OB Module 12: Change Management and Stress

A new employee is more likely than a senior manager who has been with the organization for a long time to act as an impediment to change in an organization?

False

Change is not as inevitable for companies as it is for individuals.

False

Companies with dominant market share are less susceptible to the forces of change than smaller businesses.

False

Organizations are increasingly adjusting their processes and positioning their products as environment friendly and sustainable in order to increase their appeal to consumers. This is a response to changes in social trends.

True

Resistance to change can be positive if it leads to open discussion and debate.

True

________ is a dynamic condition in which an individual is confronted with an opportunity, demand, or resource related to what the individual desires and for which the outcome is perceived to be both uncertain and important. a) Change b) Stress c) Innovation d) Stimulation e) Creativity

b) Stress

Political uncertainties, economic uncertainties, and technological change are examples of the ________ factors of potential stress. a) structural b) environmental c) organizational d) personal e) social

b) environmental

Organizations are increasingly adjusting their processes and positioning their products as environment friendly and sustainable in order to increase their appeal to consumers. This is a response to changes in ________. a) demographic trends b) social trends c) cultural trends d) legal requirements E) nature of the workforce

b) social trends

Which is true regarding employee burnout: a) While it takes rather long to develop it can often be cured in short time periods. b) The symptoms almost exclusively mental and do not show as physical symptoms. c) Especially high achievers (compared to average performers) are among burnout sufferers. d) The main reason for job Burnout it is the lack of willingness to deal with demanding tasks. e) Burnout can often be cured with breaks from work, such as "sleeping over a weekend" or "taking a few days of work to clear your head".

c) Especially high achievers (compared to average performers) are among burnout sufferers.

Which of the following is an example of an individual source of resistance to change? a) Limited focus of change b) Product orientation c) Fear of the unknown d) Structural inertia e) Employee orientation

c) Fear of the unknown

Fony Corp., headquartered in China, is a leading manufacturer of electronic devices and solutions intended for professional markets. The company is considering upgrading the technology currently being used at Fony's manufacturing facility, located in Guangdong, that specializes in producing lithium-ion batteries, which are used to power laptops, cameras, cell phones, and other similar gadgets. The new technology is expected to increase efficiency levels and will also allow for greater adherence to quality standards. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument that Fony Corp. should upgrade its technology? a) The market for consumer electronics such as laptops, cameras, cell phones, and other similar gadgets is in the late maturity stage. b) Fony will be able to recover the cost of the new technology within eight years. c) Fony's main client account is at risk after the client had to recall nearly 2 million notebooks owing to defective batteries. d) The existing technology is currently functioning at the optimal level and the cost of maintenance is minimal. e) Fony last upgraded its technology six years ago and it has an adequate budget to fund the acquisition.

c) Fony's main client account is at risk after the client had to recall nearly 2 million notebooks owing to defective batteries.

Which individual is least likely to accept and adapt easily to change? a) An employee who is emotionally stable. b) An employee who has high core self-evaluations. c) An employee who is willing to take risks. d) An employee who prefers predictability. e) An employee who is flexible in her behavior.

d) An employee who prefers predictability.

Appreciative inquiry (AI) is an organizational development technique. Which of the following statements is true regarding appreciative inquiry? a) It tries to identify discrepancies among member perceptions and solve these differences. b) It uses high-interaction group activities to increase trust and openness among team members, improve coordinative efforts, and increase team performance. c) It involves an outside consultant who helps the manager to analyze processes within his or her unit and identify what to improve and how. d) It consists of four steps including discovery, dreaming, design, and destiny. e) It seeks to change groups' attitudes, stereotypes, and perceptions about each other.

d) It consists of four steps including discovery, dreaming, design, and destiny.

Employee burnout describes a syndrome that consists of complete energy exhaustion with substantial negative influences on work performance and even daily functioning. Which of the following statements does Depersonalization best describe. a) The emotional and physical feeling of tiredness. b) The believe that one won't cope even facing rather minor tasks. c) The doubt of one's work purpose or the general purpose in life. d) The cynical view that others don't understand and don't care. e) The complete lack of economic resources to quit one's job.

d) The cynical view that others don't understand and don't care.

Which of the following stressors is likely to produce less strain than the other stressors? a) Confusion over job responsibilities b) Office politics c) Lack of unity of command d) Red tape e) Pressure to complete tasks

e) Pressure to complete tasks