Question 1

According to media richness theory, media differ, in part, according to the socioemotional value cultures attribute to the media itself.

Accepted Answer

Media richness theory, proposed by Richard L. Daft and Robert H. Lengel in the 1980s, suggests that communication media vary in their ability to transmit information effectively. The theory posits that the richness of a communication medium is based on four criteria:

1. The ability to handle multiple cues simultaneously,
2. The ability to facilitate rapid feedback,
3. The capacity for personalization, and
4. The potential for utilizing natural language.

According to the theory, richer media are more capable of reducing uncertainty and equivocality because they can convey more cues and nuances in communication, such as tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language. Examples of rich media include face-to-face communication and video conferencing, while leaner media include emails and memos.

In the context of socioemotional value and cultural attribution, media richness theory acknowledges that different cultures may ascribe varying degrees of importance or effectiveness to different communication media. This is because the socioemotional value of a medium is influenced by cultural norms, values, and expectations regarding communication.

For instance, in some cultures, face-to-face communication may be highly valued for its immediacy and personal touch, making it the preferred medium for important or sensitive messages. In other cultures, written communication might be seen as more formal and respectful, and therefore more appropriate for certain types of interactions.

The socioemotional value attributed to a medium can affect how messages are sent and received within a cultural context. It can influence the choice of medium for different types of communication, the interpretation of messages, and the effectiveness of the communication overall.

In summary, media richness theory suggests that the effectiveness of a communication medium is partly determined by its inherent properties, but the socioemotional value that a culture places on a particular medium also plays a significant role in how that medium is used and how effective it is considered to be within that cultural context.

Question 2

Communication via telephone has greater media richness than communicating via text messaging.

Accepted Answer

Telephone communication allows for the transmission of tone, inflection, and immediate feedback, making it richer in conveying nuances compared to text messaging, which relies solely on written language.

Question 3

In systems theory, the concept of openness is illustrated by which of the following?
A) McDonalds actively takes in resources from the environment and returns products to it.
B) McDonalds employees are encouraged to be open to feedback from their peers and supervisors.
C) McDonalds is open to new ideas from employees for producing good service and products.
D) McDonalds is part of the open, unstable, changing environment of fast food restaurants.

Accepted Answer

The concept of openness in systems theory refers to the interaction of a system with its environment, particularly in terms of exchanging resources, information, or energy. Choice A illustrates this concept by describing how McDonald's takes in resources from its environment (inputs) and returns products to it (outputs), which is a direct example of system-environment interaction.

Question 4

In systems theory, the concept of openness means which of the following?
A) The organizations are involved in active exchanges with their environment.
B) The organizational members seek out feedback in their communication.
C) The organizational members are open to communicating new ideas.
D) The organization exists in an open, but stable environment.

Accepted Answer

The concept of openness in systems theory refers to the characteristic of organizations that are involved in active exchanges with their environment, indicating a dynamic interaction with external elements rather than being closed or isolated.

Question 5

Which of the following would be negative feedback to a local car dealer from a systems theory?
A) sending out a shipment of used cars that were traded in
B) finding that the inventory of unsold cars has increased over the last few months
C) coverage in the local paper about their employee of the month
D) receiving a shipment of new cars from the producer

Accepted Answer

Negative feedback in systems theory refers to information that indicates a deviation from a desired state or goal, prompting corrective action. In this case, an increase in the inventory of unsold cars (B) signals a problem (e.g., overstocking or decreased sales), which would require the dealer to adjust strategies to reduce inventory, making it a form of negative feedback.

Question 6

Which of the following would be positive feedback to a local car dealer from a systems theory?
A) sending out a shipment of used cars that were traded in
B) finding that the inventory of unsold cars has decreased significantly over the last few months
C) coverage in the local paper about the hail damage to their inventory of cars
D) receiving a shipment of new cars from the producer

Accepted Answer

Positive feedback in systems theory refers to outputs that, when fed back into the system, lead to an increase in a particular behavior or outcome. In this case, finding that the inventory of unsold cars has decreased significantly over the last few months would be considered positive feedback, as it indicates successful sales and could encourage further efforts to maintain or increase this trend.

Question 7

In systems theory, in its most general sense, the concept of hierarchy concerns which of the following?
A) who are the supervisors and who are the subordinates
B) the relationship of subsystems to other larger systems
C) the way rules constrain an organization's culture
D) who has power over whom in the organization

Accepted Answer

The concept of hierarchy in systems theory generally refers to the arrangement and relationship of subsystems within larger systems, rather than interpersonal or organizational power dynamics.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of hierarchy as it is defined in systems theory?
A) the relationship of supervisors to their subordinates within a department
B) the relationship of department to the larger part of a larger division in which it operates
C) the way the bureaucracy of the organization is controlled by a series of rules and procedures
D) the relationship of power within an organization-who has it and who does not

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is an example...

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of a large, discursive change for an organization?
A) The organization adopts a new logo and must replace signs throughout it.
B) The organization changes to a new supplier to improve the quality of its product.
C) The organization adopts a new procedure for packaging its product.
D) The organization changes from a nonprofit to a for-profit organization.

Accepted Answer

Changing from a nonprofit to a for-profit organization represents a fundamental shift in the organization's purpose, structure, and operations, which is a large, discursive change.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of a small, unplanned change?
A) After renovating the break room, management finds that employees take shorter breaks.
B) After renovating the break room, management finds that employees are more satisfied with it.
C) After creating a new policy on breaks, management finds that employees are returning to work on time more frequently.
D) After creating a new policy on breaks, management finds that employees think that everyone is being treated more fairly.

Accepted Answer

The renovation of the break room leading to shorter breaks is an example of a small, unplanned change because the primary intention was to renovate, not necessarily to alter break times.

Question 11

A department chair decides to change a little-used computer lab into a classroom so that students will interact more between classes. The chair notices that students do use the lounge more while waiting for classes in the building. This is an example of which kind of change?
A) discursive, planned.
B) discursive, unplanned
C) material, unplanned
D) material, planned

Accepted Answer

The change is "material" because it involves a physical alteration of the environment (transforming a computer lab into a classroom) and "planned" because it was intentionally designed to increase student interaction, indicating a deliberate action by the department chair.

Question 12

According to the principles of the diffusion of innovation, an early adopter would be involved in which way with a new computer application to improve work flow?
A) The early adopter would create the computer application.
B) The early adopter would adopt the computer application after seeing quite a few others using it successfully.
C) The early adopter would adopt the computer application after seeing that most people have used it successfully.
D) The early adopter would be one of the first people to use the computer application.

Accepted Answer

Early adopters are characterized by their willingness to adopt new technologies or innovations soon after their introduction, but not immediately as the innovators do. They are typically more open to new ideas and willing to take risks, but they do so after seeing some initial proof of concept or success from the innovators.

Question 13

According to the principles of the diffusion of innovation, a late majority adopter would be involved in which way with a new computer application to improve work flow?
A) A late majority adopter would be one of the last people to begin using the innovation.
B) A late majority adopter would adopt the computer application after seeing a few others using it successfully.
C) A late majority adopter would adopt the computer application after seeing that at least half the people have used it successfully.
D) A late majority adopter would be one of the first people to use the computer application.

Accepted Answer

A late majority adopter typically adopts an innovation after seeing that a significant portion of the population, usually around half, has already successfully used it.

Question 14

Change in the workplace can result in an emotional response because
A) even small changes are changes in the organizational culture.
B) people are naturally emotional about the workplace.
C) even small changes are unwelcome in the workplace.
D) people are against changes even ones that are good for them.

Accepted Answer

Changes in the workplace, even minor ones, can affect the organizational culture, which in turn can elicit emotional responses from employees who are accustomed to or comfortable with the existing culture.

Question 15

The similarity between the grieving process and the emotional response to change is that both are responses to
A) organizational changes.
B) the loss of something that was valued.
C) change in the workplace by late adopters.
D) change in the workplace by early adopters.

Accepted Answer

Both the grieving process and the emotional response to change involve reactions to the loss of something that was valued, whether it's a loved one, a job, or a familiar way of life.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes peer-focused resistance?
A) Peer-focused resistance involves complaining to peers but usually does not influence the implementation of change.
B) Peer-focused resistance involves joining with peers to complain to management to influence the implementation of change.
C) Peer-focused resistance involves complaining to peers and usually influences the implementation of change.
D) Peer-focused resistance involves actively working with peers to make sure the change does not work.

Accepted Answer

Peer-focused resistance involves complaining to peers but usually does not influence the implementation of change.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes activism as a form of resistance?
A) Activism as a form of resistance involves refusing to comply with the change request.
B) Activism as a form of resistance involves joining with peers to complain to management to influence the implementation of change.
C) Activism as a form of resistance involves complaining to peers about the nature of the change.
D) Activism as a form of resistance involves actively working with peers to make sure the change does not work.

Accepted Answer

Activism as a form of resistance often involves collective efforts, such as joining with peers to voice concerns or influence the implementation of change, rather than individual complaints or passive resistance.

Question 18

Which of the following is not considered an important form of effective communication during the implementation of change?
A) It should include two-sided messages that acknowledge opposition to the change.
B) It should be done early in the change process to keep people informed.
C) It should include targeted messages to individuals and blanket messages to everyone.
D) It should be disseminated using the latest communication technologies.

Accepted Answer

Effective communication during the implementation of change focuses on acknowledging opposition, informing people early, and tailoring messages to different audiences. The use of the latest communication technologies is not inherently crucial; what matters more is the clarity, timing, and relevance of the communication rather than the specific technologies used.

Question 19

Media richness theory would consider a face-to-face meeting richer than a private phone call because it
A) offers more opportunity for immediate feedback.
B) is a more personal.
C) allows for more communication cues.
D) is a more formal type of communication.

Accepted Answer

Media richness theory suggests that face-to-face communication is richer than phone calls because it allows for more communication cues, such as facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice.

Question 20

Which of the following is not a way that technology is changing communication in the workplace?
A) It provides more immediate access to more information and more people.
B) It changes the ways people interact with their coworkers.
C) It changes communication behaviors at meetings.
D) It makes rational decisions easier to make.

Accepted Answer

Technology primarily affects the mediums and speed of communication, how we interact with each other, and the dynamics of meetings rather than directly facilitating the ease of making rational decisions. Rational decision-making involves critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are not inherently improved just by the presence or use of technology.

Quiz 13: Communication and the Changing Work Environment: Technology, Diversity, and Globalization

According to media richness theory, media differ, in part, according to the socioemotional value cultures attribute to the media itself.

Communication via telephone has greater media richness than communicating via text messaging.

In systems theory, the concept of openness is illustrated by which of the following?

In systems theory, the concept of openness means which of the following?

Which of the following would be negative feedback to a local car dealer from a systems theory?

Which of the following would be positive feedback to a local car dealer from a systems theory?

In systems theory, in its most general sense, the concept of hierarchy concerns which of the following?

Which of the following is an example of hierarchy as it is defined in systems theory?

Which of the following is an example of a large, discursive change for an organization?

Which of the following is an example of a small, unplanned change?

A department chair decides to change a little-used computer lab into a classroom so that students will interact more between classes. The chair notices that students do use the lounge more while waiting for classes in the building. This is an example of which kind of change?

According to the principles of the diffusion of innovation, an early adopter would be involved in which way with a new computer application to improve work flow?

According to the principles of the diffusion of innovation, a late majority adopter would be involved in which way with a new computer application to improve work flow?

Change in the workplace can result in an emotional response because

The similarity between the grieving process and the emotional response to change is that both are responses to

Which of the following best describes peer-focused resistance?

Which of the following best describes activism as a form of resistance?

Which of the following is not considered an important form of effective communication during the implementation of change?

Media richness theory would consider a face-to-face meeting richer than a private phone call because it

Which of the following is not a way that technology is changing communication in the workplace?