question

Organizational process

answer

the collection of activities that transform inputs into outputs that customers value

question

Organizational structure

answer

the vertical and horizontal configuration of departments, authority, and jobs within a company

question

Functional departmentalization

answer

organizing work and workers into separate units responsible for particular business functions or areas of expertise

question

Departmentalization

answer

subdividing work and workers into separate organizational units responsible for completing particular tasks

question

Customer departmentalization

answer

organizing work and workers into separate units responsible for particular kinds of customers

question

Product departmentalization

answer

organizing work and workers into separate units responsible for producing particular products or services

question

Matrix departmentalization

answer

a hybrid organizational structure in which two or more forms of departmentalization, most often product and functional, are used together

question

Geographic departmentalization

answer

organizing work and workers into separate units responsible for doing business in particular geographic areas

question

Complex matrix

answer

a form of matrix departmentalization in which managers in different parts of the matrix report to matrix managers, who help them sort out conflicts and problems

question

Simple matrix

answer

a form of matrix departmentalization in which managers in different parts of the matrix negotiate conflicts and resources

question

Chain of command

answer

the vertical line of authority that clarifies who reports to whom throughout the organization

question

Authority

answer

the right to give commands, take action, and make decisions to achieve organizational objectives

question

Line authority

answer

the right to command immediate subordinates in the chain of command

question

Unity of command

answer

a management principle that workers should report to just one boss

question

Line function

answer

an activity that contributes directly to creating or selling the company's products

question

Staff authority

answer

the right to advise, but not command, others who are not subordinates in the chain of command

question

Delegation of authority

answer

the assignment of direct authority and responsibility to a subordinate to complete tasks for which the manager is normally responsible

question

Staff function

answer

an activity that does not contribute directly to creating or selling the company's products, but instead supports line activities

question

Decentralization

answer

the location of a significant amount of authority in the lower levels of the organization

question

Centralization of authority

answer

the location of most authority at the upper levels of the organization

question

Job design

answer

the number, kind, and variety of tasks that individual workers perform in doing their jobs

question

Standardization

answer

solving problems by consistently applying the same rules, procedures, and processes

question

Job rotation

answer

periodically moving workers from one specialized job to another to give them more variety and the opportunity to use different skills

question

Job specialization

answer

a job composed of a small part of a larger task or process

question

Job enrichment

answer

increasing the number of tasks in a particular job and giving workers the authority and control to make meaningful decisions about their work

question

Job enlargement

answer

increasing the number of different tasks that a worker performs within one particular job

question

Internal motivation

answer

motivation that comes from the job itself rather than from outside rewards

question

Job characteristics model (JCM)

answer

an approach to job redesign that seeks to formulate jobs in ways that motivate workers and lead to positive work outcomes

question

Task identity

answer

the degree to which a job, from beginning to end, requires the completion of a whole and identifiable piece of work

question

Skill variety

answer

the number of different activities performed in a job

question

Autonomy

answer

the degree to which a job gives workers the discretion, freedom, and independence to decide how and when to accomplish the job

question

Task significance

answer

the degree to which a job is perceived to have a substantial impact on others inside or outside the organization

question

Mechanistic organization

answer

an organization characterized by specialized jobs and responsibilities; precisely defined, unchanging roles; and a rigid chain of command based on centralized authority and vertical communication

question

Feedback

answer

the amount of information the job provides to workers about their work performance

question

Intraorganizational process

answer

the collection of activities that take place within an organization to transform inputs into outputs that customers value

question

Organic organization

answer

an organization characterized by broadly defined jobs and responsibility; loosely defined, frequently changing roles; and decentralized authority and horizontal communication based on task knowledge

question

Task interdependence

answer

the extent to which collective action is required to complete an entire piece of work

question

Reengineering

answer

fundamental rethinking and radical redesign of business processes to achieve dramatic improvements in critical measures of performance, such as cost, quality, service, and speed

question

Sequential interdependence

answer

work completed in succession, with one group's or job's outputs becoming the inputs for the next group or job

question

Pooled interdependence

answer

work completed by having each job or department independently contribute to the whole

question

Empowering workers

answer

permanently passing decision-making authority and responsibility from managers to workers by giving them the information and resources they need to make and carry out good decisions

question

Reciprocal interdependence

answer

work completed by different jobs or groups working together in a back-and-forth manner

question

Interorganizational process

answer

a collection of activities that take place among companies to transform inputs into outputs that customers value

question

Empowerment

answer

feelings of intrinsic motivation, in which workers perceive their work to have impact and meaning and perceive themselves to be competent and capable of self-determination

question

Virtual organization

answer

an organization that is part of a network in which many companies share skills, costs, capabilities, markets, and customers to collectively solve customer problems or provide specific products or services

question

Modular organization

answer

an organization that outsources noncore business activities to outside companies, suppliers, specialists, or consultants

question

Cross-training

answer

training team members to do all or most of the jobs performed by the other team members

question

Work team

answer

a small number of people with complementary skills who hold themselves mutually accountable for pursuing a common purpose, achieving performance goals, and improving interdependent work processes

question

Traditional work group

answer

a group composed of two or more people who work together to achieve a shared goal

question

Social loafing

answer

behavior in which team members withhold their efforts and fail to perform their share of the work

question

Semi-autonomous work group

answer

a group that has the authority to make decisions and solve problems related to the major tasks of producing a product or service

question

Employee involvement team

answer

a team that provides advice or makes suggestions to management concerning specific issues

question

Self-designing team

answer

a team that has the characteristics of self-managing teams but also controls team design, work tasks, and team membership

question

Self-managing team

answer

a team that manages and controls all of the major tasks of producing a product or service

question

Virtual team

answer

a team composed of geographically and/or organizationally dispersed coworkers who use telecommunication and information technologies to accomplish an organizational task

question

Cross-functional team

answer

a team composed of employees from different functional areas of the organization

question

Norms

answer

informally agreed-on standards that regulate team behavior

question

Project team

answer

a team created to complete specific, one-time projects or tasks within a limited time

question

Forming

answer

the fi rst stage of team development, in which team members meet each other, form initial impressions, and begin to establish team norms

question

Cohesiveness

answer

the extent to which team members are attracted to a team and motivated to remain in it

question

Norming

answer

the third stage of team development, in which team members begin to settle into their roles, group cohesion grows, and positive team norms develop

question

Storming

answer

the second stage of team development, characterized by conflict and disagreement, in which team members disagree over what the team should do and how it should do it

question

Structural accommodation

answer

the ability to change organizational structures, policies, and practices in order to meet stretch goals

question

Performing

answer

the fourth and final stage of team development, in which performance improves because the team has matured into an effective, fully functioning team

question

Individualism-collectivism

answer

the degree to which a person believes that people should be self-sufficient and that loyalty to oneself is more important than loyalty to team or company

question

Bureaucratic immunity

answer

the ability to make changes without first getting approval from managers or other parts of an organization

question

Team diversity

answer

the variances or differences in ability, experience, personality, or any other factor of a team

question

Team level

answer

the average level of ability, experience, personality, or any other factor of a team

question

Skill-based pay

answer

compensation system that pays employees for acquiring additional skills or knowledge

question

Interpersonal skills

answer

skills, such as listening, communicating, questioning, and providing feedback, that enable people to have effective working relationships with others

question

Gainsharing

answer

a compensation system in which companies share the financial value of performance gains, such as productivity, cost savings, or quality, with their workers

question

Bona fi de occupational qualifi cation (BFOQ)

answer

an exception in employment law that permits sex, age, religion, and the like to be used when making employment decisions, but only if they are "reasonably necessary to the normal operation of that particular business"; strictly monitored by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

question

Human resource management (HRM)

answer

the process of finding, developing, and keeping the right people to form a qualified work force

question

Adverse impact

answer

unintentional discrimination that occurs when members of a particular race, sex, or ethnic group are unintentionally harmed or disadvantaged because they are hired, promoted, or trained (or any other employment decision) at substantially lower rates than others

question

Disparate treatment

answer

intentional discrimination that occurs when people are purposely not given the same hiring, promotion, or membership opportunities because of their race, color, sex, age, ethnic group, national origin, or religious beliefs

question

Sexual harassment

answer

a form of discrimination in which unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature occurs while performing one's job

question

Four-fifths (or 80 percent) rule

answer

a rule of thumb used by the courts and the EEOC to determine whether there is evidence of adverse impact; a violation of this rule occurs when the selection rate for a protected group is less than 80 percent or four-fifths of the selection rate for a nonprotected group

question

Hostile work environment

answer

a form of sexual harassment in which unwelcome and demeaning sexually related behavior creates an intimidating and offensive work environment

question

Quid pro quo sexual harassment

answer

a form of sexual harassment in which employment outcomes, such as hiring, promotion, or simply keeping one's job, depend on whether an individual submits to sexual harassment

question

Job analysis

answer

a purposeful, systematic process for collecting information on the important work-related aspects of a job

question

Recruiting

answer

the process of developing a pool of qualified job applicants

question

Job specifications

answer

a written summary of the qualifi cations needed to successfully perform a particular job

question

Job description

answer

a written description of the basic tasks, duties, and responsibilities required of an employee holding a particular job

question

External recruiting

answer

the process of developing a pool of qualified job applicants from outside the company

question

Internal recruiting

answer

the process of developing a pool of qualified job applicants from people who already work in the company

question

Validation

answer

the process of determining how well a selection test or procedure predicts future job performance; the better or more accurate the prediction of future job performance, the more valid a test is said to be

question

Selection

answer

the process of gathering information about job applicants to decide who should be offered a job

question

Background checks

answer

procedures used to verify the truthfulness and accuracy of information that applicants provide about themselves and to uncover negative, job-related background information not provided by applicants

question

Employment references

answer

sources such as previous employers or coworkers who can provide job-related information about job candidates

question

Cognitive ability tests

answer

tests that measure the extent to which applicants have abilities in perceptual speed, verbal comprehension, numerical aptitude, general reasoning, and spatial aptitude

question

Specific ability tests (aptitude tests)

answer

tests that measure the extent to which an applicant possesses the particular kind of ability needed to do a job well

question

Work sample tests

answer

tests that require applicants to perform tasks that are actually done on the job

question

Biographical data (biodata)

answer

extensive surveys that ask applicants questions about their personal backgrounds and life experiences

question

Interview

answer

a selection tool in which company representatives ask job applicants job-related questions to determine whether they are qualified for the job

question

Assessment center

answer

a series of managerial simulations, graded by trained observers, that is used to determine applicants' capability for managerial work

question

Structured interviews

answer

interviews in which all applicants are asked the same set of standardized questions, usually including situational, behavioral, background, and job-knowledge questions

question

Unstructured interviews

answer

interviews in which interviewers are free to ask the applicants anything they want

question

Needs assessment

answer

the process of identifying and prioritizing the learning needs of employees

question

Training

answer

developing the skills, experience, and knowledge employees need to perform their jobs or improve their performance

question

Objective performance measures

answer

measures of job performance that are easily and directly counted or quantified

question

Performance appraisal

answer

the process of assessing how well employees are doing their jobs

question

Rater training

answer

training performance appraisal raters in how to avoid rating errors and increase rating accuracy

question

Behavioral Observation Scale (BOS)

answer

a rating scale that indicates the frequency with which workers perform specific behaviors that are representative of the job dimensions critical to successful job performance

question

Compensation

answer

the financial and nonfinancial rewards that organizations give employees in exchange for their work

question

360-degree feedback

answer

a performance appraisal process in which feedback is obtained from the boss, subordinates, peers and coworkers, and the employees themselves

question

Job evaluation

answer

a process that determines the worth of each job in a company by evaluating the market value of the knowledge, skills, and requirements needed to perform it

question

Employee separation

answer

the voluntary or involuntary loss of an employee

question

Commission

answer

a compensation system in which employees earn a percentage of each sale they make

question

Piecework

answer

a compensation system in which employees are paid a set rate for each item they produce

question

Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)

answer

a compensation system that awards employees shares of company stock in addition to their regular compensation

question

Profit sharing

answer

a compensation system in which a company pays a percentage of its profits to employees in addition to their regular compensation

question

Wrongful discharge

answer

a legal doctrine that requires employers to have job-related reasons to terminate employees

question

Stock options

answer

a compensation system that gives employees the right to purchase shares of stock at a set price, even if the value of the stock increases above that price

question

Outplacement services

answer

employment-counseling services offered to employees who are losing their jobs because of downsizing

question

Downsizing

answer

the planned elimination of jobs in a company

question

Phased retirement

answer

employees transition to retirement by working reduced hours over a period of time before completely retiring

question

Early retirement incentive programs (ERIPs)

answer

programs that offer financial benefits to employees to encourage them to retire early

question

Functional turnover

answer

loss of poor-performing employees who voluntarily choose to leave a company

question

Employee turnover

answer

loss of employees who voluntarily choose to leave the company

question

Dysfunctional turnover

answer

loss of high-performing employees who voluntarily choose to leave a company

question

Affirmative action

answer

purposeful steps taken by an organization to create employment opportunities for minorities and women

question

Diversity

answer

a variety of demographic, cultural, and personal differences among an organization's employees and customers

question

Deep-level diversity

answer

differences such as personality and attitudes that are communicated through verbal and nonverbal behaviors and are recognized only through extended interaction with others

question

Surface-level diversity

answer

differences such as age, sex, race/ethnicity, and physical disabilities that are observable, typically unchangeable, and easy to measure

question

Age discrimination

answer

treating people differently (e.g., in hiring and fi ring, promotion, and compensation decisions) because of their age

question

Social integration

answer

the degree to which group members are psychologically attracted to working with each other to accomplish a common objective

question

Glass ceiling

answer

the invisible barrier that prevents women and minorities from advancing to the top jobs in organizations

question

Sex discrimination

answer

treating people differently because of their sex

question

Disability

answer

a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities

question

Racial or ethnic discrimination

answer

treating people differently because of their race or ethnicity

question

Disposition

answer

the tendency to respond to situations and events in a predetermined manner

question

Disability discrimination

answer

treating people differently because of their disabilities

question

Extraversion

answer

the degree to which someone is active, assertive, gregarious, sociable, talkative, and energized by others

question

Personality

answer

the relatively stable set of behaviors, attitudes, and emotions displayed over time that makes people different from each other

question

Agreeableness

answer

the degree to which someone is cooperative, polite, flexible, forgiving, good-natured, tolerant, and trusting

question

Emotional stability

answer

the degree to which someone is not angry, depressed, anxious, emotional, insecure, or excitable

question

Openness to experience

answer

the degree to which someone is curious, broadminded, and open to new ideas, things, and experiences; is spontaneous; and has a high tolerance for ambiguity

question

Conscientiousness

answer

the degree to which someone is organized, hardworking, responsible, persevering, thorough, and achievement oriented

question

Awareness training

answer

training that is designed to raise employees' awareness of diversity issues and to challenge the underlying assumptions or stereotypes they may have about others

question

Organizational plurality

answer

a work environment in which (1) all members are empowered to contribute in a way that maximizes the benefits to the organization, customers, and themselves, and (2) the individuality of each member is respected by not segmenting or polarizing people on the basis of their membership in a particular group

question

Diversity audits

answer

formal assessments that measure employee and management attitudes, investigate the extent to which people are advantaged or disadvantaged with respect to hiring and promotions, and review companies' diversity related policies and procedures

question

Skills-based diversity training

answer

training that teaches employees the practical skills they need for managing a diverse work force, such as flexibility and adaptability, negotiation, problem solving, and conflict resolution

question

Diversity pairing

answer

a mentoring program in which people of different cultural backgrounds, sexes, or races/ethnicities are paired so that they can get to know each other and change any stereotypical beliefs and attitudes

Principles of Management ch 9-12 – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Haven't found what you were looking for?

Search for samples, answers to your questions and flashcards