Question 1

It is appropriate to use a(n) _______________approach to manage innovation in more certain environments during periods of incremental change, in which the goals are lower costs and incremental improvements in the performance and function of the existing technological design.

Accepted Answer

The compression approach is suitable for managing innovation in stable environments with incremental changes, focusing on efficiency and gradual improvements.

Question 2

The purpose of multifunctional teams is to_____________ .

Accepted Answer

The purpose of multifunctional teams is to speed innovation through early identification of new ideas or problems that would typically not have been generated until much later. This is achieved by bringing together individuals from different departments or areas of expertise to work collaboratively on a project or problem, thus increasing the likelihood of identifying and addressing potential issues at an earlier stage. A, B, D, and E are incorrect because they either do not accurately describe the purpose of multifunctional teams or are irrelevant to the question.

Question 3

What is the first step for managing innovation during discontinuous change?

Accepted Answer

Design iteration is a cycle of repetition in which a company tests a prototype of new product or service, improves on that design, and then test the improved prototype. This iterative process is basic to managing innovation.

Question 4

_____________forces support the status quo.

Accepted Answer

The term "resistance" refers to a force that opposes change or maintains the status quo. Therefore, choice C is the best answer. The other choices do not necessarily imply support for the status quo.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about resistance to change is true?

Accepted Answer

Resistance to change is a natural human tendency and is therefore inevitable, regardless of the efforts made to minimize it. It arises due to the fear of the unknown, the loss of control, and the perceived costs and risks associated with change. While involving those affected by the change, educating employees, and providing managerial support can help reduce resistance, it cannot eliminate it entirely. Moreover, resistance can be useful in identifying potential issues and ensuring that the change is well planned and executed. Therefore, recognizing and managing resistance is a critical component of successful change management.

Question 6

ARI is a leading provider of sales and profit-building technology services for equipment dealers. When Unverferth Manufacturing, a supplier of agricultural equipment, wanted to change the way it supplied information it contacted ARI. ARI presented the manufacturer with a solution that allowed it to replace its paper catalogs with online catalogs. As a result, Unverferth was able to eliminate costly paper catalogs and gain the ability to provide up-to- the-minute information to its dealers. This incremental change that was aided by supplier involvement was an example of the_____________ approach to innovation.

Accepted Answer

It is appropriate to use a compression approach to manage innovation in more certain environments during periods of incremental change. During such periods, the goals are lower costs and incremental improvements in the performance and function of the existing technological design.

Question 7

The use of milestones in the experiential approach to innovation________________ .

Accepted Answer

The use of milestones in the experiential approach to innovation provides structure to the general chaos that follows technological discontinuities, shortens the innovation process by breaking it down into manageable steps, builds momentum by giving people a sense of accomplishment, and lets an organization know when to take corrective action if necessary. Therefore, all of these options are correct.

Question 8

When incremental improvements are made to a dominant technological design such that the improved version of the technology is fully backward compatible with the older version,____________ is said to have occurred.

Accepted Answer

Generational change refers to improvements made to a dominant technological design in a step by step manner, where each improved version is fully backward compatible with the previous version. This type of change allows for a smoother transition between versions for users and is often seen in consumer electronics such as smartphones or laptops.

Question 9

The_____________ approach to managing innovation assumes that innovation is a predictable process made up of a series of steps and that compressing the time it takes to complete those steps can speed up innovation.

Accepted Answer

The term "compression" best fits the description provided because it refers to reducing the time it takes to complete certain steps in the innovation process.

Question 10

The goals of the compression approach to innovation are____________ .

Accepted Answer

Whereas the experiential approach is used to manage innovation toward new designs, the compression approach is aimed at lower costs and incremental improvement of the dominant design.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT one of the basic methods for managing resistance to change?

Accepted Answer

Change simulation is actually one of the basic methods for managing resistance to change. The other four options are all correct methods for managing resistance to change.

Question 12

Unverferth Manufacturing makes agricultural equipment. It used finite element analysis (FEA) software to speed up the design cycle for its 12-row sub-soiler. Which aspect of the compression approach to innovation would the use of this software apply?

Accepted Answer

Software is often used to shorten the time of individual steps.

Question 13

When resistance to change is based on insufficient, incorrect, or misleading information, managers should use _____________as an approach to manage resistance.

Accepted Answer

When resistance to change is rooted in a lack of information or inaccurate information, the best approach is to provide education and communication. This strategy involves explaining why the change is necessary, what it entails, how it affects employees, and how the change process will unfold. By providing clear, accurate information, managers can help employees better understand and accept the change.

Question 14

Backward compatibility is an important consideration for software users who are using an accounting program to facilitate their tax preparation and who want to use a newer version that has greater capacity. Therefore, many software manufacturers engage in_____________ .

Accepted Answer

Generational change refers to the development of a new version of a product that is compatible with previous versions, ensuring backward compatibility while offering improved features or capacity.

Question 15

Which of the following is one of the sources of resistance to change?

Accepted Answer

Self-interest refers to individuals or groups who stand to lose something as a result of the proposed change. This is one of the most common and strongest sources of resistance to change. The other options are not sources of resistance to change. Multifunctional teams and dynamic organizational culture can actually facilitate change, while discontinuous innovation refers to a type of innovation that may cause resistance initially, but it is not a source of resistance in itself. The sustainable status quo is also not a source of resistance to change.

Question 16

According to social psychologist Kurt Lewin,_________ lead to differences in the form, quality, or condition of an organization over time, while__________support the status quo, or the existing state of conditions in an organization.

Accepted Answer

Kurt Lewin's theory of change management identifies "change forces" as those that drive change and lead to differences in an organization, while "resistance forces" are those that support maintaining the status quo.

Question 17

Which of the following is one of the three steps in the basic process of managing organizational change outlined by Kurt Lewin?

Accepted Answer

According to Kurt Lewin, managing organizational change is a basic process of unfreezing, change intervention, and refreezing.

Question 18

The three steps in the basic process of managing organizational change outlined by Kurt Lewin are_____________ .

Accepted Answer

Kurt Lewin's three steps for managing organizational change are unfreezing, change intervention, and refreezing. Unfreezing involves preparing the organization for change and creating a motivation for change. Change intervention involves implementing the actual changes, and refreezing involves ensuring that the changes become permanent by integrating them into the organization's culture and practices.

Question 19

The use of milestones in the experiential approach to innovation_____________ .

Accepted Answer

Milestones in the experiential approach to innovation help in tracking progress and making necessary adjustments, which can lead to a more efficient and shorter innovation process.

Question 20

The first step in the compression approach to innovation is____________ .

Accepted Answer

The first step in the compression approach to innovation is planning. This involves defining goals, selecting resources, and determining the timeline for the innovation project. Only after planning is complete can other steps such as supplier involvement and creating multifunctional teams be carried out effectively.

Quiz 7: Section 1: Innovation and Change