suppose that diamlerchrysler is considering changing its production operations from an assembly line in which each employee adds one piece as a car chassis goes by to an operation in which several employees work as a team to build the total car, with the team deciding who does what tasks. if diamlerchrysler implements the change, the interrelationships would change from:

pooled interdependence on the line to reciprocal interdependence between the teams.
reciprocal interdependence on the line to sequential interdependence between the teams.
sequential interdependence on the line to pooled interdependence between the teams.
routine tasks to mediating technology.

Question

suppose that diamlerchrysler is considering changing its production operations from an assembly line in which each employee adds one piece as a car chassis goes by to an operation in which several employees work as a team to build the total car, with the team deciding who does what tasks. if diamlerchrysler implements the change, the interrelationships would change from:

pooled interdependence on the line to reciprocal interdependence between the teams.
reciprocal interdependence on the line to sequential interdependence between the teams.
sequential interdependence on the line to pooled interdependence between the teams.
routine tasks to mediating technology.

Accepted Answer

{ "quality": "clear", "question_count": 1, "skills_matched": [ "direct_cot", "multiple_choice_formatter", "explain_then_answer", "tutor", "mastery_adaptive_brevity" ], "needs_drawing": false, "concepts_used": [ "Interdependence Types", "Sequential Interdependence" ], "new_concepts": [ "Reciprocal Interdependence", "Thompson's Interdependence Theory" ], "current_concepts": [ "Interdependence Types", "Sequential Interdependence", "Reciprocal Interdependence", "Thompson's Interdependence Theory" ] } ## Analyze the initial assembly line setup Using the *Sequential Interdependence* and *Interdependence Types* knowledge points On the initial assembly line, each employee adds one piece as a car chassis goes by. This represents a linear, one-way flow of work where one person's output becomes the next person's input. This is the definition of sequential interdependence. ## Analyze the proposed team-based setup Using the *Interdependence Types* knowledge point In the proposed team setup, several employees work together as a team to build the total car, with the team dynamically deciding who does what tasks. This requires continuous, multi-directional interaction, mutual adjustment, and joint decision-making among team members. This represents reciprocal interdependence. ## Evaluate the given multiple-choice options Using the *Interdependence Types* knowledge point Comparing the transition from sequential interdependence (on the line) to reciprocal interdependence (within/between the teams), we evaluate the choices: - Option 1: "pooled interdependence on the line..." (Incorrect, the line is sequential) - Option 2: "reciprocal interdependence on the line..." (Incorrect, the line is sequential) - Option 3: "sequential interdependence on the line to pooled interdependence..." (Incorrect, the team is reciprocal, not pooled) - Option 4: "routine tasks to mediating technology" (Incorrect, does not describe the change in interrelationships accurately) Note: Option 1 states "pooled interdependence on the line to reciprocal interdependence between the teams." However, standard organizational theory (James D. Thompson's framework) classifies a traditional assembly line as sequential interdependence. Let's re-verify the exact wording of Option 1 vs Option 3. Option 3 states "sequential interdependence on the line to pooled...". Since the assembly line is sequential, and the team-based structure is reciprocal, there is a slight mismatch in the options. Let's re-read Option 1: "pooled interdependence on the line to reciprocal...". If the question considers the assembly line as sequential, none of the options perfectly match "sequential to reciprocal". Let's re-evaluate standard textbook questions of this exact scenario. In many organizational theory test banks (specifically Richard L. Daft's *Organization Theory and Design*), this exact question appears: "Suppose that DaimlerChrysler is considering changing its production operations from an assembly line... to an operation in which several employees work as a team... the interrelationships would change from:" The correct answer in the test bank is typically **sequential interdependence on the line to reciprocal interdependence between the teams** (or within the team). Let's look closely at the first option in the image: "pooled interdependence on the line to reciprocal interdependence between the teams." Wait, is there a typo in the question options, or is one of them the intended answer? Let's re-read Option 1 and Option 3. If the test bank option was "sequential interdependence on the line to reciprocal interdependence...", let's check if Option 1 in this specific test has a typo ("pooled" instead of "sequential") or if another option is correct. Actually, in some versions, the assembly line is sequential, and the team is reciprocal. If "sequential to reciprocal" is not explicitly written, let's look at the options again: 1. pooled interdependence on the line to reciprocal interdependence between the teams. 2. reciprocal interdependence on the line to sequential interdependence between the teams. 3. sequential interdependence on the line to pooled interdependence between the teams. 4. routine tasks to mediating technology. If "sequential to reciprocal" is the true theoretical transition: - The line is sequential. - The team is reciprocal. Since "sequential to reciprocal" is not an option, let's identify which option is the intended correct key. Often, in these specific multiple-choice questions, the transition is from **sequential interdependence** (on the line) to **reciprocal interdependence** (within the team). If the question writer made a typo in Option 1 (writing "pooled" instead of "sequential") or Option 3 (writing "pooled" instead of "reciprocal"), we must determine which is more commonly marked correct or represents the closest correct theoretical application. Actually, let's double check if a traditional assembly line can be considered sequential, which it is. A team is reciprocal. If the student must choose, sequential on the line is a fundamental definition. However, the destination is definitely reciprocal. Let's explain both aspects clearly so the student understands the theory perfectly.

(A) pooled interdependence on the line to reciprocal interdependence between the teams.

(B) reciprocal interdependence on the line to sequential interdependence between the teams.

(C) sequential interdependence on the line to pooled interdependence between the teams.

(D) routine tasks to mediating technology.

{ "subject": "Business", "question_type": "Multiple Choice", "knowledge_point": [ "Business", "Organizational Behavior", "Interdependence Types" ] }

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QUESTION IMAGE

Question

Explanation:

Analyze the initial assembly line setup

Analyze the proposed team-based setup

Evaluate the given multiple-choice options

Answer: