Chapter 28: Implementing Change

1. Which of the following is an example of what a due diligence assessment might include?

An industry and competitor analysis An assessment of the target’s management talent A review of the terms and conditions of employment All of the above

2. If secrecy has to be maintained in the early stages of an acquisition or the target’s management team are hostile to the bid, it could be difficult to obtain information about the target firm’s management talent (particularly middle management talent), determine the compatibility of IT systems, or:

gather information about the target’s organization culture assess the target’s financial health analyse the target’s infrastructure None of the above

3. Marks and Mirvis (2001) report that ______________ is an important determinant of acquisition success.

the approach taken by the target company the target company’s infrastructure the mindset of the buy team Both a and c

4. Which of the following is NOT one of the four possibilities presented by Hubbard (1999) in her continuum of integration possibilities?

Total autonomy Functional integration Restructuring followed by financial control Partial culture integration

5. Which of the following is a reason given by Hubbard (1999) for the importance of communication planning for an acquisition?

To maximize the likelihood of successful communication on the day of announcement To coordinate the communication of ‘secret’ information during the early pre-acquisition phase, while continuing to communicate openly about day-to-day operational matters To provide a contingency plan if early negotiations are leaked All of the above

6. During the implementation phase, effective communication can do much to reduce the uncertainties that unsettle organizational members; however, it is often sadly lacking because those implementing the change fear that:

unanticipated events may render incorrect the information they have already communicated making commitments will restrict their ability to respond to unforeseen developments sensitive information will be leaked to those who may use the information to derail the change All of the above

7. Realistic job previews have been used to provide:

an overview of a job’s positive and negative aspects a realistic overview of specific parts of the job complete and realistic information about a job Both a and c

8. In terms of Clampitt et al.’s (2000) typology of communication strategies, the realistic merger preview primarily involves an:

underscore and explore approach identify and reply approach tell and sell approach withhold and uphold approach

9. When the change is complex and requires the implementation of a number of different projects:

the project managers need to be encouraged to make their own assessments about priorities and move quickly to implement their part of the change the person(s) in overall charge needs to focus the attention of project managers on coordination rather than competition those leading the change need to police the boundaries between the different projects to ensure that each project manager is focused on implementing their part of the change Both a and c

10. Which theory by Adams (1963) holds that motivation is a function of fairness in social exchange and posits that if people feel they have been treated unfairly, they will take corrective action?

Social justice theory Predicted outcome value theory Equity theory Expectancy theory

11. Guest (1998) notes that people who feel they have received fair and respectful treatment engage in more positive:

leadership behaviours organizational citizenship behaviours teamworking behaviours organizational culture behaviours

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