Question 1

Which of the following refers to how the organization actually produces the products and services it provides for customers and includes flexible manufacturing, advanced information systems, and the Internet?
A) size of the organization
B) organizational technology
C) organizational goals
D) organizational culture

Accepted Answer

Organizational technology refers to the methods and tools that an organization uses to produce goods and services. This includes flexible manufacturing, advanced information systems, and the use of the internet. Organizational technology is an important aspect of an organization's overall strategy and can significantly impact its ability to compete in the market. The other choices (size, goals, culture) are not specifically related to how an organization produces its products and services.

Question 2

Which statement best characterizes scientific management?
A) It used scientifically tested methods of motivation to improve organizational performance.
B) It is an outgrowth of the Hawthorne studies, which found that people performed best in an environment of clearly specified, narrow job task.
C) It focuses on effectiveness rather than efficiency.
D) It is successful at increasing output, in part through the use of incentive systems.

Accepted Answer

Scientific management, developed by Frederick Winslow Taylor, aimed to increase productivity and efficiency in organizations by breaking down tasks into smaller, simpler components and using incentives to motivate workers to perform at their maximum capacity. This approach was successful at increasing output, with workers producing more goods in less time, thanks in part to the use of incentive systems that rewarded high-performing employees.

Question 3

Which statement best describes organizational behaviour?
A) It is the same as the study of organizational theory.
B) It is a macro analysis of the whole organization.
C) It is focused on people, structure, and environment.
D) It is a micro approach focusing on the individual.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which statement best describes organizational behaviour?
A) It...

Question 4

Which of the following refer(s) to the deployment of people to various functions and departments?
A) professionalization
B) specialization
C) personnel ratios
D) hierarchy of authority

Accepted Answer

Personnel ratios refer to the deployment and distribution of people across various functions and departments within an organization.

Question 5

According to the textbook, what does the term contingency refer to?
A) Organizations should be structured loosely.
B) Management structure is determined by the era or times.
C) One thing depends on other things, such as structure depending on environment.
D) Designing and managing organizations on an impersonal, rational basis.

Accepted Answer

The term contingency refers to the idea that one thing depends on other things, such as structure depending on the environment.

Question 6

In today's world, which of the following do savvy managers recognize?
A) They cannot measure, predict, or control their environment.
B) Centralized structures help them cope with organizational demands.
C) They do the "thought" work while employees perform the labour.
D) Leadership is based on thoroughness of written documents.

Accepted Answer

Savvy managers recognize that the business environment is complex and constantly changing, making it difficult to measure, predict, or control. Instead, they focus on adapting and being agile in response to environmental shifts. Centralized structures (choice B) may not necessarily be the most effective for coping with organizational demands in today's rapidly changing environment. Likewise, the idea that managers only do the "thought" work while employees perform the labor (choice C) is outdated and doesn't reflect the collaborative and cross-functional nature of many modern organizations. Finally, while thorough documentation is important for organizational transparency and accountability, it's not the sole basis for effective leadership (choice D).

Question 7

Interpretations of which of the following concluded that positive treatment of employees improved their motivation and productivity?
A) administrative principles
B) stakeholder approaches
C) scientific management
D) the Hawthorne studies

Accepted Answer

The Hawthorne Studies concluded that positive treatment of employees improved their motivation and productivity.

Question 8

John Black, a management consultant, successfully implemented an MBO program on his first consulting job. He now recommends MBO to all his clients. In so doing, what aspect of organizational design would the textbook say he is ignoring?
A) the latest techniques for solving problems
B) the principles of contingency theory
C) the external environment of the organization
D) the internal environment of the organization

Accepted Answer

John Black is ignoring contingency theory, which suggests that every situation requires a unique approach and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. While MBO may have worked in his first consulting job, it may not be the best fit for all of his clients' situations. Ignoring contingency theory can lead to ineffective solutions and missed opportunities for organizational improvement.

Question 9

At what level is the primary level of analysis in organizational theory done?
A) environmental
B) organizational.
C) departmental
D) individual

Accepted Answer

The primary level of analysis in organizational theory is typically the organizational level, focusing on the structure, processes, and dynamics within the organization as a whole.

Question 10

Which statement best describes the learning organization?
A) They place high value on problem solving.
B) They emphasize training as the essential value.
C) They engage people in sessions focused on finding maximum organizational efficiency.
D) They facilitate better decision-making when the environment is unstable.

Accepted Answer

Learning organizations place high value on problem solving as they continuously adapt and improve by encouraging learning at all levels.

Question 11

Which of the following is a contextual, rather than a structural, dimension of an organization?
A) labour force
B) culture
C) professionalism
D) centralization

Accepted Answer

Culture is a contextual dimension of an organization as it refers to the shared values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of the organization's members. It is influenced by factors such as history, traditions, social norms, and external environment. The other options (labour force, professionalism, and centralization) are structural dimensions, which refer to the formal and tangible aspects of the organization's design and operation.

Question 12

What is demonstrated in the comparison of EllisDon and Tim Hortons in the textbook's "In Practice" activity?
A) Larger organizations need to have tight controls at the top.
B) Successful organizations can have very different strategies and goal emphases.
C) A moderate to high level of formalization is crucial to an organization's success.
D) Centralization is necessary in organizations when they face high levels of competition.

Accepted Answer

The comparison of EllisDon and Tim Hortons demonstrates that successful organizations can have very different strategies and goal emphases. Despite being in vastly different industries and having different approaches to managing their workforce, both organizations have been successful. This highlights the idea that there is no one "right" way to manage an organization and that different strategies can be successful in different contexts. The other options are not supported in the example provided.

Question 13

Which of the following describes the degree to which an organization achieves its goals?
A) effectiveness
B) efficiency
C) organizational strategy
D) stakeholder profitability

Accepted Answer

Effectiveness refers to the degree to which an organization achieves its goals, while efficiency refers to the ability to do so in a cost-effective manner. Organizational strategy refers to the overall plan for achieving goals, and stakeholder profitability relates to the financial outcomes for those invested in the organization. Therefore, the best choice for describing the degree to which an organization achieves its goals is effectiveness.

Question 14

Which of the following emphasize designing and managing organizations on an impersonal, rational basis through such elements as clearly defined authority and responsibility, formal record keeping, and uniform application of standard rules?
A) administrative principles
B) scientific management
C) bureaucracy
D) hierarchy

Accepted Answer

The elements described in the question, such as clearly defined authority and responsibility, formal record keeping, and uniform application of standard rules, are all key aspects of bureaucracy, which emphasizes designing and managing organizations on an impersonal, rational basis. Administrative principles and scientific management are related but somewhat distinct approaches to organizational management, while hierarchy is a general term referring to the structured, ranked organization of individuals or groups within an organization. Therefore, only choice C, bureaucracy, fully fits the description provided in the question.

Question 15

Which of the following integrates diverse organizational activities by looking at various constituents and what they want from the organization?
A) contextual dimensions
B) organizational culture
C) efficiency
D) stakeholder approach

Accepted Answer

The stakeholder approach integrates diverse organizational activities by looking at various constituents, such as employees, customers, and shareholders, and what they want from the organization. This approach recognizes that the organization does not operate in isolation but is interconnected with various stakeholders and their needs and interests should be considered and balanced. The other options (contextual dimensions, organizational culture, and efficiency) do not specifically address the integration of diverse organizational activities and stakeholders.

Question 16

A closed system would be autonomous, enclosed, and sealed off from the outside world, whereas an open system consumes resources and exports resources to the environment.

Accepted Answer

A closed system is self-contained and does not exchange matter or energy with its surroundings, while an open system interacts with and exchanges matter and energy with its environment.

Question 17

In a learning organization, what is used to encourage openness, equality, continuous improvement, and change?
A) empowerment
B) the culture
C) strategy
D) the structure

Accepted Answer

The culture of a learning organization is used to encourage openness, equality, continuous improvement, and change. It sets the tone for how individuals interact with each other and the organization as a whole. A culture that empowers employees and encourages learning and growth is essential for a learning organization to thrive. While strategy and structure are important components, they alone cannot create a culture of learning and improvement.

Question 18

Which statement best describes contextual and structural dimensions?
A) They represent only the external environment.
B) They are centralization and personnel ratios.
C) They represent only the organizational characteristics.
D) They provide a basis for the measurement and analysis of characteristics that cannot be seen by the casual observer.

Accepted Answer

Contextual and structural dimensions are organizational characteristics that provide a basis for measurement and analysis beyond what can be observed by a casual observer. They include factors such as organizational culture, communication channels, leadership style, decision-making processes, and organizational structure. They go beyond external environmental factors and include internal organizational characteristics. Therefore, option D is the correct choice as it accurately represents the dimensions.

Question 19

Which statement best describes organizational behaviour?
A) It is a micro approach to organizations, focusing on individuals
B) It focuses on the whole organization as a unit of analysis
C) It is an "umbrella" that encompasses the study of organizational theory.
D) It is a subset of organizational theory.

Accepted Answer

Organizational behaviour is a micro approach that focuses on understanding individual and group behavior within organizations.

Question 20

What did scientific management, pioneered by Frederick Taylor, claim decisions about organizations and job design should be based on?
A) scientific procedures after careful study of individual situations
B) insights of practitioners
C) leadership, motivation, and human resource management
D) management theory

Accepted Answer

Scientific management asserted that decisions regarding organizations and job design should be based on scientific procedures after careful study of individual situations. Taylor's approach focused on analyzing work processes, finding the most efficient methods, and breaking down tasks into smaller components to increase productivity.

Quiz 1: Organizations and Organizational Theory

Which of the following refers to how the organization actually produces the products and services it provides for customers and includes flexible manufacturing, advanced information systems, and the Internet?

Which statement best characterizes scientific management?

Which statement best describes organizational behaviour?

Which of the following refer(s) to the deployment of people to various functions and departments?

According to the textbook, what does the term contingency refer to?

In today's world, which of the following do savvy managers recognize?

Interpretations of which of the following concluded that positive treatment of employees improved their motivation and productivity?

John Black, a management consultant, successfully implemented an MBO program on his first consulting job. He now recommends MBO to all his clients. In so doing, what aspect of organizational design would the textbook say he is ignoring?

At what level is the primary level of analysis in organizational theory done?

Which statement best describes the learning organization?

Which of the following is a contextual, rather than a structural, dimension of an organization?

What is demonstrated in the comparison of EllisDon and Tim Hortons in the textbook's "In Practice" activity?

Which of the following describes the degree to which an organization achieves its goals?

Which of the following emphasize designing and managing organizations on an impersonal, rational basis through such elements as clearly defined authority and responsibility, formal record keeping, and uniform application of standard rules?

Which of the following integrates diverse organizational activities by looking at various constituents and what they want from the organization?

A closed system would be autonomous, enclosed, and sealed off from the outside world, whereas an open system consumes resources and exports resources to the environment.

In a learning organization, what is used to encourage openness, equality, continuous improvement, and change?

Which statement best describes contextual and structural dimensions?

Which statement best describes organizational behaviour?

What did scientific management, pioneered by Frederick Taylor, claim decisions about organizations and job design should be based on?