Exam 7: Managing Change, Stress, and Innovation

Application of Organizational Change Krista is unsure what to do next. Her company is about to implement a radical new technology transformation that will affect every person in the organization. They are basically updating their plant to the 21st century, and almost everything is changing. Krista is in charge of assisting the members of the company with the planned changes. Since it is a long- term change that is organization- wide, management felt that someone needed to facilitate the change because, in essence, it was changing the culture of the company. The first thing Krista did was to ask employees a specific set of questions about the perceived changes. From this data, Krista then needed to decide what to do next. An outside consultant has been hired to help Krista diagnose the interpersonal processes that needed improvement. The move from functional departmentalization to work teams was a change necessitated by the new technology. This was a major change for employees who had worked in specific departments for most of their careers. Furthermore, the teams will have to interact with each other as they use the new technology. Krista feels that her task is almost overwhelming. -The first step that Krista took was

Application of Resistance to Change Acme Feed Company is a small farmers' store located in eastern North Carolina. Because the surrounding farms have been taken over by corporate farmers, Acme's owners know that they must make some changes. The owners have decided to hire an "expert" to assist them in making the necessary changes. Acme currently employs fifteen people. Two individuals serve as managers and have been with Acme for over twenty years. Five employees have been hired in the last several years, and an additional eight employees are part- time workers who are attending the local agricultural college. -Which group is most likely to resist the changes?

Senior employees resist change more than new employees do.

A local college offers its employees reduced rates when they use the physical fitness facilities, offers weight control seminars and nutrition education, and provides incentives for employees who stop smoking. The college has

Compare and contrast the major differences between Type A and Type B personality. What differences might exist between the way people with these two styles interact with and impact their peers and/or subordinates at work?

Application of "What Is Stress? "Kevin is a very relaxed, easy- going employee. When the new technological processes were implemented last month, he was able to easily accept the changes and start working through learning the new techniques necessary to use the new processes. George, on the other hand, was concerned about the new technology long before it was ever implemented. He was afraid he would no longer be able to be the top performer in his department. He has had several problems adapting to the new situation. George works very long hours, 60- 70 hours each week. -Under which of the following categories of stress does the new technology fall?

George constantly strives to excel. He must always get the highest grade in the class and has a sense of urgency about him at all times. George probably has which of the following?

Which of the following is not an internal source of change?

When an outside consultant helps managers perceive, understand, and act upon process events with which they must deal, the organization is using which organization development technique?

Stress is caused by excessive negative personal and social factors at work.

The innovative organization is characterized by its ability to channel its creative abilities into useful outcomes.

Changes in employee attitudes, expectations, perceptions, or behaviors fall under which category of options that a manager can change?

__________symptoms of stress, such as anxiety, boredom, and procrastination can lead to productivity decreases.

Stabilizing the change and creating the conditions for its long- term continuity occurs during the __________phase in Lewin's Model.

Joannie Calvert sees resistance to change at work as dysfunctional. She can choose from a list of common techniques to reduce this resistance. Joannie might use education and communication, participation, facilitation and support, negotiation, manipulation and cooptation, and coercion.

Application of Resistance to Change Acme Feed Company is a small farmers' store located in eastern North Carolina. Because the surrounding farms have been taken over by corporate farmers, Acme's owners know that they must make some changes. The owners have decided to hire an "expert" to assist them in making the necessary changes. Acme currently employs fifteen people. Two individuals serve as managers and have been with Acme for over twenty years. Five employees have been hired in the last several years, and an additional eight employees are part- time workers who are attending the local agricultural college. -Which of the following is probably the primary reason the senior managers are resisting the change?

A manager has basically three options when handling change. They include all of the following except

Intergroup development is an activity that helps work groups set goals, develop positive interpersonal relationships, and clarify the roles and responsibilities of each team member.

Which of the following is not one of the four steps in the product innovation process?

Rosebow Inc. has instituted a performance- based pay system that has motivated employees to work harder. This is an example of a change in