The University of Jordan

School of Business
Department of Business Management
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program

Organisational Theory and Design (1601712)

Mid-Term Examination
Tuesday 1st December 2020
Course Instructor: Dr. Samer Dahiyat

QUESTION 1: -

During a meeting with senior managers, the CEO of a smartphone manufacturing

company was heard saying: "We no longer keep up with what our competitors are
doing, and we often have problems listening to our customers like we used to.
Complaints about not having exciting features and poor quality are now common.
Even when we get some feedback from them, we are just too slow acting upon it
and taking action. Obviously, certain functions are holding us back ".

Given these symptoms, what would your diagnosis of the decline in the company’s
effectiveness be? Which functions might be causing them, and what might be done
to enhance overall performance?

QUESTION 2: -

A major theme emerging from the Contingency Approach to Organizational

Design is that the degree of Environmental Uncertainty and Complexity, as
well as stakeholders, influence the design of an organisation’s structure.
Accordingly, explain:
- What is meant by each of the aforementioned concepts
- How environmental uncertainty and complexity, as well as stakeholders,
influence the design of an organisation’s structure.
- The differences between a Mechanistic and an Organic Design.

QUESTION 3: -

Distinguish between vertical and horizontal differentiation, and explain how

control over organizational activities can be maintained without the need for direct,
personal supervision.

Best Wishes