intro to org

Question 1

what is organisational design

Answer 1

Org design is the process managers go through to create meaningful structures, decisions and information networks. According to Mohram & Cummings (1989)

Question 2

forces leading to changes in org design

Answer 2

Global competition & change require rapid responses, Technological advancements, Pressure to cut back on staff costs

Question 3

4 aspects of classical theories

Answer 3

Specialism
Hierarchy
Formalisation
Impersonality

Question 4

What is specialism

Answer 4

Jobs narrowly defined, in the bureaucracy each office has a clearly defined sphere of influence or set of tasks.

Question 5

What is Hierarchy

Answer 5

Vertical Systems of Management, clear chain of command from the top to the bottom of the organisation. Lower levels are under the control & supervision of higher offices.

Question 6

What is formalisation

Answer 6

Tightly prescribed Systems of Rules; how many rules and systems exits.

Question 7

What is impersonality

Answer 7

Detached interpersonal relationships reliant on formal rules and procedure.

Question 8

Critique of Weber

Answer 8

Unreal account of how people react, A narrow and restricted experience, Restricts psychological growth. some element of bureaucracy exists in most org’s eg always some hierarchy.

Question 9

(Fayol) Scalar chain

Answer 9

is the formal line of authority which moves from highest to lowest rank in a straight line. This chain specifies the route through which the information is to be communicated to the desired location/person.

Question 10

What is the Gang Plank

Answer 10

Two executives of the organization of different department at the same level can communicate directly in case of emergency, so that speedy decisions and actions could be taken

Question 11

What is the operating core

Answer 11

These are the people that do the basic work of producing the products or delivering the services. In the simplest organizations, the operators are largely self-sufficient, coordinating through mutual adjustment.

Question 12

What is the apex

Answer 12

The apex is charged with ensuring that the organization executes its mission. They are responsible to the owners, government agencies, unions, communities, etc.

Question 13

what did child suggest about size

Answer 13

. As organisations increase in size they tend towards more formalised, centralised and specialised structures (increased bureaucracy)

Question 14

What did Birkinshaw suggest about size

Answer 14

would warn large companies try and minimise the disadvantages of bureaucracy

Question 15

What is Environmental Dynanism

Answer 15

the degree of change needed

Question 16

What are the three core dimensions of formal org. structure

Answer 16

complexity, formalisation and centralisation

Question 17

What is the organic typology

Answer 17

flexible roles, emphasis on technology & innovation, decentralisation, low functional specialisation.

Question 18

What is the mechanistic typology

Answer 18

rigid structure - stable conditions, strict rules & procedures, high functional specialisation, formal authority, unchanging technology, centralised. Companies operating in a stable environment would benefit from maintaining a mechanistic organizational structure, where policies are made that stay the same for a long period of time,

Question 19

Lawrence and Lorsch 1967- Uncertain environments require organisations to

Answer 19

– Increase differentiation of the various parts of the organisation
– Increase integration of the various units to ensure co-ordination

Question 20

What is differentiation

Answer 20

refers to the process of a firm breaking itself up into subunits, each of which concentrates on a particular part of the firm’s environment. Allows staff to respond more effectively to their specific sub-environment. On the other hand however the more differentiated the more different goals may diverge.

Question 21

What is integration

Answer 21

L& L use this term to refer to the need to coordinate the differentiated subsystems in order to accomplish the overall org. task. IE coordination. In example of the university. Need to ensure co-ordination of the various schools/ functions so as to give high quality research, teaching & income generation.

Question 22

Task variety is

Answer 22

large no of unexpected events

Question 23

Task analysability

Answer 23

Degree that unexpected problems can be solved