Exam 11: Managing Change and Innovation

"The Brain" is a permanent secret group within one of the nation's largest auto manufacturers. Members of this elite group focus intently on developing new and innovative automobile technologies. "The Brain" can best be described as what type of group or team?

__________ is a planned, systematic process of change that uses behavioral science knowledge and techniques to improve an organization's health and effectiveness through its ability to adapt to the environment, improve internal relationships, and increase learning and problem-solving capabilities.

A(n) __________is a mechanism that provides a safe harbor where ideas from employees throughout the organization can be developed without interference from company bureaucracy or politics.

A __________ system schedules materials to arrive at a company just as they are needed on the production line.

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a creative organization?

Implementing change is often one of the most difficult aspects of organization management. Imagine that you are the CEO of a large corporation, and your legal advisors have just informed you that the federal government has passed a new law that will affect every employee's health care coverage. Using this example, write an essay discussing the forces that most likely spurred the organizational change and identifying some reasons why employees might resist this change.

If organizations don't change and innovate successfully, they die.

A skunkworks is a large, formal team, designed for leading organizations through major change.

Exploration is the aspect of product and technology innovation that involves creating situational mechanisms to make sure new ideas are carried forward, accepted, and implemented.

Organization development can help managers address problems such as merger/acquisitions, conflict management, and:

Jaimie Hall The continuing development and improvement of computer information systems has made a powerful impression on Jaimie Hall, CEO of See-Saw City (SSC). The current computer system at SSC is seven years old, and while still highly useful and reliable, Jaimie is wondering if a new system would be more efficient and more useful. Jaimie recognized that some of her managers would prefer to keep the old system, while others have been requesting that the company update its information capability. -Jaimie recognized that creativity is an essential ingredient in developing solutions to organizational problems. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a creative manager?

People change starts with training everyone in the organization.

Two specific tools that can smooth the culture change process include organization development and training and development programs.

The innovation strategy for changing products and technologies that involves creating conditions and systems to facilitate internal and external coordination and knowledge sharing is known as exploration.

The generation of novel ideas that may meet perceived needs or respond to opportunities for the organization is called:

Which of the following approaches for implementing change should be used when users doubt the legitimacy of the change?

Changing is the "intervention" stage of organization development.

What is force-field analysis?

A(n) __________ change is a change in how an organization does its work.

List the three distinct stages for achieving behavioral and attitudinal change.