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

Question 1

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

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

True

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.

Answer 3

A

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Question 21

When an individual is the only minority member of a group, this can lead to categorization. Which of the following is not a problem of categorization?

A) The group recognizes that the minority member is a unique individual.
B) The group expects the minority member to represent all minorities.
C) The group tends to stereotype the minority member.
D) The group treats the minority member as a token diversity representative.

Question 22

Shanna notices that there are a pretty good number of employees in the company who are from her same cultural background, but that she is the only one who is in a position as a senior manager or higher. This observation suggests that her organization is probably a

A) monolithic organization.
B) plural organization.
C) multicultural organization.
D) globalized organization.

Question 23

Compared to culturally similar groups, culturally diverse groups working on challenging problems generally perform

A) less effectively in the long run.
B) less effectively initially but the same or better in the long run.
C) more effectively in the short term.
D) more effectively initially but about the same in the long run.

Question 24

Which of the following is not an important impact of globalization on an organization's communication?

A) The need to create communication systems that are compatible across countries.
B) The need to be accepting of differences in communication practices.
C) The need for organizations to purchase the latest communication technologies.
D) The need for organizations to monitor external communication.