Unit 2.2 organisational structure

Peripheral workers are one of the 3 groups of workers identified by Charles Handy’s Shamrock organization.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True. Peripheral workers are indeed one of the three groups identified by Charles Handy in his Shamrock organization model, which also includes core workers and flexible workers.

Bureaucratic organizations are often fast to respond to changes in the external environment.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Bureaucratic organizations tend to have rigid structures and processes, making them slower to adapt to changes in the external environment. Therefore, the statement is false.

Levels of an organizational hierarchy show the number of levels of formal authority from top to the bottom.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True. Levels of an organizational hierarchy indeed represent the formal authority structure, indicating how authority is distributed from the top management down to lower levels.

Responsibility describes who is in charge of whom and in what capacity.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True is correct because responsibility indeed defines the relationship of authority and accountability between individuals or roles, indicating who is in charge of whom and in what capacity.

The term used to refer to a vertical line of authority within an organization which enables orders to be passed down through the layers of a hierarchy is chain of command.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The statement is true. The chain of command is indeed the term that describes the vertical line of authority in an organization, allowing orders to flow down through its hierarchical structure.

Matrix structure describes a flexible organization structure made up of representatives from different departments temporarily working together on a particular project.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True. A matrix structure indeed describes a flexible organization where individuals from various departments collaborate temporarily on specific projects, allowing for efficient resource use and diverse expertise.

The term used to describe the number of subordinates who are directly accountable to a manager is chain of command.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The statement is false because the term that describes the number of subordinates directly accountable to a manager is 'span of control', not 'chain of command', which refers to the hierarchy of authority.

Delegation requires workers to be accountable for their work and can be a very effective motivational tool.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True. Delegation empowers workers by making them accountable for their tasks, which can enhance motivation and engagement in their work.

In Handy’s Shamrock organization peripheral workers refer to all the temporary, portfolio and flexitime workers employed by organizations on a part-time basis.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True. In Handy's Shamrock organization, peripheral workers indeed refer to temporary, portfolio, and flexitime workers employed on a part-time basis.

Delayering describes the process of removing one or more layers of hierarchy to make the organizational structure flatter.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Delayering indeed refers to the process of removing layers of hierarchy in an organization, resulting in a flatter structure. Therefore, the statement is true.