37 Questions
What is the definition of technology?
The combination of skills, knowledge, and abilities used to convert raw materials into goods and services
At what levels does technology exist according to the text?
Individual, departmental, and organizational
What is 'CraKswork' as mentioned in the text?
A technology involving groups of skilled workers interacting closely to produce custom-designed products
What is the primary focus of an organization taking the external resource approach as per the text?
Managing and controlling external stakeholders using technology
What does an organization taking the internal systems approach primarily aim to increase according to the text?
Success of attempts to innovate
According to the text, what are the three levels at which technology exists in an organization?
Individual, functional or departmental, organizational
What is the primary goal of an organization taking the technical approach?
To improve efficiency and reduce costs
According to Joan Woodward, a high technical complexity exists when:
Conversion processes can be programmed in advance and fully automated
What characterizes organizations employing small-batch and unit technology?
Production of a wide range of customized products
What is the main role of employees in organizations employing continuous-process technology?
To manage exceptions in the work process
According to Woodward, what type of structure is associated with mass production technology?
Mechanistic structure
What is task variability according to Charles Perrow?
The number of exceptions encountered while performing a task
What characterizes tasks that are hard to analyze according to Charles Perrow?
High task variability and low task analysability
What is the main control problem facing organizations using continuous-process technology?
Unpredictable events requiring quick, flexible responses
What is the primary reason for organizations trying to increase their use of machines and equipment?
To increase efficiency and predictability of the work process
What did Woodward aim to discover by classifying technologies according to their technical complexity?
Whether an organization's technology affects the design of its structure
What distinguishes large-batch and mass production technology from continuous-process technology?
The level of standardization of tasks
What type of technology has the lowest production costs?
Continuous-process technology
Which type of technology is characterized by low task variability and high task analysability?
Routine manufacturing
What type of technology is characterized by high task variability and low task analysability?
Nonroutine research
According to Perrow, which type of technology requires employees to adapt existing procedures to new situations and find new techniques to handle existing problems?
Cra2swork
In which type of technology is finding a solution relatively easy despite encountering many exceptions?
Engineering production
According to Perrow, what type of organizational structure should an organization move to as tasks become more complex and less routine?
Flat and decentralized structure
Which type of technology is characterized by a work process where input, conversion, and output activities can be performed independently of one another?
Mediating technology
What type of technology is based on reciprocal interdependence, where the activities of all people and all departments fully depend on one another?
Intensive technology
Which type of technology is based on sequential interdependence, requiring input, conversion, and output activities to be performed in series?
Long-linked technology
'The performance of one store doesn’t affect the other, but together all stores determine the performance of the whole organization.' This statement best describes which type of technology?
Mediating technology
What is the primary disadvantage of long-linked technology?
The employees do not become highly skilled and do not develop the ability to improve their skills.
What effect does moving to reciprocal interdependence and intensive technology have on an organization?
Increased coordination and decentralized control allowing departments to cooperate.
What is the primary function of computer-aided design (CAD) in advanced manufacturing technology?
To simplify the design process by allowing components to be designed on a computer screen
What distinguishes computer-aided materials management (CAMM) from traditional materials management?
CAMM allows inputs to be pulled into the conversion process in response to a pull from the output stage while traditional management pushes inputs into the conversion process
What is the primary purpose of just-in-time (JIT) inventory systems in advanced manufacturing technology?
To deliver inputs and components needed for production just as they are needed, neither earlier nor later
What does computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) control in advanced manufacturing technology?
The changeover from one operation to another through computer software
What characterizes flexible manufacturing technology in advanced manufacturing technology?
Allows the production of many kinds of components at little or no extra cost on different machines
What is the primary impact of advanced manufacturing techniques like JIT, CAMM, and CAD on traditional mass production systems?
Increase in task interdependence and technical complexity within production processes
What distinguishes materials technology from computer-aided design (CAD) in advanced manufacturing technology?
Materials technology comprises machinery, equipment, and computers while CAD greatly simplifies the design process
What is the function of computer-aided materials management (CAMM) in advanced manufacturing technology?
To manage the flow of raw materials and component parts into the conversion process
Test your understanding of Perrow's framework for categorizing technology based on task analysability and variability. The quiz covers the characteristics of routine manufacturing, craftswork, engineering production, and nonroutine research.
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