Which role of the change agent is defined as advocating for a particular approach or perspective?

Anderson, Organization Development SAGE Publishing , 2017

Chapter 9: An Introduction to Interventions

Test Bank

Multiple Choice

1. Which stage is arguably the most formal and structured opportunity for organizational change? a. Data gathering b. Diagnosis c. Intervention d. Contracting Ans: C AACSB: Systems and processes in organizations Cognitive Domain: Knowledge Answer Location: An Introduction to Interventions Difficulty Level: Easy

2. Based on the definition of an intervention, which of the following is NOT a key component? a. the system is ongoing b. standard approaches c. a deliberate interruption d. to help or to improve the effectiveness Ans: B AACSB: Analytical thinking Cognitive Domain: Analysis Answer Location: Interventions Defined Difficulty Level: Medium

3. Which reason why interventions fail is often as a result of a poor (or nonexistent) data gathering and diagnostic process? a. wrong problem b. wrong intervention c. unclear or overambitious goals d. implementing an event rather than a program Ans: A AACSB: Written and oral communication Cognitive Domain: Comprehension Answer Location: Why Interventions Fail Difficulty Level: Medium

4. The primary activity which was selected did not have the most relevance for the circumstances is a description of which reason why interventions fail? a. wrong problem b. wrong intervention c. unclear or overambitious goals d. unskilled change agent Ans: B AACSB: Reflective thinking Cognitive Domain: Comprehension Answer Location: Why Interventions Fail Difficulty Level: Medium

Anderson, Organization Development SAGE Publishing , 2017

1. For example, cutting customer complaints in half is a description of which reason why interventions fail? a. wrong intervention b. poorly designed intervention c. wrong intervention d. unclear or overambitious goals Ans: D AACSB: Making sound decisions Cognitive Domain: Comprehension Answer Location: Why Interventions Fail Difficulty Level: Medium

2. Offering a single workshop on a specific topic is unlikely to provide a long-term change; this is an example of which reason why interventions fail? a. not enough time devoted b. wrong problem c. poorly designed intervention d. implementing an event rather than a program Ans: D AACSB: Systems and processes in organizations Cognitive Domain: Comprehension Answer Location: Why Interventions Fail Difficulty Level: Medium

3. Giving up too quickly or expecting too much too soon are both examples of which reason why interventions fail? a. not enough time devoted b. wrong problem c. unskilled change agent d. lack of readiness for change Ans: A AACSB: Making sound decisions Cognitive Domain: Comprehension Answer Location: Why Interventions Fail Difficulty Level: Medium

4. Perhaps the individuals who had the most knowledge or responsibility for making the change occur were not included; this is in relation to which of the reasons why interventions fail? a. implementing an event rather than a program b. unclear or overambitious goals c. poorly designed intervention d. ownership not transferred to client Ans: C AACSB: Interpersonal relations and teamwork Cognitive Domain: Comprehension Answer Location: Why Interventions Fail Difficulty Level: Medium

5. If a practitioner has never led a certain intervention before, this is a possibility of this reason for why interventions fail to occur: a. unclear or overambitious goals b. resistance to change c. unskilled change agent d. lack of readiness for change Ans: C AACSB: Leading in organizational situations

Anderson, Organization Development SAGE Publishing , 2017

d. Considering depth of intervention Ans: B AACSB: Written and oral communication Cognitive Domain: Analysis Answer Location: Considerations in Selecting the Right Intervention Strategy Difficulty Level: Hard

1. Which of the following considerations in selecting the right intervention strategy begins with asking systematic questions to come up with improved judgements and choices? a. Considering client readiness for change b. Deciding where to intervene first c. Considering depth of intervention d. Considering sequence of activities Ans: B AACSB: Analytical thinking Cognitive Domain: Analysis Answer Location: Considerations in Selecting the Right Intervention Strategy Difficulty Level: Hard

2. Which of the following considerations in selecting the right intervention strategy considers the surface- level versus deep-level issues within groups? a. Considering client readiness for change b. Deciding where to intervene first c. Considering depth of intervention d. Considering sequence of activities Ans: C AACSB: Group and individual behaviors Cognitive Domain: Analysis Answer Location: Considerations in Selecting the Right Intervention Strategy Difficulty Level: Medium

3. If an intervention consists of a number of activities, which consideration in selecting the right intervention strategy would be critical? a. Considering client readiness for change b. Deciding where to intervene first c. Considering depth of intervention d. Considering sequence of activities Ans: D AACSB: Application of knowledge Cognitive Domain: Analysis Answer Location: Considerations in Selecting the Right Intervention Strategy Difficulty Level: Medium

4. Which role of the change agent is defined as helping a client attain its desired outcomes by clarifying alternatives, processes, and decisions? a. Facilitative b. Gatekeeping c. Diagnostic d. Architectural Ans: A AACSB: Application of knowledge Cognitive Domain: Comprehension Answer Location: The Change Agent’s Role in the Intervention Difficulty Level: Medium

Anderson, Organization Development SAGE Publishing , 2017

1. Which role of the change agent is defined as a boundary-spanner between groups or between a supervisor and team, negotiating between them and giving feedback? a. Facilitative b. Gatekeeping c. Diagnostic d. Mobilizing Ans: B AACSB: Leading in organizational situations Cognitive Domain: Comprehension Answer Location: The Change Agent’s Role in the Intervention Difficulty Level: Easy

2. Which role of the change agent is defined as pointing out what has been said, heard, or learned to enhance group or individual awareness? a. Gatekeeping b. Diagnostic c. Architectural d. Mobilizing Ans: B AACSB: Group and individual behaviors Cognitive Domain: Comprehension Answer Location: The Change Agent’s Role in the Intervention Difficulty Level: Medium

3. Which role of the change agent is defined as designing situations, events, and conversations so that awareness, learning, and change can occur? a. Facilitative b. Diagnostic c. Mobilizing d. Architectural Ans: D AACSB: Leading in organizational situations Cognitive Domain: Comprehension Answer Location: The Change Agent’s Role in the Intervention Difficulty Level: Easy

4. Which role of the change agent is defined as advocating for a particular approach or perspective? a. Facilitative b. Diagnostic c. Architectural d. Mobilizing Ans: D AACSB: Leading in organizational situations Cognitive Domain: Comprehension Answer Location: The Change Agent’s Role in the Intervention Difficulty Level: Medium

5. In the ______ approach, change is accomplished by persuading people that a change is necessary, providing data to support the argument, and justifying the need for change. a. normative-reeducative b. power-coercive c. empirical-rational d. environmental-adaptive Ans: C AACSB: Making sound decisions Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Anderson, Organization Development SAGE Publishing , 2017

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge Answer Location: Table 9. Difficulty Level: Medium

1. A change agent being challenged to limit the cost of an intervention to what a client can afford is an example of which ethical issue? a. misrepresentation of the intervention b. misrepresentation of the consultant’s skill level c. collusion with the client d. coercion and manipulation of the client or organizational members Ans: A AACSB: Ethical understanding and reasoning Cognitive Domain: Analysis Answer Location: Ethical Issues with Interventions Difficulty Level: Medium

2. A change agent proposing to carry out an intervention that is familiar rather than one that is appropriately matched to the data is an example of which ethical issue? a. misrepresentation of the intervention b. misrepresentation of the consultant’s skill level c. collusion with the client d. coercion and manipulation of the client or organizational members Ans: B AACSB: Ethical understanding and reasoning Cognitive Domain: Analysis Answer Location: Ethical Issues with Interventions Difficulty Level: Easy

3. If a change agent agrees to implement an intervention even in the absence of data to support it, this is an example of which ethical issue? a. misrepresentation of the intervention b. misrepresentation of the consultant’s skill level c. collusion with the client d. coercion and manipulation of the client or organizational members Ans: C AACSB: Ethical understanding and reasoning Cognitive Domain: Analysis Answer Location: Ethical Issues with Interventions Difficulty Level: Medium

4. If participants are not well informed of an intervention’s purpose or if they are not given genuine choice to participate, this could be an example of which ethical issue? a. misrepresentation of the intervention b. misrepresentation of the consultant’s skill level c. collusion with the client d. coercion and manipulation of the client or organizational members Ans: C AACSB: Ethical understanding and reasoning Cognitive Domain: Analysis Answer Location: Ethical Issues with Interventions Difficulty Level: Medium

5. Which stages within the OD process represent arguably the highest susceptibility for ethical conflict? a. entry and contracting b. action planning and intervention c. data gathering and analysis

Anderson, Organization Development SAGE Publishing , 2017

d. evaluation and feedback Ans: AACSB: Ethical understanding and reasoning Cognitive Domain: Application Answer Location: Ethical Issues with Interventions Difficulty Level: Medium

1. If an intervention is structured to exclude certain organizational members, this is an example of which ethical issue? a. misrepresentation of the intervention b. misrepresentation of the consultant’s skill level c. collusion with the client d. coercion and manipulation of the client or organizational members Ans: C AACSB: Ethical understanding and reasoning Cognitive Domain: Analysis Answer Location: Ethical Issues with Interventions Difficulty Level: Medium

2. Overpromising that a certain intervention will provide specific outcomes is an example of which of the following ethical issues? a. misrepresentation of the intervention b. misrepresentation of the consultant’s skill level c. collusion with the client d. coercion and manipulation of the client or organizational members Ans: A AACSB: Ethical understanding and reasoning Cognitive Domain: Analysis Answer Location: Ethical Issues with Interventions Difficulty Level: Medium

3. Which of the following is typically considered an individual intervention? a. confrontation meeting b. Six Sigma c. appreciative inquiry d. coaching Ans: D AACSB: Analytical thinking Cognitive Domain: Knowledge Answer Location: Overview of Intervention Techniques Difficulty Level: Easy

4. Which of the following is typically considered a team intervention? a. appreciative inquiry b. career development c. TQM d. reengineering Ans: A AACSB: Analytical thinking Cognitive Domain: Knowledge Answer Location: Overview of Intervention Techniques Difficulty Level: Easy

5. Which of the following is typically considered an organizationwide intervention? a. transition meeting b. career planning and development

Anderson, Organization Development SAGE Publishing , 2017

Ans: F AACSB: Systems and processes in organizations Cognitive Domain: Application Answer Location: Interventions Defined Difficulty Level: Medium

1. The deeper the intervention, the more personal risk and uncertainty is involved. Ans: T AACSB: Making sound decisions Cognitive Domain: Application Answer Location: Considerations in Selecting the Right Intervention Strategy Difficulty Level: Medium

2. Building new skills or clarifying roles are examples of deep-level interventions. Ans: F AACSB: Thinking creatively Cognitive Domain: Application Answer Location: Considerations in Selecting the Right Intervention Strategy Difficulty Level: Medium

3. While there are guidelines in selecting the right intervention, the best practice is to work closely with the client to determine what engagement is most appropriate for the problem and the client organization. Ans: T AACSB: Making sound decisions Cognitive Domain: Analysis Answer Location: Considerations in Selecting the Right Intervention Strategy Difficulty Level: Medium

4. Short-term change is most likely when the intervention is well structured for success. Ans: F AACSB: Application of knowledge Cognitive Domain: Comprehension Answer Location: Structuring and Planning Interventions for Success Difficulty Level: Medium

5. OD interventions are primarily power-coercive approaches to change. Ans: F AACSB: Application of knowledge Cognitive Domain: Knowledge Answer Location: Structuring and Planning Interventions for Success Difficulty Level: Medium

6. Everything about an intervention should be consistently directed toward its outcomes. Ans: T AACSB: Making sound decisions Cognitive Domain: Comprehension Answer Location: Practicalities in Interevention Design Difficulty Level: Medium

7. The change agent is likely to be inactive during the intervention stage, which is appropriate since transfer to the client is necessary. Ans: F AACSB: Leading in organizational situations Cognitive Domain: Application Answer Location: The Change Agent’s Role in the Intervention Difficulty Level: Medium

Anderson, Organization Development SAGE Publishing , 2017

Essay

1. Discuss at least five reasons why interventions fail. Ans: Answers may vary, but some options include the following: (1) wrong problem; (2) wrong intervention; (3) unclear or overambitious goals; (4) implementing an event rather than a program; (5) not enough time devoted; (6) poorly designed intervention; (7) unskilled change agent; (8) ownership not transferred to client; (9) resistance to change; and (10) lack of readiness for change AACSB: Making sound decisions Cognitive Domain: Application Answer Location: Table 9. Difficulty Level: Hard

2. What are some effects of failed interventions on change agents? Ans: Answers may vary, but some examples include (1) Increase in defensive behavior; (2) Decrease in use of appropriate coping mechanisms; (3) Increase in psychological tiredness; (4) Decrease in tolerance for stress and ambiguity; and (5) Increase in unrealistic level of aspiration AACSB: Reflective thinking Cognitive Domain: Analysis Answer Location: Consequences of Failed Interventions Difficulty Level: Hard

3. When considering the sequence of activities, what considerations should be addressed? Ans: (1) Maximize diagnostic data; (2) Maximize effectiveness; (3) Maximize efficiency; (4) Maximize speed; (5) Maximize relevance; and (6) Minimize psychological and organizational strain AACSB: Making sound decisions Cognitive Domain: Application Answer Location: Consideration in Selecting the Right Intervention Strategy Difficulty Level: Hard

4. Discuss the three important principles on which OD interventions are structured. Ans: Answers should detail (1) Creating opportunities for learning; (2) Giving free choice; and (3) Providing clear and explicit outcomes. AACSB: Integrating knowledge across fields Cognitive Domain: Application Answer Location: Structuring and Planning Interventions for Success Difficulty Level: Hard

5. What are some ethical issues with interventions? Provide examples of each. Ans: Answers may vary, but discussion regarding the following should be included: (1) Misrepresentation of the intervention; (2) Misrepresentation of the consultant’s skill level; (3) Collusion with the client; and (4) Coercion and manipulation of the client or organizational members AACSB: Ethical understanding and reasoning Cognitive Domain: Application Answer Location: Ethical Issues with Interventions Difficulty Level: Hard

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