Chapter 3 (1&2)

Question 1

What is organisational structure?

Answer 1

Organisational structure is formed by the grouping of people into departments and the allocation of responsibility and authority.

Question 2

Why is organisational structure important?

Answer 2

Link individuals
Allocate tasks to suitable individuals or groups,
Grant authority to individuals or groups to perform tasks
Coordinate objectives and activities across groups
Facilitate the flow of work, information, and resources through the business

Question 3

What are Mintzberg’s building blocks of organisational structure?

Answer 3

Strategic Apex, Middle Line, Operating Core, Technostructure, Support Staff, and Ideology.

Question 4

What is the role of the Strategic Apex?

Answer 4

It ensures the organisation follows its mission and manages its relationship with the environment.

Question 5

What is the function of the Middle Line?

Answer 5

It connects the Strategic Apex with the Operating Core and ensures the goals set by the top management are implemented.

Question 6

What does the Operating Core do?

Answer 6

It includes people directly involved in the process of obtaining inputs and converting them into outputs.

Question 7

What role does the Technostructure play?

Answer 7

Analysts determine and standardise work processes and techniques.
Planners standardise outputs
Personnel analyst standardise skills

Question 8

What is the function of the Support Staff?

Answer 8

Support staff provide indirect services such as Public Relations, legal counsel, and cafeteria services that support the Operating Core.(not involved in operations or plan)

Question 9

What is the role of Ideology in an organisation?

Answer 9

Ideology represents the values, beliefs, and traditions that unite the organisation.

Question 10

What are examples of modern organisational structures?

Answer 10

Multi-skilled teams, project or task-force teams, and virtual organisations.

Question 11

How do Agile Structures impact an organisation?

Answer 11

They promote flexibility, rapid response to change, and often involve cross-functional teams.

Question 12

What are Virtual and Networked Structures?

Answer 12

Virtual organisations operate digitally without a physical presence, while networked organisations collaborate through interconnected networks.

Question 13

What are Mintzberg’s coordinating mechanisms?

Answer 13

Direct Supervision, Standardisation of Work Processes, Standardisation of Skills, Standardisation of Outputs, and Mutual Adjustment.

Question 14

What is Direct Supervision in Mintzberg’s model?

Answer 14

It involves direct orders from a superior to a subordinate to ensure tasks are completed.

Question 15

What is Standardisation of Work Processes?

Answer 15

It involves setting standard operating procedures that employees follow.

Question 16

What is Standardisation of Skills?

Answer 16

It involves training workers to have particular skills or qualifications.

Question 17

What is Standardisation of Outputs?

Answer 17

It involves setting specific goals or targets for outputs that must be met.

Question 18

What is Mutual Adjustment in organisational coordination?

Answer 18

It involves coordination through informal communication and self-government among workers.

Question 19

What are the levels in a management hierarchy?

Answer 19

Top Managers, Middle Managers, First-Line Managers, and Direct Operational Staff.

Question 20

What role do Top Managers play in an organisation?

Answer 20

They are few in number and responsible for overall direction and performance.

Question 21

What is the responsibility of Middle Managers?

Answer 21

They ensure performance targets are met by first-line managers.

Question 22

What is the role of First-Line Managers?

Answer 22

They manage staff and ensure direct operational tasks are completed.

Question 23

What do Direct Operational Staff do?

Answer 23

They are numerous and responsible for doing the actual work required to get the job done.

Question 24

What are the characteristics of a management hierarchy?

Answer 24

Authority, Responsibility, Accountability, and Delegation.

Question 25

What does ‘Authority’ mean in the context of management hierarchy?

Answer 25

Authority refers to the power to make decisions and give orders within the organisation.

Question 26

What is Responsibility in a management hierarchy?

Answer 26

Responsibility is the duty to carry out tasks assigned by superiors.

Question 27

What is Accountability in a management hierarchy?

Answer 27

Accountability is being answerable for the outcomes of tasks and decisions.

Question 28

What is Delegation in management?

Answer 28

Delegation is the process of transferring responsibility and authority to subordinates.

Question 29

What does Span of Control refer to?

Answer 29

Span of Control refers to the number of subordinates that a manager directly oversees.

Question 30

What is Unity of Command?

Answer 30

Unity of Command is the principle that each employee should have one and only one boss.

Question 31

What is the Scalar Chain?

Answer 31

The Scalar Chain is the clear line of authority from the top of the organisation to the bottom.

Question 32

How do formal and informal communication differ in an organisation?

Answer 32

Formal communication follows official channels, while informal communication is more casual and may occur outside formal structures.

Question 33

What methods are used to communicate organisational structure?

Answer 33

Organisation charts and job descriptions are common methods.

Question 34

What are the advantages and disadvantages of an Organisation Chart?

Answer 34

Advantages: Provides at-a-glance information, highlights formal relationships. Disadvantages: May require frequent updating, informal relationships not shown.

Question 35

What is the purpose of Job Descriptions?

Answer 35

Job Descriptions include responsibilities, authority, and work involved in a specific role.

Question 36

How does communication impact organisational efficiency?

Answer 36

Clear communication improves efficiency and decision-making, while miscommunication can lead to delays and confusion.