Chapter 13 managing teams

Which one of the following is considered to be the last stage of group development for permanent work groups? A) Performing B) Norming C) Storming D) Adjourning

A) Performing

Which one of the following types of conflict is based on how the work gets done? A) Process conflict B) Relationship conflict C) Task conflict D) Role conflict

A) Process conflict

Individuals have the tendency to expend less effort when working collectively than when working individually. Which one of the following concepts relates most closely to this behavior? A) Social loafing B) Role conflict C) Role ambiguity D) Nonconformity

A) Social loafing

Stacey was invited to become a member of the class project team because the other members knew she had a high GPA and worked hard on all her individual assignments. Although the other members worked diligently to complete their parts, Stacey was not giving her best effort to this team. Which of the following is a possible explanation for Stacey's behavior? A) Social loafing B) Status incongruence C) Role ambiguity D) Group cohesiveness

A) Social loafing

________ conflict relates to the content and goals of the work. A) Task B) Role C) Relationship D) Work

A) Task

Which of the following personality traits is negatively related to group productivity and morale? A) Unconventionality B) Self-reliance C) Independence D) Sociability

A) Unconventionality

This group really clicked. They got along well both professionally and socially. While at work they focused on work. This group is likely to experience ________ in productivity. A) a strong increase B) a moderate increase C) no change D) a decrease

A) a strong increase

The ________ stage in the group development process is complete when members begin to think of themselves as part of a group. A) forming B) storming C) norming D) performing

A) forming

The first group meeting is in progress. The five attendees are exchanging contact information and getting acquainted. This group is in the ________ stage. A) forming B) norming C) storming D) performing

A) forming

When compared to individuals, groups tend to take ________ time to reach a solution. A) more B) less C) the same length of D) substantially less

A) more

In which stage of group development does the group focus its attention on wrapping up activities instead of task performance? A) Storming B) Adjourning C) Forming D) Norming

B) Adjourning

Whenever one of her group got within ten feet of her, Christine chirped, "Oh good! You've come to help me." This group is likely to have low productivity because ________. A) Christine lacks sociability B) Christine lacks self-reliance C) Christine possesses authoritarianism D) Christine is unconventional

B) Christine lacks self-reliance

Which one of the following is true about social loafing? A) It is a common phenomenon in collectivist cultures. B) It is more common in cultures that are dominated by self-interest. C) It is viewed as a positive characteristic in some cultures. D) It rarely occurs in Western cultures.

B) It is more common in cultures that are dominated by self-interest.

________ are teams from the same department or functional area involved in efforts to improve work activities, though they are rarely given the authority to implement any of their suggested actions. A) Self-managed teams B) Problem-solving teams C) Virtual teams D) Cross-functional teams

B) Problem-solving teams

Which one of the following types of conflict is most likely to be dysfunctional? A) Status conflict B) Relationship conflict C) Process conflict D) Task conflict

B) Relationship conflict

Which one of the following refers to a prestige grading, position, or rank within a group? A) Role B) Status C) Stature D) Membership

B) Status

________ interact primarily to share information and to make decisions to help each member do his or her job more efficiently and effectively. A) Informal groups B) Work groups C) Work teams D) Self-managed teams

B) Work groups

In comparison to large groups, small groups ________. A) have shorter group tenure B) are faster at completing tasks C) have longer norming processes D) are better at obtaining diverse input

B) are faster at completing tasks

Employees were paid and evaluated based on quantity of output so it expected the continuous improvement team to meet during the two daily 15-minute breaks. The only space available for these meetings was the noisy breakroom;then management wondered why the group was not producing results. The most likely reason is ________. A) a lack of resources within the group B) external conditions imposed on the group C) a poor strategy for managing quality D) a lack of group cohesiveness

B) external conditions imposed on the group

A team has been established to solve a problem with an industrial adhesive used by the firm. The three members are the installer, an engineer, and the sales representative for the adhesive manufacturer, but the team does not have a specific leader. This team can be called a ________ team. A) problem solving B) self-managed C) virtual D) functional

B) self-managed

During the ________ stage of the group development process, a relatively clear hierarchy of leadership and agreement on the group's direction emerge. A) forming B) storming C) norming D) performing

B) storming

The group could not agree on what needed to be done. Some thought they were to research and present data; others thought they were to make recommendations. This is an example of ________ conflict. A) process B) task C) relationship D) functional

B) task

Every summer ABC Corp. hosts a picnic for employees and their families. The group that plans and makes all the arrangements for this event would be called a ________. A) self-managed team B) task group C) command group D) cross-functional team

B) task group

Which one of the following is true about group decision making? A) Groups tend to foster equal participation in decision making. B) The pressure to conform is low when working in groups. C) Groups take more time to arrive at a decision. D) Groups usually make decisions based on incomplete information.

C) Groups take more time to arrive at a decision.

Which one of the following refers to independent formal groups whose members, in addition to their regular jobs, take on traditional managerial responsibilities, such as hiring, planning and scheduling, and evaluating performance? A) Command groups B) Task groups C) Self-managed teams D) Cross-functional teams

C) Self-managed teams

David supervises a group of employees who work towards achieving organizational goals. This group can be called a ________. A) self-managed team B) task group C) command group D) cross-functional team

C) command group

Samantha is a single mom and the administrative assistant for the marketing department. Her son's soccer games begin right after school so Samantha often has to choose between supporting her son at his games and working. Samantha is experiencing role ________. A) overload B) ambiguity C) conflict D) clarity

C) conflict

This group should have worked well together. Each of them had at least five years seniority and had scored well on past performance evaluations. They all knew what needed to be done, but it seemed they were always in disagreement about something. This group probably lacked ________. A) communication skills B) independence C) conflict resolution skills D) sociability

C) conflict resolution skills

Her instincts told her the group was heading in a very wrong direction but Natalie didn't want to cause a scene by disagreeing, especially when she was apparently the only one with reservations. Natalie has succumbed to ________. A) group norms B) social loafing C) groupthink D) groupshift

C) groupthink

Large groups consistently get better results than smaller ones when the group is involved in ________. A) getting things done B) routine tasks C) problem solving D) long-term projects

C) problem solving

Molly is a party animal, loud, friendly, bluntly outspoken. Megan is quiet, tactful, and clearly disapproving of Molly's lifestyle. It's no wonder the two do not work well together. This is a type of ________ conflict. A) task B) process C) relationship D) interpersonal

C) relationship

She was the matriarch of the department, the most senior employee. She always sat immediately to the right of the manager in all department meetings. No one dared take her chair. That chair was a symbol of her ________. A) importance B) age C) status D) seniority

C) status

Group A has been meeting for one month and is having some difficulty appointing its leader. At least three individuals are qualified to keep the group's focus on its objectives, but the group has yet to decide which person will lead. Group A is at the ________ stage. A) forming B) performing C) storming D) norming

C) storming

It became clear that both Cathy and Simon felt they should lead the group. Other group members began aligning themselves with one or the other. This group is in the ________ stage. A) forming B) norming C) storming D) performing

C) storming

Research evidence suggests that teams typically outperform individuals when ________. A) one or more members are allowed to dominate the other team members B) projects are short-term and need quick solutions C) tasks require multiple skills, judgment, and experience D) tasks are simple and do not involve critical thinking

C) tasks require multiple skills, judgment, and experience

Which one of the following stages in group development involves defining the group's structure and leadership? A) Norming B) Storming C) Performing D) Forming

D) Forming

Which one of the following is true about the effectiveness of individual decision making over group decision making? A) Individual decisions tend to be more accurate. B) Individual decisions are better when dealing with complex issues. C) Individuals tend to be more creative than groups. D) Individual decisions are made faster than group decisions

D) Individual decisions are made faster than group decisions

________ occurs when a supervisor earns less than his or her subordinates. A) Informal status B) Role conflict C) Role ambiguity D) Status incongruence

D) Status incongruence

Group D has been working on developing a product which is now ready to hit the market. The group members are happy about the work they've done on this product. The focus has now shifted from productivity to tying up loose ends. Group D is at the ________ stage. A) forming B) performing C) norming D) adjourning

D) adjourning

It is Black Friday. Several people are waiting outside the popular electronics store forsomeone to unlock the doors. These people constitute a(n) ________. A) formal group B) informal group C) social group D) crowd

D) crowd

The type of conflicts that support group goals and improve performance are called ________ conflicts. A) planned B) dysfunctional C) natural D) functional

D) functional

The reluctance of George's group mates to voice their opposition to several issues in order to maintain group harmony is an example of ________. A) social loafing B) group norms C) groupshift D) groupthink

D) groupthink

A work group ________. A) encourages open-ended discussions and active problem-solving meetings B) works intensely on a specific goal using their positive synergy C) measures performance directly by assessing collective work outputs D) has no need or opportunity to engage in collective work that requires joint effort

D) has no need or opportunity to engage in collective work that requires joint effort

Daniela and Navaro disagree on the best way to promote a new product. Those in the company who view the conflict over the promotion strategy as natural and inevitable have a(n) ________ view of conflict. A) human relations B) reactionist C) traditional D) interactionist

D) interactionist

Odill intentionally included in his team individuals with opposing views, believing that a variety of opinions made for better decisions. Odill has a(n) ________ view of conflict. A) human relations B) liberal C) traditional D) interactionist

D) interactionist

The ________ of conflict management argues that some conflict is absolutely necessary for effective organizational performance. A) traditional view B) reactionist view C) human relations view D) interactionist view

D) interactionist view

The ________ stage of group development is complete when the group structure solidifies and the group has assimilated a common set of expectations of what defines correct member behavior. A) storming B) forming C) performing D) norming

D) norming

An individual's role in a group is not defined by the internal structure of the group

FALSE

Brainstorming is an idea generation technique where group members critique each idea as it is presented.

FALSE

Groupthink occurs only when group members have a negative image of the group or the leader.

FALSE

Informal status is not as important as status conferred by the organization.

FALSE

Recent experiments indicate conformity levels in groups has increased since Asch's studies.

FALSE

Self-managed teams function in an independent and informal manner.

FALSE

A group's performance potential depends, to a large extent, on the individual resources its members bring to the group.

TRUE

Formal groups are work groups that are defined by the organization's structure and have designated work assignments and specific tasks directed at accomplishing organizational goals.

TRUE

Groupthink has the ability to undermine critical thinking in the group and harm the quality of decision making

TRUE

Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding status systems? A) Anything can have status value if others in the group evaluate it that way. B) Status is a weak employee motivator even though it has behavioral consequences. C) Status can only be formally conferred on individuals. D) Status systems are independent of aspects such as prestige and grading

A) Anything can have status value if others in the group evaluate it that way.

Which one of the following is a negative aspect of group norms? A) Being part of a group has the ability to increase an individual's antisocial actions. B) The most widespread norms are those related to dress codes. C) Groups become dysfunctional when they maintain strict norms. D) Norms do not influence employees' performance.

A) Being part of a group has the ability to increase an individual's antisocial actions.

Which one of the following suggestions will help reduce the effect of social loafing in groups? A) Clearly identify individual responsibilities and efforts in the group outcome. B) Provide group rewards instead of individual rewards. C) Increase the overall size of the group. D) Form homogeneous groups to increase group cohesiveness.

A) Clearly identify individual responsibilities and efforts in the group outcome.

Which one of the following statements is true about group decision making? A) It generates more complete information and knowledge. B) It takes less time to reach a solution than an individual would. C) It prevents any one minority from dominating or influencing the final decision. D) It is most suitable for matters that need to be critically evaluated.

A) It generates more complete information and knowledge.

A low-to-moderate level of task conflict consistently has a positive effect on group performance. What is the reason for this? A) It stimulates discussion of ideas that help groups be more innovative. B) It helps the organization identify employee skills gaps. C) It helps groups to alter the nature of the work according to the individual needs of team members. D) It helps group members identify their individual strengths and weaknesses.

A) It stimulates discussion of ideas that help groups be more innovative.

Group cohesiveness is most likely to produce strong increases in productivity when ________. A) cohesiveness reduces internal strife B) the group's goals align with the organization's goals C) it reduces social loafing in the group D) group members respect and uphold the group norms

A) cohesiveness reduces internal strife

Groups that are determined by the organization chart and composed of individuals who report directly to a given manager are called ________. A) command groups B) task groups C) cross-functional teams D) self-managed teams

A) command groups

Students often complain that having to work with assigned teammates results in a poorer group project. They are complaining about a(n) ________. A) external condition B) internal condition C) group member resource D) group task

A) external condition

The ________ stage of the group development process is one in which close relationships develop and the group becomes cohesive. A) norming B) forming C) storming D) performing

A) norming

Michael thought they should start by reviewing what had been done in the past. Michelle thought they should study the current situation first. This is an example of ________ conflict. A) process B) procedural C) task D) functional

A) process

A pattern of behavior expected of someone occupying a given position in a social unit is called a ________. A) role B) status C) norm D) persona

A) role

When Fred's department head explained what was expected of him as a new professor in terms of maintaining discipline in his classroom and providing students with a challenging course, he was referring to Fred's ________ at the university. A) role B) status C) obligations D) authority

A) role

For a new project, Eldon forms a team of individuals from various functional departments. After a few days Eldon observes conflicts within the group over who will control it and what the group needs to be doing. This team is now in the ________ stage of group development. A) storming B) forming C) performing D) norming

A) storming

Identify the advantages and disadvantages of group decision making

Advantages a. Generate more complete information and knowledge: A group brings a diversity of experience and perspectives to the decision process that an individual cannot. b. More diverse alternatives: Because groups have a greater amount and diversity of information, they can identify more diverse alternatives than an individual. c. Increased acceptance of a solution: Group members are reluctant to fight or undermine a decision they have helped develop. d. Increased legitimacy: Decisions made by groups may be perceived as being more legitimate than decisions made unilaterally by one person. Disadvantages a. Time consuming: Groups almost always take more time to reach a solution than it would take an individual. b. Minority domination: The inequality of group members creates the opportunity for one or more members to dominate others. A dominant and vocal minority frequently can have an excessive influence on the final decision. c. Pressures to conform: Groupthink undermines critical thinking in the group and eventually harms the quality of the final decision. d. Ambiguous responsibility: Group members share responsibility, but the responsibility of any single member is diluted.

"Slow down, Mary. You're making us all look bad." These comments likely came from a worker concerned about ________. A) group roles B) group norms C) groupthink D) social loafing

B) group norms

A work team ________. A) focuses on efficiency rather than collaboration B) has shared leadership roles C) measures performance based on its influence on others D) cannot be quickly refocused or disbanded

B) has shared leadership roles

Age, skill, and experience are examples of ________ status categories. A) formal B) informal C) internal D) external

B) informal

In this meeting, the group is discussing a code of conduct to be observed by all members, such as arriving on time and not interrupting the speaker. This group is in the ________ stage. A) forming B) norming C) storming D) performing

B) norming

The acceptable standards or expectations that are shared by a group's members are referred to as ________. A) affiliations B) norms C) criteria D) morals

B) norms

Group C has been meeting for two months and seems to be progressing extremely well. You observe that the group meets every morning and spends the first five minutes chatting. They then review the decisions of the last meeting followed by a discussion on the status of their current tasks. Group C is currently at the ________ stage. A) norming B) performing C) storming D) adjourning

B) performing

The ________ view of conflict management argues that conflicts must be avoided as it indicates a problem within the group. A) human relations B) traditional C) interactionist D) obstructionist

B) traditional

Asch's experiment, which used lines of varying lengths to test group behavior, has shown the existence of ________. A) group norms B) workplace conformity C) social loafing D) role conflicts

B) workplace conformity

Which of the following is an example of a formal group? A) People who assemble in the company library to read. B) A group of employees attending a colleague's wedding. C) A functional department in an organization. D) A group of employees who meet after work to play basketball.

C) A functional department in an organization.

Celine feels that the form of marketing their company is using isn't working anymore. Merle disagrees vehemently. Those in the company who view the conflict over the marketing strategy as bad and harmful have a(n) ________ view of conflict. A) human relations B) relational C) traditional D) interactionist

C) traditional

A lot is riding on the success of this project. All nine members will share in the rewards. But Ted just doesn't have time to complete his assignment so he rationalizes that no one outside the group will know what he did or did not do anyway. Ted is engaged in ________. A) nonconventionality B) group norms C) groupthink D) social loafing

D) social loafing

Justin noticed that when he switched his evaluation technique from an individual metric to a group metric that two members of the group reduced their efforts. He learned this tendency is called ________. A) conflict avoidance B) prestige slacking C) group incohesiveness D) social loafing

D) social loafing

Small groups consistently get better results than larger ones when the groups are engaged in problem solving.

FALSE

Social loafing is consistent with collectivist cultures.

FALSE

Status can be a significant motivator with behavioral consequences when individuals and others perceive the individual's status similarly

FALSE

Task groups are permanent teams that take on special projects.

FALSE

The human relations view of conflict holds that conflict must be avoided because it indicates a problem within the group.

FALSE

When Sam draws the group's attention back to the topic of discussion related to the group's purpose, he is performing a satisfaction role

FALSE

Describe the differences between formal and informal groups, giving examples of each.

Formal groups are work groups defined by the organization's structure and have designated work assignments and specific tasks directed at accomplishing organizational goals. Four different types are command and task groups, and cross-functional and self-managed teams. Informal groups are social groups that occur naturally in the workplace and tend to form around friendships and common interests. For example, employees from different departments who regularly each lunch together are an informal group.

Robert is the CEO of a manufacturing plant. He believes that smaller teams are more effective than larger ones. Do you think this is the right strategy? Why or why not?

Group size affects performance and satisfaction, but the effect depends on what the group is supposed to accomplish. Smaller teams would be effective for regular tasks that require control. Research indicates that small groups are faster at completing tasks than are larger ones. However, for groups engaged in problem solving, large groups consistently get better results than smaller ones. Larger teams are preferred if the team needs diverse output. Smaller teams are preferred otherwise.

An organization must eliminate conflicts to be successful. Do you agree with this statement? Justify your answer.

Not all conflicts are bad. Some conflicts, functional conflicts, are constructive and support the goals of the work group and improve its performance. Other conflicts, dysfunctional conflicts, are destructive and prevent a group from achieving its goals. Hence, an ideal strategy for a manager would be to eliminate dysfunctional conflicts and to promote functional conflicts.

List and discuss the five stages of group development.

Research shows that groups pass through a standard sequence of five stages. These five stages are forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. a. The first stage, forming, has two aspects. First, people join the group either because of a work assignment, in the case of a formal group, or for some other benefit desired (such as status, self- esteem, affiliation, power, or security), in the case of an informal group. Once the group's membership is in place, the second part of the forming stage begins: the task of defining the group's purpose, structure, and leadership. This phase is characterized by a great deal of uncertainty. Members are "testing the waters" to determine what types of behavior are acceptable. This stage is complete when members begin to think of themselves as part of a group. b. The storming stage is one of intragroup conflict. There is conflict over who will control the group. When this stage is complete, there will be a relatively clear hierarchy of leadership within the group and agreement on the group's direction. c. The third stage is one in which close relationships develop and the group demonstrates cohesiveness. There's now a strong sense of group identity and camaraderie. This norming stage is complete when the group structure solidifies and the group has assimilated a common set of expectations of what defines correct member behavior. d. The fourth stage is performing. The group structure at this point is fully functional and accepted. Group energy has moved from getting to know and understand each other to performing the task at hand. Performing is the last stage in the development of permanent work groups. Temporary groups-such as committees, task forces, and similar groups-that have a limited task to perform have a fifth stage, adjourning. e. In the adjourning stage, the group p

In the group development process, the forming stage is complete when members begin to think of themselves as part of a group.

TRUE

One negative aspect about group norms is that being part of a group can increase an individual's antisocial actions.

TRUE

Social loafing is the tendency for an individual to expend less effort when working collectively than when working individually.

TRUE

Status incongruence can cause employees to decline to seek promotions.

TRUE

The more complex the task, the more a group benefits from group discussion about alternative work methods.

TRUE

Under some conditions, high levels of conflict are conducive to high levels of group performance.

TRUE

When using the Nominal Group Technique, each group member presents their unique idea before any discussion begins about which solution is best.

TRUE

Describe various aspects of group structure.

a. Roles refer to behavior patterns expected of someone occupying a given position in a social unit. In a work group, these roles tend to be oriented toward either task accomplishment or toward maintaining group member satisfaction. b. Norms are standards or expectations that are accepted and shared by a group's members and that dictate work output levels, absenteeism, promptness, and the amount of socializing allowed on the job. Common organizational norms focus on effort and performance, dress, and loyalty. c. Because individuals want to be accepted by groups to which they belong, they're susceptible to conformity pressures. As group members we often want to be considered one of the group and to avoid being visibly different. So we conform. When an individual's opinion of objective data differs significantly from that of others in the group, the group often exerts extensive pressure on the individual to align his or her opinion to conform to others' opinions, a phenomenon known as groupthink. d. Status systems are an important factor in understanding behavior. They're a significant motivator and have behavioral consequences when individuals see a disparity between what they perceive their status to be and what others perceive it to be. e. If the goal of the group is to find facts, a larger group of a dozen or more members should be more effective. Smaller groups of seven or fewer are better at doing something productive with those facts. One important finding related to group size is social loafing, the tendency for an individual to expend less effort when working collectively than when working individually. f. Group cohesiveness, the degree to which members are attracted to a group and share the group's goals, is important because it has been found to be related to a group's productivity. g. Group processes concern