Types of Groups and Teams
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an effective self-managed work team?
A) The team monitors the quality of its own output.
B) The team has full autonomy in managing its tasks.
C) Managers do not provide any training or guidance.
D) The team has responsibility over complex tasks
C) Managers do not provide any training or guidance.
Can you give the definition of sequential task interdependence in group settings?
The task interdependence that exists when group members must perform specific tasks in a predetermined order.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a wheel communication network in a group or team?
Advantages:
→ communication is centralized, with one person at the center coordinating and directing the flow of information
→ highly efficient for decision-making when the central person has expertise or authority, as it speeds up communication and minimizes confusion.
→ useful in situations where quick decisions are needed, or the group members don’t need to interact much with each other to complete their tasks.
Disadvantages:
→ The reliance on one central member can lead to bottlenecks if that person becomes overwhelmed or unavailable.
→ Discourages creativity and collaboration among group members, as they communicate only with the central member and not with each other.
→ This structure is less effective for complex tasks that benefit from input from multiple people.
What is the definition of “information richness” in the context of communication media?
Information richness is “the amount of information that a communication medium can carry and the extent to which the medium enables the sender and receiver to reach a common understanding.
Which of the following does not reduce social loafing?
A. Making individual contributions identifiable
B. Emphasizing the value of individual members’ contributions
C. Keeping group size appropriate
D. Increasing the group size
D. Increasing the group size
What is the primary purpose of forming a top management team in an organization?
Top management teams are responsible for creating strategies that boost the organization’s competitive edge (Missions and goals).
Which of the following best describes reciprocal task interdependence?
A) Group members perform tasks independently, and their contributions are combined.
B) Group members must complete tasks in a specific order.
C) Group members rely on the work of each other, with continuous collaboration.
D) Group members do not influence each other’s tasks at all.
C) Group members rely on the work of each other, with continuous collaboration.
Which of the following communication networks is most likely to be found in a team where every member is encouraged to share ideas freely with each other?
A) Wheel network
B) Chain network
C) Circle network
D) All-channel network
D) All-channel network
True or False:
Impersonal written communication is a medium that provides high information richness.
False
At Amazon, individual warehouse workers are tracked by their personal performance metrics, and bonuses are awarded based on these contributions. This practice motivates employees to work harder and reduces the chances of employees coasting in a large group. What concept does this scenario represent from the three Ways to Reduce Social Loafing ?
Making individual contributions identifiable
In 2019, Nike faced increasing pressure to improve its sustainability efforts. The company created a team that included experts from product design, supply chain, and marketing to focus on developing eco-friendly products and reducing environmental impact. This team collaborated on creating the "Nike Move to Zero" initiative, which introduced products made from recycled materials and reduced carbon emissions in production. What type of group does this example best represent?
Task Force
Consider how the assembly line operates at Toyota's manufacturing plants. If one person on the line fails to complete their task properly, it affects everyone down the line. Based on this, what type of task interdependence is demonstrated at Toyota, and why does it fit this category?
Sequential Task Interdependence is demonstrated at Toyota's manufacturing plants. This is because the work is performed in a specific order along the assembly line, where each person's task depends on the successful completion of the previous task. If one person fails to perform their task properly, it directly impacts the work of the next person in the sequence, leading to disruptions in the overall group performance.
Consider a company like Google, known for its collaborative work culture. Which type of communication network do you think would be most effective in Google's teams that focus on innovation and creativity, and why?
Google is known for fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and creativity, particularly in its cross-functional teams working on new products and ideas. An all-channel network would be the most effective in such teams because it allows free and open communication between all members, enabling a constant exchange of ideas and feedback.
In a large multinational corporation like Apple, managers prefer to hold video conferences for project updates instead of sending mass emails. This helps clarify issues quickly and allows employees to ask immediate follow-up questions. What concept does this illustrate from the information Richness of Communication Media?
Face-to-face communication (or video conference in this case), which is a medium with high information richness because it allows for immediate feedback and clearer understanding.