CS CS Innovation & Change Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Clayton Christensen's theory of disruptive innovation describes a process where:
- Incumbents always win against new entrants
- Simpler, cheaper innovations initially target overlooked segments and eventually displace incumbents (Correct answer)
- Innovation only occurs in technology industries
- Large R&D budgets guarantee market leadership
Correct answer: Simpler, cheaper innovations initially target overlooked segments and eventually displace incumbents
Christensen showed that disruptors often start at the low end or in new markets, improve over time, and eventually overtake established leaders who focus on their best customers.
Question 2: Kotter's 8-Step Change Model begins with which foundational step?
- Building a guiding coalition
- Creating a vision for change
- Establishing a sense of urgency (Correct answer)
- Anchoring changes in culture
Correct answer: Establishing a sense of urgency
Kotter's model starts with creating urgency because without a compelling reason to change, organizational inertia will prevent any other steps from succeeding.
Question 3: An ambidextrous organization is one that:
- Operates in two countries simultaneously
- Balances exploiting existing capabilities while exploring new innovations (Correct answer)
- Employs equal numbers of left- and right-handed workers
- Manages two separate brands
Correct answer: Balances exploiting existing capabilities while exploring new innovations
Organizational ambidexterity refers to the simultaneous pursuit of exploitation (efficiency in current business) and exploration (innovation for future growth).
Question 4: Which change management model focuses on unfreezing existing behaviors, moving to new ones, and refreezing?
- McKinsey 7-S Framework
- Lewin's Change Management Model (Correct answer)
- ADKAR Model
- Balanced Scorecard
Correct answer: Lewin's Change Management Model
Kurt Lewin's three-stage model — Unfreeze, Change, Refreeze — describes how organizations must destabilize current norms, implement change, and then stabilize the new state.
Question 5: Design thinking as an innovation methodology emphasizes which starting point?
- Technology feasibility
- Financial return projections
- Deep empathy for end-user needs (Correct answer)
- Regulatory compliance
Correct answer: Deep empathy for end-user needs
Design thinking begins with empathizing with users to uncover unmet needs, ensuring that solutions address real problems rather than assumed ones.
Question 6: The ADKAR change model focuses on individual change. What does the 'A' stand for?
- Agility
- Awareness (Correct answer)
- Accountability
- Alignment
Correct answer: Awareness
ADKAR's first element — Awareness — recognizes that individuals must first understand why change is necessary before they can move through subsequent stages.
CS CS Innovation & Change Management 1
Clayton Christensen's theory of disruptive innovation describes a process where: