Deck 4: Leading Change in Organizations

Question 1

Which of the following is most useful approach for developing a learning organization?

A)encourage employees to become specialists in functional areas
B)encourage systems thinking by all managers in the organization
C)create a reward system that fosters competition among employees
D)use imitation of competitors as the primary basis for innovation

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which is most likely to be effective for implementing major change?

A)make followers feel responsible for failure of the old strategy
B)provide opportunities to experience early success in implementing change
C)emphasize the obstacles so followers will not become complacent
D)maintain control over sensitive information about new problems

Answer 2

B

Question 3

What is the recommended way to deal with someone in a key position who continues to resist change and is likely to sabotage it?

A)ignore the resistance and try to work around the person
B)find a qualified replacement who supports the change
C)warn the person to stop resisting the change
D)keep asking the person to support the change

Answer 3

B

Question 4

What is the best way to describe the essential processes in learning organizations?

A)acquisition of new knowledge by the organization
B)diffusion of new knowledge to people who can use it
C)application of new knowledge by members of the organization
D)acquisition, diffusion, and application of new knowledge

Question 5

Which approach is least likely to be useful when trying to implement a major change in an organization?

A)include symbolic changes that will affect the daily activities of members
B)select a task force with the skills and values needed to implement the change
C)describe the changes as routine, incremental adjustments to avoid upsetting people
D)measure the effects of the change on people, processes, and performance

Question 6

What term used to describe the process of learning how to make incremental improvements in existing products,services,or processes?

A) exploration
B) extrapolation
C) exploitation
D) innovation

Question 7

Which of the following was not recommended when developing a vision for an organization?

A)rely on your knowledge about organization members as the primary source of ideas for a vision
B)identify strategic objectives with wide appeal and use them as a source of insights about shared values
C)ensure that the vision is compatible with core competencies in the organization
D)continually assess the feasibility of the vision and refine it as new possibilities are discovered

Question 8

Which leadership action is least likely to increase flexibility and innovation in an organization?

A)set challenging innovation goals for members
B)leverage learning from surprises and failures
C)ensure new knowledge is shared with other members
D)ensure that employees understand the formal policies

Question 9

The type of organization culture most likely to facilitate long-term performance in a turbulent environment would emphasize:

A)the need to improve short-term profits
B)the need for a powerful and visionary CEO
C)the need for flexibility and continuous learning
D)the need for consensus among organization members

Question 10

Which is least likely to be the reason for resistance to major changes in job content and procedures by people who have been doing the job with moderate success for many years?

A)concern about their future job security in the organization
B)concern about not being able to adjust to the necessary changes
C)concern about the high cost to the organization of making the changes
D)a belief that the proposed changes are unnecessary

Question 11

A successful vision for an organization is most likely to include:

A)specific performance objectives with a clear deadline
B)a memorable slogan about the key value to be achieved
C)a list of tangible benefits that members can expect to receive
D)a vivid image of what can be achieved and why it is worthwhile

Question 12

Which of the following is part of Lewin's model of organizational change?

A)refreezing
B)reinventing
C)reorganizing
B)revitalizing

Question 13

Which of the following is least desirable for a vision?

A)it should include detailed action steps
B)it should be clear and easy to understand
C)it should emphasize ideological objectives
D)it should be bold and ambitious

Question 14

Which of the following was not recommended to facilitate acceptance and successful implementation of a major change?

A)convince people that the change can be made without any difficulties or inconvenience for them
B)use ceremonies and rituals to help people deal with the pain of giving up familiar things they value
C)create a sense of urgency about the need for change by showing it will be more costly not to change
D)demonstrate personal commitment to see the change through to the end, regardless of temporary setbacks

Question 15

Which of the following is least likely to be a reason for resistance by employees to a proposal by top management to change the current strategy?

A)a climate of distrust in the organization
B)fear of losing status and power
C)cynicism about the feasibility of the change
D)resentment of external dependencies

Question 16

What is the initial stage in the multi-stage model of reaction to change?

A)anger
B)denial
C)mourning
D)regression