Decision-Making and Job Design Concepts

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the first step in the decision making process?

Evaluate each alternative

Follow up and evaluate the results

Select the best alternative

Recognize and define the decision situation (correct)

What is the primary purpose of job specialization in an organization?

To ensure all employees perform a variety of tasks

To enhance employee creativity and satisfaction

To reduce the need for management oversight

To break down tasks into components for increased proficiency (correct)

Which of the following best describes an emergent strategy?

A strategy defined only by top management

A clearly defined plan with set objectives

A strategy focused solely on cost reduction

A strategy developed unintentionally without explicit goals (correct)

What role does an inducement play in an organization?

Provides motivation through various benefits Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential disadvantage of extreme job specialization?

Worker boredom and dissatisfaction Signup and view all the answers

In two factor theory, what are hygiene factors associated with?

Pay and job security Signup and view all the answers

What does job enrichment primarily involve?

Increasing employee control and variety in tasks Signup and view all the answers

How can organizations effectively reduce unwanted behavior?

Use of punishment Signup and view all the answers

Which type of change is considered a planned change?

A structured method for reorganizing company departments Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy involves operating multiple businesses that are not logically related?

Unrelated diversification Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of organizational development (OD)?

Emphasis on planned interventions using behavioral science Signup and view all the answers

What is a common reason employees resist change in an organization?

Feelings of loss and uncertainty about the future Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of organizational structure?

Market analysis Signup and view all the answers

Which method can help overcome resistance to change?

Allowing employee participation in the change process Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the range of markets in which an organization competes?

Scope Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of reactive change?

Adjustments made after an unexpected market shift Signup and view all the answers

Which condition of decision-making has the highest risk of leading to poor decisions?

State of uncertainty Signup and view all the answers

What is a key benefit of cross training employees in an organization?

Allows flexibility in staffing and job transfers Signup and view all the answers

What does a product service mix entail for an organization?

The variety and types of products or services offered Signup and view all the answers

Which element is not considered a component of organizational structure?

Market analysis Signup and view all the answers

Job design determines which aspect of an employee's work?

The work-related responsibilities assigned to them Signup and view all the answers

What defines a staff position within an organization's structure?

Assists line positions in their goals but does not have direct authority Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of programmed decisions?

They are structured and recur frequently. Signup and view all the answers

In terms of capacity utilization, which statement is correct?

It refers to the amount produced by an organization relative to its potential production. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Values

Comprehensive evaluation of work activities, material flows, and paperwork.
Determines value added for customers.
Guides behaviors and motivates actions.

Programmed vs Non-Programmed Decisions

Programmed decisions: structured, recurring, frequent.
Non-programmed decisions: unstructured, infrequent.

Decision-Making Conditions

Certainty: decision-maker knows alternatives and associated conditions.
Risk: alternatives have associated probabilities of payoffs and costs.
Uncertainty: alternatives, risks, and consequences are unknown.
- Chance of a bad decision increases with uncertainty.

Cross-Training

Training employees for multiple jobs.
Firms can use fewer workers by transferring them as needed.

Product/Service Mix

Determining the number and types of products/services to offer.
Considering capacity utilization.

Job Design

Determining a person's work-related responsibilities.
First building block of organizational structure.

Organizational Structure

Set of elements used to configure an organization.
Building blocks include: designing jobs, grouping jobs, establishing reporting relationships, distributing authority, coordinating activities, and differentiating positions.

Staff Positions

Last building block of organizational structure.
Provide expertise, advice, and support to line positions.

Job Specialization

Breaking down the overall task into smaller components.
Division of labor.
Increased worker proficiency and reduced transfer time.
Specialized equipment and lower training costs for managers.

Job Enrichment

Alternative to job specialization.
Increases number of tasks and worker control.

Organizational Change

Any meaningful modification to an organization.

Organizational Development (OD)

Planned, organization-wide effort to enhance effectiveness.
Uses behavioral science interventions.
Goal is to improve organizational processes and increase organizational health.
Addresses employees' desire to grow and develop.
Collaborative approach essential.
Involves methods like diagnostic activities, team building, and process consultation.

Resistance to Change

Uncertainty, threatened self-interests, different perceptions, and feelings of loss.
Address with participation and communication.

Labor Relations

Employee voting on unionization.
Management is required to bargain with unions.
Balance between employee and union power.

Employee Evaluation

Ranking compares employees directly.
Rating compares each employee against a standard.

Trademark Law Revision of 1988

One of several federal laws impacting HRM.
This law does affect HR management.

Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act

Forbids employment discrimination based on protected characteristics.
Ensures employment based on qualifications.
Protects equal treatment and reduces bias in HR.

Communication

Various types of communication, including interpersonal, digital, oral, nonverbal, and written.

Power Types

Legitimate: granted through organizational hierarchy.
Reward: ability to give or withhold rewards.
Coercive: force compliance.
Referent: personal power (based on characteristics).
Expert: power based on knowledge.

Communication Process

Encoding, sending, decoding by receiver.

Psychological Contract

Expectations of contributions and inducements (rewards).

Perception Management

Processes where individuals become aware of and interpret environmental information.

Attribution

Mechanism that connects observed behavior to causes.
Based on consensus, consistency, and distinctiveness. (factors that influence attribution).

Management Functions

Planning and decision-making, organizing, leading, and controlling.

Operations Management

Transforming resources into goods or services.
Improving efficiency and competitiveness.

Negotiation

Process where parties reach agreement despite different preferences.

Management Levels

Top managers: strategic planning and direction.
Middle managers: coordinated activities.
First-line managers: oversee day-to-day operations.

Chester Barnard Theory

Acceptance of authority.
Legitimacy of a supervisor's directives based on understanding, perceived ability to comply, and appropriateness.

Administrative Management

Overall organizational management and efficiency.

Theory X and Theory Y

Two contrasting views of employee motivation based on differing assumptions.
Theory X: pessimistic about worker motivation.
Theory Y: optimistic about worker motivation.

Quantitative Management

Use of quantitative techniques (like models and computers) in management.

Gantt Chart

Tool for scheduling and improving worker output.

Board of Directors

Elected by shareholders.
Responsible for overseeing management and aligning organizations goals with investor interests.

Ethics

Standards of behavior that guide managers in their work.
Focuses on the treatment of employees by the organization, treatment of the organization by employees, and treatment of the outside world.

Whistle Blowing

Employee disclosure of unethical conduct.

Organizational Stability

The government's ability to maintain power against factions within the country

Competition

No organization is isolated from the effects of foreign markets and competition.

Infrastructure

Includes schools, hospitals, power plants, railroads, highways, ports, and other systems essential for the economy and business operations.

Scope

Range of markets an organization will serve.

Emergent Strategy

Unplanned strategy that develops over time within an organization.

Decision-Making Process

Recognizing, defining the situation, identifying alternatives, evaluating alternatives, selecting the best alternative, implementing the chosen alternative, and following up.

Inducements

Benefits, status, pay, perks.

Motivation

Energizes and directs behavior.

Two-Factor Theory

Motivation and hygiene factors influence satisfaction and dissatisfaction separately.

Compressed Work Schedule

Working full hours in fewer than the typical number of work days.

Merit Pay

Compensation tied to employee performance. higher contributions lead to higher pay.

Organizational Leadership

Guiding groups toward achievement.
Informal and formal leadership styles.
Roles in leadership.

Group/Team Definition

Two or more people interacting regularly.
Accomplishing something common.

Group Cohesiveness

Extent to which members are loyal and committed to the group.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the essential concepts of decision-making conditions, programmed versus non-programmed decisions, and the importance of job design in organizations. This quiz will guide you through the principles that govern effective organizational behavior and the value of cross-training. Test your understanding of these critical business concepts today!