Question 1

The unfreezing step of the change process can be thought of as ________.

Accepted Answer

The unfreezing step of the change process involves preparing the organization and individuals for the needed change by creating awareness of the need for change, encouraging openness to new ideas and perspectives, and addressing any resistance or barriers to change. This step is necessary in order to make the change process successful. Choices A, B, C, and E are not accurate descriptions of the unfreezing step.

Question 2

Driving forces are forces that drive change and direct behaviour ________.

Accepted Answer

Driving forces by definition push towards change and away from the existing equilibrium state, so options B, D and E are all incorrect. Option C may be a driving force for some individuals, but it is not a universal characteristic that applies to all driving forces. Therefore, the best choice is A, which accurately reflects the nature of driving forces.

Question 3

Apex Corporation has reorganized its marketing division, and the reporting structure has completely changed. This is an example of a change in __________.

Accepted Answer

The reorganization of the marketing division and the resulting change in reporting structure indicates a change in the organizational structure.

Question 4

If ABC Foods hired a consultant to decrease group friction and enhance cooperative work relationships, this would be an example of managing what change category?

Accepted Answer

Hiring a consultant to decrease group friction and enhance cooperative work relationships involves managing people, specifically their interpersonal relationships and behaviors.

Question 5

In spurring organizational change, outside consultants are usually more __________ whereas internal managers tend to be more __________.

Accepted Answer

The word "drastic" implies a bold and significant change, while "cautious" suggests a more careful approach. Therefore, A is the best choice as it contrasts the two approaches taken by outside consultants and internal managers.

Question 6

According to our textbook, managers' options for change fall into which three categories?

Accepted Answer

The three categories of change options for managers, as per the textbook, are structure, technology, and people. These three categories cover various aspects of organizational change, such as altering the organizational structure, implementing new technology, and managing human resources. Option A is incorrect as it includes environment and mission, which are factors that managers need to consider but do not fall under the category of change options. Option C is incorrect as it includes rules and procedures that are part of the organization's management and not change options. Option D is incorrect as it includes competitors and processes, which are external factors that managers have little control over. Option E is partially correct as it includes structure and technology, but it misses the people category, which is equally important in organizational change.

Question 7

In organizations, people who act as catalysts and assume the responsibility for managing the change process are called __________ agents.

Accepted Answer

Change agents are responsible for managing the process of change within an organization. They can be employees or external consultants who work as catalysts for change. The other options are related to the concept of change but do not specifically refer to those who manage it.

Question 8

Techniques to change people and the quality of interpersonal work relationships are termed ________.

Accepted Answer

The term that describes techniques to change people and the quality of interpersonal work relationships is organizational development (OD). OD is a management practice that focuses on creating and sustaining positive organizational change by improving processes, structures, and systems.

Question 9

Organizational development techniques seek to bring about change in which of the basic change categories?

Accepted Answer

Organizational development techniques focus on changing the people within an organization, including their attitudes, behaviors, and relationships.

Question 10

What OD technique involves changing the attitudes, stereotypes, and perceptions that work groups have about each other?

Accepted Answer

Intergroup development is the OD technique that involves changing the attitudes, stereotypes, and perceptions that work groups have about each other. This technique focuses on improving communication and collaboration between different work groups within an organization. Team building, survey feedback, sensitivity training, and process consultation are other OD techniques, but they do not specifically focus on improving intergroup dynamics.

Question 11

A company that decides to decentralize its sales procedures is managing what change category?

Accepted Answer

Decentralizing sales procedures involves changing the structure of the company by delegating decision-making power to regional or local sales teams.

Question 12

University student who has just graduated and is now facing the process of finding a job and moving into the business world is in what step of the change process?

Accepted Answer

The university student who has just graduated and is now facing the process of finding a job and moving into the business world is likely in the unfreezing stage of the change process. This is because they are experiencing a transition from the familiar and comfortable state of being a student to the new and unknown state of being a working professional. They may need to challenge their preconceived notions and adjust their mindset to be successful in this new environment.

Question 13

The term __________ focuses on techniques or programs to change people and the nature of interpersonal work relationships.

Accepted Answer

Organizational development refers to a systematic approach that focuses on improving the effectiveness of an organization by utilizing techniques and programs to improve interpersonal relationships, communication, and collaboration among employees. Decentralization, job redesign, operations improvement, and strategy formulation are all different concepts that do not necessarily focus on changing interpersonal work relationships.

Question 14

Which organizational development (OD) technique is a technique for assessing attitudes and perceptions, identifying discrepancies in these, and resolving the differences by using survey information in feedback groups?

Accepted Answer

The technique described in the question is survey feedback, which involves gathering information through surveys and using that information in feedback sessions to address discrepancies and improve attitudes and perceptions within an organization. Team building involves activities to improve communication and collaboration among team members, intergroup development focuses on improving relationships between different groups within an organization, sensitivity training aims to increase awareness of biases and prejudices, and process consultation involves a consultant working with a group to identify and resolve organizational problems.

Question 15

Which of the following is part of the change category of technology?

Accepted Answer

Equipment and tools are part of the change category of technology. They can often directly impact how work is done and can lead to efficiency gains or new capabilities. Job redesign, policies and procedures, work specialization, and coordinating mechanisms are all related to organizational structure and design, and may be impacted by changes in technology but are not part of the technology category themselves.

Question 16

Initiating change involves identifying which organizational areas might need to be changed and ________.

Accepted Answer

Initiating change involves actually starting the process by putting the change in motion, regardless of whether or not a committee or consultant has been consulted. However, the other options may also be important steps in the change process.

Question 17

Changes in work processes, methods, and equipment used fall under which category of options that a manager can change?

Accepted Answer

Changes in work processes, methods, and equipment are related to technology, as they involve the tools and techniques used to perform tasks.

Question 18

According to Lewin, the objective of refreezing is to __________.

Accepted Answer

Refreezing is the final stage in Lewin's change model. The objective of refreezing is to stabilize the new situation or the change that has been made. The aim is to make the new way of doing things the norm and to prevent individuals from reverting to their old ways. This can be achieved by reinforcing the change through incentives, rewards, and recognition.

Question 19

According to Kurt Lewin, increasing the driving forces, which directs behaviour away from the status quo, is a means of doing which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Kurt Lewin's change management model involves three steps: unfreezing, changing, and refreezing. Unfreezing involves increasing the driving forces to direct behaviour away from the status quo. Therefore, the best choice is A.

Question 20

Changes in work specialization, chain of command, span of control, job design, or degree of centralization fall under which category of options that a manager can change?

Accepted Answer

These changes all relate to the structure of an organization, such as how tasks are divided (work specialization), how decisions are made (chain of command), how many employees report to one manager (span of control), how jobs are designed, and how much decision-making power is given to top management (degree of centralization). Therefore, the correct category is structure.

Quiz 6: Innovation and Adaptability