Strategy - Week 1

Question 1

the challenge of human relations

Answer 1

the realization that organizations were not just a machine full of cogs, but a group of human beings

• these people needed incentives to be motivated for working

Question 2

Mechanistic vs Organic organizations ***

Answer 2

Compares two types of organizations:

one that focuses on maximizing task efficiency, while the other focuses on motivation and commitment

Question 3

Weber’s theory of modern bureaucracy: What were the 3 distinct characteristics?

Answer 3

Structure
Technocracy
Accountability

Question 4

Define structure in the context of Weber’s theory

Answer 4

well defined hierarchies, where people asserted power based on their position rather than charisma

Question 5

Define technocracy in the context of Weber’s theory

Answer 5

Roles as full-time jobs, allocated by qualification and merit

Question 6

Define accountability in the context of Weber’s theory

Answer 6

A central role for organizational record keeping

Question 7

what is the debate behind Bureaucracy?

Answer 7

one one hand it can maximize efficiency and push new limits

while also it can dehumanize people and make them feel insignificant

Question 8

define mechanistic organizations

Answer 8

centralized decision making, defined responsibilities, and formal rules of control; maximizes efficiency

Question 9

define organic organizations

Answer 9

distributed decision making, fluid responsibilities, more social forms of control; emphasis on people and culture

Question 10

What organizations are more effective in TURBULENT environments

Answer 10

organic, because they can adapt and change easier

Question 11

What organizations are more effective in STABLE environments

Answer 11

mechanistic, because they’re more resilient and process oriented

Question 12

configurational theories

Answer 12

success comes from the combination of characteristics

each department of the business needs to be operating in sync for each respective structure to work

Question 13

contingency theories

Answer 13

the impact of structure is dependent on the fit and task environment

Question 14

divisional organization vs functional

Answer 14

a divisional organization hires/organizes employees based on product lines, countries, etc

while functional organizations segment their employees based on the function of work they’re performing like accounting in the accounting dept.

Question 15

define boundary spanning in an organization

Answer 15

how much employees interact with others in different depts. or hierarchies

“a low boundary spanning organization has minimal communication b/w jr’s and sr’s