Chapter 7

Question 1

What is organizational change?

Answer 1

The intentional and planned alteration of organizational components to improve organizational effectiveness.

Question 2

What are characteristics of change?

Answer 2

Is constant yet varies in scope and target

Produces uncertainty yet is not completely unpredictable

Creates both threats and opportunities

Question 3

Forces for Change: External Forces

Answer 3

The Marketplace
Governmental laws and regulations
Technology
Labour markets
Economic changes

Question 4

Forces for Change: Internal Forces

Answer 4

Change in strategy
workforce changes
cultural changes
Financial performance

Question 5

Two Views of the Change Process?

Answer 5

Calm Water Metaphor: This metaphorenvisions an organization as a large ship that is crossing acalmsea and sometimes is experiencing a storm.

Kurt Lewin three-step change model illustrates best this metaphor:
Unfreezing the status quo
Changing to a new state
Refreezing to make the change permanent

White-Water Rapids Metaphor: This metaphorenvisions an organization as continuously facing an uncertain, dynamic and complex environment.

Question 6

Your role(s) in organizational change?

Answer 6

You can play one of more of the following roles during organizational change:

Change initiator
Change implementer
Change facilitator
Change recipient

Question 7

Resistance to Change

Answer 7

Organizations can build up inertia that motivates people to resist changing their status quo, even though change might be beneficial.

Question 8

Why do people resist change?

Answer 8

ambiguity and uncertainty

comfort of old habits

concern over fear of personal loss regarding…

perception that change is incompatible with the goals and interests of the organization

Question 9

Stimulating Innovation & Adaptability

Answer 9

Structural Variables:

Adopt an organic structure
Make available plentiful resources
Engage in frequent inter-unit communication
Minimize extreme time pressures on creative activities
Provide explicit support for creativity

Cultural Variables:

Keep external controls minimal
Tolerate risk
Tolerate conflict
Use an open-system focus
Provide positive feedback
Exhibit empowering leadership

Human Resource Variables:
Promote training and development.
Offer high job security.
Encourage individuals to be “champions” of change.

Question 10

Stimulating Innovation & Adaptability (Creativity and Innovation)

Answer 10

Creativity: The ability to combine ideas in a unique way or to make an unusual association.

Innovation: Turning the outcomes of the creative process into useful products, services, or work methods.