Question 1

Your supervisor has restructured the jobs within your division and some of your colleagues are not pleased. Don is concerned that he will not be able to perform the new tasks. Since he is paid by the amount he produces, his pay might be reduced. Tony is afraid that his job may be in jeopardy and he may be laid off. Doug dislikes uncertainty and has developed a negative attitude.

-The source of Doug's resistance is ________.

Accepted Answer

Doug's resistance stems from his dislike of uncertainty, which is a common response to change. He may feel that the new structure will bring about unknown outcomes, causing him to develop a negative attitude.

Question 2

Since the restructuring, your division has had trouble filling the open positions with appropriate candidates. The selection processes used by human resources have not yet adjusted to the new criteria required for the restructured job positions. This problem is an example of which kind of resistance to change?

Accepted Answer

Structural inertia refers to the resistance to change that arises from the existing organizational structure, policies, procedures, and systems. In this case, the selection processes used by HR are part of the existing structure, and they have not yet been adjusted to the new requirements for the restructured positions. This is a clear example of structural inertia. The other options do not fit the scenario as well. B) limited focus of change suggests that the change may not be expansive enough, but this is not the problem here. C) group inertia would refer to the resistance of a group of employees to change, which is not specifically described in the scenario. D) threat to expertise and E) threat to established power relationships may be factors contributing to resistance to change in other cases, but they are not as directly relevant to the problem at hand.

Question 3

TNT Net is a company that you have established within the computer industry, where innovations are common. Your employees are highly trained, well educated, and hard working. They are under a great deal of stress and TNT Net is concerned that productivity and job satisfaction will decline.
-In an attempt to recognize stress early, you should be aware that symptoms may be ________.

Accepted Answer

Stress can manifest in a variety of ways, including physiological symptoms (such as headaches or high blood pressure), psychological symptoms (such as anxiety or irritability), and behavioral symptoms (such as decreased productivity or increased absenteeism). It is important to be aware of all of these possible symptoms in order to recognize stress in employees and address it before it leads to productivity and job satisfaction issues.

Question 4

You have decided to use action research to manage a planned change in your department. You have carefully mapped out the five steps of the process.
-In which stage of the process do you synthesize the information into primary concerns, problem areas, and possible actions?

Accepted Answer

Synthesizing information into primary concerns, problem areas, and possible actions is done during the analysis stage of action research. This is where the researcher takes the data collected during the diagnosis stage and begins to make sense of it by identifying patterns and themes, and developing a deeper understanding of the issues at hand. This analysis serves as the basis for identifying potential solutions and interventions, which are developed in the subsequent action stage.

Question 5

Define "change agent" and describe where change is most likely to come from. Compare who is most likely to be an agent of change to who is most likely to resist change. Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define "change agent" and describe where change...

Question 6

Your company, Johnson Farm Products, has decided to expand its traditional business serving farm owners in order to include home gardeners in its customer base. This change is not met with enthusiasm by the sales personnel who have had good long-term relationships with area farmers. You know that the change will be difficult if you cannot overcome the resistance of the sales personnel and obtain their cooperation.
-You have threatened to eliminate positions and even to close down the company if your employees don't change their attitudes. The method for overcoming resistance that you have chosen may be ________.

Accepted Answer

The method chosen is coercion, as it involves using threats to force employees to change their attitudes.

Question 7

Mintz's Motor Repair is moving its location to a larger community 100 miles away. Mintz would like for its mechanics to move with the company but realizes that there will be some hardships associated with the move. Mintz has decided to use Lewin's three-step model in order to make the change.
-As a manager in charge of the relocation effort, you are offering a $2,000 moving bonus for any employee who will go to the new location. In Lewin's terms, you are attempting to ________.

Accepted Answer

Offering a moving bonus is a way to unfreeze the status quo, as it provides an incentive for employees to consider and be more open to the change.

Question 8

TNT Net is a company that you have established within the computer industry, where innovations are common. Your employees are highly trained, well educated, and hard working. They are under a great deal of stress and TNT Net is concerned that productivity and job satisfaction will decline.
-The technological change that employees are dealing with is a(n) ________ stress-producing factor.

Accepted Answer

The technological change within the computer industry is an environmental stress-producing factor, as it is outside the control of the individual or the organization and affects the overall work environment.

Question 9

What is action research?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is action research?...

Question 10

What is the difference between single-loop learning and double-loop learning?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the difference between single-loop learning...

Question 11

Despite your attempts to unfreeze the status quo at Mintz, your employees are still resistant to the relocation. According to Kotter's model, which of the following would most likely help to overcome this problem?

Accepted Answer

Providing employees with a list of compelling reasons for the move would most likely help to overcome their resistance. This addresses Kotter's fourth step of creating a vision and strategy that effectively communicate the need for change. By providing a list of reasons for the move, employees can better understand the reasoning behind it and may feel more willing to support the relocation. Additionally, it addresses the first step of creating a sense of urgency by highlighting the importance of the move. Choices A, B, and C do not follow Kotter's model for successful change management, and postponing the moving deadline would not address employees' resistance to the relocation.

Question 12

You have decided to use action research to manage a planned change in your department. You have carefully mapped out the five steps of the process.
-In which stage do you share with employees what you have found and develop action plans?

Accepted Answer

In the feedback stage of action research, the manager shares the findings with the employees and collaboratively develops action plans to improve the situation. This is where the employees become fully involved in the change process, and their feedback is used to modify the plan to better suit their needs.

Question 13

Provide an example of planned change and list two tactics that a change agent would be wise to apply when instituting a planned change.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Provide an example of planned change and...

Question 14

Your company, Johnson Farm Products, has decided to expand its traditional business serving farm owners in order to include home gardeners in its customer base. This change is not met with enthusiasm by the sales personnel who have had good long-term relationships with area farmers. You know that the change will be difficult if you cannot overcome the resistance of the sales personnel and obtain their cooperation.
-You have brought in the local extension agent to explain demographics and the changing nature of the area in which you live. The method for overcoming resistance that you have chosen is ________.

Accepted Answer

The chosen method for overcoming resistance is education and communication, as the extension agent is brought in to explain the changing demographics and nature of the area. This approach aims to provide information and understanding to the sales personnel, thus helping them see the value and importance of the expansion to include home gardeners. It is a non-manipulative and cooperative approach that seeks to address the concerns and resistance of the sales personnel through open and honest communication.

Question 15

You have decided to use action research to manage a planned change in your department. You have carefully mapped out the five steps of the process.
-You ask questions and interview your employees in which step of the process?

Accepted Answer

The second step of the action research process is diagnosis, which involves gathering information to develop an understanding of the situation and identify the problem. This can include asking questions and conducting interviews with employees to gather their perspectives and insights.

Question 16

Your supervisor has restructured the jobs within your division and some of your colleagues are not pleased. Don is concerned that he will not be able to perform the new tasks. Since he is paid by the amount he produces, his pay might be reduced. Tony is afraid that his job may be in jeopardy and he may be laid off. Doug dislikes uncertainty and has developed a negative attitude.

-The source of Don's resistance is ________.

Accepted Answer

Don's concern about reduced pay indicates an economic source of resistance.

Question 17

Mintz's Motor Repair is moving its location to a larger community 100 miles away. Mintz would like for its mechanics to move with the company but realizes that there will be some hardships associated with the move. Mintz has decided to use Lewin's three-step model in order to make the change.
-You counsel each employee individually, trying to lessen each person's fears about the move. This is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

By counseling each employee individually, Mintz is attempting to address the restraining forces that may prevent the mechanics from moving with the company. This approach aims to remove or lessen any fears or concerns that the employees may have about the move.

Question 18

Mintz's Motor Repair is moving its location to a larger community 100 miles away. Mintz would like for its mechanics to move with the company but realizes that there will be some hardships associated with the move. Mintz has decided to use Lewin's three-step model in order to make the change.
-You have implemented a permanent upward adjustment of salaries for employees who relocate. You are attempting to ________.

Accepted Answer

The permanent upward adjustment of salaries is an attempt to solidify and stabilize the change, which aligns with the "refreeze" step in Lewin's three-step model.

Question 19

Your company, Johnson Farm Products, has decided to expand its traditional business serving farm owners in order to include home gardeners in its customer base. This change is not met with enthusiasm by the sales personnel who have had good long-term relationships with area farmers. You know that the change will be difficult if you cannot overcome the resistance of the sales personnel and obtain their cooperation.
-You have decided to involve the sales personnel in planning for the change and in stocking appropriate new items to sell to gardeners. The method for overcoming resistance that you have chosen is ________.

Accepted Answer

The method for overcoming resistance that has been chosen is participation, which involves involving the sales personnel in planning for the change and in stocking appropriate new items to sell to gardeners. This method allows the sales personnel to feel like they have a say in the decision-making process and can therefore increase their willingness to cooperate with the change. The other options, such as coercion and manipulation, are not appropriate or ethical methods for overcoming resistance. Education and communication and negotiation may be effective in some situations, but involving the sales personnel in planning is likely to be the most effective strategy in this case.

Question 20

TNT Net is a company that you have established within the computer industry, where innovations are common. Your employees are highly trained, well educated, and hard working. They are under a great deal of stress and TNT Net is concerned that productivity and job satisfaction will decline.
-One of your employees is very stressed out as a result of being asked to assume too many roles in his job. This source of stress is ________.

Accepted Answer

Organizational stressors arise from within the workplace itself, such as work overload or role ambiguity. In this situation, the employee is experiencing stress due to being asked to assume too many roles in their job, which is an example of an organizational stressor.

Quiz 18: Organizational Change and Stress Management

You have decided to use action research to manage a planned change in your department. You have carefully mapped out the five steps of the process. -In which stage of the process do you synthesize the information into primary concerns, problem areas, and possible actions?

Define "change agent" and describe where change is most likely to come from. Compare who is most likely to be an agent of change to who is most likely to resist change. Explain your answer.

What is action research?

What is the difference between single-loop learning and double-loop learning?

Despite your attempts to unfreeze the status quo at Mintz, your employees are still resistant to the relocation. According to Kotter's model, which of the following would most likely help to overcome this problem?

You have decided to use action research to manage a planned change in your department. You have carefully mapped out the five steps of the process. -In which stage do you share with employees what you have found and develop action plans?

Provide an example of planned change and list two tactics that a change agent would be wise to apply when instituting a planned change.

You have decided to use action research to manage a planned change in your department. You have carefully mapped out the five steps of the process. -You ask questions and interview your employees in which step of the process?