Deck 23: Teams, Team Building, and Teamwork

Question 1

The teams of team-oriented problem solving in total quality management are essentially the same as the teams once referred to as quality circles.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Depending on the issues addressed, there are potential legal problems with teams that consist entirely of managers.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The popularity of total quality management programs spurred increased emphasis on consultative management approaches.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

There is always a risk that an employee team or committee might be considered an employer-dominated illegal labor organization.

Question 5

It is generally a matter of individual opinion as to whether "quality" committees or committees established to serve as communications channels to improve quality are labor organizations under the law.

Question 6

There is a direct relationship between employee commitment and an employee's sense of being included as part of a team.

Question 7

The supervisor who clearly identifies with higher management conveys a sense of strength that is conducive to the success of employee teams.

Question 8

The development and maintenance of a mature, functioning team requires a strongly focused production-centered approach to management.

Question 9

Motivation always remains individual, so individual identity and individual motivation must be perpetuated as the heart of an effective work team.

Question 10

Team maturity is the ultimate goal of the team-building process.

Question 11

In the disequilibrium phase of team building:

A) Assigned and invited participants readily come to regard themselves as team members.
B) The team and its members exhibit the maximum synergistic effect.
C) The group begins to function as a productive team.
D) Most people in the group are having their effects as individuals according to their own needs and desires.

Question 12

To Improve the motivational climate in the department so it is conduce to team activity, the supervisor can:

A) Avoid cross-training and other means of moving people around and focus on creating specialists in needed skills.
B) Get serious about proper delegation, using the process to provide some opportunity for employee growth.
C) Centralize all important activities,
D) Take seriously the principles of true consultative management.

Question 13

The supervisor who would endeavor to build and maintain an effective team must first and foremost:

A) Lean toward a Theory X approach to management until a cohesive group has been established.
B) Recruit and select employees who are well experienced specialists at what they do.
C) Generally hold an optimistic view of employees overall and exhibit a Theory Y approach to management.
D) None of the above.

Question 14

One of the most significant shortcomings of teams or committees is:

A) Some members are often unwilling to set aside position and power for the sake of the team.
B) A team essentially cannot function unless all of its members are approximately equal in knowledge and ability.
C) Team members cannot work well together unless all are of equivalent organizational status.
D) Most team members are unlikely to cooperate if they do not receive equal credit for participation.

Question 15

In utilizing employee teams, it is necessary for those assembling and guiding a team to:

A) Establish some means by which the team can communicate its recommendations on pay and benefits to management.
B) Avoid allowing the team to deal with terms and conditions of employment.
C) Maintain an open channel for receiving and addressing legitimate complaints that come up during team activity.
D) Make certain that no employees known to be union advocates are invited onto the team.

Question 16

Although they may function individually, all teams are actually _________________ with other organizational elements.

Question 17

It only makes sense to try to account for employees' needs and desires in determining the shape of a _________ program.

Question 18

An employee team might be seen as an illegal labor organization if its suggestions or recommendations result in _____________ decisions.

Question 19

Employee participation may well be the key to continuing increases in quality, efficiency, and _____________ .

Question 20

In the _____________ stage of team building, individual commitment is tentative and a number of people are likely to adopt a "wait-and-see" attitude.