Question 1

Blau and Scott have identified different types of formal organizations. According to Blau and Scott, a police department is a:

Accepted Answer

Blau and Scott classify a police department as a commonweal organization because it is a type of formal organization that exists to provide a service to the general public, rather than to benefit its members.

Question 2

Scientific management is properly associated with:

Accepted Answer

Scientific management, which focuses on improving economic efficiency and labor productivity through systematic study and analysis of work methods, is most closely associated with Frederick W. Taylor. He is known as the father of scientific management.

Question 3

The three stems of traditional organizational theory are:

Accepted Answer

The three stems of traditional organizational theory are scientific management, which focuses on efficiency and productivity; bureaucratic model, which emphasizes a hierarchical structure and clear rules; and administrative theory, which deals with the broader aspects of organization management, including planning, commanding, coordinating, and controlling.

Question 4

Immaturity-maturity theory was developed by:

Accepted Answer

Immaturity-maturity theory was developed by Chris Argyris. This theory suggests that as people grow older, they move from a state of immaturity to a state of maturity, seeking more autonomy and responsibility in their work and personal lives.

Question 5

Theory X - Theory Y was developed by:

Accepted Answer

Theory X and Theory Y were developed by Douglas McGregor. These theories describe two contrasting models of workforce motivation applied by managers in organizational behavior, management, and human resource management. Theory X assumes that employees are naturally unmotivated and dislike work, while Theory Y assumes that employees are self-motivated, and thrive on responsibility.

Question 6

Which of the following underpins traditional organizational theory?

Accepted Answer

Traditional organizational theory is often associated with Theory X, which assumes that employees are inherently lazy and will avoid work if they can, necessitating close supervision and control.

Question 7

Motivational-hygiene theory was formulated by:

Accepted Answer

Motivational-hygiene theory, also known as the two-factor theory, was formulated by Frederick Herzberg.

Question 8

Weber's three types of authority are:

Accepted Answer

Max Weber identified three distinct forms of authority in his sociological works: rational-legal, traditional, and charismatic. These categories describe the basis of an individual's or entity's ability to exert influence or control over others. Rational-legal authority is based on established laws and procedures, traditional authority stems from long-standing customs and practices, and charismatic authority arises from an individual's personal qualities and leadership.

Question 9

The most familiar and enduring acronym of administration was coined by:

Accepted Answer

Luther Gulick is credited with coining the most familiar and enduring acronym of administration, POSDCORB, which stands for Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting, and Budgeting.

Question 10

The first "O" in POSDCORB stands for:

Accepted Answer

The first "O" in POSDCORB stands for "Organizing." POSDCORB is an acronym representing the classic functions of management: Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting, and Budgeting.

Question 11

The human relations school:

Accepted Answer

The human relations school is associated with Elton Mayo's research, which emphasized the importance of social relations in the workplace. It developed as a response to the limitations of the traditional, mechanistic views of organizational management, and it indeed views organizations as social systems where interpersonal relationships are crucial.

Question 12

Open systems cannot absorb all informational and other inputs. Excesses' of inputs would overwhelm them. Therefore, open systems have what selective mechanism that filters out some potential inputs and attunes them to important signals from the environment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Open systems cannot absorb all informational and...

Question 13

According to chaos theory, when natural disasters strike, small helpful actions taken everywhere produce the:

Accepted Answer

The Butterfly Effect is a concept within chaos theory which suggests that small causes can have larger effects, such as a butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil causing a tornado in Texas. This concept metaphorically applies to the idea that small helpful actions can lead to significant positive outcomes in the context of natural disasters.

Question 14

What are the two sources of pressure for police departments?

Accepted Answer

External democratic control refers to the pressure from the public, government, and legal system, while internal control involves the department's own regulations, standards, and culture.

Question 15

With regard to authority, the concept that people are responsible for directing certain tasks, despite the fact that this means the authority of the supervisor might cut across organizational lines, is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Functional supervision refers to the concept where individuals are given the responsibility to direct specific tasks, which may involve authority that crosses traditional organizational boundaries. This approach allows for specialized supervision in areas where specific expertise is required, regardless of the usual hierarchical structure.

Question 16

Police officers working in the field, meeting with members of the public, and using their discretion on how to implement public policy are acting as:

Accepted Answer

Street-level bureaucrats are government officials who interact directly with the public and have substantial discretion in the execution of their duties, including police officers.

Question 17

Which group of individuals called for a softening or elimination of many features of the pure bureaucratic model?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which group of individuals called for a...

Question 18

Which of Maslow's needs level is thought to be essential as the most basic human need?

Accepted Answer

Physiological needs are considered the most basic human needs according to Maslow's hierarchy, including essentials such as food, water, and shelter.

Question 19

What is the name of the decision-making tool developed by Lewin and often used by behavior systems theorists?

Accepted Answer

Force-field analysis is a decision-making tool developed by Kurt Lewin, which is used to analyze the forces for and against a change to identify which factors can be modified to influence a change.

Question 20

Which of the following is characteristic of an open system?

Accepted Answer

All of the options listed are characteristics of an open system. Open systems recognize everything beyond their boundary as part of their environment, tend to become more complex and specialized over time, and often evolve into double-loop learning organizations to adapt effectively to changes.

Quiz 5: Organizational Theory and the Leader