Chapter 24
Organization in Nonindustrial Settings:
Health Care, School Systems, the Public Sector, and
Family-Owned Businesses
Multiple Choice Questions
1. According to the text, which of the following is not a trend in health care?
a. erosion of comprehensive health insurance and access to care
b. a surplus of healthcare workers
c. a growing reliance on philanthropy
d. employer support of consumer-directed healthcare
e. moving toward the electronic medical record
2. What does the text recommend for linking OD interventions to issues of strategic
importance in health care?
a. health care administrators recognize the value of OD interventions
b. the OD practitioner’s understanding of the health care business
c. the ability of the OD practitioner to speak professionally about health care
organization performance and issues selected for action
d. the OD practitioner’s expertise in quality of work life issues for health care workers
e. B and C
3. One of the principal advantages of a family business is
a. increased potential for unity of purpose and action between owners and management
b. the succession plan for family members
c. a core set of values
d. the products and services the business provides
e. none of the above
4. As outlined in the text, which of the following does not describe a “family first” value
system?
a. security and equality
b. unity and support
c. competitive
d. relationship based
e. inward orientation
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5. Opportunities for OD practitioners in the public school system include
a. developing values-based principles of practice (respect, inclusion, collaboration,
authenticity, self-awareness, empowerment)
b. developing mission and vision statements, clarify values and goals
c. designing a systems approach to learning
d. help schools provide opportunities for collaboration to enhance teaching and learning
e. all of the above
6. Professional learning communities involve which of the following groups?
a. online gaming groups
b. media based learning providers
c. parents, students and teachers who share knowledge, learning and collaborate online
d. online mentoring for schools, companies and professional communities
e. all of the above
7. The main purpose of the public-sector organization is
a. to be profitable
b. to govern toward the greater public good
c. to carry out the ideas of the elected officials
d. to provide competitive services to the public
e. B and C
8. OD practitioners working in the public-sector need to recognize which of the following
features of the public-sector organization
a. the political and administrative functions don’t always share the same values
b. the organization has multiple authoritative decision makers
c. business is conducted in open public meetings
d. the organization shares responsibility and power with other governmental agencies
e. all of the above
True/False Questions
9. OD interventions in health care must be seen as relevant and necessary to the
life-and-death matters in operating in a health care organization.
10. According to the text, OD practitioners can make a significant contribution in
effective job and work designs in health care settings.
11. One of the keys to the success of the family business consultant is to establish a
trusting relationship.
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12. Public schools have well developed professional learning communities with
effective vision statements and collaborative processes promoting unity and
ownership.
13. OD efforts can help public schools build sustainable leadership capacity.
14. When OD practitioners work with the public-sector organization, it may be
difficult to get various stakeholders to agree on a common goal.
15. Effective OD interventions in the public-sector recognize that the political
domain and the administrative domain of the public agency share the same values.
Essay Questions
16. Describe how OD interventions could facilitate integration among the various
stakeholders (physicians, pharmacies, hospitals, insurance companies) within the
health care system.
17. Discuss the initial meetings with the family business client. Include key
questions and strategies for the OD consultant to prepare for a successful
intervention.
18. Describe an OD intervention in the public school setting. Include practices that
set a strategy, encourage collaboration, foster community engagement, and develop
leadership.
19. How would OD interventions need to be adapted to fit the public-sector
organization?
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