Chapter 4

Question 1

Differentiation

Answer 1

The process by which an organization allocates people and resources to organizational tasks and establishes the task and authority relationships that allow the organization to achieve its goals

Question 2

Division of Labor

Answer 2

The process of establishing and controlling the degree of specialization in the organization

Question 3

Organizational role

Answer 3

The set of task-related behaviors required of a person by his or her position in an organization

Question 4

Authority

Answer 4

The power to hold people accountable for their actions and to make decisions concerning the use of organizational resources

Question 5

Control

Answer 5

The ability to coordinate and motivate people to work in the organization’s interests

Question 6

Function

Answer 6

A subunit composed of a group of people, working together, who possess similar skills or use the same kind of knowledge, tools, or techniques to perform their jobs

Question 7

Division

Answer 7

A subunit that consists of a collection of functions or departments that share responsibility for producing a particular good or service

Question 8

Support functions

Answer 8

Functions that facilitate an organization’s control of its relations with its environment and its stakeholders

Question 9

Production functions

Answer 9

Functions that manage and improve the efficiency of an organization’s conversion process so more value is created

Question 10

Maintenance functions

Answer 10

Functions that enable an organization to keep its departments in operation

Question 11

Adaptive functions

Answer 11

Functions that allow an organization to adjust to changes in the environment

Question 12

Managerial functions

Answer 12

Functions that facilitate the control and coordination of activities within and among departments

Question 13

Hierarchy

Answer 13

A classification of people according to authority and rank

Question 14

Vertical differentiation

Answer 14

The way an organization designs its hierarchy of authority and creates report relationships to link organizational roles and subunits

Question 15

Horizontal differentiation

Answer 15

The way an organization groups organizational tasks into roles and roles into subunits (functions & divisions)

Question 16

Subunit orientation

Answer 16

A tendency to view one’s role in the organization strictly from the perspective of the time frame, goals, and interpersonal orientations of one’s subunit

Question 17

Integration

Answer 17

The process of coordinating various tasks, functions, and divisions so that they work together and not at cross purposes

Question 18

Task force

Answer 18

A temporary committee set up to handle a specific problem

Question 19

Integrating role

Answer 19

A full-time position established specifically to improve communication between divisions

Question 20

Centralized

Answer 20

Organizational setup in which the authority to make important decisions is retained by managers at the top of the hierarchy

Question 21

Decentralized

Answer 21

An organizational setup in which the authority to make important decisions about organizational resources and to initiate new projects is delegated to managers at all levels in the hierarchy

Question 22

Standardization

Answer 22

Conformity to specific models or examples-defined by sets of rules and norms-that are considered proper in a given situation

Question 23

Mutual adjustment

Answer 23

The compromise that emerges when decisions making and coordination are evolutionary processes and people use their judgment rather than standardized rules to address a problem

Question 24

Formalization

Answer 24

The use of written rues and procedures to standardized operations

Question 25

Rules

Answer 25

Formal written statements that specify the appropriate means for reaching desired goals

Question 26

Norms

Answer 26

Standards or styles of behavior that are considered acceptable or typical for a group of people

Question 27

Socialization

Answer 27

The process by which organizational members learn the norms of an organization and internalize these unwritten rules of conduct

Question 28

Mechanistic structures

Answer 28

Structure that are designed to induce people to behave in predictable, accountable ways

Question 29

Organic structures

Answer 29

Structures that promote flexibility, so people initiate change and can adapt quickly to change conditions

Question 30

Contingency approach

Answer 30

A management approach in which that design of an organization’s structure is tailored to the sources of uncertainty facing an organization