Chapter 8: Gathering and Interpreting Information

1. When selecting a model for diagnosis, what is the first point to consider?

The extent to which the model helps the change agent to organize data The extent to which the model is relevant to the issue(s) under consideration The extent to which the change agent is familiar with the model The extent to which the information at hand can fit into the model

2. Which of the following is one of the seven aspects of organizational functioning that the 7S model focuses on?

Style Substance Sales Specifications

3. What are some added advantages of individual interviews as a form of information gathering?

Individual interviews are a more structured and rigid way of gathering information Individual interviews uphold a certain formality necessary to gathering accurate data Respondents might be persuaded to share private views that they wouldn’t in a more open forum Individual interviews can be very cost-effective

4. Which of the following is NOT a disadvantage of using questionnaires as a form of information gathering?

They make it difficult for change agents to build rapport with respondents The format of the questionnaire has to be decided in advance Self-report bias may occur They are very costly to produce

5. Which of the following is an example of a projective method of information gathering?

Essays Surveys Drawings Open discussion forums

6. One advantage of observations is that they relate to current behaviour and are less likely than self-reports to be contaminated by ___________ factors.

political social historical technological

7. Which of the following is NOT an important issue that needs to be considered when drawing a sample?

Size Timing Composition That all subgroups in the total population are represented

8. Qualitative techniques are used to explain why people think and behave in certain ways rather than to count the numbers of people who think or behave in certain ways. True or false?

True False

9. Which two qualitative analytical techniques are frequently used in organizational diagnostic exercises?

Force-field analysis and difference tests Correlation coefficients and content analysis Content analysis and force-field analysis Content analysis and standard deviation

10. Which of the following is NOT a technique frequently used by change agents when analysing quantitative information?

Observer impression Means Standard deviations Correlation coefficients

11. Nadler (1977) argues that the collection and distribution of information can change the nature of __________________.

the organizational culture task requirements and individual skills the external environment power relationships

12. What is the value of change tools such as the SWOT analysis?

They can help to ensure that those leading change do not adopt a blinkered approach and ignore key data They can help make those leading change aware of the driving forces They can help make those leading change aware of the restraining forces They can ensure that those leading change confine themselves to ‘sensible’ ideas

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