Managing Change Chapter 6 B

Questions and Answers

What does culture provide group members in an organization?

An escape from daily routines

Unpredictability in decision-making

Limitless creativity and innovation

Clear guidelines for behavior (correct)

According to Jaques, what must new members learn to be accepted into a firm?

External norms and values

Creative innovation approaches

The traditional way of thinking and doing things (correct)

Advanced problem-solving techniques

How does culture affect anxiety in an organization?

It reduces and contains anxiety (correct)

It allows for unpredictable events

It has no impact on anxiety levels

It increases anxiety by creating uncertainty

What concept refers to the shared customs and practices of an organization?

Corporate culture Signup and view all the answers

What did Edgar Schein believe culture to be?

A series of learned behaviors to cope with problems Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of culture in organizations?

Promotes individualism above all Signup and view all the answers

What is a professional culture characterized by?

Referencing external norms and values Signup and view all the answers

How can culture be conveyed to new members of an organization?

Through traditional teaching methods Signup and view all the answers

What should be the primary focus when addressing cultural change within an organization?

The meanings of change Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of cultural change requires addressing both reasoning and emotional responses?

Engagement processes Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to pilot change within an organization?

To gauge employee responsiveness Signup and view all the answers

What must management ensure when implementing cultural change?

That behavior reflects genuine commitment Signup and view all the answers

How should the process of cultural change be viewed according to the content?

As ongoing, requiring continuous attention Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the visible elements of culture in an organization?

Artefacts Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic indicates that culture is a learned phenomenon?

Culture exists at multiple levels Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents the deeper, unobservable level of culture?

Basic underlying assumptions Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of culture reflects behaviors and practices commonly observed within an organization?

Regular patterns of behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes how culture evolves over time?

It evolves slowly in response to shared experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What method is primarily used to transmit culture to new members in an organization?

Socialisation processes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following elements is NOT considered a surface-level element of culture?

Underlying assumptions Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of artefacts in organizational culture?

They are easily observed and felt. Signup and view all the answers

What does the process of sensemaking prioritize in its quest for understanding?

Plausibility Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the seven characteristics of sensemaking identified by Weick?

Influenced by emotional responses Signup and view all the answers

How does social interaction contribute to the sensemaking process?

It helps in the creation and redefinition of events. Signup and view all the answers

What role does identity play in sensemaking?

It shapes behaviors and interpretations in given contexts. Signup and view all the answers

What does sensemaking involve according to Weick?

Authoring and interpretation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best captures the nature of sensemaking as described?

A dynamic and ongoing process. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement aligns with the idea of collective sensemaking?

It is a shared process influenced by social interactions. Signup and view all the answers

In sensemaking, the retrospective aspect refers to which of the following?

Revisiting and interpreting past experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary for effective cultural change within an organization?

Involvement of all organization members Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a trap that can occur during cultural change management?

Symbolic anorexia Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of transitional change?

Requires collective engagement and time Signup and view all the answers

What should be avoided when forwarding content during cultural change?

Self-evidently good statements Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to have a change in the organization’s operating reward system?

Introducing profit-sharing schemes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a misconception related to understanding values during cultural change?

Assuming uniform agreement on the meanings of values Signup and view all the answers

What should leaders do to clarify identities and role expectations during cultural change?

Establish a general collective view on change Signup and view all the answers

What is a suggested practical lesson for managing cultural change?

Engage with existing culture and set achievable aims Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Culture in Organizations

Culture in organizations derives from anthropology and sociology; it guides members' behavior and meaning-making.
Defined as shared customs and traditional ways of thinking and acting within a group, vital for organizational acceptance.
Culture provides meaning, sets behavioral guidelines, and alleviates anxiety in unpredictable environments.

Learning Culture

Culture is learned through formal (training) and informal (socialization) processes.
Organizations may possess an overarching corporate culture supplemented by various sub-cultures and professional cultures.

Edgar Schein's Perspective

Schein defines culture as a pattern of basic assumptions developed to cope with external challenges and internal dynamics.
Culture consists of three levels:
- Artefacts: Observable structures and behavior.
- Espoused Beliefs and Values: Ideals, goals, and aspirations.
- Basic Underlying Assumptions: Unconscious beliefs that shape perception and behavior.

Characteristics of Culture

Culture is shared among members and exists at multiple levels—visible and hidden.
It evolves in response to common experiences while remaining generally stable over time.

Surface vs. Deeper Level Elements

Surface elements (physical layout, organizational structure, dress codes) are observable and reflect culture.
Deeper elements (beliefs, assumptions) are unobservable, developed from shared experiences and often taken for granted.

Power of Culture in Change Management

Socialization is crucial for transmitting culture to new members; practical changes (e.g., symbols, training) are necessary to foster commitment.
Acknowledging local cultures avoids oversimplification during corporate change initiatives.

Management Traps in Cultural Change

Common traps include oversimplification of culture, neglecting local symbols, assuming shared meanings, and denial of differing perceptions post-change.

Practical Lessons for Managing Cultural Change

Engage all levels in the change process to build a shared understanding; meaningful change requires time and attention.
Focus on local context, clear communication regarding change, and adapt tactics based on employee interpretations.

Sensemaking in Organizational Change

Sensemaking involves individuals interpreting events and shaping their understanding; it is a continuous process influenced by social interactions.
Retrospection and prospective reflections play critical roles in how individuals make sense of their experiences.

Characteristics of Sensemaking

Grounded in identity, sensemaking is retrospective, social, and ongoing, focusing on plausible interpretations rather than accuracy.

Collective Sensemaking

Collective sensemaking emerges through storytelling, where individuals create and redefine their experiences through interaction.

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Description

Explore the human dimensions of change management in Chapter 6 B, focusing on readiness, communication, sensemaking, and organizational culture. This chapter delves into the roots of culture in anthropology and sociology, illustrating how shared customs and traditions shape organizational behavior.