Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which type of organizational design is characterized by high specialization, rigid departmentalization, narrow span of control, and high formalization?
Which type of organizational design is characterized by high specialization, rigid departmentalization, narrow span of control, and high formalization?
- Clear chain of command
- Cross-functional teams
- Decentralization
- Mechanistic organization (correct)
What is a characteristic of an organic organization?
What is a characteristic of an organic organization?
- Cross-functional teams (correct)
- Rigid departmentalization
- Narrow span of control
- High formalization
Which contingency factor affects organizational design based on the given text?
Which contingency factor affects organizational design based on the given text?
- Centralization
- High specialization
- Rigid departmentalization
- Strategy and Structure (correct)
What does the mechanistic organization have that the organic organization does not?
What does the mechanistic organization have that the organic organization does not?
Which factor characterizes an organic organization's structure?
Which factor characterizes an organic organization's structure?
What feature is characteristic of a mechanistic organization's structure?
What feature is characteristic of a mechanistic organization's structure?
Which type of organization structure relies heavily on rules, regulations, and standardized tasks?
Which type of organization structure relies heavily on rules, regulations, and standardized tasks?
What type of organization structure might have specialized jobs that are not standardized and can change as needs require?
What type of organization structure might have specialized jobs that are not standardized and can change as needs require?
In which type of organization structure is work frequently organized around employee teams?
In which type of organization structure is work frequently organized around employee teams?
Which of the following is a contingency factor that affects organizational design?
Which of the following is a contingency factor that affects organizational design?
What type of technology is associated with mechanistic organizations?
What type of technology is associated with mechanistic organizations?
How does an organization's structure tend to change as it grows larger?
How does an organization's structure tend to change as it grows larger?
Which type of organization structure works best for companies that want to tightly control costs?
Which type of organization structure works best for companies that want to tightly control costs?
What is emphasized in an organic organization?
What is emphasized in an organic organization?
At what point does size have less influence on an organization's structure?
At what point does size have less influence on an organization's structure?
For what type of technology does an organization adapt its structure?
For what type of technology does an organization adapt its structure?
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.
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Description
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.
