1. Follow the chain of command from your present position (or one you held in the past) to the top of the organization. Start by identifying anyone who reported to you, then list your boss’s title, his or her boss’s title, and so on up to the top manager’s title.

LO: 7-1: Explain the difference between mechanistic and organic organizations and the environments in which they are more effective.

2. Identify and explain your level of authority for a specific task in an organization.

LO: 7-2: Contrast formal and informal authority, centralized and decentralized authority, and line and staff authority.

3. Draw a simple organization chart for an organization you work for or have worked for. Identify the type of departmentalization and staff positions, if any.

LO: 7-3: Create an organization chart showing the four aspects of a firm.

4. Describe how a job at an organization you work for or have worked for could be simplified. Be sure to specify if you are eliminating, combining, or changing the sequence of the job.

LO: 7-7: Classify each of the nine job designs under the three job design option categories.

5. Describe how a job at an organization you work for or have worked for could be expanded. Be sure to specify how the job is changed.

LO: 7-7: Classify each of the nine job designs under the three job design option categories.

6. List three to five tasks you must complete in the near future and prioritize them using Exhibit 7-9.

LO: 7-8: Explain how to set priorities by answering three priority-determination questions.

7. How would you assess your use of multitasking in your personal life? In your professional life? How can you improve?

LO: 7-9: Explain how to effectively multitask.

8. Select a manager you work for or have worked for and analyze how well he or she implements the four steps of delegation. Which steps does the manager typically follow and not follow?

LO: 7-10: List the four steps in the delegation process.

Additional Work Application Questions (not in the book)

1. Identify your boss’s span of management, or your own if you are or were a manager. How many levels of management are there in your organization? Is it a flat or a tall organization?

LO: 7-1: Explain the difference between mechanistic and organic organizations and the environments in which they are more effective.

2. Does an organization you work for or have worked for emphasize following the standing procedures or being flexible? Explain your answer.

LO: 7-2: Contrast formal and informal authority, centralized and decentralized authority, and line and staff authority.

3. Describe the type of authority (centralized or decentralized) used in an organization you work for or have worked for.

LO: 7-2: Contrast formal and informal authority, centralized and decentralized authority, and line and staff authority.

4. Identify one or more line and staff positions in an organization you work for or have worked for. Also, indicate whether the staff positions are general staff or specialist staff.

LO: 7-2: Contrast formal and informal authority, centralized and decentralized authority, and line and staff authority.

5. Describe how an organization you work for or have worked for uses, or could use, teams. Be sure to specify if the teams are integrated or self-managed.

LO: 7-7: Classify each of the nine job designs under the three job design option categories.

6. Describe an obstacle to delegation or sign of delegating too little that you have observed.

LO: 7-10: List the four steps in the delegation process.