Student Resource
Scandura, Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
1
Sample Answers to In–Text Questions
Note: Answers to Case Questions are available in the Case Notes. Answers to Toolkit Activities
are personal to the student therefore there are no sample answers.
Chapter 15: Leading Change and Stress Management
Critical Thinking Questions
1. Evaluate how well Yum! Brands addressed four subsystems (formal organization, social
factors, technology, and physical setting). Did they need to address all of them? Why or
why not?
Question Location: Organizational Subsystems Involved in Planned Change
Ans: I thought that Yum! Brands did a good job at addressing three of the four subsystems. I did
2. Which OD intervention(s) would you rely on for implementing a change in your
organization’s (or university’s) approach to environmental conservation? Why?
Question Location: Examples of Organizational Development Interventions
Ans: I would use survey feedback, since employees at my organization are familiar with this
3. What is an example of manipulation, co-optation, or coercion during change? Evaluate
the effectiveness of this tactic.
Question Location: How to Overcome Resistance to Change
Ans: An example of manipulation may be selectively sharing information or carefully staging
events. Co-optation examples could be buying support through bonuses or preferential work
4. Show how the Kotter’s model relates to the Lewin’s three-step model. In other words,
which steps in the Kotter’s model represent unfreezing, changing, and refreezing?
Student Resource
Scandura, Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
2
Question Location: Effective Change Implementation
Ans: There is overlap between Kotter’s and Lewin’s models of organizational change.
5. What specific actions can a leader take to maintain the morale of the survivors of layoffs
through showing compassion?
Question Location: Effective Change Implementation
Ans: A leader should recognize and address the concern and instability experienced by those
6. How would you know if a coworker is experiencing burnout from work? What would
you do about it?
Question Location: What Is Stress?
Ans: I would look for warning signs of burnout such as if they are feeling tired and drained most
of the time, feeling sick a lot, frequent headaches, or a change in sleep habits. If they display a
sense of failure and self-doubt, helplessness, loss of motivation, increased cynicism and
7. Research suggests that stress is not necessarily always negative. What is an example of
when stress can be a positive force in organizations?
Question Location: Is There An Optimal Level of Stress?
Ans: When facing competition, stress can be a positive force. For example, if your organization
8. Which of the role-related stress sources do you think creates the most strain? Why?
Question Location: Role Stress
Student Resource
Scandura, Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
3
Ans: I think that role overload causes the most strain. The other role stresses, such as ambiguity
or conflict can more readily be overcome, but having too much work or time pressure can be
9. Which coping strategies in Figure 15.7 work best for you and why? Are there any that
don’t work? Explain why. Develop a plan for coping with change that you are experiencing
(or may experience in the future).
Question Location: Coping
Ans: Planning and organizing is the best coping strategy for me. Usually, I find that my stress
comes from feeling overwhelmed with work and being more organized and planning my
10. As this section indicates, organizations spend a lot of money helping employees cope
with stress through prevention and wellness programs. Should they? In other words, do
you think that employees should take responsibility for their own coping?
Question Location: Employee Assistance Programs
Ans: Yes, organizations should spend money to help employees cope with stress because it helps
Research in Action
Ethical Leadership During Organizational Change
1. Do you agree or disagree with the statement that transformational leadership cannot be
faked? Explain your position.
Question Location: Research in Action
Ans: I agree that transformational leadership can be faked to an extent. Some employees are
Student Resource
Scandura, Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
4
2. Explain why perceptions of leaders behaving unethically creates stress during
organizational change. Consider the role of change uncertainty.
Question Location: Research in Action
Ans: This can lead employees to question whether they are in the right place or the effectiveness
of the leaders’ actions. It may make them think that they must also perform unethically to
3. In addition to discussing changes with employees, describe some other actions that
leaders can take to improve employee adjustment to organizational change.
Question Location: Research in Action
What’s #Trending in OB?
The “Sunday Scaries”
1. Some people experience the “Sunday Scaries” and some don’t. Do you experience a sense
of anxiety on Sunday afternoon? What events during your week contribute to having this
feeling (or not)?
Ans: As a business owner, I personally cannot wait for the start of the week because I get excited
about putting the work I prepared over the weekend into action. That being said, I certainly do
2. One way to “stress well” is to clear your desk of clutter. Is your work area organized? Do
you think it makes a difference in your stress and performance?
Ans: My work area is spotless. After a busy week working at home, my office might get messy
with some trash on the floor or clothes in the corner, however, my desk will still remain spotless.
3. Discuss some ways that you could productively start your work week in a positive way.
Student Resource
Scandura, Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
5
Ans: I could proactively start my work week in a positive way by waking up early on Monday