Chapter 9 Flashcards
What is a mechanistic organization?
a form of organization that seeks to maximize internal efficiency
What is an organic structure?
an organizational form that emphasizes flexibility
How do you organize around core competencies?
- indentifying existing core competencies
- acquire or build core competencies that will be important for the future
- keep investing in competencies so that the firm remains world class and better than competitors
- extend competencies to find new applications and opportunities for the markets of tomorrow
What are strategic alliances?
formal relationship created among independent organizations with the purpose of joint pursuit of mutual goals
What is a high-involvement organization?
a type of organization in which top management ensures that there is consensus about the direciton in which the business is heading
What does a larger size help create and develop?
- larger size helps create economies of scale
- larger size helps develop economies of scope
What can smaller organizations do that larger organizations cannot?
- move faster
- inspire greater involvement from their people
What is downsizing and rightsizing?
- downsizing: the planned elimination of positions or jobs
- rightsizing: a successful effort to achieve an appropriate size at which the company performs most effectively
What is survior’s syndrome?
loss of productivity and morale in employees who remain after a downsizing
What is customer relationship management (CRM)?
a multifaceted process focusing on creating two-way exchanges with customers to foster intimate knowledge of their needs, wants, and buying patterns
What is a value chain?
the sequuence of activities that flow from raw materials to the delivery of a good or service, with additional value created at each step
What is mass customization?
the production of varied, individually customized products at the low cost of standardized, mass-produced products
What is lean manufacturing?
an operation that strives to achieve the highest possible productivity and total quality, cost effectively, by eliminating unnecessary steps in the production process and continually striving for improvement
What are flexible factories?
manufacturing plants that have short production runs, are organized around products, and use decentralized scheduling
