16 Questions
Which type of organizational design is characterized by high specialization, rigid departmentalization, narrow span of control, and high formalization?
Mechanistic organization
What is a characteristic of an organic organization?
Cross-functional teams
Which contingency factor affects organizational design based on the given text?
Strategy and Structure
What does the mechanistic organization have that the organic organization does not?
Narrow spans of control
Which factor characterizes an organic organization's structure?
Wide spans of control
What feature is characteristic of a mechanistic organization's structure?
High formalization
Which type of organization structure relies heavily on rules, regulations, and standardized tasks?
Mechanistic organization
What type of organization structure might have specialized jobs that are not standardized and can change as needs require?
Organic organization
In which type of organization structure is work frequently organized around employee teams?
Organic organization
Which of the following is a contingency factor that affects organizational design?
Size and structure
What type of technology is associated with mechanistic organizations?
Routine technology
How does an organization's structure tend to change as it grows larger?
It changes from organic to mechanistic
Which type of organization structure works best for companies that want to tightly control costs?
Mechanistic organization
What is emphasized in an organic organization?
'Flexibility and free flowing information'
At what point does size have less influence on an organization's structure?
~2,000 employees
For what type of technology does an organization adapt its structure?
'Non-routine technology'
Study Notes
Organizational Design
- Mechanistic organization: characterized by high specialization, rigid departmentalization, narrow span of control, and high formalization.
- Organic organization: characteristic is adaptation to changing circumstances.
Contingency Factors
- Size: affects organizational design, but has less influence at the point of stability and maturity.
- Technology: affects organizational design, with mechanistic organizations associated with routine and repetitive tasks, and organic organizations adapting to non-routine and complex tasks.
Organizational Structure
- Mechanistic organization: has a rigid structure, relies heavily on rules, regulations, and standardized tasks, and has specialized jobs that are standardized.
- Organic organization: has a flexible structure, may have specialized jobs that are not standardized and can change as needs require, and work is frequently organized around employee teams.
- Size and growth: an organization's structure tends to change as it grows larger, with smaller organizations often having a more organic structure and larger organizations having a more mechanistic structure.
- Cost control: mechanistic organization structure works best for companies that want to tightly control costs.
- Emphasis: in an organic organization, flexibility and adaptability are emphasized.
Technology and Structure
- Mechanistic organization: associated with routine and repetitive tasks, and relies heavily on rules, regulations, and standardized tasks.
- Organic organization: adapts its structure to non-routine and complex tasks.
Test your understanding of the mechanistic and organic models of organizational design as well as the contingency factors affecting organizational design with this quiz based on Chapter 10 of Management by Robbins and Coulter, taught by Dr. Dina Abou-Bakr. Explore the relationship between strategy, size, technology, and the environment with organizational structure and design.
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