Exam 16: Organisational Change and Stress Management

Proponents of the learning organisation envision it as a remedy for three fundamental problems of traditional organisations: fragmentation,competition and reactiveness.

Organic structures positively influence innovation.

Seeking to 'buy off' the leaders of a resistance group by giving them a key role is best defined as:

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:

Which of the following has been the most studied potential source of innovation?

Research has shown that stress can create changes in metabolism and increased heart rate.

Stress always leads to reduced job performance.

What are some individual approaches to managing stress?

An individual maintains his or her worldview through:

Double-loop learning is an error correction process that relies on past routines and present policies.

List the six specific forces for change.

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

Johnson Farm Products has decided to expand its traditional business with farmers in order to include home gardeners.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 get their cooperation. You have brought in a local 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:

Resistance to change is positive when the change is treated as a threat.

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 realises 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 are offering a $2000 moving bonus for any employee who will go to the new location.In Lewin's terms,you are attempting to:

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 synthesise the information into primary concerns,problem areas,and possible actions?

Rob works for a government department that has recently been merged with another department.As a result of this merger,policies and procedures within the two departments have to be integrated with one another.In anticipation of this,Rob was tasked with creating a 'transition' team that will plan and map the changes that are to take effect at different stages. This is considered:

Technology is considered a force that stimulates change.

Innovation is nurtured where there are slack resources.

What can managers do to make their firms 'learning organisations'?