L2

Question 1

Why Burton et al think OD is important?

Answer 1

Because there are challanges to organizations: globalization, competition, deregulation, etc.
and the organization needs to adapt to the environment demands

Question 2

Why attention for design?

Answer 2

30% of variation in org. performance can be attributed to aspects of organizational design

Question 3

OD is often based on “rather old” theoretical work by

Answer 3

Burns & Stalker
Galbraith
Mintzberg
Morgan, etc..

Question 4

OD according to Burton et al. involves the challange on:

Answer 4

1) How to partition a big task into more smaller tasks
2) How to coordinate these smaller tasks in a way that they fit together in an efficient way to realize the organization’s goals

Question 5

There is a need for what kind of perspective

Answer 5

integral

Question 6

how is the fit approach also called

Answer 6

multi-contingency approach

Question 7

Choices for the inside of the 5 aspects should …

Answer 7

relate to characteristics of the environment

Question 8

choices in 1 aspect of the model …

Answer 8

have consequences for the other aspects

Misfit has consequences for the firm’s performance

Question 9

What happens often in business environment in relation to “fit”

Answer 9

• > adaptation of organization to environment is often only adressed at the individual level (e.g. training)
• > strategy changes not translated to other design implications

Question 10

What does the 5 aspects influence

Answer 10

the information processing within the organization

Question 11

information processing approach (based on Galbraith)

Answer 11

1) An organization uses information to coordinate and control its activities
2) by processing information. the org sees what is happening, analyzes problems and makes choices on what to do
3) the more uncertain the org environment, the more information needs to be processed within the org, but the quicker a response has to be (paradox)

Question 12

when org operate in a predictable environment..

Answer 12

no much information sharing needed, no quick response needed, tasks can be standardized and control can be hierarchical

Question 13

when org operate in a dynamic environment

Answer 13

much information sharing is needed, quick responses, less standardization, more autonomy at the operating level, requires different structure and coordination

Question 14

How to deal with uncertain environment

Answer 14

1) reduce the need for information processing (by forming units that can operate relatively autonomously)
2) increase the capacity to process information (by implementing information management systems)

Question 15

whats the first step in od

Answer 15

assessing the scope of the org and its goals

Question 16

scope influences

Answer 16

the degree to which it encounters uncertainties to a great extent

Question 17

goals according to Burton et al

Answer 17

can be defines along efficiency and effectivity

Question 18

effectivity

Answer 18

related to outputs, products, services and revenue (relates to env demands)

Question 19

efficiency

Answer 19

related to inputs, use of resources in the primary process and costs

Question 20

4 quadrants of org goals

Answer 20

A: Relatively low emphasis on both efficiency and effectiveness - start up/monopoly

B: low effectiveness, high efficiency - low cost “cash cows”, stable env

C: low efficiency, high effectiveness - change products constantly, high prices, org in a dynamic env

D: - high on both - both product innovations and low costs

Question 21

the way org scores on the effectivity and efficiency quadrants determines ..

Answer 21

the need for information sharing

Question 22

ambidexterity

Answer 22

aimed at both exploration and explotation; and at integrating efficiency (internal) and effectiveness (external) goals

Question 23

structural components of OD include

Answer 23

goals, strategy, structure

Question 24

human components of OD include

Answer 24

work processes, people, coordination and control, and incentive mechanisms

Question 25

what issues may suggest the org to be designed bottom-up

Answer 25

political and implementation issues

Question 26

Misfits

Answer 26

misalignments within the OD components that can lea to deterioration in the firm’s efficiency and effectiveness

they are the starting point for the implementation of change

Question 27

goal attainment is more likely to be achieved if

Answer 27

the org changes in response to design misfits rather than waiting for financial or other performance problems to arise

Question 28

ways to reduce the need for information processing

Answer 28

increading slack resources, creating two self-contained single-product divisions that dont need to communicate in order to meet their customers needs

Question 29

ways to increase the capacity

Answer 29

investing in a vertical information system, upgrading the skills of the workforce, hiring more educated people
with broader abilities, using mobile communication devices, or holding
face-to-face meetings

Question 30

equifinality

Answer 30

for a given situation there may be more than one feasible design option from which to choose

Question 31

efficiency can be related to

Answer 31

first-order learning which is routine, incremental conservative process that serves to maintain stable relations and sustainable existing rules

Question 32

effectiveness can be related to

Answer 32

second-order learning where existing rules are modified and new knowledge in the organization has to be facilitated

Question 33

information requirements are greater if the primary goal is

Answer 33

effectiveness

Question 34

which quadrant should be avoided in the long term

Answer 34

A