Deck 9: Understanding Work Teams

Question 1

A work team has one important aspect NOT found in a work group,which is:

A)enthusiasm.
B)synergy.
C)information sharing.
D)energy.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Self-managed work teams typically perform which of the following responsibilities?

A)assigning tasks to members
B)planning and scheduling
C)taking action on problems
D)all of the above

Answer 2

D

Question 3

A work group is:

A)a group whose individual efforts result in a performance that is greater than the sum of those individual inputs.
B)a group of 10 to 15 people who take on the responsibilities of their former supervisors.
C)a group that interacts primarily to share information and to make decisions to help each member perform within his or her area of responsibility.
D)a group made up of members from across departmental lines.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Self-managed work teams generally:

A)take on the responsibilities of their former supervisors.
B)are composed of five to seven workers.
C)are made up of people from different levels of the organization.
D)are from different work areas,but about the same hierarchical level.

Question 5

Kate works in an industry that is highly competitive.Her organisation recently restructured itself to compete more effectively and efficiently. Kate's organisation likely uses teams because:

A)teams are more flexible and responsive to changing events.
B)teams can quickly assemble,deploy,refocus and disband.
C)teams facilitate employee participation in operating decisions.
D)all of the above.

Question 6

Teams of employees who meet to discuss ways to improve quality,efficiency,and the work environment are called:

A)problem-solving teams.
B)unions.
C)cross-functional teams.
D)self-managed work teams.

Question 7

A group differs from a work team due to a few different dimensions.Which dimension deals with 'individual' versus 'individual and mutual'?

A)goal
B)synergy
C)accountability
D)skills

Question 8

Self-managed work teams typically have ________ members.

A)8-9
B)2-3
C)6-7
D)10-15

Question 9

Which is NOT one of the most common types of teams?

A)self-managed
B)virtual
C)problem identification
D)problem-solving

Question 10

________ teams are made up of employees from about the same hierarchical level but from different work areas,who come together to accomplish a task.

A)Cross-functional
B)Multifaceted
C)Problem-solving
D)Self-managed

Question 11

A group differs from a work team due to a few different dimensions.Which dimension deals with 'random and varied' versus 'complementary'?

A)goal
B)synergy
C)accountability
D)skills

Question 12

Teams are unable to _____________ quickly.

A)ensure team goals are challenging
B)deploy
C)make decisions
D)disband

Question 13

You are a member of a work team whose goal is to improve the efficiency of the production process.Your team is best described as:

A)problem-solving.
B)self-managed.
C)cross-functional.
D)goal-oriented.

Question 14

The research on the effectiveness of self-managed work teams suggests that:

A)absenteeism and turnover rates are sometimes higher on self-managed work teams.
B)individuals have lower levels of job satisfaction.
C)productivity is lower for self-managed work teams.
D)individuals overwhelmingly prefer to work on self-managed work teams.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT true about self-managed work teams?

A)Individuals on these teams tend to report higher levels of job satisfaction.
B)This type of team often does not manage conflicts well.
C)The success of self-managed teams has been uniformly positive.
D)They sometimes have higher rates of absenteeism and turnover.

Question 16

Which of the following helps explain the current popularity of teams?

A)Teams are a way to better utilise employee talents.
B)Teams are less expensive.
C)Teams are easier to manage.
D)Teams promote social loafing.

Question 17

A group differs from a work team due to a few different dimensions.Which dimension deals with 'share information' versus 'collective performance'?

A)goal
B)synergy
C)accountability
D)skills

Question 18

________ teams perform highly related or interdependent jobs and take on many of the responsibilities of their former supervisors.

A)Virtual
B)Self-managed
C)Problem identification
D)Performance

Question 19

Which of the following does NOT explain the current popularity of teams?

A)Teams are a means to increase employee motivation.
B)Teams enable organisations to better utilise employee talents.
C)Teams do not require employee participation in operating decisions.
D)None of the above.

Question 20

Sarah,Adam and Jacob frequently get to work on the same projects.Within the projects,they are all aiming to achieve the same goal and they frequently have to consult with one another to achieve the end result.They each take on different roles with the projects,serving different functions.At the completion of the project,they often get complimented on their team efforts rather than their individual contributions. The relationship held by Sarah,Adam and Jacob is a work team rather than a work group because they:

A)share information,have positive synergy,have individual accountability and have complementary skills.
B)aim for collective performance,have positive synergy,have some mutual accountability and have complementary skills.
C)aim for collective performance,have neutral synergy,have some mutual accountability and have random and varied skills.
D)share information,have neutral synergy,have individual accountability and have random and varied skills.

Question 21

In virtual teams,there is:

A)increased social rapport.
B)increased direct interaction among members.
C)a greater focus on task.
D)less social-emotional exchange.

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT one of the nine potential team roles identified for successful teams?

A)resource allocator
B)shaper
C)team worker
D)specialist

Question 23

While most types of teams do their work face to face,________ teams use computer technology.

A)functional
B)telecommuting
C)outsourced
D)virtual

Question 24

You find that in a team situation you prefer to be the one who clarifies goals and is concerned with promoting decision-making.Your role is called the:

A)maintainer.
B)coordinator.
C)linker.
D)promoter.

Question 25

In multi-team systems,there is:

A)increased social rapport.
B)increased direct interaction among members.
C)a greater focus on task.
D)interdependency.

Question 26

________ allow people to share superordinate goals.

A)Cross-functional teams
B)Self-managed teams
C)Multi-team systems
D)Problem-solving teams

Question 27

________ teams allow people to collaborate online.

A)Cross-functional
B)Self-managed
C)Virtual
D)Problem-solving

Question 28

Recognising that teams can do a variety of things,Joan has decided to use a number of teams in her divisions. To better accomplish specific tasks,Joan has used employees from about the same hierarchical level but from different work areas,who come together to accomplish a task.This would be a ______ type of team.

A)cross-functional
B)problem-solving
C)virtual
D)self-managed

Question 29

There are four contextual factors that appear to be most significantly related to team performance.Which of the following is NOT one of those four factors?

A)effective communication
B)adequate resources
C)leadership and structure
D)a performance evaluation and reward system

Question 30

Recognising that teams can do a variety of things,Joan has decided to use a number of teams in her divisions. Joan has created a team of seven employees from the accounts payable department who meet for three hours a week to discuss ways of improving quality,efficiency and the work environment.This is an example of a ________ team.

A)problem-solving
B)virtual
C)cross-functional
D)self-managed

Question 31

In general,the most effective teams tend to have ________ members.

A)5
B)more than 12
C)5-9
D)3

Question 32

The context category of the team effectiveness model includes:

A)adequate resources.
B)ability.
C)autonomy.
D)conflict.

Question 33

Of the nine key roles on teams,the implementer is the group member most likely to:

A)turn ideas into action.
B)provide structure.
C)initiate creative ideas.
D)fight external battles.

Question 34

Recognising that teams can do a variety of things,Joan has decided to use a number of teams in her divisions. Joan has decided to create a team of 11 employees from accounts receivable,give them the responsibility of their former supervisor (including scheduling of work and evaluating each other's performance)and eliminate the former supervisor's position.This is an example of a ________ team.

A)problem-solving
B)virtual
C)self-managed
D)cross-functional

Question 35

All of the following are categories of components that comprise effective teams EXCEPT:

A)contextual influences.
B)goals.
C)process variables.
D)composition.

Question 36

You are a member of a team system that depends on other teams to do their part.Your team is best described as:

A)coordinated.
B)self-managed.
C)cross-functional.
D)goal-oriented.

Question 37

People who overcome obstacles are called:

A)controllers.
B)shapers.
C)producers.
D)assessors.

Question 38

Which team role provides knowledge and skills in short supply?

A)assessor
B)specialist
C)controller
D)maintainer

Question 39

Recognising that teams can do a variety of things,Joan has decided to use a number of teams in her divisions. As Joan's employees are located in Europe,Asia and North America,she has decided to use computer technology to tie her employees together in order to achieve a common goal.This is an example of a ________ team.

A)multi-team system
B)problem-solving
C)virtual
D)self-managed

Question 40

One stream of research has identified potential team roles that people prefer to play.The plant role is one who:

A)coordinates and integrates.
B)champions ideas.
C)provides structure.
D)solves problems.

Question 41

Jeffrey is the plant manager of a manufacturing facility.The plant has been experiencing a number of problems and Jeffrey has been directed to solve these issues.Teams are currently used to manufacture products.One big concern is the low quality of the manufactured products. How would you determine the pros and cons of continuing the team strategy?

A)assess whether the work can be done better by more than one person
B)review the complexity of the work and the need for different perspectives
C)determine whether the members of the group are interdependent
D)all of the above

Question 42

Research has shown that demographic diversity:

A)decreases the number of perspectives.
B)increases communication.
C)is substantially related to team performance overall.
D)is unrelated to team performance overall.

Question 43

When hiring employees who may have limited teamwork skills,which of the following does the manager need to look for in the employees?

A)problem-solving skills
B)communication skills
C)interaction with the group dynamic
D)all of the above

Question 44

Coasting on the group effort is termed:

A)cross-functional help.
B)incompetence.
C)inconsistency.
D)social loafing.

Question 45

Which of the following statements is concerning the climate of trust is TRUE?

A)Interpersonal trust among team members bonds members around the belief that others on the team will take advantage of them if given the opportunity.
B)Interpersonal trust among team members decreases members' likelihood to take risks.
C)Interpersonal trust among team members reduces the need to monitor each other's behaviour.
D)Interpersonal trust among team members inhibits cooperation.

Question 46

Process variables include all of the following EXCEPT:

A)social loafing.
B)specific goals.
C)a climate of trust.
D)team efficacy.

Question 47

Why are high-ability teams able to more easily adapt to changing situations?

A)When tasks are changing,high-ability teams are able to perform at an optimum level.
B)They can more effectively apply existing knowledge to new problems.
C)They are more easily able to engage in problem-solving skills.
D)None of the above.

Question 48

Your company is implementing work teams for your facility in Germany.You are finding the employees are resistant to change.This could be because those employees have:

A)lower levels of emotional understanding.
B)an individualistic risk mentality.
C)a higher need for creative solutions.
D)difficulty trusting the process.

Question 49

What can management do to increase team efficacy?

A)help the team achieve small successes
B)limit time spent in training
C)provide measurable goals
D)ensure team goals are challenging

Question 50

Effective teams have confidence in themselves and believe they can succeed.This is called:

A)social facilitation.
B)social loafing.
C)goal congruence.
D)team efficacy.

Question 51

Managers wanting to help individuals overcome difficulties in a team environment could offer workshops in:

A)labour law.
B)sexual harassment.
C)power distance.
D)negotiation.

Question 52

Which of the following are options suggested for trying to turn individuals into team players?

A)selection
B)training
C)rewards
D)all of the above

Question 53

In which of the following situations is individual work preferable to teamwork?

A)Success requires a great deal of coordination between interdependent players.
B)There is a need for different perspectives.
C)The task is complex.
D)None of the above.

Question 54

Which type of conflict is always dysfunctional?

A)relationship conflict
B)resource conflict
C)task conflict
D)efficacy conflict

Question 55

Why have teams become so popular?

Question 56

All of the following statements about the ability of team members are correct EXCEPT:

A)When tasks are simple,high-ability teams do not perform as well.
B)A less-intelligent leader can neutralize the effect of a high-ability team.
C)Teams primarily require problem-solving skills to be effective.
D)High-ability teams are also more adaptable to changing situations.

Question 57

Successful teams translate their ________ into specific,measurable and realistic performance goals.

A)common purpose
B)roles
C)skills
D)norms

Question 58

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,and it is your job to match the team members to the various roles that are needed for successful completion of your project.You have gathered the following information about the members of your team: Iris is a recent university graduate with a degree in mathematics.She is new to the company and seems eager to please but is inexperienced.James has been with the company for 15 years and has had experience in several areas within the company.He has a reputation for being mature and confident and is a strong defender of the company and its policies.He always follows through and is able to coordinate the work of others.Betty is highly motivated and intelligent.She has several advanced degrees and is able to view situations from differing viewpoints.She is regarded as a good listener and as being able to coordinate and integrate.You have decided that you are willing to take on any group role that is handed to you but are more comfortable with implementation of ideas than with initiating them. James is very well suited to which role?

A)plant
B)specialist
C)coordinator
D)none of the above

Question 59

Which of the following is NOT one of the options suggested for trying to turn individuals into team players?

A)selection
B)training
C)rewards
D)goals

Question 60

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,and it is your job to match the team members to the various roles that are needed for successful completion of your project.You have gathered the following information about the members of your team: Iris is a recent university graduate with a degree in mathematics.She is new to the company and seems eager to please but is inexperienced.James has been with the company for 15 years and has had experience in several areas within the company.He has a reputation for being mature and confident and is a strong defender of the company and its policies.He always follows through and is able to coordinate the work of others.Betty is highly motivated and intelligent.She has several advanced degrees and is able to view situations from differing viewpoints.She is regarded as a good listener and as being able to coordinate and integrate.You have decided that you are willing to take on any group role that is handed to you but are more comfortable with implementation of ideas than with initiating them. The person best suited for the role of monitor-evaluator is probably:

A)Iris.
B)you.
C)Betty.
D)James.

Question 61

Your analytical skills are very good and you enjoy the role of turning creative ideas into actions for your group.You will find that you are most effective in the role of the implementer.

Question 62

What can management do to ensure effective virtual teams?

Question 63

The role of the supervisor becomes even more important in the case of self-managed work teams.

Question 64

What are some of the cautions to be aware of when using teams?

Question 65

Competitive reward structures reinforce the importance of collaboration and work teams.

Question 66

What is team efficacy and what can management do to increase it?

Question 67

Discuss the five forms of work teams: problem-solving teams,self-managed teams,cross-functional teams,virtual teams and multi-team systems.

Question 68

Discuss self-managed work teams.

Question 69

Positive synergy in work teams is created through coordinated effort.

Question 70

The four most common forms of teams are problem-solving,self-managed,cross-functional and virtual.

Question 71

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a virtual team?

Question 72

What is a cross-functional team?

Question 73

Discuss the difference between a work group and a work team.

Question 74

The synergy of work groups is neutral,while the synergy of teams is negative.

Question 75

The key components making up effective teams can be grouped into four categories: work design,team composition,cohesion factors and perceptual influences.

Question 76

Discuss strategies an organisation might use to turn individuals into team players.

Question 77

Using teams makes sense when there are limited resources available.

Question 78

Teams are more flexible and responsive to changing events than traditional departments or other forms of permanent groups.