Business Degree Organizational Behavior 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'organizational change management'?
- Replacing all top-level executives with external candidates
- A structured approach to transitioning individuals and organizations from a current state to a desired future state (Correct answer)
- Automating manual business processes with software
- Rewriting the company's mission and vision statements
Correct answer: A structured approach to transitioning individuals and organizations from a current state to a desired future state
Change management provides a structured framework to guide employees through organizational transitions, minimizing disruption and resistance.
Question 2: What is the difference between 'formal' and 'informal' organizational structure?
- Formal structures use written policies; informal structures rely on verbal agreements
- Formal structures are officially documented hierarchies; informal structures are emergent social networks (Correct answer)
- Formal structures are for large companies; informal for startups
- Formal structures change frequently; informal ones remain fixed
Correct answer: Formal structures are officially documented hierarchies; informal structures are emergent social networks
Formal structure is the officially defined hierarchy and reporting relationships, while informal structure consists of the social networks and relationships that emerge naturally.
Question 3: What is 'conflict resolution' in an organizational context?
- Eliminating all disagreements through strict policies
- The process of facilitating the peaceful ending of conflict between parties (Correct answer)
- Removing employees who create workplace disagreements
- Avoiding all topics that could lead to disagreement
Correct answer: The process of facilitating the peaceful ending of conflict between parties
Conflict resolution involves strategies and processes to facilitate the peaceful ending of disputes between employees or groups in an organization.
Question 4: What is 'employee engagement'?
- The formal onboarding process for new hires
- The level of emotional commitment and enthusiasm employees have toward their work and organization (Correct answer)
- A legal requirement for employer-sponsored benefits
- The annual performance review cycle
Correct answer: The level of emotional commitment and enthusiasm employees have toward their work and organization
Employee engagement measures how emotionally invested and committed employees are to their work, team, and organizational goals.
Question 5: According to Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory, what are 'hygiene factors'?
- Factors that directly motivate employees to higher performance
- Conditions whose absence causes dissatisfaction but whose presence does not necessarily motivate (Correct answer)
- Policies promoting workplace health and safety
- Psychological needs that drive intrinsic motivation
Correct answer: Conditions whose absence causes dissatisfaction but whose presence does not necessarily motivate
Hygiene factors (like salary, working conditions, and company policy) prevent dissatisfaction when adequate, but do not themselves create motivation.
Question 6: What is a 'matrix organizational structure'?
- A flat organization with no management hierarchy
- A structure where employees report to both functional managers and project managers simultaneously (Correct answer)
- A structure organized purely around geographic regions
- A temporary structure used only during mergers
Correct answer: A structure where employees report to both functional managers and project managers simultaneously
A matrix structure creates dual reporting lines, with employees accountable to both a functional department head and a project or product manager.
Business Degree Organizational Behavior 2
What is 'organizational change management'?