Is the degree to which activities in organization are divided into separate jobs?

Is the degree to which activities in organization are divided into separate jobs?

Future University in Egypt

Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration

Department: Management

Year 2020-2021

Semester Spring 2020.

Review sheet Chapter (9)

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Complete the following statement: -

1.Organizational structure is the organization’s formal framework by which job tasks are divided, grouped,

and coordinated.

2.Work specialization this concept describes the degree to which tasks in an organization are divided into

separate jobs.

3.The basis by which jobs are grouped together is called departmentation

4.Chain of command this is the continuous line of authority that extends from upper organizational levels to

the lowest levels and clarifies who reports to whom.

5. Span of control this concept is important because, to a large degree, it determines the number of levels and

managers an organization has.

6.Centralization describes the degree to which decision making is concentrated at a single point in the

organization

7.Formalization this refers to the degree to which jobs within the organization are standardized and the extent

to which employee behavior is guided by rules and procedures.

8.Authority refers to the rights inherent to a position that allows a manager to tell subordinates what to do and

expect them to do it.

9.Responsibility is the obligation or expectation to perform a duty.

10.The theory that a person should report to only one manager is unity of command

11.The concept that defines the number of subordinates that report to a manager and that indirectly specifies

the number of levels of management in an organization is called Span control.

12.Matrix structure is an organizational structure that assigns specialists from different functional departments

to work on one or more projects being led by project managers.

13.A Functional structure is an organizational design that groups similar or related occupational specialties

together.

Multiple-Choice Questions

1.Which statement accurately defines work specialization?

a.It is the degree to which tasks are grouped together.

b.Individual employees specialize in doing part of an activity rather than the entire activity.

c.Jobs are ranked relative only to their worth or value to the businesses.

d.It clarifies who reports to whom.

2.During the _______________, managers viewed work specialization as an unending source of increased

productivity.

a.first half of the twentieth century

b.1960s

c.1970s and 1980s

d.1990s and beginning of the twenty-first century

The main difference between formalization and specialization is that formalization is how jobs are structured and standardized within an organization, whereas specialization is the degree to which activities are divided and then subdivided into individual jobs.

Every successful company has an excellent organizational structure behind it. An organizational structure is a structure designed to match a company’s goals and describe how job tasks are formally divided, grouped, and coordinated. Organizational structures have six components: chain of command, the span of control, specialization, departmentalization, centralization/decentralization, and formalization.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Formalization  
      – Definition, Features
2. What is Specialization
     – Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Formalization and Specialization
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Formalization, Specialization, Organizational Structure

Is the degree to which activities in organization are divided into separate jobs?

Formalization refers to how jobs are structured and standardized within an organization. It describes the extent to which policies, rules, and procedures within an organization are articulated. In formalized structures, there are many written rules and regulations. These structures control the behavior of employees so that they have little autonomy to make decisions. Moreover, formal structures can make employee behavior more predictable. This is because whenever a problem arises at work, employees will refer to procedures and rules to handle it. Using this method, employees throughout the organization will respond to problems in a similar way, thereby creating consistency of behavior.

Is the degree to which activities in organization are divided into separate jobs?

Employees with highly formalized jobs do not have much input about their job – what to do, how to do it or when to do it. For example, workers on the assembly line have highly formalized jobs as they don’t have much autonomy. Sales associates calling on customers, on the other hand, have little formalization in their jobs.

What is Specialization

Specialization refers to the degree to which an organization divides and then subdivides its activities into individual jobs. We also call this division of labor. In simple words, specialization refers to focusing on a specific job. If you put one worker on the task of creating a dress, he/she may take a long time to make it. But if you use workers specializing in different tasks (for example, one worker for designing, one worker for cutting, one worker for adding buttons, etc.), then the tasks become standardized, and workers learn to do their work quickly with practice.

Is the degree to which activities in organization are divided into separate jobs?

By the 1940s, most manufacturers were applying the concept of work specialization. Using this method, unskilled workers can do easy tasks, whereas workers with special skills will perform the tasks that need specific skills. Therefore, workers with skills will not have to waste their time on simple tasks that do not need special skills. From a productivity point of view, specialization is an ideal method that can increase production and overall input. Specialization can also reduce the production cost, thereby decreasing the overall product price.

Difference Between Formalization and Specialization

Definition

Formalization refers to how jobs are structured and standardized within an organization, whereas specialization refers to the degree to which activities in an organization are divided and then subdivided into individual jobs.

Focus

Formalization focuses on policies, rules, and procedures related to jobs and tasks, while specialization focuses on the division of labor.

Conclusion

In brief, formalization and specialization are two main components of an organizational structure. The main difference between formalization and specialization is that formalization focuses on policies, rules, and procedures related to jobs and tasks, while specialization focuses on the division of labor.

Reference:

1. Devaney, Erik. “The 6 Building Blocks of Organizational Structure [Diagrams].” HubSpot Blog, 3 June 2020.
2. “Division of Labor and Specialization.” Lumen – Introduction to Business.
3. “Organizational Structure.” Lumen – Principles of Management.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Executive Hierarchy Staff Organization Chart Work” (CC0) via MaxPixel
2. “Workshop, operator, the assembly line” (CC0) via Hippopx

Is the degree to which activities in organization are divided into separate jobs?

About the Author: Hasa

Hasa has a BA degree in English, French and Translation studies. She is currently reading for a Masters degree in English. Her areas of interests include literature, language, linguistics and also food.

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Is the degree to which tasks in the organization are subdivided into separate jobs?

The correct option is: C) Work specialization Explanation: The work specialization is also identified as a division of labor in which the individual tasks and activities in the business are sub-divided into various jobs.

Is known as the degree to which tasks in the organization are divided into separate jobs with each step completed by a different person?

Work specialization, sometimes called a division of labor, refers to the degree to which an organization divides individual tasks into separate jobs.

Is the degree to which jobs within the organization are standardized?

Formalization - the degree to which jobs within the organization are standardized and the extent to which employee behavior is guided by rules and procedures.

What is the subdivision of work activities into departments within the business?

Departmentalization (or departmentalisation) refers to the process of grouping activities into departments. Division of labour creates specialists who need coordination. This coordination is facilitated by grouping specialists together in departments.