Reference no: EM132326542

Factual Review Questions -

1. Define the expression quality culture.

2. Explain why the implementation of total quality requires cultural change.

3. List and describe the steps involved in laying the foundation for a quality culture.

4. What are the characteristics shared by companies that have a quality culture?

5. Why is change so difficult for people?

6. Describe the paradigm that should be adopted by advocates of change.

7. Explain four reasons why people resist change.

8. List and describe the strategies that can be used to overcome resistance to change.

9. What strategies would you use to establish a quality culture in organizations?

10. Explain which strategy from the two previous questions is the most important, and why.

11. Why is it sometimes necessary to change leaders to ensure cultural change?

Critical Thinking Activity - Why is Cultural Change So Hard?

Max Cutter is the envy of his fellow seniors at Stanfield Institute of Technology (SIT). He and his classmates all majored in business or technology disciplines that emphasized quality management. They all hope to begin careers soon as quality professionals, and Max just got a head start. In his very first interview, arranged by SIT's Career Center, Max was offered a job as quality manager for an old and well-established electric power company.

"I can't believe I got the job!" Max shouted to his classmates.

"I spent 10 minutes trying to convince the personnel manager that I could do the job in spite of my lack of experience. When I finally stopped rambling on, he said, 'We want to hire you because you have no experience, not in spite of the fact. We need someone with fresh ideas, someone who is not wedded to the status quo. Frankly, we need to make major changes, and the sooner, the better. You will come in with no loyalties or biases.'"

"They are going to expect you to make major culture changes," said one of Max's classmates. "Do you think you're up to it? I remember studying the issue in class. Cultural change comes hard, if it comes at all."

"You've got a point there," said Max. "It does concern me. Why is cultural change so hard? I don't know why people can't just get with the program."

What about this question? Why is cultural change so hard? What is your opinion?

Discussion assignment - The Indifferent Manager

Discussion Question - Discuss the following question in class or outside of class with your fellow students:

1. Have you ever been involved in an effort that was half-hearted because the leader of the effort didn't seem to be enthusiastic about it? If so, what happened? If not, discuss what it means for the person in charge in a given situation to set the tone.

Textbook - Quality Management for Organizational Excellence Introduction to Total Quality, Eighth Edition by David L. Goetsch and Stanley B. Davis.

Chapter 6 - Quality Culture: Changing Hearts, Minds, and Attitudes

Attachment:- Assignment File.rar