Chapter 10 Understanding Work Teams

5 82) Competitive reward structures reinforce the importance of collaboration in work teams.

: FALSE Explanation: An organization that desires to build effective teams need a reward system that encourages cooperative efforts rather than competitive ones. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 329 Topic: When to Use Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Rewards and Collaboration Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

1, 3 99) Discuss the difference between a work group and a work team.

: A work group is a group that interacts primarily to share information and to make decisions to help each member performs within his or her area of responsibility. There is no positive synergy that would create an overall level of performance that is greater than the sum of the inputs. A work team generates positive synergy through coordinated effort. Their individual efforts result in a level of performance that is greater than the sum of those individual inputs. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 3215-316 Topic: Differences Between Groups and Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Work Groups and Work Teams Quest. Category: Critical Thinking

4 25) To succeed in achieving their goals, teams must ________. A) have strong leadership B) have autonomy C) receive support from management D) all of the above E) none of the above

: C Explanation: Agreeing on the leadership and structure of a team, either from management or from the team members themselves, is essential to team success. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 320 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Adequate Resources Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

7 61) Only one-third of employees from ________ would likely say their organization has a high level of teamwork. A) Canada B) Japan C) Mexico D) Indonesia E) the United States

: E Explanation: One study revealed that 51 percent of workers in Asian-Pacific countries and 48 percent of Canadian employees report high levels of teamwork. But only 32 percent of U.S. employees say their organization has a high level of teamwork. Mexico and Finland were not included in the study. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 330-331 Topic: Global Issues Skill: AACSB: Multicultural and Diversity Objective: Extent of Teamwork Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 79) Susan is well organized and enjoys providing structure for the group. Her role within the work team may be described as the "maintainer."

: FALSE Explanation: A maintainer is the person in the group that fights external battles with other groups, management, supply requisitions, or other battles as needed. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 324 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Key Roles of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

7 64) Compared to traditional departments, teams tend to be less flexible and less responsive to changing events.

: FALSE Explanation: Teams are more flexible and responsive to changing events than traditional departments or other forms of permanent groupings. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 314-315 Topic: Why Have Teams Become So Popular? Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Popularity of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

3 76) To perform effectively, a team requires three different types of skills: technical expertise, problem-solving and decision-making skills, and interpersonal skills.

: TRUE Explanation: The three general categories of effective teams: First are the resources and other contextual influences that make teams effective. The second relates to the team's composition. Finally, process variables are events within the team that influence effectiveness, meaning objective measures of the team's productivity, managers' ratings of the team's performance, and aggregate measures of member satisfaction. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 318-319 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Skills of Team Members Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 93) The person best suited for the role of adviser is probably ________. A) Betty B) James C) Iris D) you E) none of the above

: A Explanation: An adviser encourages the search for more information, and no one on the team shows strong abilities in this category. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 324 Topic: Application of Key Roles on Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Key Roles of Teams Quest. Category: Application

5 55) Exercises that help individuals become team players include workshops in ________. A) negotiation B) individualism C) goal setting D) event planning E) recruiting

: A Explanation: Communication and negotiation are important team necessities. Workshops help employees improve their problem solving, communication, negotiation, conflict-management, and coaching skills. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 329 Topic: When to Use Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Training Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 32) What types of people are valuable in teams because they're good at backing up fellow team members and at sensing when that support is truly needed? A) conscientious people B) extroverted people C) introverted people D) agreeable people E) open people

: A Explanation: Conscientious people are valuable in teams because they're good at backing up other team members, and they're also good at sensing when that support is truly needed. Teams that rate higher on mean levels of conscientiousness and openness to experience tend to perform better. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 323 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Personality Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

7 63) Diversity is an asset for teams where tasks ________. A) require a variety of viewpoints B) are more difficult to solve C) require interpersonal solutions D) are highly technical E) prohibit social loafing

: A Explanation: Cultural diversity does seem to be an asset for tasks that call for a variety of viewpoints. However, in other circumstances, diversity seems to interfere with team processes in the short term. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 331 Topic: Global Implications Skill: AACSB: Global Economy; Analytical Objective: Global Implications Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 47) When teams are under acute stress, they are particularly likely to have ________. A) inaccurate mental models B) high self efficacy C) relationship conflict D) resource conflict E) high reflexivity

: A Explanation: Effective teams share accurate mental models, or knowledge and beliefs (a "psychological map") about how the work gets done. If team members have the wrong mental models, which is particularly likely with teams under acute stress, their performance suffers. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 328 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Mental Models Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

7 62) In countries, such as Mexico, where ________ is high, self-managed teams are not usually productive or successful. A) power distance B) population C) collectivism D) individualism E) diversity

: A Explanation: In countries relatively high in power distance, where roles of leaders and followers are clearly delineated, a team may need to be structured so leadership roles are spelled out and power relationships identified. Evidence suggests self-managed teams have not fared well in Mexico, due to that culture's strong respect for hierarchical authority. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 331 Topic: Global Implications Skill: AACSB: Global Economy; Analytical Objective: Global Implications Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

3 21) Which of the following statements best characterizes the use of work teams? A) Teams are unnecessary if an individual can do the job better. B) Teams are necessary for encouraging individuals to work independently. C) Within a company, teams perform best if they are structured similarly. D) Employees are usually responsible for suggesting that teams be created. E) In successful companies, teamwork is always preferable to individual work.

: A Explanation: It should not be assumed that teamwork is preferable to individual work. Creating "effective" teams when individuals can do the job better is like solving the wrong problem perfectly. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 318 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Use of Work Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

3 16) Jillian is project lead for a team that is writing, programming, testing, and performing quality assurance on a new Spanish language software program. Jillian is in Boston where the developing house is located. Her writers are in Spain. Her programmers are in India. Her testers are in Texas. And her quality assurance team is in Argentina. After given clear specifications, each team has authority to make the necessary decisions to complete their task, or send a task back to another part of the team. Which of the following best describes Jillian's team? A) cross-functional virtual B) self-managed face-to-face C) problem-solving virtual D) problem-solving face-to-face E) cross-functional face-to-face

: A Explanation: Jillian's team is cross-functional virtual. The writers, programmers, testers, and quality assurance members are all at about the same hierarchical level, making decisions within their area of expertise to complete the task of finishing the software program. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 317-318 Topic: Application of Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Cross-Functional Teams Quest. Category: Application

5 58) Teams aren't always the best choice to get a job done. They can often be more costly than individual work. Which of the following is not a cost of teamwork, compared to individual work? A) decreased meeting obligations B) increased time costs C) more required resources D) high communication demands E) conflict management needs

: A Explanation: Teamwork takes more time and often more resources than individual work. Teams have increased communication demands, conflicts to manage, and meetings to run. So the benefits of using teams have to exceed the costs, and thats not always the case. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 330 Topic: When to Use Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Costs of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 42) Process variables include all of the following except ________. A) climate of trust B) member commitment to a common purpose C) team efficacy D) minimized social loafing E) specific goals

: A Explanation: The category related to team effectiveness is process variables such as member commitment to a common purpose, establishment of specific team goals, team efficacy, a managed level of conflict, and minimized social loafing. Climate of trust is a variable of team context. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 326 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Process Variables Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

7 You are the plant manager of a manufacturing facility. Your plant has been experiencing a number of problems and you have been directed to solve these issues. One of the problems concerns the low quality of the manufactured product. Many products have failed to pass quality inspection, and your superiors feel that the failure rate is unacceptably high. Another problem concerns the college recruitment process. The current recruitment process has repeatedly brought unqualified candidates to the plant. 97) Your management team suggests that the college recruitment process could be improved by creating a cross-functional team to conduct the on-campus interviews. Based on your understanding of team functioning, you reply that this solution is most likely ________. A) an inappropriate use of teams, because individual interviews are better conducted by one person B) an appropriate use of teams, because recruitment is a quality issue C) an inappropriate use of teams, because interviewing teams rarely have a common purpose D) an appropriate use of teams, because interviewing is a highly complex task E) an inappropriate use of teams, because team interviews risk breaking confidentiality

: A Explanation: To determine the appropriate use of a team, ask if the work can be done better by more than one person. A good indicator of whether to use a team or not is the complexity of the work and the need for different perspectives. Simple tasks that don't require diverse input are probably better left to individuals. In this case a team is not necessary. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 330 Topic: Application of Beware! Teams Aren't Always The Answer Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Use of Teams Quest. Category: Application

2 6) ________ results in a level of performance that is greater than the sum of the individual inputs. A) Synergy B) Enthusiasm C) Energy D) Initiative E) Inversion

: A Explanation: Work group performance is merely the summation of each group member's individual contribution. There is no positive synergy that would create an overall level of performance greater than the sum of the inputs. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 315 Topic: Differences Between Groups and Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Synergy Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

3, 4 103) Imagine that you have the role of controller in a cross-functional team working on the design of a new cleaning product. Describe the cross-functional team. Explain what your role as controller involves and what difficulties might arise in the early stages of being controller of a cross-functional team.

: A cross-functional team is made up of employees from about the same hierarchical level but different work areas, who come together to accomplish a task. Cross-functional teams are an effective means of allowing people from diverse areas within or even between organizations to exchange information, develop new ideas, solve problems, and coordinate complex projects. As controller of the team I would be examining details and enforcing rules. However, cross-functional teams are no picnic to manage because their early stages of development are often long, as members learn to work with diversity and complexity. It takes time to build trust and teamwork, especially among people from different backgrounds with different experiences and perspectives. Therefore, it would be very important to work closely with the organizer making sure that schedules and job assignments are clearly disseminated and team members begin to trust each other. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 316-328 Topic: Types of Teams and Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Types of Teams and Effective Teams Quest. Category: Synthesis

3 102) Design the most effective team to figure out ways to reduce the number of preparation hours for shipping products overseas for your company. Choose the type of team from one of the four principal team types. Describe your team's context, composition, and process parameters.

: Answers will vary. A problem-solving team is probably the best type of team for this task. In a problem-solving team members share ideas or suggest how work processes and methods can be improved. The problem-solving team will offer ideas to management. Together they discuss ways of improving quality, efficiency, and the work environment. The team will need information on what products are being shipped and how long each of them takes, as well as details on the current procedures. Adequate information is essential. A firm goal of reducing the hours spent must be established by a leader. The group should be comprised of workers and management with expertise in the shipping department procedures. The team should have five members, three management and two people from shipping and packaging. The process parameters should be clearly outlined, with goals of exactly how much time needs to be shaved off of packaging processes. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 316-328 Topic: Types of Teams and Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Types of Teams and Effective Teams Quest. Category: Synthesis

6 98) Why have teams become so popular? Compare and contrast the rise of teams and virtual teams, mentioning their strengths and weaknesses.

: As organizations have restructured themselves to compete more effectively and efficiently, they have turned to teams as a better way to use employee talents. Management has found that teams are more flexible and responsive to changing events than are traditional departments or other forms of permanent groupings. Teams have the capability to quickly assemble, deploy, refocus, and disband. Teams facilitate employee participation in operating decisions. So another explanation for the popularity of teams is that they are an effective means for management to democratize their organizations and increase employee motivation. Virtual teams use computer technology to unite physically dispersed members and achieve a common goal. They allow people to collaborate online, using communication links such as wide-area networks, video conferencing, or e-mail. Virtual teams are so popular and pervasive, and technology has advanced so far, that it's a bit of a misnomer to call them "virtual." Nearly all teams today do at least some of their work remotely. Despite their popularity, virtual teams face special challenges. They may suffer because there is less social rapport and direct interaction among members. They aren't able to duplicate the normal give-and-take of face-to-face discussion. Especially when members haven't personally met, virtual teams tend to be more task oriented and exchange less social-emotional information than face-to-face teams do. Not surprisingly, their members report less satisfaction with the group interaction process than do face-to-face teams. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 314-315, 318 Topic: Team Popularity and Virtual Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Popularity of Teams and Virtual Teams Quest. Category: Synthesis

1 4) Which of the following statements best defines a work group? A) The performance of a work group is generally greater than the sum of its inputs from individual members. B) A work group interacts primarily to share information, rather than to engage in work that requires joint effort. C) A work group consists of 3 or more people who take on self-supervising responsibilities. D) A work group consists of 3 or more people from across departmental or functional lines. E) A work group is a group comprised of 10 or more people.

: B Explanation: A work group is defined as a group that interacts primarily to share information and to make decisions to help each group member perform within his or her area of responsibility. They have no need or opportunity to engage in collective work that requires joint effort. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 315 Topic: Differences Between Groups and Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Work Groups Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 28) Araceli is a team member in a large corporation. She never speaks in the team meetings because she has seen members talk behind each others' backs outside of the meetings. Members are constantly monitoring the other member's work, looking for a mistake to point out in a meeting. According to the information provided, which contextual factor is most likely hindering the success of Araceli's team? A) adequate resources B) climate of trust C) team structure D) performance evaluations E) leadership

: B Explanation: Araceli doesn't contribute because she does not feel like the group has a climate of trust. Interpersonal trust facilitates cooperation, reduces the need to monitor each others' behavior, and bonds members around the belief that others on the team won't take advantage of them. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 320 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Trust Quest. Category: Application

1) Which of the following helps explain the current popularity of teams? Teams ________. A) are easier to manage B) better utilize employee talents C) are less expensive D) promote socialization and cohesion E) greatly increase efficiency

: B Explanation: As organizations have restructured themselves to compete more effectively and efficiently, they have turned to teams as a better way to use employee talents. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 314 Topic: Why Have Teams Become So Popular? Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Popularity of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 46) Which of the following is most likely to increase team efficacy? A) providing measurable goals B) helping the team achieve small successes C) limiting time spent in training D) ensuring that team goals are challenging E) reducing the number of members on a team

: B Explanation: Efficacy means that a team believes it can succeed in the job and goal that is placed before them. There are two ways to increasing efficacy: 1) provide training to improve skills and increase confidence and 2) help the team achieve small, incremental successes. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 328 Topic: Application of Team Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Team Efficacy Quest. Category: Application

3 20) Eva is not getting the results she needs from her data base administration team. She believes that part of the problem is that they are a virtual team and that they aren't communicating well. Which of the following is not something that Eva should do to create an effective virtual team? A) Establish trust among the members. B) Allow more independence among members. C) Monitor progress closely. D) Send team results to each other. E) Publicize team successes company wide.

: B Explanation: For virtual teams to be effective, management should ensure that (1) trust is established among members; (2) team progress is monitored closely; and (3) the efforts and products of the team are publicized throughout the organization (so the team does not become invisible). The members should be highly monitored, and less independent. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 318 Topic: Application of Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Virtual Teams Quest. Category: Application

4 26) In a ________ team the manager's job becomes managing outside the team. A) technical B) self-managed C) problem-solving D) management E) reactive

: B Explanation: In self-managed teams, team members absorb many of the duties typically assumed by managers. A manager's job then becomes managing outside (rather than inside) the team. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 320 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Leadership and Structure Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 35) Upon adjournment of the team meeting, Lawrence immediately went to his work space and wrote an e-mail summarizing the new ideas and goals that the team has developed. He sent the e-mail to each team member, as well as to other teams that will eventually work on the material, and all related supervisors. At lunch in the cafeteria Lawrence chatted with his friends about the meeting and responded to some of their concerns about the new ideas. Which team role best characterizes Lawrence? A) maintainer B) promoter C) controller D) creator E) adviser

: B Explanation: Lawrence is the team's promoter. By communicating and defending the meeting results, he is championing the team's ideas after they have been initiated. A maintainer fights external battles. A controller examines details and enforces rules. A creator initiates creative ideas, and an adviser encourages the search for more information. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 324 Topic: Application of Key Roles on Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Key Roles of Teams Quest. Category: Application

4 38) On her work team, Michelle develops detailed tasks lists and work flow charts to help her team members understand the steps involved in each project. She also maintains the project calendar and receives periodic updates from each team member to ensure that projects are progressing on schedule. Which role does Michelle most likely fill on her team? A) assessor B) organizer C) maintainer D) creator E) promoter

: B Explanation: Michelle is an organizer. An organizer provides structure for the team, which is what Michelle offers with the calendar, updates and schedule. An assessor offers insightful analysis of options. A maintainer fights external battles. A promoter champions ideas after they are initiated. A creator initiates creative ideas. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 324 Topic: Application of Key Roles on Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Key Roles of Teams Quest. Category: Application

4 34) One stream of research has identified potential team roles that people prefer to play. The "creator" role is one who ________. A) champions ideas B) initiates new ideas C) provides structure D) coordinates and integrates E) manages subordinates

: B Explanation: Nine potential team roles have been identified. Successful work teams have selected people to play all these roles based on their skills and preferences. The member who is the creator initiates new and creative ideas. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 324 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Key Roles of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

2 11) Which of the following types of teams would most likely be assembled to improve the efficiency of a company's production process? A) cross-functional B) problem-solving C) self-managed D) virtual E) co-evolving

: B Explanation: Problem-solving teams share ideas or suggest how work processes and methods (such as quality, efficiency, and the work environment), can be improved. They rarely have the authority to unilaterally implement any of their suggestions. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316 Topic: Application of Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Problem-Solving Teams Quest. Category: Application

5 52) Which of the following strategies would managers find least helpful for turning individuals into team players? A) selecting appropriate candidates B) setting goals C) providing training D) rewarding cooperative efforts E) encouraging mentorship

: B Explanation: Proper selection, training opportunities, an effective rewards system, and intrinsic rewards, such as camaraderie are options for managers trying to turn individuals into team players. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 328-330 Topic: When to Use Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Turning Individuals into Team Players Quest. Category: Application

3 88) Jack, your director of manufacturing, has decided to create a team of eleven employees from quality control. Jack gives the team members the responsibility of scheduling their own work and evaluating each other's performance. This is an example of a ________ team. A) problem-solving B) self-managed C) cross-functional D) virtual E) task-resolution

: B Explanation: Self-managed work teams are groups of employees who perform highly related or interdependent jobs and take on many of the responsibilities of their former supervisors. These tasks are planning, assigning tasks to members, making operating decisions, taking action on problems, and working with suppliers and customers. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316-317 Topic: Application of Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Self-Managed Teams Quest. Category: Application

3 12) Which of the following types of teams would most likely empower its team members to make work-related decisions? A) technical B) self-managed C) problem-solving D) management E) reactive

: B Explanation: Self-managed work teams are groups of employees who perform highly related or interdependent jobs and take on many of the responsibilities of their former supervisors. These tasks are planning, assigning tasks to members, making operating decisions, taking action on problems, and working with suppliers and customers. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316-317 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Self-Managed Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 23) There are four contextual factors that appear to be most significantly related to team performance. Which of the following is not one of those factors? A) adequate resources B) work autonomy C) effective leadership D) a performance evaluation and reward system that reflects team contributions E) All of the above are contextual factors.

: B Explanation: The four contextual factors most significantly related to team performance are adequate resources, effective leadership, a climate of trust, and a performance evaluation and reward system that reflects team contributions. Work autonomy is not a factor. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 319 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Contextual Factors of Effective Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

2 9) Which is not one of the most common types of teams? A) problem-solving B) interdepartmental C) self-managed D) virtual E) cross-functional

: B Explanation: The four most common types of teams in an organization are problem-solving teams, self-managed work teams, cross-functional teams, and virtual teams. Interdepartmental team is not an OB team nomenclature. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Types of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 22) Which of the following is not one of the key components of effective teams? A) effective work design B) recognized company identity C) supportive contextual influences D) defined team processes and goals E) appropriate team membership

: B Explanation: The key components of effective teams include the resources available and other contextual influences, the team's composition or membership, process variables or events within the team that influence effectiveness, and effectiveness as objective measures of the team's productivity and work design. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 318-319 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Components of Effective Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 36) Which of the following is not one of the nine potential team roles identified for successful teams? A) organizer B) allocator C) controller D) maintainer E) promoter

: B Explanation: The nine identified team roles are promoter, maintainer, controller, creator, adviser, assessor, organizer, producer, and linker. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 324 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Key Roles of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 You are the manager of a software design firm that develops software projects using teams of specialists. One of your most successful teams has been together for nearly 5 years. In the past, this team has performed effectively, and you have been very satisfied with the team's output. Recently, however, you have noticed a marked decrease in the team's performance. You investigate to determine the problem. 94) After interviewing all 7 team members, you determine that one of the team members performs routine administrative tasks that are rarely visible to any of the other team members. You suspect that this team member may be loafing off and lagging in his duties. You could most likely improve that team member's output by ________. A) encouraging him to work more independently B) making his work clearly visible to the other team members C) hiring other team members who perform similar tasks D) providing him with administrative training E) giving him additional assignments to complete

: B Explanation: This team member is engaging in social loafing. Effective teams undermine this tendency by making members individually and jointly accountable for the team's purpose, goals, and approach. Therefore, members should be clear on what they are individually responsible for and what they are jointly responsible for on the team. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 328 Topic: Application of Team Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Process Quest. Category: Application

6 59) Which of the following is not a method to determine whether or not to use a team for a project? A) Determine the complexity of the work. B) Analyze reward options. C) Analyze the project's goals. D) Determine interdependence of the task objectives. E) Analyze the common purpose.

: B Explanation: To determine whether to use a team or an individual, analyze the complexity of the work and the need for different perspectives. Simple tasks that don't require diverse input are probably better left to individuals. Analyze the common purpose or set of goals and determine if it is more than the aggregate of individual goals. Determine whether the members of the group are interdependent. Rewards options do not factor in determining whether to use a team or not. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 330 Topic: When to Use Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Costs of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 51) Your company is considering implementing work teams in your Vietnam facility. You should find this relatively easy because those employees will have strong ________ values. A) acculturation B) collectivist C) creative D) cultural E) capitalistic

: B Explanation: Vietnam is a traditionally collectivist culture, and teams fit well in countries that score high on collectivism. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 328-329 Topic: When to Use Teams Skill: AACSB: Reflective Thinking; Multicultural and Diversity Objective: Collectivist Societies Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

3 19) Which of the following is not true about virtual teams? A) There is an absence of paraverbal cues. B) Members are more satisfied with the group interaction process. C) There is limited social context. D) They are more task-oriented. E) Members are more focused on production than on process.

: B Explanation: Virtual team members report less satisfaction with the group interaction process than do face-to-face teams. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 318 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Virtual Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 37) You find that in a team situation you prefer to be the one who examines details and is concerned with enforcing rules and regulations. Your role is that of the ________. A) maintainer B) linker C) controller D) promoter E) assessor

: C Explanation: A controller examines details and enforces rules. A maintainer fights external battles. A linker coordinates and integrates tasks. A promoter champions ideas after they are initiated. An assessor offers insightful analysis of options. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 324 Topic: Application of Key Roles on Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Key Roles of Teams Quest. Category: Application

4 49) Which type of conflict is almost always dysfunctional? A) task conflict B) efficacy conflict C) relationship conflict D) resource conflict E) social conflict

: C Explanation: Conflict on a team isn't necessarily bad and can actually improve team effectiveness. Relationship conflicts, those based on interpersonal incompatibilities, tension, and animosity toward others, are almost always dysfunctional. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 328 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Conflict Levels Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

3 14) ________ teams are made up of employees from about the same hierarchical level. A) Problem-solving B) Self-managed C) Cross-functional D) Multifaceted E) Star matrix

: C Explanation: Cross-functional teams are teams made up of employees from about the same hierarchical level but different work areas, who come together to accomplish a task. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Cross-Functional Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

3 89) Your company has recently landed a contract to design and manufacture a new state-of-the-art electronic device for the military. This will be a very complex project, requiring many different types of skills. Which of the following types of teams is most suited for the project? A) problem-solving B) self-managed C) cross-functional D) virtual E) task-resolution

: C Explanation: Cross-functional teams are teams made up of employees from about the same hierarchical level but different work areas, who come together to accomplish a task.They are an effective means of allowing people from diverse areas to exchange information, develop new ideas, solve problems, and coordinate complex projects such as this one. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 317-318 Topic: Application of Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Cross-Functional Teams Quest. Category: Application

3 15) ________ teams are an effective way to allow people from diverse areas within an organization to exchange information, develop new ideas and solve problems, and coordinate complex projects. A) Self-managed B) Problem-solving C) Cross-functional D) Multifaceted E) Star matrix

: C Explanation: Cross-functional teams are teams made up of employees from about the same hierarchical level but different work areas, who come together to accomplish a task.They are an effective means of allowing people from diverse areas to exchange information, develop new ideas, solve problems, and coordinate complex projects. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 317-318 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Cross-Functional Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 41) The most effective teams tend to have ________ members. A) 3 to 5 B) 5 to 15 C) less than 10 D) 10 to 20 E) more than 20

: C Explanation: Generally speaking, the most effective teams have five to nine members. And experts suggest using the smallest number of people who can do the task. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 325 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Size of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

1 2) The popularity of teams has increased. Today ________ percent of employers indicate that teamwork is a more important skill than it was two years ago. A) 10 B) 22 C) 35 D) 51 E) 76

: C Explanation: In a recent poll, 35% of employers consider skill to be much more important today than it was two years ago. This change is probably due to the economic downturn and the perceptual need to work together. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 314 Topic: Why Have Teams Become So Popular? Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Popularity of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 50) Coasting on the group effort is termed ________. A) inconsistency B) incompetence C) social loafing D) dysfunction E) half-focus bias

: C Explanation: Individuals can engage in social loafing and coast on the group's effort because their particular contributions can't be identified. Effective teams undermine this tendency by making members individually and jointly accountable for the team's purpose, goals, and approach. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 328 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Social Loafing Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

3 You have been assigned to a problem-solving team. You have never met any of the team members before, but you have been given their resumes. It is your job to match the team members to the various roles that are needed for successful completion of your project. Your team consists of the following members: Iris is a recent college graduate with a degree in mathematics. She likes to keep an eye on the big picture and enjoys coordinating the work of others. James has been with the company for 15 years and has had experience in several areas within the company. He has a reputation for strong leadership and effective follow-through. Betty is highly motivated and intelligent. She has several advanced degrees and is able to view situations from differing viewpoints. You have decided that you are willing to take on any group role that is handed to you, but you are more comfortable with implementing ideas than with initiating them. 91) The role that might best suit Iris is that of ________. A) creator B) assessor C) linker D) maintainer E) adviser

: C Explanation: Iris is a linker. A linker coordinates and integrates tasks. A creator initiates creative ideas. An assessor offers insightful analysis of options. A maintainer fights external battles. An adviser encourages the search for more information. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 324 Topic: Application of Key Roles on Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Key Roles of Teams Quest. Category: Application

6 60) According to a recent study, in which of the following places do employees report the highest levels of teamwork? A) United States B) Canada C) Asia-Pacific D) Mexico E) Finland

: C Explanation: One study revealed that 51 percent of workers in Asian-Pacific countries and 48 percent of Canadian employees report high levels of teamwork. But only 32 percent of U.S. employees say their organization has a high level of teamwork. Mexico and Finland were not included in the study. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 330-331 Topic: Global Implications Skill: AACSB: Global Economy; Analytical Objective: Global Implications Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 33) Evidence tends to suggest that performance across teams will be higher if an organization ________. A) forms only teams high in conscientiousness B) forms only teams low in conscientiousness C) forms both teams high in conscientious and teams low in conscientiousness D) seeds each team with a few people who score high on conscientiousness E) seeds each team with a few people who score low on conscientiousness

: C Explanation: Performance across the teams will be higher if the organization forms 10 highly conscientious teams and 10 teams low in conscientiousness. Perhaps members who are highly conscientious perform their own tasks as well as those of low-conscientious members. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 323 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Personality Quest. Category: Application

3 10) Which type of team meets to discuss ways to improve quality, efficiency, and the work environment? A) self-managed B) virtual C) problem-solving D) cross-functional E) committee

: C Explanation: Problem-solving teams share ideas or suggest how work processes and methods (such as quality, efficiency, and the work environment), can be improved. They rarely have the authority to unilaterally implement any of their suggestions. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Problem-Solving Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 39) Sharon has an assertive personality and naturally tends to be the one to resolve conflicts with other teams or departments about the team direction. She is a strong defender and is fiercely loyal to the other members on her team. Sharon is most likely suited for which of the following team roles? A) controller B) producer C) maintainer D) assessor E) linker

: C Explanation: Sharon is the team maintainer. She fights the team's external battles. An assessor offers insightful analysis of options. A controller examines details and enforces rules. A linker coordinates and integrates tasks. A producer provides direction and follow-through. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 324 Topic: Application of Key Roles on Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Key Roles of Teams Quest. Category: Application

5 56) Evidence shows that teams that switch from a competitive to a cooperative system do not ________. A) make rushed decisions B) make poor decisions C) share information D) have conflicts E) distrust each other

: C Explanation: Teams that switch from a competitive to a cooperative system do not share information and they tend to make rushed, poor-quality decisions. The low trust typical of the competitive group will not be readily replaced by high trust. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 330 Topic: When to Use Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Training Quest. Category: Application

4 40) Which term defines the degree to which members of a work unit share a common demographic attribute and the impact of this attribute on turnover? A) group demography B) turnover rate C) organizational demography D) work demography E) department demography

: C Explanation: The degree to which members of a work unit share a common demographic attribute, such as age, sex, race, educational level, or length of service in the organization, is the subject of organizational demography. Organizational demography suggests that attributes such as age or the date of joining should help us predict turnover. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 324 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Multicultural and Diversity Objective: Diversity Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

5 54) A person who is not a team player lacks various team skills that can be improved through training. Which of the following is not a typical team skill that would need improving? A) communication B) negotiation C) responsibility D) conflict-management E) coaching

: C Explanation: Training can help employees lacking in team skills. Workshops help improve their problem solving, communication, negotiation, conflict-management, and coaching skills. Responsibility is an important attribute for both team and individual work. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 329 Topic: When to Use Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Training Quest. Category: Application

2 5) Which of the following qualities is not found in work groups? A) energy B) enthusiasm C) synergy D) objectives E) security

: C Explanation: Work group performance is merely the summation of each group member's individual contribution. There is no positive synergy that would create an overall level of performance greater than the sum of the inputs. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 315 Topic: Differences Between Groups and Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Work Groups Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

2 8) Which of the following is not a difference between work groups and work teams? Work groups ________, and work teams ________. A) have neutral synergy, have positive synergy B) rely on independent accountability, rely on mutual and independent accountability C) require joint efforts, are the summation of the individual contribution D) have random and varied skills, have complementary skills E) share information, rely on collective performance

: C Explanation: Work groups have no need or opportunity to engage in collective work that requires joint effort. Work group performance is merely the summation of each group member's individual contribution making (C) the false answer. All other answer choices accurately describe the difference between work groups and work teams. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 315 Topic: Differences Between Groups and Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Work Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

3 101) What is a cross-functional team?

: Cross-functional teams are made up of employees from about the same hierarchical level, but from different work areas, who come together to accomplish a task. This is an effective means for allowing people from diverse areas within an organization to exchange information, develop new ideas and solve problems, and coordinate complex projects. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 317-318 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Cross-Functional Teams Quest. Category: Critical Thinking

2 7) Which of the following best describes a work team? A) Individual efforts result in a greater performance than the sum of group inputs. B) Group efforts result in a lower performance than the sum of individual inputs. C) Group efforts result in a greater performance than the sum of individual inputs. D) Individual efforts result in a greater performance than the sum of individual inputs. E) Individual efforts result in a lower performance than the sum of individual inputs.

: D Explanation: A work team generates positive synergy through coordinated effort. The individual efforts result in a level of performance greater than the sum of those individual inputs. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 315 Topic: Differences Between Groups and Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Work Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 95) During an interview with one team member, you learn that several members of the team have had conflicts regarding the content of a task to which the team was recently assigned. Are these conflicts likely to be reducing the group's productivity? A) Yes, because interpersonal conflicts always hurt a team's performance. B) No, because conflicts based on personal animosity rarely affect team operations. C) Yes, because task-related conflicts lead to poor team decisions. D) No, because task-related conflicts usually benefit the performance of a team. E) Yes, because disagreements about tasks usually lessen groupthink.

: D Explanation: Conflict on a team isn't necessarily bad. On teams performing nonroutine activities, disagreements among members about task content (called task conflicts) stimulate discussion, promote critical assessment of problems and options, and can lead to better team decisions. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 328 Topic: Application of Team Process Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Conflict Levels Quest. Category: Application

4 44) Alberto's team is evaluating and developing the data base for the water pollution data of three cities. He wants his team to have total efficacy. Which of the following actions can Alberto take to increase team efficacy before the project starts? A) plan an interpersonal retreat for members in which they must work together to achieve a goal B) make sure that his team is not comprised of more than nine people C) spend considerable time evaluating team members and allocating proper roles for each D) provide training for the client's software and database training for the weakest team members E) establish a rewards system based on individual achievement as well as group incentives

: D Explanation: Efficacy means that a team believes it can succeed in the job and goal that is placed before them. There are two ways of increasing efficacy: 1) provide training to improve skills and increase confidence and 2) help the team achieve small, incremental successes. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 328 Topic: Application of Team Process Skill: AACSB: Reflective Thinking Objective: Team Efficacy Quest. Category: Application

4 45) Effective teams have confidence in themselves and believe they can succeed. This confidence is termed ________. A) social facilitation B) goal congruence C) social loafing D) team efficacy E) self serving bias

: D Explanation: Efficacy means that a team believes it can succeed in the job and goal that is placed before them. There are two ways to increasing efficacy: 1) provide training to improve skills and increase confidence and 2) help the team achieve small, incremental successes. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 328 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Team Efficacy Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

1 3) Which of the following is not a reason for the recent popularity of teams? A) quick assembly and disassembly B) increased employee motivation C) efficient use of employee talent D) slower deployment and refocusing E) organizational democratization

: D Explanation: Organizations have turned to teams as a better way to use employee talents. Teams are more flexible and responsive to changing events. They can quickly assemble, deploy, refocus, and disband. Teams are an effective means for management to democratize organizations and increase employee motivation. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 314-315 Topic: Why Have Teams Become So Popular? Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Popularity of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 24) To provide teams with adequate resources, a company must supply which of the following? A) proper equipment B) adequate staffing C) encouragement D) all the above E) none of the above

: D Explanation: Resource support includes timely information, proper equipment, adequate staffing, encouragement, and administrative assistance. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 319 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Adequate Resources Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

3 13) Self-managed teams are typically comprised of how many members? A) 2-5 B) 5-10 C) 8-12 D) 10-15 E) over 100

: D Explanation: Self-managed work teams are groups of employees (typically 10 to 15 in number) who perform highly related or interdependent jobs. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Self-Managed Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 31) Team members with good listening, feedback, and conflict resolution skills possess ________. A) technical expertise B) problem-solving skills C) decision-making skills D) interpersonal skills E) cognitive appraisal skills

: D Explanation: Teams need people with good listening, feedback, conflict resolution, and other interpersonal skills. The right mix of these interpersonal skills is crucial. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 322 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Communication Objective: Skills of Team Members Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 30) The abilities of a team's members is essential to success. Which of the following skills is not essential to team success? A) problem-solving skills B) technical expertise C) interpersonal skills D) artistic skills E) decision-making skills

: D Explanation: Teams need people with good listening, feedback, conflict resolution, and other interpersonal skills. The right mix of these interpersonal skills is crucial. Artistic skills would be included in the technical expertise skills category and is only necessary on projects requiring that skill. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 322 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Skills of Team Members Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

5 53) You need to hire an analyst for an important project team. It is essential that the new employee work well on the already established team in order to meet the project's challenging deadlines. The most talented candidate doesn't have any team experience and when asked in the interview about his team experience he replied, "I prefer to work alone. I'm much more efficient alone." What should you do? A) Hire him and train him. B) Hire him and hope that he learns. C) Hire him and redesign the job. D) Look for a different candidate. E) Look for a different project.

: D Explanation: The candidate should not be hired. Creating teams often means resisting the urge to hire the best talent no matter what. The project has looming deadlines, so training isn't an option. Hoping that he'll learn is too much of a risk to the project, and not fair to the existing team. Redesigning the job is not an option. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 329 Topic: When to Use Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Selection Quest. Category: Application

3 18) Which of the following types of teams allows for collaboration between team members who are physically dispersed? A) local B) interactive C) real-time D) virtual E) global

: D Explanation: Virtual teams use computer technology to unite physically dispersed members and achieve a common goal. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 318 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Virtual Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

3 90) Janice is your director of sales. Since her employees are located in Europe, Asia, and North America, she has decided to use instant messaging to tie her employees together in order to develop a marketing strategy for a new product line. This is an example of a ________ team. A) problem-solving B) self-managed C) cross-functional D) virtual E) task-resolution

: D Explanation: Virtual teams use computer technology to unite physically dispersed members and achieve a common goal. Janice is creating a virtual team. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 318 Topic: Application of Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills; Multicultural and Diversity Objective: Virtual Teams Quest. Category: Application

3 17) The early stages of development of a cross-functional team are time-consuming because ________. A) most cross-functional team members are comprised of individuals from similar backgrounds B) members must research the causes of problems which they are assigned to solve C) most cross-functional team members have already established trust D) members have to learn how to perform new functional tasks E) members must learn to work with diversity and complexity

: E Explanation: Early stages of development of a cross-functional team are often long, as members learn to work with diversity and complexity. It takes time to build trust and teamwork, especially among people from different backgrounds with different experiences and perspectives. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 318 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Cross-Functional Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 48) If a team's members have similar mental models, what will they likely do? A) loaf on others' efforts B) demonstrate high reflexivity C) display low self efficacy D) become involved in relationship conflict E) focus on what needs to be done

: E Explanation: Effective teams share accurate mental models, or knowledge and beliefs (a "psychological map") about how the work gets done. The similarity of team members' mental models matters, too. If team members have different ideas about how to do things, the team will fight rather than focus on what needs to be done. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 328 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Mental Models Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 29) In addition to evaluating and rewarding employees for their individual contributions, management should consider using which of the following to reinforce team effort and commitment? A) personalized incentives B) consistent wages for all team members C) individual performance evaluations D) fixed hourly wages E) profit sharing

: E Explanation: In addition to evaluating and rewarding employees for their individual contributions, management should modify the traditional, individually oriented evaluation and reward system to reflect team performance. Group-based appraisals, profit sharing, gainsharing are examples of team reward systems. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 321 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Reward Systems Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 92) James is best suited to which role? A) organizer B) maintainer C) linker D) adviser E) producer

: E Explanation: James is a producer. A producer provides direction and follow-through. An organizer provides structure for the team. A maintainer fights external battles. A linker coordinates and integrates tasks. An adviser encourages the search for more information. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 324 Topic: Application of Key Roles on Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Key Roles of Teams Quest. Category: Application

4 27) Leadership is especially important in ________-where different teams need to coordinate their efforts to produce a desired outcome. A) technical teams B) self-managed teams C) problem-solving teams D) management teams E) multi-team systems

: E Explanation: Leadership is especially important in multi-team systems. Here, leaders need to empower teams by delegating responsibility to them, and then play the role of facilitator, making sure the teams work together rather than against one another. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 320 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Leadership and Structure Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

5 57) Team members that help other team members should be rewarded for their efforts. Which of the following is not something that team members can do to help other team members? A) help resolve team conflicts B) train new colleagues C) share information D) master new skills E) create competition

: E Explanation: Promotions, pay raises, and other forms of recognition should be given to individuals who work effectively as team members by training new colleagues, sharing information, helping resolve team conflicts, and mastering needed new skills. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 330 Topic: When to Use Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Training Quest. Category: Application

4 43) A team that has a good plan, but is also willing to adjust their master plan and adapt when conditions call for it demonstrates high ________, an important variable in successful team processes. A) goal specificity B) goal congruency C) social loafing D) diversity E) reflexivity

: E Explanation: Reflexivity is the team characteristic of reflecting on and adjusting the master plan when necessary. It is considered part of the process variables. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 327 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Common Plan and Purpose Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 You work for an international company that has offices around the world. You have been asked to pull together a global virtual team to handle a specific project. The project is expected to take 3 to 5 years to complete. You are free to include individuals from any of the company's offices, which are located in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Britain, Australia, and Japan. 96) Provided that all of the team members are equally qualified, which of the following teams is likely to be the least challenging to manage? A) A team comprised of members drawn equally from all of the company's offices, because culturally diverse teams tend to operate with minimal conflict. B) A team comprised primarily of members from the United States, because employees from countries with individualistic values tend to function well in teams. C) A team comprised primarily of members from Canada, Britain, and Australia, because employees from these countries usually grow up learning how to function in teams. D) A team comprised of members from both Japan and Mexico, because employees from these countries tend to focus on individual accomplishments. E) A team comprised primarily of members from either Japan or another Asian-Pacific country, because employees from countries with collectivist values tend to adjust easily to team structures.

: E Explanation: Teams fit well in countries that score high on collectivism. In one study, employees from Asian-Pacific countries reported the highest level of team participation, compared to the United States and Canada, with the United States ranking the lowest. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 330-331 Topic: Global Implications Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Collectivist Societies Quest. Category: Application

4 78) Your analytical skills are very good and you enjoy the role of integrating creative ideas for your group. You will find that you are most effective in the role of the "promoter."

: FALSE Explanation: A promoter is someone in the group who champions the group's ideas after they are initiated. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 324 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Key Roles of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

7 86) Work teams are easy for American workers because Americans grow up learning the importance of teamwork through sports.

: FALSE Explanation: Although work teams are pervasive in the United States, some evidence suggests the degree to which teams affect the way work is done is not as significant in the United States as in other countries. The United States ranks high as an individualistic society. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 330-331 Topic: Global Issues Skill: AACSB: Multicultural and Diversity Objective: Collectivist Societies Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

3 75) One advantage of cross-functional teams is that they are easy to manage.

: FALSE Explanation: Cross-functional teams are no picnic to manage. Their early stages of development are often long, as members learn to work with diversity and complexity. It takes time to build trust and teamwork, especially among people from different backgrounds with different experiences and perspectives. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 318 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Cross-Functional Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

2 69) You are a member of a team of eight individuals from the same department who meet for a few hours each week to discuss ways of improving quality, efficiency, and the work environment. You are most likely a member of a self-managed work team.

: FALSE Explanation: Problem-solving teams are typically composed of 5 to 12 hourly employees from the same department who meet for a few hours each week to discuss ways of improving quality, efficiency, and the work environment. members share ideas or suggest how work processes and methods can be improved; they rarely have the authority to unilaterally implement any of their suggestions. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Types of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

1 66) Work groups typically generate more positive synergy than do work teams.

: FALSE Explanation: There is no positive synergy in a work group that would create an overall level of performance greater than the sum of the inputs. A work team, on the other hand, generates positive synergy through coordinated effort. The individual efforts result in a level of performance greater than the sum of those individual inputs. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 315 Topic: Differences Between Groups and Teams Skill: AACSB: Reflective Thinking; Analytic Skills Objective: Work Groups Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

3 73) Membership on virtual teams is usually restricted to employees living within the same country.

: FALSE Explanation: Virtual teams use computer technology to unite physically dispersed members and achieve a common goal. They allow people to collaborate online, using communication links such as wide-area networks, video conferencing, or e-mail, whether they're a room away or continents apart. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 318 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Types of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

3, 4 104) Discuss strategies an organization might use to turn individuals into team players and how this might affect two typical team processes while the team is organizing.

: Managers have several options to turn individuals into team players. When hiring team members, in addition to the technical skills required to fill the job, care should be taken to ensure that candidates can fulfill their team roles as well as technical requirements. A large proportion of people raised on the importance of individual accomplishment can be trained to become team players. Training specialists conduct exercises that allow employees to experience the satisfaction that teamwork can provide. The reward system needs to be reworked to encourage cooperative efforts rather than competitive ones. Promotions, pay raises, and other forms of recognition should be given to individuals for how effective they are as a collaborative team member. Process variables such as member commitment to a common purpose, establishment of specific team goals, team efficacy, a managed level of conflict, and minimized social loafing can be affected during the selection and training of team members. Team processes are especially important in larger teams, and in teams that are highly interdependent. The actual team effectiveness is calculated by first adding the process gains to the potential effectiveness, and then subtracting the process losses. The process of converting individualistic workers into team players can affect the process, and would calculate in process losses, making the team less effective in the beginning. A manager would need to direct the goals and purposes of the team in the beginning and make sure that individuals see the goals as common. Team efficacy could be hindered if the non-team members do not feel confident working on the team. Efficiency would be slowed down while the team member trains in technical skills and in team skills. Conflict could be high and could slow down efficiency and would need to be managed. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 326-330 Topic: Creating Team Players and Team Processes Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Turning Individuals into Team Players and How it can Affect Team Processes Quest. Category: Synthesis

3 107) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of diversity on teams. Discuss diversity in a global context. How does cultural diversity affect team-building?

: Many of us hold the optimistic view that diversity should be a good thing: diverse teams should benefit from differing perspectives and do better. Unfortunately, the evidence appears to favor the pessimists. One review concluded, "Studies on diversity in teams from the last 50 years have shown that surface-level social-category differences such as race/ethnicity, gender, and age tend to...have negative effects" on the performance of teams. As in the literature on groups, there is some evidence that the disruptive effects of diversity decline over time, but unlike in the groups literature, there is less evidence that diverse teams perform better eventually. One of the pervasive problems with teams is that while diversity may have real potential benefits, a team is deeply focused on commonly held information. But if diverse teams are to realize their creative potential, they need to focus not on their similarities but on their differences. There is some evidence, for example, that when team members believe others have more expertise, they will work to support those members, leading to higher levels of effectiveness. The key is for diverse teams to communicate what they uniquely know, but also what they don't know. Evidence indicates these elements of diversity interfere with team processes, at least in the short term in global situations. Cultural diversity appears to be an asset for tasks that call for a variety of viewpoints. But culturally heterogeneous teams have more difficulty learning to work with each other and solving problems. However, these difficulties seem to dissipate with time. Although newly formed culturally diverse teams underperform newly formed culturally homogeneous teams, the differences disappear after about 3 months. Fortunately, some team performance-enhancing strategies seem to work well in many cultures. One study found that teams in the European Union made up of members from collectivist and individualist countries benefitted equally from group goals. If a manager allows a global team time to adjust it can overcome the initial stages of surface-level differences and result in a highly efficient team. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 323-235, 330-331 Topic: Global Implications Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills; Multicultural and Diversity Objective: Diversity Quest. Category: Synthesis

2 100) Describe and discuss self-managed work teams.

: Self-managed work teams are groups of employees (typically 10 to 15 in number) who perform highly related or interdependent jobs and take on many of the responsibilities of their former supervisors. Typically, this includes planning and scheduling of work, assigning tasks to members, collective control over the pace of work, making operating decisions, taking action on problems, and working with suppliers and customers. Fully self-managed work teams even select their own members and have the members evaluate each other's performance. As a result, supervisory positions take on decreased importance and may even be eliminated. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316-317 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Self-Managed Work Teams Quest. Category: Critical Thinking

3 72) Cross-functional teams are made up of employees from about the same hierarchical level, but from different work areas, who come together to accomplish a task.

: TRUE Explanation: A team made up of employees from various departments or work areas, and from about the same hierarchical level, who come together to accomplish a task form a cross-functional team. Cross-functional teams are an effective means of allowing people from diverse areas within or even between organizations to exchange information, develop new ideas, solve problems, and coordinate complex projects. Diff: 1 Page Ref: 317-318 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Cross-Functional Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

2 67) Work teams produce final results that exceed the sum of individual team member inputs.

: TRUE Explanation: A work team generates positive synergy through coordinated effort. The individual efforts result in a level of performance greater than the sum of those individual inputs. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 315 Topic: Differences Between Groups and Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Work Groups Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

1 65) Establishing teams provides an effective means for increasing democratic practices within an organization.

: TRUE Explanation: Another explanation for team popularity is that teams are an effective means for management to democratize organizations and increase employee motivation. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 315 Topic: Why Have Teams Become So Popular? Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Popularity of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

2 68) The extensive use of teams creates the potential for an organization to generate greater outputs with no increase in inputs.

: TRUE Explanation: By using teams, management is looking for positive synergy that will allow the organizations to increase performance. The extensive use of teams creates the potential for an organization to generate greater outputs with no increase in inputs. Diff: 1 Page Ref: 316 Topic: Differences Between Groups and Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Work Groups Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

3 74) Cross-functional teams are very effective for coordinating highly complex projects.

: TRUE Explanation: Cross-functional teams are an effective means of allowing people from diverse areas within or even between organizations to exchange information, develop new ideas, solve problems, and coordinate complex projects. Diff: 1 Page Ref: 318 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Cross-Functional Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

3 71) Turnover rates are higher for self-managed work teams than for employees working in traditional work structures.

: TRUE Explanation: Effectiveness of self-managed work teams has not been uniformly positive. Self-managed teams do not typically manage conflicts well. When disputes arise, members stop cooperating and power struggles ensue, which leads to lower group performance. Moreover, although individuals on these teams report higher levels of job satisfaction than other individuals, they also sometimes have higher absenteeism and turnover rates. Diff: 1 Page Ref: 317 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Self-Managed Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 80) "Social loafing" is most likely to occur within a team whenever one team member's contributions are invisible to the rest of the team.

: TRUE Explanation: Individuals can engage in social loafing and coast on the group's effort because their particular contributions can't be identified. Effective teams undermine this tendency by making members individually and jointly accountable for the team's purpose, goals, and approach. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 328 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Social Loafing Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

5 83) Work teams often provide intrinsic rewards, such as camaraderie.

: TRUE Explanation: Intrinsic rewards, such as camaraderie, are benefits that employees can receive from teamwork. It's exciting and satisfying to be part of a successful team. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 330 Topic: When to Use Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Rewards Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 77) The role of the "linker" describes the person within the work team who coordinates and integrates the work of team members.

: TRUE Explanation: It is true that a linker is the person who coordinates and integrates the work of team members. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 324 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Key Roles of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

6 85) Canadians would most likely have more difficulty using work teams than the Japanese.

: TRUE Explanation: One study revealed that 51 percent of workers in Asian-Pacific countries and 48 percent of Canadian employees report high levels of teamwork. A Japanese team member would be more accustomed to working on a team. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 330-331 Topic: Global Issues Skill: AACSB: Multicultural and Diversity Objective: Collectivist Societies Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

3 70) As a result of self-managed teams, supervisory positions may be eliminated.

: TRUE Explanation: Self-managed work teams are groups of employees who perform highly related or interdependent jobs and take on many of the responsibilities of their former supervisors. Supervisory positions take on decreased importance and are sometimes even eliminated. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316-317 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Self-Managed Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

5 84) Teamwork takes more time and often more resources than individual work.

: TRUE Explanation: Teams can be costly. Teamwork takes more time and often more resources than individual work. Teams have increased communication demands, conflicts to manage, and meetings to run. So the benefits of using teams have to exceed the costs, and that's not always the case. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 330 Topic: Beware! Teams Aren't Always the Answer Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Disadvantages of Teamwork Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4 81) Teams tend to operate well within countries that score high on collectivism.

: TRUE Explanation: Teams fit well in countries that score high on collectivism. Diff: 1 Page Ref: 329 Topic: When to Use Teams Skill: AACSB: Multicultural and Diversity Objective: Collectivist Societies Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional

4, 5 105) Teams can be classified based on their objectives. Identify and discuss the four most common forms of work teams.

: Teams can do a variety of things. They can make products, provide services, negotiate deals, coordinate projects, offer advice, and make decisions. The four most common types of team are problem-solving teams, self-managed teams, cross-functional teams, and virtual teams. a) In problem-solving teams, members share ideas or offer suggestions on how work processes and methods can be improved. They meet for a few hours each week to discuss ways of improving quality, efficiency, and the work environment. Rarely, however, are these teams given the authority to unilaterally implement any of their suggested actions. b) Self-managed work teams are groups of employees (typically 10 to 15 in number) who perform highly related or interdependent jobs and take on many of the responsibilities of their former supervisors. Typically, this includes planning and scheduling of work, assigning tasks to members, collective control over the pace of work, making operating decisions, taking action on problems, and working with suppliers and customers. Fully self-managed work teams even select their own members and have the members evaluate each other's performance. As a result, supervisory positions take on decreased importance and may even be eliminated. c) Cross-functional teams are made up of employees from about the same hierarchical level, but from different work areas, who come together to accomplish a task. This is an effective means for allowing people from diverse areas within an organization to exchange information, develop new ideas and solve problems, and coordinate complex projects. d) Virtual teams use computer technology to tie together physically dispersed members in order to achieve a common goal. They allow people to collaborate online using communication links like wide-area networks, video conferencing, or e-mail, whether they're only a room away or continents apart. Like cross-functional teams, virtual teams are so pervasive, and technology has advanced so far, that it's probably a bit of a misnomer to call them "virtual." Nearly all teams today do at least some of their work remotely. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 316-318 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Types of Teams Quest. Category: Critical Thinking

4 110) What are some of the cautions to be aware of when using teams? What tests should be applied to see if a team fits the situation?

: Teams have increased communication demands, conflicts to be managed, and meetings to be run. It has been suggested that three tests be applied to see if a team fits the situation. First, can the work be done better by more than one person? A good indicator is the complexity of the work and the need for different perspectives. Simple tasks that don't require diverse input are probably better left to individuals. Second, does the work create a common purpose or set of goals for the people in the group that is more than the aggregate of individual goals? The final test to assess whether teams fit the situation is: Are the members of the group interdependent? Teams make sense where there is interdependence between tasks; where the success of the whole depends on the success of each one and the success of each one depends on the success of the others. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 330 Topic: Beware! Teams Aren't Always the Answer Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Disadvantages of Teams Quest. Category: Critical Thinking

4, 7 108) The team effectiveness model identifies four categories of key components making up effective teams. What are these four categories? Give examples of each category.

: The key components making up effective teams can be subsumed into four general categories. a) The first category is work design. Work design characteristics enhance motivation and increase team effectiveness. These characteristics motivate because they increase members' sense of responsibility and ownership over the work and because they make the work more interesting to perform. b) The second relates to the team's composition. To perform effectively, a team requires three different types of skills - technical expertise, problem-solving and decision-making skills, and interpersonal skills. No team can achieve its performance potential without developing all three types of skills. c) Third is the resources and contextual influences that make teams effective. The four contextual factors that appear to be most significantly related to team performance are the presence of adequate resources, effective leadership, a climate of trust, and a performance evaluation and reward system that reflects team contributions. d) Finally, process variables reflect the things that go on in the team that influence effectiveness. These include member commitment to a common plan and purpose, establishment of specific team goals, team efficacy, establishment of mental models, a managed level of conflict, and minimization of social loafing. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 318-328 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Team Effectiveness Model Quest. Category: Critical Thinking

4 109) Explain how organizations can create team players.

: The primary options managers have for trying to turn individuals into team players include: a) Selection. Some people already possess the interpersonal skills to be effective team players. When hiring team members, in addition to the technical skills required to fill the job, care should be taken to ensure that candidates can fulfill their team roles as well as technical requirements. Many job candidates don't have team skills. This is especially true for those socialized around individual contributions. When faced with such candidates, managers basically have three options. The candidates can undergo training to "make them into team players." If this isn't possible or doesn't work, the other two options are to transfer the individual to another unit within the organization, without teams (if this possibility exists); or don't hire the candidate. In established organizations that decide to redesign jobs around teams, it should be expected that some employees will resist being team players and may be un-trainable. Unfortunately, such people typically become casualties of the team approach. b) Training. On a more optimistic note, a large proportion of people raised on the importance of individual accomplishments can be trained to become team players. Training specialists conduct exercises that allow employees to experience the satisfaction that teamwork can provide. They typically offer workshops to help employees improve their problem-solving, communication, negotiation, conflict-management, and coaching skills. Employees also learn the five-stage group development model. c) Rewards. The reward system needs to be reworked to encourage cooperative efforts rather than competitive ones. Promotions, pay raises, and other forms of recognition should be given to individuals for how effective they are as a collaborative team member. This doesn't mean individual contributions are ignored; rather, they are balanced with selfless contributions to the team. Examples of behaviors that should be rewarded include training new colleagues, sharing information with teammates, helping to resolve team conflicts, and mastering new skills that the team needs but in which it is deficient. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 329-330 Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Creating Team Players Quest. Category: Critical Thinking

3 106) What are some special challenges that virtual teams face? For virtual teams to be effective, what should management ensure?

: They may suffer from less social rapport and less direct interaction among members. They aren't able to duplicate the normal give-and-take of face-to-face discussion. Especially when members haven't personally met, virtual teams tend to be more task-oriented and exchange less social-emotional information. Not surprisingly, virtual team members report less satisfaction with the group interaction process than do face-to-face teams. For virtual teams to be effective, management should ensure that: (a) trust is established among team members (research has shown that one inflammatory remark in a team member e-mail can severely undermine team trust); (b) team progress is monitored closely (so the team doesn't lose sight of its goals, and no team member "disappears"); and (c) the efforts and products of the virtual team are publicized throughout the organization (so the team does not become invisible). Diff: 2 Page Ref: 318 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Virtual Teams Quest. Category: Critical Thinking