OB 10

The current popularity of teams can be attributed to the fact that ________.

• A) they outperform individuals

• B) they represent a better way to use employee talents

• C) they reduce the need for coordination and supervision

• D) they aid in the performance of simple tasks that do not require diverse inputs

Which of the following statements best defines a work group?

• A) A work group performs at a level 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 members who work together and generate positive synergy through coordinated effort.

• D) A work group consists of members having complementary skills that are applied in a coordinated fashion to the task at hand.

Work groups are characterized by ________.

• A) the emphasis on generating positive synergy

• B) the goal of sharing information among members

• C) the mutual and team-based accountability for results

• D) the need to attain collective performance

What is the primary purpose of a work group?

• A) to generate positive synergy

• B) to improve collective performance

• C)  to inculcate a climate of trust

• D) to share relevant information

________ teams are defined as groups of employees who perform highly related or interdependent jobs and take on many of the responsibilities of their former supervisors.

• A) Independent

• B) Self-managed work

• C) Cross-functional

• D) Problem-solving

Which of the following teams is more likely to be made up of employees from about the same hierarchical level but different work areas?

• A) problem-solving

• B) self-managed work

• C) cross-functional

• D) traditional

According to the team effectiveness model, which of the following is a process variable that influences effectiveness of a team?

• A) leadership and structure

• B) team efficacy

• C) member flexibility

• D) performance evaluation and reward systems

People scoring high on ________ are valuable in teams because they're good at backing up fellow team members and at sensing when their support is truly needed.

• A) conscientiousness

• B) positivity

• C) emotional stability

• D) agreeableness

According to the concept of organizational demography, if team members have dissimilar experiences, it will lead to ________.

• A) increased employee satisfaction

• B) decreased level of conflicts

• C) higher employee motivation

• D) higher employee turnover

Which of the following is not a common characteristic of an effective team?

• A) The team has adequate resources.

• B) The team has effective leadership.

• C) The team has a climate of trust.

• D) The team is the right size for the task–about 15-20 people.