Questions9– 14

　　Read the text , which describes the experience of acompany that has made big changes in its officeprocedures

　　Choose the best sentence from the opposite page tofill each of the gaps.

　　For each gap 9– 14, mark one letter (A-H) on yourAnswer Sheet.

　　Do not use any letter more than once.

　　There is an example at the beginning.(0)

　　Beyond paperwork

　　The Danish electronics manufacturer, Oticon, is a leader in the move towards the paperlessoffice, In their cafeteria a huge glass pipe runs from ceiling to floor. When the mail comes in, itis immediately scanned into the computer, shredded, and thrown down the tube to the generalcheers of the employees. (0) Having all mail and memos available only as computer files to beread on the screen makes it easy to dispense with large physical storage spaces for peoplewho work at desks (9)

　　Changing over to the paperless office required a rapid increase in computer literacy, but ratherthan set up a corporate training programme they turned the problem over to employees. Eightmonths before the system was installed , they offered each employee a powerful personalcomputer for use at home in exchange for training themselves to use it. (10)

　　The big change was not the move from paper memos to computer messages. Oticon realisedthat the more radical transformation is from written to verbal communication.(11) thatadds up to a large number of face-to-face exchanges, a big improvement over memos and theoccasional multi-hour sit-down consultation typical of the old culture. People do not send eachother memos, they talk. As the CEO puts it, “ We have jumped through the memo wall andgone right to action.”

　　On the eighth of August 1991 , the company left their old wood-panelled offices .(12) Sincethen they have cut in half the “ time to market” on new products. The following year, sales andprofits grew more than ever before. (13) in fact, despite a downsizing of 15 per cent employeesatisfaction is hitting record highs.

　　Oticon has created an organizational pattern that supports great freedom iof action forindividuals and terms. They have tied it together with a minimum hierarchy.

　　The first clear results to show up were in the greater efficiencies generated by the fact that lesstime needed to be spent on management activities . (14) they also have some investment in thesuccess of the project they choose. Oticon has succeeded in breaking the mould mould andtaking a lead in non-bureaucratic organizational design.

　　Example :

　　A This saving was possible because when people have real choice in the nature of their jobs,they commit themselves to being responsible for their areas of choice.

　　B They were headed for a new building and a new era in communication.

　　C Instead, they have large private areas on their hard disks for their correspondence.

　　D In spite of this, the physical office layout at Oticon is one of its most charming features.

　　E Over 90 per cent accepted , and they organized a club to help one another learn.

　　F To facilitate this, the on-site coffee bars have now become the venue for about twentymeetings a day, averaging ten minutes and 2.7 participants each.

　　G So, are people happy with the change”

　　H Only about ten documents a day, items like legal contracts, escape this treatment.

　　閱讀答案

　　9-10 C E

　　11-14 F B G A