Question 1

A sample of values in a spiritual organizational culture includes

Accepted Answer

A spiritual organizational culture values trust and respect among its members, a meaningful purpose that is greater than just making profits, honesty in all interactions, and a commitment to ethics and social responsibility in decision making. Therefore, all of the above are sample values in a spiritual organizational culture.

Question 2

Good ___ highlight the observable culture by repeatedly telling key stories and frequently using rites and rituals to glorify the performance of the organization and its members.

Accepted Answer

Symbolic leaders are responsible for creating and perpetuating the culture of an organization through the use of symbols, stories, and rituals. They highlight the observable culture by repeatedly telling key stories and frequently using rites and rituals to glorify the performance of the organization and its members. Team leaders, chief executive officers, managers, and chief operating officers may also play a role in shaping and reinforcing the organizational culture, but symbolic leaders are specifically focused on these efforts.

Question 3

The advantages of diversity are gained only when diversity is leveraged through ___ and ___.

Accepted Answer

Training and supportive human resource practices are essential to effectively leverage diversity by equipping employees with the necessary skills and creating an inclusive environment.

Question 4

The special use of language and other nonverbal expressions to communicate important aspects of corporate life are the ___ of observable organizational culture.

Accepted Answer

Symbols are the special use of language and nonverbal expressions that communicate important aspects of an organization's culture, representing its values and beliefs.

Question 5

The underlying assumptions and beliefs that shape and guide the behaviour of organization members and actually give rise to the different aspects of observable culture can be described as the ___.

Accepted Answer

The underlying assumptions and beliefs that shape and guide the behaviour of organization members and give rise to observable culture are referred to as core values. These values are often deeply embedded in the organization's identity and guide decision making and actions. Option A (pre-observable culture) is not a commonly used term. Option B (human values) may influence an organization's culture but is not specifically related to the underlying assumptions and beliefs of its members. Option D (rites of passage) refers to specific ceremonies or events that mark important transitions for individuals and may be a part of an organization's culture, but does not encompass the broader beliefs and values that underlie it. Option E (behavioural guidelines) may be a part of an organization's culture, but do not necessarily reflect the underlying assumptions and beliefs of its members.

Question 6

Which of the following is based on the principle that people are inwardly enriched by meaningful work and a sense of personal connection with others inside and outside of the organization?

Accepted Answer

Workplace spirituality is based on the principle that people are inwardly enriched by meaningful work and a sense of personal connection with others inside and outside of the organization. It involves creating a workplace environment that fosters a sense of meaning and purpose, encourages personal growth and development, and supports the well-being of employees. This can lead to benefits such as increased job satisfaction, increased productivity, and improved organizational effectiveness.

Question 7

___ create(s) meaning and shared community among organizational members.

Accepted Answer

Workplace spirituality involves creating meaning and shared community among organizational members through a focus on values, purpose, and beliefs. In this way, workplace spirituality can promote a sense of connection, engagement, and well-being among employees.

Question 8

___ refers to managers who actively help develop, communicate, and enact shared values within an organization.

Accepted Answer

The term "value-based management" refers to managers who actively help develop, communicate, and enact shared values within an organization. This type of leadership focuses on the alignment of organizational values with the actions and behaviors of employees, with the goal of creating a culture that emphasizes ethical and moral decision-making.

Question 9

A(n) ___ is someone who uses symbols well to establish and maintain a desired organizational cultural.

Accepted Answer

A symbolic leader is someone who effectively uses symbols to create and maintain an organizational culture. This can include the use of language, logos, rituals, and other symbolic tools to create a shared sense of identity and purpose within the organization. While other roles like communications specialists and business executives may also play a role in shaping organizational culture, the term "symbolic leader" specifically refers to someone who is skilled in using symbolic tools to achieve this goal.

Question 10

___involves practices that create meaning and shred community among organizational members.

Accepted Answer

Workplace spirituality involves practices such as meditation, collective prayer, and other forms of spiritual expression to create a sense of meaning and community among organizational members. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of individuals and their work, and encourages a sense of purpose beyond materialistic goals.

Question 11

According to R Roosevelt Thomas Jr., the way people are treated at work, with inclusion and respect, or with exclusion and disrespect is a direct reflection of

Accepted Answer

Roosevelt Thomas Jr. is known for his work on diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and in this context, organizational culture plays a crucial role in determining how individuals are treated within the organization. The culture of an organization shapes the norms and values regarding inclusion and respect, and therefore it is the best choice among the given options.

Question 12

It is important to find a good fit between your personal preferences and the pace and nature of change in the career field and organizations in which you choose to work. To achieve this fit, you have to understand

Accepted Answer

Understanding your tolerance for ambiguity is important because career fields and organizations can vary greatly in the pace and nature of change. Some may have a lot of uncertainty and ambiguity surrounding changes, while others may have a more predictable and stable environment. By knowing your personal tolerance for ambiguity, you can make better choices about which career fields and organizations are a good fit for you. This understanding can also help you adapt to changes more easily in your chosen field. While understanding the behaviour and culture of your co-workers and organization is important, they are not as directly related to your ability to adapt to change. Suppressing personal preferences may be necessary to some extent, but it is not the most important factor to consider when finding a good fit.

Question 13

At Mary Kay Cosmetics, gala events are sponsored at which top performers share their stories of success and triumph. In addition, lavish awards are presented to top performers by the company's founder. This is an example of Mary Kay's use of ___.

Accepted Answer

The gala events and awards presented by the company's founder are symbolic acts that demonstrate leadership and reinforce company values and culture.

Question 14

Value-based management

Accepted Answer

Value-based management is a system that requires an organization to identify its core beliefs and use them to guide its decision-making processes. By doing so, it communicates and enacts those beliefs throughout the entire organization, potentially leading to a more coherent and consistent culture. This would make C the correct answer. A, B, D, and E are not accurate descriptions of value-based management.

Question 15

An investment firm is reviewing the performance of a small corporation, noting its track record in product innovation, the quality of work life of employees, and the organization's degree of involvement in environmental concerns. The investment firm seems to be interested in gathering information about which aspect of the company's culture?

Accepted Answer

The investment firm is interested in gathering information about the company's core culture, which includes its values, beliefs, and norms.

Question 16

Relevance, integrity, pervasiveness, and strength are four criteria for evaluating ___.

Accepted Answer

These criteria are used to evaluate value-based management, which focuses on aligning an organization's operations with its core values to enhance performance and decision-making.

Question 17

The responsibility for value-based management rests with ___.

Accepted Answer

Value-based management is a responsibility of all managers and team leaders, regardless of their level within the organization, as it involves aligning activities to reflect the organization's core values and goals.

Question 18

Highly successful companies typically focus on which of the following core values?

Accepted Answer

Performance excellence, innovation, social responsibility, integrity, worker involvement, customer service, and teamwork are commonly cited as core values of highly successful companies. Choices A, B, D, and E may also be important, but they are typically not considered core values.

Question 19

Which characteristic of multiculturalism implies that members of both minority cultures and majority cultures are influential in setting key values and policies?

Accepted Answer

Pluralism is the characteristic of multiculturalism that implies that members of both minority cultures and majority cultures are influential in setting key values and policies. Pluralism recognizes and values differences while promoting inclusion and equal participation of all groups in society. It acknowledges the diversity of cultures and perspectives within a society and seeks to promote a sense of belonging and shared citizenship among all members, regardless of their cultural backgrounds. The other options (structural division, integration, absence of prejudice and discrimination, minimum intergroup conflict) are related to aspects of multiculturalism but do not specifically address the idea of shared influence in shaping values and policies.

Question 20

___ describe(s) differences among people at work.

Accepted Answer

Diversity refers to differences among people at work, including but not limited to differences in race, ethnicity, gender, and age. Workforce characteristics and alternative characteristics may also describe differences, but diversity specifically encompasses a broader range of differences. Differential attributes and personality dimensions may be applicable, but they do not solely capture differences among people at work.

Quiz 12: Organization Culture and Change