Question 1

Which of the following is NOT one of the 'stems' of organisation development (OD)?
A)laboratory training
B)environmental analysis
C)action research/survey feedback
D)participative management and quality of work life (QWL)
E)strategic change

Accepted Answer

The 'stems' of organisation development (OD) include laboratory training, action research/survey feedback, participative management and quality of work life (QWL), and strategic change. Environmental analysis is not typically considered one of the key stems of OD.

Question 2

Organisation development (OD) is the system-wide application of behavioural science knowledge to the planned development and reinforcement of organisational strategies, structures and processes for improving an organisation's effectiveness.

Accepted Answer

Organisation development is indeed the system-wide application of behavioural science knowledge to the planned development and reinforcement of organisational strategies, structures and processes for improving an organisation's effectiveness.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a focus of laboratory or T-group training?
A)interpersonal relations
B)personal growth
C)leadership
D)group dynamics
E)incremental evolution

Accepted Answer

Incremental evolution is not a focus of laboratory or T-group training. The other options, interpersonal relations, personal growth, leadership, and group dynamics, are all focuses of this type of training.

Question 4

Productivity and QWL ideas were originated by Kurt Lewin.

Accepted Answer

Kurt Lewin is known for his work in social psychology and group dynamics, but he did not originate the concepts of productivity and quality of work life (QWL). These ideas have been developed and studied by many researchers and practitioners in various fields.

Question 5

A large number of organisations in Australia have been actively involved in formal organisation development (OD) programs in the recent past.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A large number of organisations in Australia...

Question 6

Although traditionally much of organisation development (OD) work was considered confidential, today organisations have increasingly gone public with their OD efforts and are interested in sharing their lessons with others.

Accepted Answer

The statement says that organisations have gone public with their OD efforts and are interested in sharing their lessons with others, indicating that the statement is true.

Question 7

Which of the following affects productivity?
A)reward systems
B)work flows
C)management styles
D)physical work environment
E)all of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the options listed can have an impact on productivity. Reward systems affect motivation and can encourage employees to work harder and more efficiently. Work flows can affect the ease and speed with which tasks are completed. Management styles can have an impact on employee morale, communication, and engagement, all of which can impact productivity. The physical work environment can affect employee comfort and well-being, which can also impact productivity.

Question 8

Today, the field of organisation development (OD) is being influenced by globalisation and information technology.

Accepted Answer

Globalisation and information technology have greatly impacted the field of organisation development. With the rise of global markets, organisations have to adapt to diverse cultures and workforces. Information technology has enabled OD practitioners to work remotely and gather data on organisational performance in real-time.

Question 9

Three major trends are shaping change in organisations:
A)globalisation, information technology and managerial innovation
B)globalisation, strategic change and leadership change
C)political, technological and cultural change
D)structural, technical and cultural change
E)political, technical and cultural change

Accepted Answer

Globalisation refers to the interconnectedness of economies and societies across the world, which has led to increased competition and expansion of markets. Information technology has transformed the way organisations operate, communicate and share information. Managerial innovation involves new ways of thinking about management and the development of new practices to enhance organisational performance. These three trends are interdependent and have a significant impact on the way organisations operate and compete in the global marketplace. Strategic and leadership change are also important trends in organisational change, but they are not as broad-based as the three trends identified in option A. Political, technical and cultural change are also important, but they are specific manifestations of the broader trends identified in option A. Structural and technical change are also important, but they are not as pervasive as the cultural changes that are occurring in organisations as a result of the other two trends.

Question 10

Internationally, organisation development (OD) has moved towards designing for revolutionary organisational change with a greater focus on transformational leadership.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Internationally, organisation development (OD) has moved towards...

Question 11

Organisation development (OD) is not typically associated with new product development or technological innovation.

Accepted Answer

OD focuses on improving organizational effectiveness and facilitating personal and organizational change through the use of interventions driven by social and behavioral science knowledge, rather than on creating new products or technologies.

Question 12

The most distinguishing characteristic of early quality-of-work-life (QWL) programs was:
A)the quality of work performed
B)the development of self-managing work groups
C)the involvement of unions in decision making
D)the use of job-enrichment techniques
E)the development of interesting work settings

Accepted Answer

The most distinguishing characteristic of early quality-of-work-life (QWL) programs was the development of self-managing work groups, which aimed to increase employee satisfaction and productivity by giving workers more control and responsibility over their work tasks.

Question 13

Organisation development (OD) practice is necessarily focused on face to face interactions in the workplace.

Accepted Answer

While face to face interactions are an important aspect of OD practice, it can also be conducted through virtual channels such as video conferencing, online exchanges, and webinars. With technology, OD practice has become more flexible and adaptable to remote work arrangements, making it possible to reach a wider audience outside of the physical workplace.

Question 14

Organisation development (OD) often requires a transformational leadership style.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Organisation development (OD) often requires a transformational...

Question 15

It is argued that there is no universal model of change that can be used throughout the world.Rather, for the purposes of sustainability, organisations need to be able to implement both incremental and transformational change.

Accepted Answer

Different cultures, values, and environments require different approaches to change management. Organizations need to be flexible and implement both incremental (gradual) and transformational (radical) changes in order to adapt to the evolving needs of their stakeholders and to ensure long-term sustainability.

Question 16

Which of the following is EXCLUDED from the definition of organisation development (OD)?
A)OD is a system-wide process
B)OD focuses on all forms of organisational change
C)OD draws on behavioural science knowledge
D)OD consists of small, incremental steps managed participatively
E)OD impacts on organisational effectiveness

Accepted Answer

Organisation Development (OD) typically focuses on planned, systemic changes rather than all forms of organisational change, which can include unplanned or spontaneous changes.

Question 17

The following are key to competing in a mature market:
A)revolutionary vision, new products and services
B)speed, flexibility and stability
C)radical innovation, speed and leadership
D)reinforcement of change, sustainability, and flexibility
E)cost, efficiency and incremental innovation

Accepted Answer

In a mature market, cost and efficiency are key factors in remaining competitive. Companies should focus on incremental innovation to improve their products and services without drastically changing them. This approach helps maintain stability while slowly adapting to changing customer needs and preferences. Speed and flexibility are also important to keep up with competitors, but radical innovation may not be necessary in a mature market.

Question 18

A contingency view of change acknowledges the influence of:
A)consultation and participation
B)available data that can be collected
C)the external environment and technology
D)research that is relevant to the organisation
E)high levels of productivity

Accepted Answer

A contingency view of change emphasizes the importance of the external environment and technology. This perspective suggests that change strategies must be tailored to fit the specific circumstances of the organization and its environment. Therefore, the influence of available data, research, consultation, participation, and productivity may be important considerations, but the external environment and technology are the most critical factors.

Question 19

Conclusions about the first T-group experiment were: (1) feedback about group interaction was a rich learning experience, and (2) the process could be transferred to 'back-home' situations.

Accepted Answer

The conclusions about the first T-group experiment were indeed that feedback about group interaction was a rich learning experience, and that the process could be transferred to 'back-home' situations.

Question 20

Organisation development (OD) assumes that transformational change is more important than incremental change.

Accepted Answer

Organisation Development (OD) values both transformational and incremental change, recognizing that both are important for the continuous improvement and adaptation of an organization. Incremental change facilitates steady progress, while transformational change addresses more radical shifts in strategy, structure, and processes.

Quiz 1: Introduction

Which of the following is NOT one of the 'stems' of organisation development (OD) ?

Organisation development (OD) is the system-wide application of behavioural science knowledge to the planned development and reinforcement of organisational strategies, structures and processes for improving an organisation's effectiveness.

Which of the following is NOT a focus of laboratory or T-group training?

Productivity and QWL ideas were originated by Kurt Lewin.

A large number of organisations in Australia have been actively involved in formal organisation development (OD) programs in the recent past.

Although traditionally much of organisation development (OD) work was considered confidential, today organisations have increasingly gone public with their OD efforts and are interested in sharing their lessons with others.

Which of the following affects productivity?

Today, the field of organisation development (OD) is being influenced by globalisation and information technology.

Three major trends are shaping change in organisations:

Internationally, organisation development (OD) has moved towards designing for revolutionary organisational change with a greater focus on transformational leadership.

Organisation development (OD) is not typically associated with new product development or technological innovation.

The most distinguishing characteristic of early quality-of-work-life (QWL) programs was:

Organisation development (OD) practice is necessarily focused on face to face interactions in the workplace.

Organisation development (OD) often requires a transformational leadership style.

It is argued that there is no universal model of change that can be used throughout the world.Rather, for the purposes of sustainability, organisations need to be able to implement both incremental and transformational change.

Which of the following is EXCLUDED from the definition of organisation development (OD) ?

The following are key to competing in a mature market:

A contingency view of change acknowledges the influence of:

Conclusions about the first T-group experiment were: (1) feedback about group interaction was a rich learning experience, and (2) the process could be transferred to 'back-home' situations.

Organisation development (OD) assumes that transformational change is more important than incremental change.