Understanding Business and Society - Organizational Structure and Teamwork

This flashcard set covers key concepts from the lecture on organizational structure, culture, types of teams, and communication within organizations.

What is organizational structure?

The arrangement or relationship of positions within an organization.

What are the two types of organizational culture expressions?

Formal expression (mission statement, code of ethics, manuals, etc.) and informal expression (dress code, work habits, extracurricular activities, etc.).

What is the main purpose of organizational charts?

To interpret organizational height, type of departmentalization, chain of command, and span of management.

Define departmentalization.

The process of grouping jobs into working units such as departments, units, groups, or divisions.

What are the four types of departmentalization?

Functional departmentalization, product departmentalization, geographical departmentalization, and customer departmentalization.

What is delegation of authority?

Giving employees the tasks and power to make commitments, use resources, and take action to carry out tasks.

What does accountability in the workplace mean?

Employees are answerable to a superior for work outcomes and are obligated to perform the tasks assigned to them.

What is the difference between centralized and decentralized organizations?

Centralized organizations concentrate authority at the upper levels, while decentralized organizations spread authority widely across lower levels.

Define the span of management.

The number of subordinates who report directly to a particular manager.

What is a cross-functional team?

A team of individuals with varying specialties and skills brought together to achieve a common task.

How do groups differ from teams?

Groups have individuals who share a common goal and identity, while teams are small groups with complementary skills and mutual accountability.

What are project teams?

Similar to task forces, but they have total control over a specific work project.

What is the Two-Pizza Rule?

A guideline suggesting that if a team cannot be fed by two pizzas, it is too large.

What types of communication occur in organizations?

Upward communication, downward communication, horizontal communication, and diagonal communication.

What is the importance of monitoring communication in an organization?

Managers must balance employee privacy while ensuring respect and mindfulness in communication.