chapter 8 & 9 Flashcards
What is required to successfully implement the chaos theory of change?
A) Most stakeholders accepting the need for change
B) Finding solutions to resistance to change
C) Changing attitudes more than increasing knowledge
D) Finding underlying order in random data
Ans: D
Feedback:
Chaos theory requires finding underlying order in apparent random data.
It is appropriate to make a change for which reason? Select all that apply. A) To solve an existing problem B) To increase staff efficiency C) To reduce unnecessary workload D) To improve staff productivity
Ans: A, B, C, D
Feedback:
Change should be implemented only for good reasons such as the solution of an existing problem, increasing staff efficiency, eliminating unnecessary workload and improving productivity. Boredom alone is not a sufficient reason to institute change.
Which situation is associated with and aging organization?
A) Retired staff is replaced with new graduate nurses
B) State-of-the-art cardiac monitoring equipment is placed in the ICU
C) The unit functions with strict adheres to institutional rules and policies
D) A suggestion committee composed of staff and management meets monthly
Ans: C
Feedback:
The young organization is characterized by high energy, movement, and virtually constant change and adaptation. Aged organizations have established iturf boundaries,i function in an orderly and predictable fashion, and are focused on rules and regulations. Change is limited.
Distributing flyers that charge arbitrary action on the part of an employer in an effort to garner interest in employee unionization would be a part of what phase of planned change?
A) Unfreezing
B) Movement
C) Refreezing
D) Resistance
Ans: A
Feedback:
Unfreezing occurs when the change agent coerces members of the group to change, or when guilt, anxiety, or concern can be elicited. This is not observed in the other options.
Refusing to work with a staff member who dresses unprofessionally most closely represents which change strategy?
A) Powerncoercive
B) Normativenreeducative
C) Rationalnempirical
D) Resistancenwithdrawal
Ans: A
Feedback:
The powerncoercive strategy assumes that people are often set in their ways and will change only when faced by negative sanctions or some other method that demonstrates power and/or coercion. This is not the principle guiding any of the other options.
Which action represents a management function in planned change?
A) Inspiring group members to be involved in planned change
B) Visionary forecasting
C) Role modeling high-level interpersonal communication skills in providing support
for individuals undergoing rapid or difficult change
D) Recognizing the need for planned change and identifying the options and
resources available to implement change
Ans: D
Feedback:
Recognizing the need for planned change and identifying the options and resources available to implement change are management functions; the other choices are leadership functions.
Which would be a normal and expected behavioral response during the unfreezing phase of change?
A) Anger
B) Withdrawal and acceptance
C) Open acceptance
D) Active collaboration
Ans: A
Feedback:
During the unfreezing stage, people become discontented, and even angry, with the status quo. Ironically, they may also become angry that change is needed, because of the resistance that is a normal and expected part of the change process. The other options are not usually associated with the unfreezing phase of change.
What characteristic is associated with organizational groups assigned to manage the change process?
A) Both formulate and implement the change
B) Have representation from all key stakeholders
C) Are made up of quality circles
D) Are teams of resistance breakers
Ans: B
Feedback:
In some large organizations today, multidisciplinary teams of individuals, representing all key stakeholders in the organization, are assigned the responsibility for managing the change process. In such organizations, this team manages the communication between the people leading the change effort and those who are expected to implement the new strategies.
Which behavior/attitude makes it likely that a planned change will be unsuccessful?
A) The suggested change is brought forward after the plan has been formalized
B) Individuals affected by the change are involved in planning for the change
C) The change agent is aware of the organizations internal and external environment
D) An assessment of resources to carry out the plan is completed before unfreezing
Ans: A
Feedback:
Employees should be involved in the change process. When information and decision making are shared, subordinates will be more accepting of the change. The other options support the change.
Which activity does a change agent make a commitment to in order to best assure a successful implementation of a change?
A) Helping followers arrive at total consensus regarding the change
B) Encouraging subgroup opposition to change so many viewpoints can be heard
C) Using change by drift if the resistance to change is too strong
D) Being available to support those affected by a change until the change is complete
Ans: D
Feedback:
The change agent needs to offer support to others so that the change occurs. The other options are not as impactful on a successful transition to change.
Which description best describes the theory behind nonlinear change?
A) It occurs in organized steps
B) It must have a logical sequence
C) It results in equilibrium
D) It has unpredictable outcomes
Ans: D
Feedback:
Nonlinear change states that the dynamics and outcomes of change are always unpredictable. Nonlinear change does not involve the other statements.
In planning strategies to prevent stagnation and promote renewal, which action would most likely result in the desired outcome?
A) Developing a program for recruitment of young talent
B) Rewarding employees by promoting from within
C) Having set pay increases mandated annually
D) Using longevity to determine committee selection
Ans: A
Feedback:
The constant influx of young talent brings new ideas to the organization. The other options are not as relevant to the prevention of stagnation and promotion of renewal.
Which statement is true regarding the philosophy of nonlinear change theories?
A) Change occurs in sequential steps
B) Change is predictable
C) Change success relies on policies and hierarchies
D) Change is necessary because organizational stability is brief
Ans: D
Feedback:
Most twenty-first-century organizations experience fairly brief periods of stability followed by intense transformation
Which statement is true regarding planned change? Select all that apply.
A) Resistance to change should be expected as a natural part of the change process
B) Change should be viewed as a chance to do something innovative
C) Technical changes are more resisted by staff than social changes are
D) Change affects the homeostasis of a group
Ans: A, B, D
Feedback:
Change should not be viewed as a threat but as a challenge and a chance to do something new and innovative. Change should be implemented only for good reason. Because change disrupts the homeostasis or balance of the group, resistance should be expected as a natural part of the change process. The level of resistance to change generally depends on the type of change proposed not the age of the staff affected by the change. Technological changes encounter less resistance than changes that are perceived as social or that are contrary to established customs or norms.
Which activity is associated with the movement stage of the development of a plan?
A) Gather data
B) Accurately diagnose the problem
C) Decide if change is needed
D) Develop a plan
Ans: D
Feedback:
A responsibility of the movement stage is to develop a plan. Responsibilities of the change agent in the unfreezing stage are as follows: Gather data, accurately diagnose the problem, and decide if change is needed.
