Deck 14: Organizational Change: Stress, Conflict, and Virtuality

Question 1

Structural change emphasizes increasing organizational effectiveness by changing controls that influence organization members during the performance of their jobs.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The highest level of worker performance and productivity is associated with the lowest level of worker stress.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Contrary to popular belief, standardized jobs and procedures actually reduce stress as compared to jobs that are classified as "interesting" by allowing more room for employee creativity.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

An unstable organization with high capability to adapt is characterized by moderate probability of success.

Question 5

Changes made in the organization with an aim to improve individual satisfaction are not justified.

Question 6

Avoiding is a conflict management technique whereby managers simply ignore the conflict.

Question 7

Making changes on a tentative basis increases resistance to organizational change.

Question 8

The managerial grid is based on the premise that various managerial styles can be described by means of managers' concern for cost and concern for technology.

Question 9

Organizational changes typically affect the established lines of organizational communication.

Question 10

Unlike most other ways of managing conflicts, resolving is used when managers perceive that they are in a win-loss conflict with employees.

Question 11

Structural factors of organizational effectiveness are any types of equipment or processes that assist organization members in the performance of their jobs.

Question 12

Stress is seldom significantly reduced until the stressors causing it have been coped with satisfactorily or withdrawn from the environment.

Question 13

Compromise technique is inappropriate when the planned change is relatively minor and the time to make an organizational change is limited.

Question 14

Forcing a solution is an inappropriate approach in an emergency.

Question 15

A change agent is an environmental factor that acts as a moderator for organizational changes.

Question 16

Organizational survival and growth are most probable when both stability and adaptation are high within the organization.

Question 17

Clarifying and defining jobs in an organization is an example of a people change.

Question 18

Resistance to change can be lowered by not informing the employees about the change too early.

Question 19

Stress is the bodily strain that an individual experiences as a result of coping with some environmental factor.

Question 20

Organizational conflicts can result in positive impact for the organization.

Question 21

According to Hellriegel and Slocum's model, which of the following combinations is associated with high probability of survival and growth?

A) high stability and low adaptability
B) high stability and high adaptability
C) low stability and high adaptability
D) moderate stability and moderate adaptability
E) low stability and moderate adaptability

Question 22

Changing an organization is the process of modifying an existing organization to increase organizational effectiveness. Which of the following statements is true about such modifications?

A) Such changes must use established lines of organizational communication.
B) The changes occur intermittently and are of a large magnitude.
C) Such modifications can involve any organizational segment.
D) The changes are made independent of the environment.
E) The modifications do not involve changes in organizational authority.

Question 23

Attitudes, leadership skills, and communication skills are ________.

A) structural factors
B) technological factors
C) communication factors
D) people factors
E) informative factors

Question 24

Hellriegel and Slocum's model shows the relative importance of ________ to organizational survival.

A) external and internal environments
B) change and stability
C) innovation and conservativeness
D) trust and vigilance
E) change and risk taking ability

Question 25

The CEO of a company decides to introduce decentralization to help the organization exercise greater control over its subunits and increase employee motivation. This is an example of a ________ change.

A) people
B) administrative
C) technological
D) managerial
E) structural

Question 26

Value Innovations Inc. engages in selling computers and other electronic components through telephone and Web orders. The company decides to change the existing policies and procedures to fit the communication needs of the organization. This is an example of a(n) ________ change.

A) administrative
B) people
C) managerial
D) structural
E) technological

Question 27

Organizational effectiveness depends primarily on activities centering around three classes of factors. The factors are ________.

A) data orientation, people, and technology
B) people, structure, and visibility
C) people, technology, and structure
D) structure, procedures, and people
E) structure, technology, and money

Question 28

Workers who have some mobility but are expected to report to the office on a regular basis are called tethered workers.

Question 29

Which of the following is an example of a structural factor that determines organizational effectiveness?

A) technologies
B) leadership skills
C) employee attitudes
D) work procedures
E) equipments

Question 30

Which of the following is a type of organizational change that emphasizes modifying certain aspects of organization members to increase organizational effectiveness ?

A) people change
B) structural change
C) administrative change
D) managerial change
E) behavioral change

Question 31

Virtual training is a training process that goes beyond the boundaries and structure of traditional training.

Question 32

Value Innovations Inc. engages in selling computers and other electronic components through telephone and Web orders. The company has decided to change some of its policies. When recruiting employees, it will now focus primarily on the attitudes of individuals. Here, the company is concentrating on a(n) ________ factor.

A) structural
B) technological
C) communication
D) people
E) informative

Question 33

Which of the following combinations of stability and adaptation is associated with the probability of a slow death of the organization?

A) high adaptation and stability
B) low adaptation and stability
C) high adaptation and low stability
D) moderate adaptation and high stability
E) high stability and low adaptation

Question 34

Cost reduction is the most commonly cited reason for designing and implementing virtual offices.

Question 35

Alterx Technologies International Inc., a technology solutions company, provides managed technology solutions to small and medium sized businesses. The company is planning to bring about substantial changes in its operations. However, the company understands some degree of stability is also a prerequisite for long-term organizational success. Which of the following combinations of adaptability and stability will provide Alterx the highest probability of growth and survival?

A) high stability and low adaptability
B) high stability and high adaptability
C) low stability and high adaptability
D) moderate stability and moderate adaptability
E) low stability and moderate adaptability

Question 36

The managerial grid proposes that various managerial styles can be described by a manager's concern for ________.

A) quantity and quality
B) production and people
C) power and acceptance
D) profit maximization and revenue maximization
E) customers and company

Question 37

A structural change ________.

A) works by changing controls that influence organization members
B) ensures appropriate functioning of technology
C) develops the skills of the people
D) increases the division of labor
E) makes the change appealing to employees

Question 38

Which of the following is the most complete description of organizational effectiveness?

A) the extent to which an organization accomplishes its objectives
B) overall profitability of an organization or an organizational unit
C) ability of an organization to produce maximum output with a given input
D) the extent to which an organization's actions benefit society
E) the extent to which an organization's resources are used cost-effectively

Question 39

________ changes emphasize increasing organizational effectiveness by changing controls that influence organization members during the performance of their jobs

A) Technological
B) People
C) Structural
D) Managerial
E) Administrative

Question 40

Clarifying and redefining jobs within an organization is an example of a(n) ________ change.

A) technological
B) people
C) structural
D) essential
E) administrative

Question 41

Which of the following terms refers to the process of people change?

A) organizational planning
B) organizational communication
C) institutional design
D) resource mobilization
E) organization development

Question 42

________ is defined as the struggle that results from opposing needs or feelings between two or more people.

A) Change
B) Apathy
C) Conflict
D) Stress
E) Avoidance

Question 43

Robert, the operations manager of a manufacturing company, gives adequate attention to the needs of his employees and maintains a friendly organizational atmosphere. However, he is often criticized for not meeting the performance goals and poor quality of products. Robert's managerial style is likely to be associated with what score in the managerial grid?

A) 9,9
B) 1,1
C) 9,1
D) 1,9
E) 5,5

Question 44

What score in the managerial grid is associated with ideal managerial style?

A) 9,9
B) 1,1
C) 9,1
D) 1,9
E) 5,5

Question 45

Workplace bullying refers to ________.

A) individuals being isolated or excluded socially and having work efforts devalued
B) keeping employee salaries and benefits much below industry standards
C) promoting organizational conflicts and in-fights to increase performance
D) hiring more employees than what is required to run the business
E) recruiting employees who are incapable or under-qualified to perform certain jobs

Question 46

Which of the following styles of management involves exertion of minimum effort to get the required work done?

A) 9,9
B) 9,1
C) 5,5
D) 1,1
E) 1,9

Question 47

From a worker-performance standpoint, stress is most favorable when ________.

A) stress levels are extremely high
B) stress levels are extremely low
C) related stressors are temporary
D) stress levels are associated with increased aggression
E) stress levels are neither too high nor too low

Question 48

An organization decides to implement a supply chain management system to increase the efficiency of its operations. A group of employees resist the implementation. Which of the following could be the most probable reason for their resistance?

A) The change would increase the productivity as well as responsibility of most members of the group.
B) The group fears that the implementation would adversely affect their role in the organization.
C) Implementation of a supply chain management system would lead to a change in organizational hierarchy
D) Implementation of supply chain management system often leads to blockage of crucial information.
E) Supply chain management system cannot be used to manage the internal operations of a company.

Question 49

Which of the following strategies is likely to be most useful in reducing organizational stress?

A) increasing power distance in the organization
B) promoting employees based on objective criteria such as years of experience
C) modifying the basic values of organizational culture
D) making the organizational environment more informal
E) establishing vertical decision making procedures

Question 50

Which of the following is a conflict resolution strategy where parties to the conflict settle on a solution that gives both of them part of what they wanted?

A) compromising
B) negotiating
C) avoiding
D) resolving
E) adjudication

Question 51

Which of the following is an observable symptom of undesirably high stress levels?

A) low to moderate levels of anxiety
B) higher energy levels
C) reduced work hours
D) working without many breaks
E) increased aggression

Question 52

Which of the following is a key characteristic of the compromising strategy used to resolve conflicts?

A) a solution acceptable to all parties
B) low involvement of managers and supervisors
C) strong win-win orientation
D) use of legitimate power and authority
E) complex procedures for decision making

Question 53

The bodily strain that an individual experiences as a result of coping with some environmental factor is called ________.

A) stress
B) conflict
C) anger
D) aggression
E) denial

Question 54

What does a managerial grid score of 9,1 indicate?

A) The manager is effective in satisfying relationships and is less concerned about production.
B) The manager is highly concerned about production though he ignores the people aspects of work.
C) The manager maintains a balance between the necessity to perform work and employee morale.
D) The manager derives superior performance from employees who are highly dedicated.
E) The manager is neither effective in maintaining relations nor in effectively maintaining production.

Question 55

Grid organization development technique is commonly used for ________.

A) changing people in organizations
B) designing structural changes
C) evaluating structural changes
D) evaluating technical changes
E) changing business processes

Question 56

When organization members remain oriented more to the past than the future in spite of the changes already initiated ________.

A) the situation calls for more changes in the organization
B) the existing status quo should be maintained
C) the organization is highly likely to achieve its goals without further changes
D) the members are highly committed toward the long-term goals of the organization
E) the organization has a strong culture

Question 57

A stressor is a(n) ________ that causes people to feel stress.

A) environmental demand
B) psychological condition
C) internal feeling
D) emotional response
E) disturbing reflection

Question 58

Albert believes adequate organizational performance is possible by balancing the need to get good quality work done on the one hand and addressing the needs of his employees on the other. What score in the managerial grid is most closely associated with Albert's managerial style?

A) 1,1
B) 5,5
C) 1,9
D) 9,1
E) 9,9

Question 59

Employees often experience considerable stress when they do not know what the next step in their professional lives might be or when they might take it. Which of the following could be the best solution to this problem?

A) creating standardized jobs and defining procedures
B) designing and operating career counseling programs
C) promoting creativity and innovation at the work place
D) modifying the basic norms of organizational culture
E) making the organizational climate more formal

Question 60

Which of the following is a common reason behind employee resistance to change?

A) Most individuals are open to experience.
B) Individuals fear some type of personal loss.
C) Most changes involve changes in organizational hierarchy.
D) Faith in the status-quo is limited.
E) Most organizations maintain high power distance.

Question 61

Catherine works as a training specialist at a retail organization. She is not always physically present in the office though she works from other locations using a portable computer. She usually informs her colleagues in advance when she decides to come in and work from office. This work arrangement is an example of ________.

A) fully mobile working
B) tethered in office arrangement
C) home based working
D) hotelling
E) occasional telecommuting

Question 62

________ is a conflict management technique where managers simply ignore the conflict.

A) Resolving
B) Compromising
C) Cooperating
D) Avoiding
E) Conciliating

Question 63

The sales manager of a company finds that the personnel in the human resources department are a continual source of conflict because they are inflexible and resist proposed changes. As a result of this, the manager ignores their views when he has to make changes. This strategy could be appropriate when ________.

A) the planned change is relatively critical to the organization
B) the change has strategic impacts on the employees
C) a win-win solution is essential to the organization
D) the HR department is powerful and crucial to the organization
E) the potential conflict will not limit organizational goal attainment

Question 64

Which of the following is a challenge associated with managing virtual offices?

A) Virtual offices make it more difficult to build desired corporate culture.
B) Virtual offices increase the cost of operations.
C) It is suitable only for senior employees.
D) It markedly reduces employee productivity.
E) Employee mobility cannot be achieved effectively by using virtual offices.

Question 65

A manager wants to implement some changes in the working hours of employees. Two groups of workers oppose this decision and have contrasting opinions. The manager feels arriving at a solution that will be acceptable to both parties is impossible. Which of the following strategies is best suited to handle this conflict?

A) forcing
B) deflecting
C) avoiding
D) resolving
E) compromising

Question 66

Identify a situation where compromising is highly appropriate.

A) The planned change is relatively minor and time is limited.
B) Management feels that all conflict is bad.
C) Employee opinions are vastly diverse and complex.
D) Management has to implement an emergency change.
E) Management wants to arrive at a win-win solution.

Question 67

Which of the following conflict management techniques is best suited to make an emergency change in an organization?

A) resolving
B) compromising
C) negotiating
D) avoiding
E) forcing

Question 68

Which of the following techniques of managing conflict involves working out the differences between managers and employees?

A) resolving
B) averting
C) compromising
D) avoiding
E) forcing

Question 69

Identify a major advantage of using forcing technique to resolve conflicts.

A) Forcing is a fast method for implementing critical changes.
B) It is considered the best strategy to handle complex conflicts.
C) It can have a win-win orientation if the manager is skillful.
D) Forcing is the best strategy when the planned change is relatively minor.
E) The solution obtained will be acceptable to majority of employees.

Question 70

William, the CEO of a leading electronic equipment manufacturer, decides to implement a new performance appraisal system in the organization. The new system faces stiff resistance from the employees. William, however, uses his authority to implement the system. Identify the conflict management system used here.

A) forcing
B) negotiating
C) avoiding
D) resolving
E) adjudication

Question 71

Jacob believes most conflicts are win-win conflicts. He always attempts to overcome them by working out differences with employees. Which of the following conflict management techniques is preferred by Jacob?

A) resolving
B) compromising
C) cooperating
D) avoiding
E) conciliating

Question 72

Identify an advantage of establishing virtual offices.

A) They provide better opportunities for employee socialization.
B) They help the organization build the desired corporate culture.
C) Virtual offices enable cost-reduction.
D) Virtual offices enhance management control.
E) They help the organization reduce the dependence on technology.

Question 73

Which of the following alternative work arrangements is characterized by the least amount of mobility?

A) hotelling
B) tethered in the office
C) home based
D) occasional telecommuting
E) working out of a car

Question 74

Which of the following is a valid observation about the resolving technique used to manage conflicts?

A) Managers are not involved in the conflict resolution process.
B) It tends to assume managers and employees are in a win-lose conflict.
C) It is best suited when an immediate change has to be made.
D) Managers pinpoint differences regarding change that exist between themselves and employees.
E) It is the only method suitable for managing minor conflicts.

Question 75

________ workers have fixed, traditional offices and work schedules but sometimes work at home.

A) Fully mobile
B) Home-based
C) Tethered in office
D) Occasional telecommuting
E) Hotelling

Question 76

Which of the following conflict resolution techniques assumes that some conflicts are win-win conflicts?

A) avoiding
B) compromising
C) forcing
D) negotiating
E) resolving

Question 77

The avoiding technique is generally appropriate when ________.

A) the planned change is extensive and time is limited
B) an emergency change has to be made in the organization
C) a win-win solution is essential to the organization.
D) the parties involved in the conflict are powerful
E) the potential conflict will not limit organizational goal attainment

Question 78

________ is a technique for managing conflict in which managers use their authority to resolve conflicts.

A) Resolving
B) Compromising
C) Negotiating
D) Avoiding
E) Forcing

Question 79

Which of the following is an alternative work arrangement where workers come into the traditional office frequently, but because they are not always physically present, they are not allocated permanent office space?

A) flextime working
B) hotelling
C) occasional telecommuting
D) tethered in office
E) home based

Question 80

Which of the following is characterized by the most extensive degree of virtualization?

A) virtual meeting
B) virtual training
C) virtual team
D) virtual corporation
E) virtual group