Deck 5: Diagnosing

Question 1

By nature of the "open systems" model, organizations are largely unaffected by external forces.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

One indicator of effectiveness is that all levels of the organization "fit" and support each other.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Scanning units help organizations gather information from the environment.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Diagnostic models incorporate

A) scientific models of how organizations function
B) conceptual frameworks of how organizations function
C) intuitive "hunches" of how organizations function
D) all of the above

Question 5

Which of the following is a design component relevant for group level systems?

A) human resource systems
B) technology and structural systems
C) strategy and organizational culture
D) all of the above

Question 6

The organization's general environment consists of

A) employee satisfaction
B) organizational structure
C) external forces that can directly affect the organization
D) business portfolios in the company

Question 7

The task environment consists of individuals and organizations that interact directly with the organization.

Question 8

Which general diagnostic model most underlies OD?

A) general systems model
B) closed systems model
C) open systems model
D) variable systems model

Question 9

Which of the following are outputs of an organization's group level organization systems?

A) profits
B) team effectives
C) customer satisfaction
D) stakeholder satisfaction

Question 10

In making a good diagnostic model, "hands on" knowledge and practical information are more important than organization theory.

Question 11

To diagnose an organization, the OD practitioner carefully examines the management team to discover the cause its problems.

Question 12

An organization-level diagnosis is appropriate when

A) the desired effectiveness of the firm has not yet been obtained
B) problems regarding employee effectiveness on an individual level exist
C) groups are struggling with goal clarity
D) tasks are being redesigned to enhance task significance

Question 13

What are the key properties of a system?

A) inputs, transformations, and outputs
B) feedback
C) equifinality
D) all of the above

Question 14

Which of the following is not one of Porter's five forces that define the task environment?

A) supplier and buyer power
B) organization member perceptions
C) rivalry among competitors
D) threats of substitutes

Question 15

Diagnostic models derive from conceptual frameworks about how organizations function.

Question 16

Which of the following statements does not describe diagnosis?

A) the process of discovering specific problems or assessing overall functioning of the organization
B) the process whereby groups are confronted with their problems and deal with them
C) a road map of how organizations function
D) concerned with identifying specific organizational problems

Question 17

Collaborating with management is essential for a successful diagnosis.

Question 18

Diagnosis helps OD practitioners

A) understand how the organization is functioning
B) evaluate effective interventions
C) gather information necessary to design change interventions
D) create operations manuals for group processes

Question 19

An organization's strategic competitive advantage is aided when its strategies are difficult to imitate.

Question 20

Uncertain and changing industry structures demand rigid structural, measurement, and human resource systems.

Question 21

Compare and contrast the key dimensions of the general environment, the task environment and the enacted environment of an organization.

Question 22

Describe an effective diagnostic model at the individual level. Discuss its major inputs, outputs and design components.

Question 23

Outline the Open Systems model and describe the inputs, transformations, and outputs.