CCA Organizational Culture & Change 2

Question 1

A company undergoing a digital transformation finds employees resistant because the new system threatens longstanding informal workflows. Which cultural dynamic best explains this resistance?

Accepted Answer

Threat to deeply embedded cultural artifacts and norms

Answer

Informal workflows are embedded cultural artifacts; changing them disrupts established norms and triggers identity-based resistance.

Question 2

When Edgar Schein describes 'basic underlying assumptions' in his cultural model, what distinguishes them from 'espoused values'?

Accepted Answer

Assumptions are unconscious and taken for granted, while values are consciously articulated

Answer

Basic assumptions operate below conscious awareness and are rarely questioned, whereas espoused values are explicitly stated beliefs.

Question 3

An organization with a strong 'clan' culture (per the Competing Values Framework) is implementing a cost-cutting initiative. What is the most significant cultural challenge?

Accepted Answer

Tension between cost focus and the culture's emphasis on collaboration and people-first values

Answer

Clan cultures prioritize cohesion and employee well-being, so cost-cutting measures directly conflict with those core cultural values.

Question 4

During a post-merger integration, two organizations have conflicting cultural assumptions about decision-making authority. Which strategy best supports cultural alignment?

Accepted Answer

Conduct cultural due diligence and co-create a blended culture with both groups

Answer

Co-creating a blended culture respects both organizations' identities and reduces resistance during integration.

Question 5

A change agent notices that company town halls consistently celebrate risk-taking, yet employees who fail receive public criticism. What culture gap does this reveal?

Accepted Answer

A gap between espoused values and values-in-use

Answer

When stated values (espoused) contradict actual behavior (values-in-use), it creates a culture gap that undermines trust and change efforts.

(CCA) Certified Change Agent Practice Test

(CCA) Certified Change Agent Practice Test

CCA Organizational Culture & Change 2