1. Based on the description of General Motors in this chapter 8: Organizational Structure , give some examples of differentiation in that organization. In other words, what specialized tasks have to be performed, and how is labor divided at General Motors? Also, how does General Motors integrate the work of these different units? Based on what you have learned in this chapter, would you say General Motors has an effective structure? Why or why not?
2. What are some advantages and disadvantages of being in the CEO position?
3. Would you like to sit on a board of directors? Why or why not? If you did serve on a board, what kind of organization would you prefer? As a board member, in what kinds of activities do you think you would most actively engage?
4. Interview a member of a board of directors and discuss the member’s perspectives on his or her role.
5. Pick a job you have held and describe it in terms of span of control, delegation, responsibility, authority, and accountability.
6. Why do you think managers have difficulty delegating? What can be done to overcome these difficulties?
7. Consider an organization in which you have worked, draw its organization chart, and describe it using terms in this chapter. How did you like working there, and why?
8. Would you rather work in a functional or divisional organization? Why?