Terminology
Organizational Charts
Organizational Structure
Random
100

Which of the following is associated with long chains of command, inefficient use of resources, and excessive attention to procedures and rules, as typified by large institutions (e.g. the Department of Justice).

a) Centralized authority

b) C-suite (senior executives, e.g. COO, CEO)

c) Bureaucracy

d) Administration



What is c) Bureaucracy?


Explanation:

Bureaucracy is a loaded term that tends to be associated with organizational inefficiency and excessive procedural protocols, as is often the case with older institutions (especially government offices) not subject to competitive pressures. The other three choices each represent a form of management authority, but do not necessarily imply inefficiency.

100

A graphic representation of an organization's formal structure, including the chain of command, hierarchy, and system of divisions is known as a(n) ______ chart.

What is organizational?


Explanation:

The organizational/hierarchical chart is a visual diagram of the formal lines of authority and structure within an organization.


100

Which of these groups of workers is not a part of Handy's Shamrock organization?


a) Outsourced workers

b) Core staff

c) Flexible workers

d) Senior management


What is d) Senior management


Explanation:

Handy's shamrock organization is composed of three groups of workers: core staff, flexible workers and outsourced workers. Senior management is part of the core staff.


100

Different approaches to structuring an organization can include divisions according to:

a) Name, age, and/or nationality

b) Function, product, and/or region

c) Process, hierarchy, and/or orientation

d) Gender, product, and/or years employed


What is b) Function, product, and/or region


Explanation:

Typical approaches to creating divisions or departments in organisations include product divisions (soft drinks, juices, mineral water for a beverage company), regional divisions (Europe, S. America, N. Africa), and functional divisions (i.e. finance and accounting, marketing, HR, etc.). The other choices may in some cases factor into structural divisions, but none as much as product, function, or region.

200

When a company performs delayering it reduces its ___?

What is chain of command?

(half marks for hierarchies)


Explanation:

The chain of command is the route through which authority is passed down an organization. It can be reduced by delayering.

200

When a company has fluid communication because there are few levels of hierarchy, what type of organizational chart would it have?



What is flat organizational chart?


Explanation:

In flat organizational charts, communication should be better since there are fewer layers of hierarchy. This makes communication faster and easier.

200

If a manager is directly responsible for three workers, his ___ ___ ___ is narrow

What is span of control?


Explanation:

Span of control is the number of subordinates reporting directly to the manager. If this number is small, the span of control is narrow.




200

Which of the following is not an advantage associated with decentralization in an organization?

a) Improved morale in the staff who are empowered

b) Potential for greater collaboration and idea-sharing

c) A feeling of ownership by staff in organizational decisions

d) Reduced chance of mistakes in decision making



What is d) Reduced chance of mistakes in decision making


Explanation:

All of the choices are potential benefits of decentralization in an organization except the reduced chance of mistakes in decision making. With the diffusion of decision-making across the firm, it may become more difficult to track mistakes made by various staff members, and not all employees may have the expertise and competence to make the decisions needed.

300

Which of the following is an advantage of delegation?

a) It shows trust in subordinates, which can motivate them. 

b) It reduces business costs

c) The organisation becomes less bureaucratic

d) It increases spans of control

a) It shows trust in subordinates, which can motivate them


Explanation:

Delegation can motivate and develop employees who feel that they are trusted and that their talents can be recognised.


300

Which of the following is not a feature of the organizational chart?


a) Span of control

b) Bureaucracy

c) Levels of hierarchy

d) Chain of command

What is b) Bureaucracy


Explanation:

Bureaucracy cannot be seen in the organizational chart because it is a system with standardized procedures and rules. Although you can guess if a company is bureaucratic by looking at the organizational chart, it cannot provide that information with certainty.


300

If a company removes all the management from its organisational structure, what strategy is it carrying out?

What is Delayering


Explanation:

Delayering means removing at least one level in the hierarchical structure, without anyone necessarily losing their job. 




300

One of the potential problems associated with delayering in an organization is:

a) Reducing opportunities to empower lower-level employees in the organization

b) Overburdening remaining employees and managers

c) Reducing efficient communication up the chain of command

d) Increasing the overall costs of operation

b) What is Overburdening the remaining employees and managers?

Explanation:

Delayering will have the effect of transferring the duties of those middle-management employees whose jobs were removed to the remaining managers and employees. This can overload them if they must continue their existing duties in addition to new ones. The other options are not the effects of delayering. Delayering reduces costs, increases opportunities to empower remaining staff, and improves communication from top to bottom with fewer layers in the chain of command.

400

Which of the following denotes the extent to which a person is held responsible for oversight of a duty or task?

a) Hierarchy

b) Accountability

c) Delegation

d) Centralization


What is b) accountability


Explanation:

Accountability is the quality or state of being accountable, accepting responsibility or accounting for one's actions. The other choices do not match the definition given.

400

In a ____ organizational chart, the role of each individual will be clear and well-defined, and there is a clearly identifiable chain of command.

What is Hierarchical?


Explanation:

Hierarchical is a type of organizational chart in which power and responsibility are clearly defined and allocated to individuals according to their standing or position in the hierarchy.

400

A ____ manager is the only person directly above an employee on the next hierarchical level.

What is line?


Explanation:

A line manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of people who are directly on the next level down the hierarchy

400

Ignoring cultural differences in business can lead to problems and cause ___ disruptions




What is communication?


Explanation:

Communication breakdown occurs when there are communication problems. One of the main reasons for these problems is when cultural differences are ignored.

500

Define span of control and what are the two types?

What is how many workers are managed by one supervisor, narrow span of control and wide span of control. 

500

Which of the following organizational structures limits opportunities for employee advancement within the company or organization?



What is flat structures?


Explanation:

Flat structures have few layers of management, therefore these offer fewer opportunities for employees to advance to higher ranks of authority. This is in contrast to a tall structure with several layers of hierarchy, where employees can advance towards successively higher levels of senior management.

500


What type of organisational structure has a flexible organisation of employees from different departments temporarily working together on a particular project? 

What is matrix structure/project-based organization?


Explanation:

Matrix structure is a type of project-based organisation that cuts across the department lines of a hierarchical chart and creates project teams made up of people from all departments and divisions.

500

Charles Handy introduced the concept of a Shamrock organization, comprising outsourced workers, peripheral or contingent workers, and a group of full-time professionals crucial to the management and direction of the firm, known as:



What is core workers/employees/management/staff/workers/managers?


Explanation:

Handy saw businesses trending towards a more dynamic model of organizational structure which involved core staff or workers, full-time professionals that could not be replaced in order for the firm to meet its goals and objectives. In addition, Handy identified two other categories of workers: part-time/peripheral or contingent workers, and outsourced workers that could be contracted when needed in order to meet the needs of the firm.