CHAPTER 13—TEAMS, GROUPS, AND TEAMWORK
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A distinguishing characteristic of a team (in contrast to a group) is that
a.
the members are engaged in collective effort.
b.
the members recognize they are a special type of group.
c.
outsiders are not welcome.
d.
its members have complementary skills.
2. A self-managed work team is responsible for
a.
inspecting the quality of other work teams.
b.
setting its own compensation.
c.
a portion of a work process that delivers a product to a customer.
d.
an entire work process that delivers a product to a customer.
3. Team members feel pride in their work because they
a.
determine the tasks.
b.
set vacation schedules.
c.
have broadened responsibility.
d.
all of the above
4. A key advantage of a project structure is that it
a.
does not require skilled workers.
b.
does not require resources from the larger organization.
c.
encourages identification with the project.
d.
leads to stable assignments for project members.
5. You are a member of a group given the three-week assignment of finding a company to take operate
your company’s photocopying and printing operations. You are most likely a member of a
a.
task force.
b.
matrix structure.
c.
project team.
d.
top-management team.
6. Cross-functional teams
a.
remain in the forming stage.
b.
become bored readily.
c.
breed conflict because of the different points of view.
d.
disband quickly.
7. Good relationships between the leaders of virtual teams and the team members
a.
lowers team member satisfaction.
b.
enhances team member satisfaction.
c.
encourages turnover.
d.
increases conflict.
8. One form of top-management team occurs when
a.
the labor union is represented on the board of directors.
b.
executives share power equally with team leaders.
c.
the CEO position is rotated regularly.
d.
two or more top-level managers share authority equally.
9. The negative results of conflict include:.
a.
sidetracked goals.
b.
poor physical and mental health.
c.
wasted resources.
d.
all of the choices
10. With virtual teams, managers have to trust that people will
a.
fill in their time sheets correctly.
b.
check in with their supervisor at the end of each day.
c.
arrive at the home office on time.
d.
perform well without direct supervision.
11. To accomplish its work, videoconferencing would be the most important for a
a.
top-management team.
b.
cross-functional team.
c.
crew.
d.
virtual team.
12. Which one of the following is a characteristic of an effective work group?
a.
independent (rather than interdependent) tasks and rewards
b.
a feeling of empowerment
c.
inexperienced rather than experienced workers
d.
improvising on work processes and procedures
13. Cultural diversity within a group tends to enhance creativity because
a.
shyness within the group is reduced.
b.
different points of view are expressed.
c.
conflict is minimized.
d.
the group operates without a formal leader.
14. A concern noted about too much trust within the work group is that
a.
the members might not monitor each others’ work carefully enough.
b.
higher-level management might become suspicious.
c.
group productivity might suffer.
d.
group emotional intelligence is likely to decrease.
15. The shakedown period of group development is referred to as the ____ stage.
a.
forming
b.
storming
c.
norming
d.
performing
16. Group cohesiveness and commitment begin to develop during the ____ stage of group development.
a.
forming
b.
storming
c.
norming
d.
performing
17. A recommended managerial action for enhancing teamwork is to
a.
practice micromanagement at every opportunity.
b.
emphasize the urgent purpose facing the group.
c.
discourage the use of jargon.
d.
use an authoritarian leadership style.
18. A major reason that NASA sends astronauts to wilderness training is that
a.
wilderness training is conducted on a terrain resembling the moon.
b.
most astronauts cannot sit still for classroom training.
c.
teamwork is critical for accomplishing their mission and survival.
d.
most astronauts are naturally loners rather than team players.
19. The CEO of one company wants to hire a team of capable people all at once so the company can
quickly enter a new business. So the CEO engages in a(n)
a.
lift out.
b.
group polarization.
c.
groupthink.
d.
outdoor training.
20. A team is least likely to be a useful form of organization under which one of the following conditions?
a.
speed is important
b.
the organization faces a complex and rapidly changing environment
c.
work processes are best handled by one functional group
d.
when innovation and learning have high priority
21. Chris is assigned to a product development team. Whenever there is heavy work to do, Chris creates an
excuse about having other more urgent work. The situation with Chris illustrates which potential
problem with group effort?
a.
group polarization
b.
social loafing
c.
groupthink
d.
the risky shift
22. An accountability problem noted with groups is that they
a.
poorly document their accomplishments.
b.
poorly document their failures.
c.
are often given credit for success but rarely blamed for failures.
d.
are often blamed for failures but rarely given credit for success.
23. Positive consequences of conflict include:
a.
increased diagnostic information.
b.
increased creativity
c.
increased effort.
d.
all of the choices
24. When experiencing task conflict, team members are likely to
a.
point out each other’s personal faults.
b.
engage in personality clashes.
c.
critically examine alternative solutions to problems.
d.
try to outsmart each others intellectually.
25. The collaboration style of conflict resolution emphasizes
a.
achieving win-win solutions.
b.
appeasing the other side.
c.
indifference to the outcome of conflict.
d.
power struggles as a way of winning.
TRUE/FALSE
1. All teams are groups, but not all groups are teams.
2. A large corporation has a health and recreation department in which employees can exercise during
breaks and after work. This health and recreation department should be classified as an informal group.
3. A motivational advantage of self-managed work teams is that the members sometimes feel like they
are operating a small business.
4. The arrangement of work opposite to a self-managing work team is a manufacturing setting is an
assembly line.
5. A high-level managerial skill is to help two or more group members resolve conflict between or
among them.
6. An employee is likely to be assigned to a project team longer than on a departmental assignment.
7. An important organizational advantage of a project is that it can be disbanded easily without having
committed enormous resources.
8. The forcing, or competitive, style of conflict resolution is based on the desire to win one’s own
concerns at the expense of the other party, or to dominate.
9. Groups of top-level managers are teams in the sense that they make most major decisions
collaboratively with all members of the top-management group included>
10. The members of a virtual team are people from the same organizational unit who meet regularly but
fall short of being an effective team.
11. A challenge for virtual teams is that members have to develop trust in each other without the benefit of
face-to-face meetings.
12. One component of empowerment is seeing the impact of the work group’s effort on other interested
parties.
13. When a group deals with creative tasks, it is best to have a homogeneous group.
14. Cross-functional teams, work teams, committees, and task forces tend to be the most productive with
15 to 20 members.
15. An example of emotionally intelligent behavior by a group would be to build relationships both within
and outside the group.
16. During the forming stage the group starts to come together as a coordinated unit, and harmony
prevails.
17. During the performing stage issues concerning interpersonal relations and task assignments are put
aside as the group becomes a well-performing unit.
18. A natural starting point in developing teamwork is to have a mission that is accepted by the team, such
as one that relates to providing an outstanding experience for customers.
19. A micromanager enhances teamwork because he or she takes care of so many important details for the
group.
20. To make virtual teams more successful, managers should invest in an online resource where team
members can readily learn about each other.
21. A corporate lift-out takes place when top management fires an entire low-performing team.
22. A concern noted about teams is that they tend to be blamed for failures, whereas individuals receive
credit for the team’s success.
23. Trying too hard to be a good team player can retard a person’s career because the person may fail to
gain individual recognition.
24. Relationship conflict focuses on personalized, individually oriented issues.
25. A recommended approach to resolving conflict between two individuals is confrontation and problem
solving.
ESSAY
1. What factors contribute to team effectiveness?
2. When Kristy was asked to explain the drop in crime and complaints about the police department, she
attributedmuch of the success to improved teamwork. In her words: “Our police team can’t take credit
for the total drop in crime. I am saying that I have been fortunate to assemble a great team. We all
have key roles to play, and we cooperate totally with each other.”
1. What does this story illustrate about teamwork?
2. Why is it important to understand teams?
3. Describe the people-related activities of a good team player.
4. Describe what actions a team leader might take to resolve conflict within the team.
