59 Questions
Which of the following is NOT one of the five organizational structures discussed by Mintzberg?
The Complex Structure
What is the main focus of 'Designing Effective Organizations' by Henry Mintzberg?
Reviewing the essence of organizational design and structure
What is the purpose of Mintzberg's book according to the text?
To offer a distilled and concise interpretation of collaboration mechanisms
What did Mintzberg survey to write his book according to the text?
Literature on organizational design and structure
How does Mintzberg's work differ from much of the other work available in the field according to the text?
It is more comprehensible and written specifically for practitioners
What are among Mintzberg's most famous findings according to the text?
The Five Organizational Structures
What is the primary concern of organizational structuring according to Mintzberg?
Maximizing the organization's return on investment
What is the role of the Support Staff in an organization according to Mintzberg's classification?
Ensuring optimal settings for the rest of the organization
What distinguishes horizontal job specialization from vertical job specialization according to Mintzberg?
The number of tasks assigned to an organizational position
According to Mintzberg, what is the purpose of the Technostructure within an organization?
Defining techniques and tools for the operating core
What does Mintzberg mention about fitting into a distinct structural model in real organizations?
Few real organizations fit into a distinct structural model
What is the role of the Middle Line in an organization as per Mintzberg's classification?
Managing the unit and delivering performance feedback
According to Mintzberg, what is mutual adjustment in organizational coordination based on?
Communication between peers
What did Mintzberg note about dependent or independent variables in a system?
'Everything depends on something else' in a system
According to Mintzberg, what is the purpose of the Strategic Apex within an organization?
'Conceiving visions and strategic goals'
How does Mintzberg define job enlargement and job enrichment?
Job enlargement happens when an employee simply is assigned more tasks, whereas job enrichment happens when an employee is given more control over tasks.
What distinguishes horizontal job specialization from vertical job specialization according to Mintzberg?
Horizontal job specialization defines the breadth of tasks assigned to an organizational position, while vertical job specialization occurs at higher levels in the organization.
What is the term used to describe the solution of distributing power due to human limitations with grasping complexity and vastness?
Decentralization
In what way can decentralization become depending on the degree of implementation?
Vertical or horizontal
When does horizontal decentralization occur?
When power is shifted from managers to non-managers
What does selective decentralization refer to?
Power over different kinds of decisions resting in different parts of the organization
In which situation does a highly regulated technical system lead to a more decentralized organization?
Sophisticated and difficult to understand technical system
What does Mintzberg cite as influencing the span of control and how the organization is grouped?
Technical system
What factor influences how power is enforced in the organization?
External control
What is the coordinating mechanism in the Divisionalized Form configuration?
Standardization of outputs
Why does an organization adopt the Divisionalized Form configuration?
To diversify its market presence
According to Mintzberg, what does loose coupling in the Divisionalized Form lead to?
Increased vulnerability
What is a potential downside of the performance control system in the Divisionalized Form?
Disregards softer social issues
What type of organizational structure is suitable for dynamic environments with complex problems?
Adhocracy
What coordinating mechanism is favored in an Adhocracy organizational structure?
Mutual adjustment
In an Adhocracy, what is crucial to ensuring the optimal solution for complex problems?
Information flow
What characteristic sets the Operating Adhocracy apart from the Administrative Adhocracy?
Client-based problem solving
How does the Administrative Adhocracy differ from the Operating Adhocracy in terms of organizing its operating core?
"It keeps a sharp distinction between operating core and administrative component"
What role does the strategic apex play in running an Adhocracy?
Ensures a setting that nurtures creativity and innovation
What does Mintzberg argue regarding innovation in an Adhocracy?
Avoid any use of standardization for coordination to nurture creativity and innovation
Which organizational structure is primarily recognized by the foundation of routine it imposes on its work processes?
Machine Bureaucracy
What is the main power center in the Machine Bureaucracy organizational structure?
Strategic apex
Which configuration allows standardization and decentralization to coexist?
Professional Bureaucracy
In which organizational structure does each division have a tendency to approach the Machine Bureaucracy as time goes by?
Divisionalized Form
What is the characteristic that makes the Machine Bureaucracy strong but also its Achilles heel?
All of the above
What is the main power source for the Technostructure in the Machine Bureaucracy?
Operating core
What happens when the work performed by the operating core becomes so complex that only the workers themselves fully understand its contents?
Professional Bureaucracy gains more control
What is one of the problems faced by Professional Bureaucracies due to their high reliance on professionals?
Incompetent or uncooperative employees
What role does the middle line manager play in the Machine Bureaucracy?
Handling disturbances in the operating core
What is a characteristic of the environment in which Professional Bureaucracies operate?
Stable and complex
What is a key organizational part in the Professional Bureaucracy?
Operating core
Which organizational structure is concerned with handling disturbances in its structure and ensuring the right resources for professionals?
Professional Bureaucracy
Which parameter refers to the regulation of how employees are expected to behave within the organization?
Training and indoctrination
What coordination mechanism is extensively used by bureaucracies?
Standardization
What is the primary purpose of performance control systems?
To measure and motivate
Which parameter involves the process of structuring and distributing manpower and skills available within the organization?
Superstructure design parameters
What is the primary purpose of action planning?
To predetermine specific decisions and actions for the outputs
Which grouping emphasizes knowledge, skill, process, and function?
Grouping by work processes and function
"The less formalized an organization is, the more ___ it is said to be." Fill in the blank.
Organic
"Bureaucracies use formalization extensively as their main ___ mechanism." Fill in the blank.
Control
What is the purpose of liaison devices?
To provide connections between different parts and units within the organization
What does planning and control systems measure and evaluate?
The organizational system, its outputs, and processes
Besides the choice of how to organize unit grouping, what is also an important consideration?
The unit size related to the used coordination mechanism
What does Mintzberg argue is necessary to consider besides the organizational superstructure?
Quality, stability, and consistency within the organization
Explore the concept of decentralization in organizations and its impact on various aspects. Learn about horizontal and vertical power distribution and its significance for organizational structure.
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