantage of geographic departmentalization is ____.
A)the absence of cross-departmental coordination
B)broken chains of command
C)spans of control that are too wide
D)the lack of empowerment
E)duplication of resources

Accepted Answer

The primary disadvantage of geographic departmentalization is duplication of resources as each geographical location may have its own set of resources leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.

Question 14

The primary advantage of ____ departmentalization is the fact that it allows companies to manage large, complex tasks efficiently by minimizing duplication.
A)product
B)functional
C)matrix
D)geographic

Accepted Answer

The answer of The primary advantage of ____ departmentalization is...

Question 15

____ departmentalization is notorious for confusion and conflict between project managers in different areas of the organization.
A)Matrix
B)Functional
C)Customer
D)Product
E)Geographic

Accepted Answer

Matrix departmentalization involves multiple managers and reporting lines, which can lead to confusion and conflict between project managers.

Question 16

Of all types of departmentalization, ____ departmentalization requires the highest level of management skill for successful implementation.
A)geographic
B)customer
C)matrix
D)product
E)functional

Accepted Answer

Matrix departmentalization requires the highest level of management skill because it involves managing employees who report to more than one supervisor, balancing multiple projects, and integrating different functional areas, which can create complexity and potential conflicts.

Question 17

A(n)____ is a form of matrix departmentalization in which managers in different parts of the matrix negotiate conflicts and resources directly.
A)simple matrix
B)networked matrix
C)empathetic matrix
D)matrix of convenience
E)synergistic matrix

Accepted Answer

Simple matrix departmentalization involves a structure where managers in different parts of the matrix negotiate conflicts and resources directly, without a rigid hierarchy dictating the flow of decisions.

Question 18

As a result of their structures, matrix organizations automatically violate the principle of ____.
A)line authority
B)unity of command
C)delegation of authority
D)degree of centralization
E)staff authority

Accepted Answer

Matrix organizations violate the principle of unity of command because employees report to multiple managers, which contradicts the idea that each employee should have only one direct supervisor.

Question 19

Procter & Gamble has divisions for personal and beauty, house and home, health and wellness, baby and family, and pet nutrition and care. These divisions indicate that the company uses ____ departmentalization.
A)functional
B)geographic
C)product
D)customer
E)strategic business unit (SBU)

Accepted Answer

Procter & Gamble's divisions are organized based on different product lines, indicating product departmentalization.

Question 20

The primary disadvantage of customer departmentalization is ____.
A)an over-emphasis on customer needs
B)duplication
C)difficulties in coordinating across departments
D)overspecialization of managers and workers
E)an inability to solve problems for specific customers

Accepted Answer

Customer departmentalization can lead to duplication of resources and efforts, as each department may have its own set of functions and processes to serve its specific customer group.

Quiz 8: Designing Adaptive Organizations

Which of the following statements about matrix departmentalization is true?

Honeywell Inc. reorganized its European operations along customer lines to prepare for a unified European Union. In doing so, it abandoned matrix departmentalization. Why would Honeywell engage in such restructuring?

Organizational authority is traditionally characterized by ____.

Because of problems associated with conflicts over schedules, budgets, and available resources (including employees) , ____ departmentalization often evolves from a simple form to a more complex form.

In a(n) ____, managers from different parts of the matrix report to matrix managers who help them sort out problems and conflicts.

With ____ departmentalization, most employees report to two bosses.

Which of the following types of departmentalization does NOT have a problem with the duplication of resources?

In terms of the chain of command, authority is the right to command immediate subordinates, while authority is the right to advise but not command others who are not subordinates.

With divisions that focus on business clients and consumer clients, companies like Sprint, American Express, and others are examples of ____ departmentalization.

Large accounting agencies typically have separate departments that deal with households, businesses, and governments. This allows them to better serve the needs of their clients, by using ____ departmentalization.

Robert Strickland works in the legal department at a large consumer products manufacturer. It is his job to craft warnings on package labels. This is Strickland's ____.

Commerce Insurance Services has five divisions. They are personal; core commercial; Main Street business; major commercial; and benefits. The company is also departmentalized along product lines. Commerce Insurance Services uses ____ departmentalization.

The primary disadvantage of geographic departmentalization is ____.

The primary advantage of ____ departmentalization is the fact that it allows companies to manage large, complex tasks efficiently by minimizing duplication.

____ departmentalization is notorious for confusion and conflict between project managers in different areas of the organization.

Of all types of departmentalization, ____ departmentalization requires the highest level of management skill for successful implementation.

A(n) ____ is a form of matrix departmentalization in which managers in different parts of the matrix negotiate conflicts and resources directly.

As a result of their structures, matrix organizations automatically violate the principle of ____.

Procter & Gamble has divisions for personal and beauty, house and home, health and wellness, baby and family, and pet nutrition and care. These divisions indicate that the company uses ____ departmentalization.

The primary disadvantage of customer departmentalization is ____.