Deck 12: Organizational Change

Question 1

What is the first step in effectively bringing about changes?

A) Involving people throughout the organization in the change process
B) Communicating the problems inherent in the current situation
C) Encouraging people to participate in diagnosing the existing situation
D) Giving people time to let go of the past and embrace the future

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Where organizational members face routine or repetitive issues, ________ learning is appropriate.

A) Double-loop
B) Basic
C) Repetitive
D) Single-loop

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Work can be divided on the basis of:

A) Purpose
B) Process
C) Place
D) All of the above

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT an element of Ott's notion of organizational culture?

A) Organizational culture is made up of such things as values, beliefs, assumptions, perceptions, behavioral norms, artifacts, and patterns of behavior.
B) Organizational culture has a process of formally approving or prohibiting behaviors.
C) Organizational culture is a socially constructed, unseen, and unobservable force behind organizational activities.
D) Organizational culture is a unifying theme that provides meaning, direction, and mobilization for organization members.

Question 5

Six Sigma performs at the level of ________ perfection.

A) 99.97%
B) 99.997%
C) 99.9997%
D) 99.99997%

Question 6

Changes of this type will involve almost a complete break with the past and a major reconstruction of every element of the organization's work.

A) Incremental change
B) Discontinuous change
C) Strategic change
D) Grassroots change

Question 7

This discipline focuses on our sense of self and basic capacity to focus on what is most important while ensuring that our view of reality remains clear and truthful.

A) Personal mastery
B) Shared vision
C) Systems thinking
D) Team learning

Question 8

The ________ stage is the first stage in the change process.

A) Unfreezing
B) Freezing
C) Change
D) Refreezing

Question 9

________ is what we describe when people ask us what ideas govern our actions.

A) Espoused theory
B) Theory-in-use
C) Spoken theory
D) Governing theory

Question 10

Artifacts and creations of a culture include:

A) Values of an organization
B) Patterns of behavior that are taken for granted
C) An emphasis on problem solving
D) Day-to-day operating routines

Question 11

Which of the following types of change involves solving problems or tinkering or fine-tuning ongoing operations?

A) Incremental change
B) Discontinuous change
C) Strategic change
D) Grassroots change

Question 12

"Conversion to a new system is costly" is an example of which type of force?

A) Restraining force
B) Driving force
C) Restrictive force
D) Motivating force

Question 13

According to Golembiewski, OD philosophy includes which of the following values?

A) Responsibility only to oneself
B) Willingness to experiment
C) Closed communications
D) Private examination of conflicts

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a phase of the change process?

A) Definition
B) Clarification
C) Action
D) Sustainability

Question 15

Creating a clear results-oriented vision in relation to discovered potential and in relation to questions of higher purpose describes which phase of the process of Appreciative Inquiry?

A) Discovery
B) Dream
C) Design
D) Destiny

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT an OD strategy or technique used to help facilitate organizational change?

A) T-groups
B) Process consultation
C) Brainstorming
D) Survey feedback

Question 17

"The new system is easier to use" is an example of which type of force?

A) Restraining force
B) Driving force
C) Restrictive force
D) Motivating force

Question 18

Which of the following types of change is initiated in times of crisis?

A) Crisis change
B) Organic change
C) Systematic change
D) Dramatic change

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a possible limitation to implementing cultural change of an organization?

A) Cultural norms are deep-seated and may be quite resistant to change
B) Successful changes in an organization's culture typically occur over a long period of time
C) Different generations have different feelings towards change
D) Important ethical questions may arise as managers attempt to "manipulate" the norms and values of those in the organization

Question 20

________ takes place at the local or street level and involves middle-level and supervisory-level managers.

A) Incremental change
B) Discontinuous change
C) Strategic change
D) Grassroots change

Question 21

True or False. In order for comprehensive change to occur in any organization, attention must be given to both strategic change and grassroots change.

Question 22

What is organizational culture? How is it created or formed? What does it consist of? Discuss, providing relevant examples where appropriate.

Question 23

True or False. Appreciative Inquiry focuses on emphasizing the strengths in an organization rather than its weaknesses or "deficits."

Question 24

True or False. Force field analysis is a useful tool for evaluating a large number of interrelated forces and tracking their likely effects in the future.

Question 25

Discuss the ways in which people's normal resistance to change may be overcome. How might changes be implemented more successfully?

Question 26

True or False. Changing an organization's culture does not change the behavior of the organization's employees.

Question 27

True or False. Successful changes in an organization's culture typically occur over a short period of time.

Question 28

Explore the different efforts to conceptualize change and to suggest strategies for change. Discuss, providing relevant examples where appropriate.

Question 29

True or False. Organic structures are highly formalized, specialized, standardized, and centralized.

Question 30

True or False. As long as our thinking is governed by habit, we will continue to re-create institutions as they have been.

Question 31

True or False. Incremental change is far more difficult for those in the organization than is discontinuous change.

Question 32

True or False. Action research models the importance of not involving organizational members in the change process.

Question 33

True or False. The systems approach is seen as a way of ensuring attention to the "big picture."

Question 34

Describe Latham's approach to behavior change. What are some limitations to instituting behavior change? Discuss, providing relevant examples where appropriate.

Question 35

Compare and contrast the attributes needed by managers to effectively introduce change with what is needed to build great public organizations.