Question 1

A friendship group is an example of a formal group.

Accepted Answer

A friendship group is an example of an informal group, as it is formed based on personal relationships rather than a formal organizational structure or hierarchy.

Question 2

An organization cannot plan for change.

Accepted Answer

An organization can definitely plan for change. In fact, it is crucial for organizations to anticipate and prepare for change in order to stay competitive and responsive to evolving conditions in their industry or market. Planning for change may involve conducting research, identifying potential risks and opportunities, developing contingency plans, and engaging stakeholders in the process.

Question 3

Formal groups are those created by the organization.

Accepted Answer

Formal groups are intentionally created by an organization to accomplish specific goals or tasks. For example, departments, committees, project teams, etc.

Question 4

According to the systems concept, a change in one organizational element is likely to affect other elements.

Accepted Answer

The systems concept emphasizes that all elements of an organization are interconnected and interdependent, so a change in one element is likely to have an impact on other elements within the system. This means that changes in one department, process, or policy can affect the overall performance and outcomes of the organization as a whole. Therefore, understanding the relationships and interdependencies among different elements is essential for effective management and decision-making in any organization.

Question 5

The organization should change to meet external environmental changes, but should resist any changes that affect the organization internally.

Accepted Answer

This statement is incorrect. Organizations should also be willing to change internally in response to external environmental changes. Successful organizations are able to adapt and evolve both externally and internally to remain competitive and sustainable.

Question 6

Organizational effectiveness results from activities that improve the organization's structure, technology, and people.

Accepted Answer

Organizational effectiveness can be improved through enhancing the structure (e.g. streamlining operations, clarifying roles and responsibilities), technology (e.g. implementing new tools or systems), and people (e.g. developing employee skills and capabilities, creating a positive work culture). Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 7

The larger the group, the easier it is for members to interact with each other.

Accepted Answer

The larger the group, the more difficult it becomes for members to interact with each other because there are more people to manage and coordinate with. This can lead to a decrease in communication and collaboration.

Question 8

Informal groups are shown on the organization chart.

Accepted Answer

Informal groups are not shown on the organization chart as they are not a part of the formal structure of the organization. They are formed based on common interests or social relationships among employees.

Question 9

Employees involved in the change process are more likely to support the change.

Accepted Answer

When employees are involved in the change process, they feel more ownership and buy-in towards the change, which increases their likelihood to support it.

Question 10

A group is considered to be two or more people who communicate and work together on an irregular basis.

Accepted Answer

A group is typically defined as two or more people who interact with each other regularly and have a common goal or purpose.

Question 11

New organizational initiatives and/or goals are examples of internal change forces.

Accepted Answer

New organizational initiatives and/or goals are decisions made within the organization and are considered internal change forces.

Question 12

Changing the organization's people may require also changing the recruiting and selection policies and procedures of that organization.

Accepted Answer

If the organization wants to bring in new talent or skills, it may need to revise its recruitment and selection strategies to attract different types of candidates. Similarly, if the organization's existing workforce is not meeting performance expectations, it may require changes to the selection criteria or methods used to identify and screen potential employees.

Question 13

One basic change that is needed in today's organizations is a shift from a long-term to a short-term perspective.

Accepted Answer

The statement is incorrect. Organizations need to focus on both short-term and long-term goals to achieve sustainable success. A myopic focus on short-term gains can lead to neglecting important long-term planning and potential negative consequences in the future.

Question 14

Employees are more likely to support a change if it affects them adversely.

Accepted Answer

Employees are less likely to support a change if it affects them adversely. People generally resist change when it negatively impacts them. However, they may be more accepting of change if they understand the reasons behind it and how it will ultimately benefit the organization and themselves in the long run.

Question 15

Management has control over external change forces.

Accepted Answer

Management does not have control over external change forces because these forces are out of their direct influence, such as changes in the economy, technology, or laws and regulations. Management can only react and adapt to these external changes, rather than control them.

Question 16

One basic concept about groups is that they are always supportive of organization goals.

Accepted Answer

Groups can sometimes have conflicting goals or be resistant to organizational goals, especially if they feel their own interests or values are being ignored or undermined.

Question 17

Forces causing change come from both outside and inside an organization.

Accepted Answer

Forces causing change can come from external factors such as changes in the market, technological advancements, or government regulations, as well as internal factors such as the need for innovation, organizational growth, or shifts in company culture.

Question 18

Internal and external change forces are never inter-related.

Accepted Answer

Internal and external change forces can be inter-related and can impact each other. For example, a change in the market environment (external) might lead to a company restructuring its internal organizational structure (internal).

Question 19

Committees and task forces are examples of formal groups.

Accepted Answer

Committees and task forces are both examples of formal groups, meaning that they are deliberately created within an organization or community to achieve a specific goal or objective. These groups have defined roles, responsibilities, and procedures for decision-making and communication.

Question 20

Synergy means that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Accepted Answer

Synergy is the concept that when two or more things work together, the combined effect is greater than the sum of their separate effects. So, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Quiz 9: Group Development and Team Building