Week 1: Book chapter 1 Flashcards
What is the definition of organization development?
A system-wide application and transfer of behavioral science knowledge to planned development, improvement and reinforcement of strategies and processes that lead to organization effectiveness
What are the 6 main components of the definition of organization development?
- Changes in strategy, structure or processes of an entire system
- Application and transfer of behavioral science knowledge and practice
- Managing planned change
- Involvement of design, implementation and reinforcement of change
- Aimed at improving organizational effectiveness
- Sustainable change and participation
What are the 3 dimensions of measuring organizational effectiveness?
- Problem solving skills; improving skills and knowledge
- Lower costs, better products/services and increased productivity
- Engaged, satisfied and learning workforce
How is organizational development distinguishable from change management and organizational change?
- OD supports values of human potential, participation and development. Change organization in particular direction such as problem solving, responsiveness and effectiveness
- Change management is a broader concepts and focusses more on values of cost, quality and schedule. Can apply to any change
What are the 5 backgrounds of OD?
- National training laboratories
- Action research
- Normative view of OD
- Focus on productivity and quality of work life
- Strategic change and organizational transformation
What are the 3 trends that are shaping change in organizations?
- Globalization
- Information technology
- Managerial innovation
Explain something about the background of OD: National training laboratories (3)
- T-group training: unstructured group in which participants learn from their own interactions and evolving group processes
- Feedback on group interactions is a rich learning experience and the process of group building had learning potential that can be transferred to back-home situations
- T-groups have become known as team building activities
What is team building
Helping groups become more effective in accomplishing tasks and satisfying member needs
Explain something about the background of OD: action research
Research needed to be closely linked to action if org members were to use it to manage change
Explain something about the background of OD: normative background
The belief that human relations approach represented a ‘one best way’ to manage organizations
What are the 4 types of management systems according to Likert’s participative management program?
- Exploitive authoritative systems (System 1)
- Benevolent authoritative systems (System 2)
- Consultative systems (System 3)
- Participative group systems (System 4)
What is the exploitative authoritative system? (Likert) (4)
- Autocratic, top-down approach to leadership
- Motivation based on punishment and rewards
- primarily downward communication and little interaction or teamwork
- Leads to mediocre performance
What is the benevolent auhoritative system? (Likert) (2)
Same as exploitive authoritative system BUT
- More paternalistic
- A little more interaction by employees within boundaries defined by management
What is the consultative system? (Likert) (3)
- Increased employee interaction, communication and decision making
- Employees are consulted, but management makes final decisions
- Productivity is good, employees are moderately satisfied with organization
What is the participative group system? (Likert) (5)
- Almost opposite of system 1
- High degrees of member involvement and participation
- Communications occurs both laterally and vertically
- Decisions are made throughout the organization
- High levels of productivity, quality and member satisfaction
