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Psyc 602 - Organizational Development

Take Home Midterm Exam Fall 2017

Due 7:59am October 30th, 2017 electronically

Please answer 4 out of the following 5 questions. Answers should be typed, double spaced, 12 point font, with 1 inch margins. Each question is limited to 2 pages at most. A successful answer will integrate class discussion and reading material to answer questions. Your answers may include informed opinions or examples you create to elaborate your points. Please submit your exam electronically to Blackboard.

You are expected to incorporate information from the class discussions AND the readings. You do not need to use any other references. You are NOT allowed to use other persons as a source of information. You are NOT allowed to use the work of other students (current or previous) as a source of information. You may NOT discuss the questions with anyone. You are on your honor to complete this exam on your own. Any violation of these rules will lead to a failing grade and a letter of ethics violation in your permanent university file.

1) Organizational theory is studied in many different fields. What is our focus (psychology) in studying organizations? What is open systems theory? Describe the characteristics of an open system. Describe how these characteristics are related to each other. How is Katz and Kahn an improvement to the field of organizational theory?

2) Briefly describe the organizational forms of Mintzberg’s typology. What is the overall purpose of organizational structure (what is it really describing)? Describe Hall's (1991) dimensions of organizational structure. How are these dimensions related to the flow of communication? What limitations exist in the flow of communication? How can communication affect trust of management?

3) Define organizational culture. Define organizational climate. Discuss support for and against the belief that culture and climate are separate constructs. Identify 1 surface symbol of culture and interpret what it might tell us about the culture of the organization. Identify 1 in-depth representation of culture (value or assumption) and interpret what it might tell us about the culture of the organization. How can culture help us deal with resistance to change?

4) What is organizational productivity? Define effectiveness and efficiency. What are some of the issues that should be considered when designing a measure of productivity? Why can the selection of measures have unintended consequences? How can advancements like the sociotechnical theory help us identify measures of productivity?

5) How have changes in management theory changed our understanding of organizations? Describe employee reactions to change. Describe 3 ways an organization can help decrease survivor syndrome. What is a psychological contract and why is it related to organizational change? How do psychological contracts form?