Organizational Theory and Leadership Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering organizational theory, leadership models, motivation theories, and change management principles based on the lecture transcript.

What tool do people use to coordinate actions to obtain something they value and to achieve specific goals?

Organization

Which field of study focuses on the structures and operations of social organizations, such as companies and institutions?

Organizational Theory

Which structural principle describes dividing an organization into units that perform similar functions, relating to horizontal growth?

Functional Principle

Which structural principle dictates that communication and authority flow through a defined chain of command, relating to vertical growth?

Scalar Principle

What is the distinction between Line Functions and Staff Functions?

Line functions are directly responsible for meeting major goals, while Staff functions support line activities and are considered subsidiary.

What characterizes Classical Organizational Theories?

A focus on work, routinary tasks, and formal structures with set rules; viewing organizations as machines.

Who are the primary theorists associated with Classical Organizational Theory?

$Taylor$, $Weber$, and $Fayol$

What characterizes Neoclassical Organizational Theories?

A focus on the worker, individual differences, and informal organizational structures.

Who are the key theorists associated with Neoclassical Organizational Theory?

$Mayo$, $Maslow$, $McGregor$, and $Argyris$

What is the core premise of Modern Organizational Theory?

It emphasizes both internal and external factors, arguing there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach.

What was a key criticism of Classical Organizational Theory?

Communication is one-way rather than two-way.

Which HR application is derived from Classical Organizational Theory?

Job Analysis and Job Description

Who proposed Scientific Management Theory in $1947$?

Frederick Taylor

What method did Frederick Taylor use to identify effects on productivity and efficiency?

Time and motion studies

What does Scientific Management use to replace "rule-of-thumb" approaches?

Science and scientific analysis

Who proposed the Bureaucratic Theory in $1947$?

Max Weber

In Bureaucratic Theory, why are standard operating procedures and lengthy processes implemented?

Risk prevention

What principle in Bureaucracy ensures rules apply to everyone regardless of background by using logic over emotion?

Rationality

According to Bureaucratic Theory, what is the ideal span of control for lower levels of management?

$8-12$ members

According to Bureaucratic Theory, what is the ideal span of control for higher levels of management?

$4$ members

What bureaucratic principle involves assigning tasks to separate employees to avoid micromanagement?

Delegation of Authority

Who proposed Administrative Theory in $1949$?

Henri Fayol

According to Fayol, what is the principle of "Unity of Command"?

An employee should take orders from only one superior.

In Fayol's principles, what is the "Gangplank"?

A mechanism allowing cross-departmental communication directly across the scalar chain during urgent situations.

Which principle emphasizes camaraderie, team spirit, and allegiance?

Esprit de Corps

Which principle states that fairness and justice should prevail, such as adjusting costs for managers with higher responsibilities?

Equity

What is the "Order" principle in Fayol's 14 principles?

The idea that "there is a proper place for everyone in the company."

What is the difference between a Command Group and a Task Group?

A Command Group is determined by the organization's hierarchy, while a Task Group is brought together specifically for a project.

What is an Interest Group?

An informal group formed to attain a specific objective that concerns every member.

Who is known as the father of the Human Relations Movement?

Elton Mayo

What is the Hawthorne Effect?

The phenomenon where workers improve performance because they are being observed or given attention.

What did the Bank Wiring Room Study reveal?

Workers created their own informal rules that regulated productivity.

What was the primary outcome of the Illumination Experiments?

Productivity increased regardless of lighting levels.

What is a common criticism of Human Relations Theory?

It overemphasizes social needs while neglecting financial, structural, or technical factors.

Who proposed Theory X and Theory Y, and what do they assume?

Douglas McGregor; Theory X assumes employees are lazy and extrinsic, while Theory Y assumes they are self-driven and seek responsibility.

Who proposed the Growth Perspective regarding human maturity?

Chris Argyris

According to Argyris, what traits characterize the Maturity state?

Active, independent, broad range of behaviors, and long-term perspective.

Who proposed Decision Theory, viewing organizations as structures of choice-makers?

Herbert A. Simon

How are Contingency theories informally described?

"It Depends" Theory

According to Joan Woodward, what type of organization has the largest span of control?

Organizations depending on a continuous process for output (e.g., refineries).

Contrast Mechanistic and Organic Organizations according to Lawrence and Lorsch.

Mechanistic organizations use formal rules and centralized decisions for stable environments; Organic organizations use large spans of control and decentralized decisions for unstable environments.

Identify the 5 parts of an organization according to Henry Mintzberg.

Strategic Apex, Middle Line, Operating Core, Technostructure, and Support Staff.

What are the roles of the Technostructure and Support Staff in Mintzberg's model?

Technostructure (Accounting, HR, IT) provides technical expertise; Support Staff (Mailroom, Security) facilitates operations.

What is the difference between Ideology and Politics in an organization?

Ideology refers to shared traditions and beliefs; Politics refers to unauthorized power and divisiveness.

What are the four leader behaviors in Path-Goal Theory?

Instrumental, Supportive, Participative, and Achievement-Oriented.

In IMPACT Theory, identify the styles for 'climate of ignorance' and 'cycles of despair'.

Informational (ignorance) and Magnetic (despair).

In IMPACT Theory, which style is used during a crisis to control and punish?

Coercive

According to Situational Leadership Theory, which style should be used if subordinates are willing and able?

Delegating

According to Situational Leadership Theory, which style should be used if subordinates are unwilling and unable?

Directing

What is Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory also known as?

Vertical Dyad Linkage Theory

Which theory proposes the drives to Acquire, Bond, Comprehend, and Defend?

Four-Drive Theory

What are the three needs in David McClelland's Theory of Needs?

Achievement, Affiliation, and Power

Who proposed the Two-Factor Theory of motivation?

Frederick Herzberg

In Two-Factor Theory, what are Hygiene Factors?

Elements like salary and company policies that do not motivate but prevent dissatisfaction.

What is the "frustration-regression element" in Clayton Alderfer's ERG Theory?

The concept that failing to satisfy higher needs (Growth) causes a person to regress to lower needs (Existence).

Who proposed Equity Theory?

John Stacey Adams

Who proposed Goal-Setting Theory regarding SMART goals?

Edwin Locke

What is "Unit Control of Variance" in Sociotechnical Systems?

The concept that work problems should be handled directly by employees who encounter them.

What does Systems Theory compare an organization to?

A living organism

In Systems Theory, what are the five key components?

Individuals, Formal Organization, Small Group, Status and Role, and Physical Setting.

Which theory states that leaders are born, not made?

Great Man/Woman Theory

What are Lewin’s three leadership styles?

Autocratic (Authoritarian), Democratic (Participative), and Laissez-Faire (Delegative).

What are the four components of Transformational Leadership?

Idealized Influence (Charisma), Inspirational Motivation, Intellectual Stimulation, and Individualized Consideration.

Identify the three stages in Lewin’s Change Model.

Unfreezing, Moving, and Refreezing.

Define the five types of people in response to change.

Change Agents (love change), Change Analysts (fix what is broken), Receptive Changers (willing to help), Reluctant Changers (change if necessary), and Change Resisters (hate/fear change).

What is the Action Research Model?

A change model with a cyclical nature addressing problems from methodological and social perspectives.

What is Sensemaking in the Action Research Model?

When employees act to gain a better understanding of their workplace.

What does Perrow’s Model state about organizational structure?

The structure of the organization adjusts to the technology it uses.

Which model uses a flowchart to determine the leadership decision-making process?

Vroom-Yetton Model

What is the difference between Role Conflict and Role Ambiguity?

Role Conflict involves contradictory expectations; Role Ambiguity involves a lack of clarity or information regarding responsibilities.

What is the difference between Descriptive and Injunctive Norms?

Descriptive Norms are what people actually do; Injunctive Norms are what people ought to do (approved/disapproved).

What are the three layers of Organizational Culture?

Observable Artifacts, Espoused Artifacts, and Basic Assumptions.

In the Vroom-Yetton Model, what is the Group I Strategy?

The leader shares the problem with the group and lets the group reach a solution.

What is Organizational Climate?

The "mood" or "atmosphere" of the workplace reflecting how employees experience policies.

What is the Invisible Hand Theory proposed by Adam Smith?

The idea that individuals driven by self-interest rationally make decisions that benefit the whole economy.

What is Rational Choice Theory?

The assertion that individuals use calculations to make choices aligning with personal objectives.

According to Kotter's Change Model, what step follows developing a vision?

Communicate the vision

Which leadership style is provided by a leader who offers information in a climate of ignorance according to IMPACT theory?

Informational