Od Test 1 Chapters 1 - 5 - Quiz, Trivia & Questions

1.

Understand Beckhard’s definition of OD and the five features which differentiate it. (pg 2)

A.

Planned, organization wide, and managed from the top, to increase organization effectiveness and health, through planned interventions in the organizations processes, using behavioral science knowledge.
B.

Planned, organiztion wide, managed from the top, to decrease organiztion effectiveness and health, through planned interventions in the organizations processes, using behavioral science knowledge.
C.

Planned, organization wide, and managed from the middle, to increase organization effectiveness and health, through planned interventions in the organizations processes, using behavioral science knowledge.
D.

Planned, organization leadership, and managed from the top, to increase organization effectiveness and health, through planned interventions in the organizations processes, using behavioral science knowledge.

Correct Answer
A. Planned, organization wide, and managed from the top, to increase organization effectiveness and health, through planned interventions in the organizations processes, using behavioral science knowledge.

Explanation
The correct answer is "planned, organization wide, and managed from the top, to increase organization effectiveness and health, through planned interventions in the organizations processes, using behavioral science knowledge." This answer accurately reflects Beckhard's definition of OD and the five features that differentiate it. It emphasizes that OD is a planned and systematic approach that involves the entire organization and is led by top management. The goal is to improve organization effectiveness and health through interventions in the organization's processes, using knowledge from behavioral science.

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2.

Know the three major trends which drive change in organizations (pg 4-5)

A.

Globalization, Information Technology (IT), Innovation
B.

Globalization, Technology, Managerial Innovation
C.

Localization, Information Technology (IT), Managerial Innovation
D.

Globalization, Information Technology (IT), Managerial Innovation

Correct Answer
D. Globalization, Information Technology (IT), Managerial Innovation

Explanation
The correct answer is Globalization, Information Technology (IT), Managerial Innovation. This answer aligns with the statement on pages 4-5 that these three major trends drive change in organizations.

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3.

Know the five STEMS or approaches of OD including contributions of the major contributors to OD’s development.

A.

Laboratory Training/ Kurt Lewin/ 1946 Action Research/Survey Feedback/ Rensis Likert/ Late 40s Normative Approaches/ Blake & Mouton/ Mid 50s Quality of Work Life/ Eric Trist/ Early 60s Strategic Change/ Richard Beckhard/ Late 60s
B.

Laboratory Training/ Kurt Lewin/ 1946 Action Research/Survey Feedback/ Rensis Likert/ Late 40s Normative Approaches/ Blake & Mouton/ Mid 60s Quality of Work Life/ Eric Trist/ Early 60s Strategic Change/ Richard Beckhard/ Late 60s
C.

Laboratory Training/ Kurt Lewin/ 1946 Action Research/Survey Feedback/ Rensis Likert/ Late 40s Normative Approaches/ Blake & Mouton/ Mid 50s Quality of Work Life/ Eric Trist/ Early 60s Strategic Change/ Richard Beckhard/ Late 60s
D.

Training/ Kurt Lewin/ 1946 Action Research/Survey Feedback/ Rensis Likert/ Late 40s Normative Approaches/ Blake & Mouton/ Mid 50s Quality of Work Life/ Eric Trist/ Early 60s Strategic Change/ Richard Beckhard/ Late 60s

Correct Answer
C. Laboratory Training/ Kurt Lewin/ 1946 Action Research/Survey Feedback/ Rensis Likert/ Late 40s Normative Approaches/ Blake & Mouton/ Mid 50s Quality of Work Life/ Eric Trist/ Early 60s Strategic Change/ Richard Beckhard/ Late 60s

Explanation
The answer provided lists the five STEMS or approaches of OD and the major contributors to OD's development. It correctly identifies the contributions of Kurt Lewin, Rensis Likert, Blake & Mouton, Eric Trist, and Richard Beckhard in their respective time periods.

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4.

Know the significance of action research to OD applications

A.

Action research is the backbone of many OD applications
B.

Improved survey feedback (getting meaningful survey results)
C.

Perfected the way we conduct surveys today
D.

5 Point Likert Scale - a 5 point scale to rate survey responses
E.

All of the above.

Correct Answer
E. All of the above.

Explanation
The given answer "All of the above" is correct because action research is indeed the backbone of many OD applications. It helps in improving survey feedback by getting meaningful results and has also perfected the way surveys are conducted today. Additionally, the 5 Point Likert Scale is a commonly used scale to rate survey responses, which is another significant aspect of action research in OD applications.

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5.

Be able to identify the four management systems discussed by Likert and be able to explain Grid OD. (p 9-10)

A.

Exploitive Authoritative Systems Benevolent Authoritative Systems Convulsive Systems Participative Group Systems
B.

Explosive Systems Benevolent Authoritative Systems Consultative Systems Participative Group Systems
C.

Exploitive Authoritative Systems Benevolent Authoritative Systems Consultative Systems Participative Group Systems
D.

Exploitive Authoritative Systems Authoritative Systems Consultative Systems Participative Group Systems

Correct Answer
C. Exploitive Authoritative Systems Benevolent Authoritative Systems Consultative Systems Participative Group Systems

Explanation
The correct answer is Exploitive Authoritative Systems, Benevolent Authoritative Systems, Consultative Systems, Participative Group Systems. These are the four management systems discussed by Likert. Exploitive Authoritative Systems are characterized by a top-down approach where decisions are made by management without input from employees. Benevolent Authoritative Systems involve management making decisions but also considering the needs and opinions of employees. Consultative Systems involve management seeking input from employees before making decisions. Participative Group Systems involve employees and management working together to make decisions and solve problems.

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6.

Understand the concept of “open-systems planning” as developed by Beckhard. (p 12)

A.

Open- systems planning is a method for helping orgs or groups to systematically assess their task environment and develop a strategic response to it. Strategic change involves improving the alignment among an organization’s environment, strategy, and organization design. Beckhard proposed that an organization’s environment and its strategy could be described and analyzed. Based on the organization’s core mission, the differences between what the environment demanded and how the org responded could be reduced and performance improved.
B.

One of the first applications of strategic change was Richard Beckhard’s use of open systems planning. Open- systems planning is a method for helping orgs or groups to systematically assess their task environment and develop a strategic response to it. Strategic change involves improving the alignment among an organization’s environment, strategy, and organization design. Beckhard proposed that an organization’s environment and its strategy could be described and analyzed. Based on the organization’s core mission, the differences between what the environment demanded and how the org responded could be reduced and performance improved.
C.

One of the first applications of strategic change was Richard Beckhard’s use of open systems planning. Open- systems planning is a method for helping orgs or groups to systematically assess their task environment and develop a strategic response to it. Strategic change involves improving the alignment among an organization’s environment, strategy, and organization design.
D.

One of the first applications of strategic change was Richard Beckhard’s use of open systems planning. Open- systems planning is a method for helping orgs or groups to systematically assess their task environment and develop a strategic response to it. Beckhard proposed that an organization’s environment and its strategy could be described and analyzed. Based on the organization’s core mission, the differences between what the environment demanded and how the org responded could be reduced and performance improved.

Correct Answer
B. One of the first applications of strategic change was Richard Beckhard’s use of open systems planning. Open- systems planning is a method for helping orgs or groups to systematically assess their task environment and develop a strategic response to it. Strategic change involves improving the alignment among an organization’s environment, strategy, and organization design. Beckhard proposed that an organization’s environment and its strategy could be described and analyzed. Based on the organization’s core mission, the differences between what the environment demanded and how the org responded could be reduced and performance improved.

Explanation
Open-systems planning, as developed by Beckhard, is a method for organizations or groups to assess their task environment and develop a strategic response to it. This involves improving the alignment between an organization's environment, strategy, and organization design. Beckhard proposed that by analyzing and describing an organization's environment and strategy, the differences between what the environment demands and how the organization responds can be reduced, leading to improved performance. Richard Beckhard was one of the first to apply strategic change through open systems planning, which emphasizes the importance of understanding and adapting to the external environment.

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