Deck 12: Organizational Culture and Change

Question 1

Which of the following disciplines focuses on the way in which we see the world?

A) personal mastery
B) shared vision
C) mental models
D) systems thinking

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Work can be divided on the basis of all of the following EXCEPT for ______.

A) purpose
B) process
C) place
D) price

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which of the following approaches will aid in overcoming people's normal resistance to change?

A) involving people throughout the organization in the change process
B) communicating the problems inherent in the current situation
C) giving people time to let go of the past and embrace the future
D) all of these

Answer 3

D

Question 4

All of the following are possible limitations to implementing cultural change of an organization EXCEPT for ______.

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 toward change
D) important ethical questions may arise as managers attempt to "manipulate" the norms and values of those in the organization

Question 5

According to Golembiewski (1972), 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 6

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 7

______ 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 8

Successful public managers hoping to lead change must ____.

A) assess the organizations' environments and the need for change
B) plan for change both strategically and pragmatically
C) institutionalize the changes
D) all of these

Question 9

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 10

Creating a clear result-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 11

Six Sigma performs at the level of ______ perfection.

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

Question 12

Which of the following types of change takes place within an organization's existing framework?

A) incremental change
B) discontinuous change
C) strategic change
D) grassroots change

Question 13

______ changes are highly analytical, technical, and help establish the momentum for change.

A) Incremental
B) Discontinuous
C) Strategic
D) Crisis

Question 14

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

A) unfreezing
B) freezing
C) change
D) refreezing

Question 15

All of the following are phases of the change process EXCEPT for ______.

A) definition
B) clarification
C) action
D) sustainability

Question 16

"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 17

All of the following are OD strategies or techniques used to help facilitate organizational change EXCEPT for ______.

A) T-groups
B) process consultation
C) brainstorming
D) survey feedback

Question 18

______ 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 19

SMART goals refer to which of the following?

A) specific, meaningful, achievable, relevant, and timely
B) specific, measurable, achievable, reachable, and timely
C) specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely
D) specific, meaningful, attainable, reachable, and timely

Question 20

All of the following are elements of Ott's notion of organizational culture EXCEPT for ______.

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 21

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

Question 22

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

Question 23

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

Question 24

Organic structures are highly formalized, specialized, standardized, and centralized.

Question 25

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

Question 26

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

Question 27

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

Question 28

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

Question 29

OD represents a particular philosophy. According to Golemniewski (1972), what values are included in this philosophy?

Question 30

A manager who seeks organizational change by developing a dedication to the mission and values of the organization is an example of which of the following themes?

A) commitment to values
B) dedication to public services
C) pragmatic incrementalism
D) serving the public

Question 31

During periods of relative calm, public agencies are constantly changing.

Question 32

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

Question 33

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

Question 34

Organizational learning starts with individual learning.

Question 35

The team learning discipline enables people to see how human actions are connected through a system of interrelated events.

Question 36

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

Question 37

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

Question 38

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