28 Questions
What is the key focus of organizational development and change?
To improve the overall functioning and effectiveness of organizations as open systems
What is the primary characteristic of the contemporary environments in which organizations operate?
Continuous evolution
According to the passage, what should organizations do to maintain their relevance to the environment and survive?
Adapt their strategies and work designs
What is the primary objective of systems thinking and the open-systems view in organizational development?
To improve the overall functioning and effectiveness of organizations
What is the traditional management style that should not be used to encourage a strategic approach to change?
Centralized decision-making
What is the key role of the organizational environment in the context of organizational development and change?
To provide the context and factors that organizations need to adapt to in order to remain relevant and survive
Which of the following is NOT a micro-concept that an OD practitioner must be knowledgeable in?
Organizational strategy
What does the term 'change' describe in the context of organizational development?
The movement of organizations from one state to another
Which of the following best describes the term 'behavioural science' in the context of organizational development?
The systematic analysis and investigation of behaviors using past and present observations or data
What does the term 'organizational environment' refer to?
The components internal and external to an organization that can affect its functioning and performance
Which of the following statements is TRUE about the organizational environment?
The organizational environment is becoming increasingly dynamic, requiring managers to be prepared to react and respond to environmental shifts
What is the purpose of organizational development (OD) according to the text?
To describe the planned, systematic approaches to manage change within organizations
What is the main difference between the external and internal environment of an organization?
The external environment is beyond the control of the organization, while the internal environment is controllable.
Which of the following is not a component of the general (macro) environment?
Organizational structure
How do organizations respond to changes in the external environment?
Organizations formulate strategic responses in anticipation of (proactive response) or in reaction to (reactive response) environmental changes.
What is the main purpose of the general (macro) environment?
To affect the organization indirectly and impact its task environment.
Which of the following is not a component of the general (macro) environment?
Organizational culture
What does the concept of synergy in systems thinking state?
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts
What does the principle of subsystem interdependence in systems thinking imply?
The subsystems within an organization are interdependent and require integration
According to the open-systems theory, what does an organization acquire from its environment?
Inputs or resources such as humans, raw materials, finances, and information
What is the primary purpose of Organizational Development (OD) according to the open-systems theory?
To ensure the organization's long-term survival and growth
What does the input-process-output dynamics in the open-systems theory refer to?
The organization's interactions with its environment
What is the primary role of an organization according to the open-systems theory?
To do all of the above
Which of the following best describes classical management philosophies?
They assume that the environment is stable and certain.
What is the main argument of the 'systems thinking' management philosophy?
Organizations are open systems that interact with an unstable, uncertain environment.
Which statement best describes the concept of a system?
A system is a set of interrelated parts that work together to achieve common goals.
How does a system function?
It acquires inputs from the external environment, transforms them, and discharges outputs back to the environment.
Which of the following statements is true about systems thinking as a management philosophy?
It argues that the organization can be seen as a system, where each part works together to achieve goals.
Test your knowledge on the introduction to Organizational Development and Change with this quiz. Topics covered include definitions of the organizational environment, systems thinking, and the importance of internal and external environments.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
