Deck 13: Teaming Across Distance and Culture

Question 1

Unless people have had special training, they are likely to commit blunders when communicating virtually. All of the following are best practices of virtual communication etiquette EXCEPT:

A) active listening.
B) establish one person as the speaker for the group and have all other group members funnel their questions and comments through that team member.
C) immediately establish the purpose of the team.
D) summarize often and confirm understanding.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Some types of teams become information-dependent upon aspects of their physical environment in order to do their work. This type of team situation is best termed as:

A) place-time model of social interaction.
B) codified knowledge.
C) location dependent.
D) different time, same place.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Cultural intelligence is best described as:

A) the capability to adapt effectively to new cultural contexts.
B) reliability capital.
C) egalitarianism.
D) collectivism.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

With regard to risk-taking, compared to groups that make decisions face-to-face, groups that make decisions via electronic communication are:

A) risk-averse for gains and risk-seeking for losses.
B) prone to feel more responsible for project failures.
C) risk-seeking for gains, and for losses.
D) risk-averse for both gains and losses.

Question 5

Two types of information knowledge exist in teams. The first, ________ knowledge, is hard to articulate and acquired through experience. The second, ________ knowledge, is knowledge that is transmittable in formal or symbolic language.

A) codified; tacit
B) rich; codified
C) tacit; codified
D) tacit; rich

Question 6

Which of the following communication situations has the highest message "richness", or potential information-carrying capacity?

A) Memo announcing new workplace policy
B) Spreadsheet of financial statistics
C) Video conference interview
D) Face-to-face meeting with clients

Question 7

According to the place-time mode of interaction, when people are in the same place, but at different times, this is an example of what type of communication?

A) Face-to-face
B) Video conference
C) Shift work
D) E-mail

Question 8

Although there are disadvantages to physically dispersed teams, what advantage can physical distance provide for teams?

A) Informal modeling
B) Awareness of new technology
C) Increased conflict
D) Team members feel compelled to prepare for meetings and to address issues more efficiently.

Question 9

In regard to cultural values, in __________ cultures, members of high- and low-status groups communicate frequently, and do not go to great lengths to perpetuate differences. In __________ cultures and organizations, status differences are not easily permeated.

A) individualized; collective
B) direct; indirect
C) egalitarian; hierarchical
D) schmoozing; exclusive

Question 10

Virtual distance is a term that refers to the:

A) feelings of separation engendered by communication via e-mail, text, audio conferencing, and so on.
B) delay that people experience when sending electronic messages through several gateways and spam filters.
C) fact that people behave differently on e-mail than they do face-to-face.
D) tendency to engage in flaming and teasing behavior on the Internet.

Question 11

Virtual teams are best described as a:

A) group support system or electronic meeting system.
B) combination of technology, tools, and infrastructures that allows scientists to work with one another on projects related to the future of technology.
C) task-focused group that meets without all members necessarily being physically present or even working at the same time.
D) community composed of people who work for e-businesses.

Question 12

Information technology changes social behavior. Which of the following behaviors is TRUE about information technology as compared to traditional face-to-face interaction?

A) Participation in team and group settings becomes more uneven and polarized.
B) Status differences among people and groups are magnified and more salient.
C) Computer-mediated groups make decisions faster and reach consensus earlier.
D) There is a lower frequency of communication in computer-mediated groups.

Question 13

Information technology has powerful effects on social behavior. Which of the following issues should NOT be expected when interacting with teammates via information technology?

A) Reduced/changed status differences between team members.
B) Increased inhibitions and a decreased likelihood that all members will contribute to the discussion.
C) Increased time to make decisions.
D) Lower frequency of communication.

Question 14

Tools, documents, language and processes-these are examples of boundary objects. Which of the following is the best definition of the purpose of boundary objects?

A) To mark out the limitations of liability for teams
B) To establish team project ownership and territories
C) The documents, objects, and shared vocabulary that allow people from different teams, organizations, and cultures to build a shared understanding across teams.
D) A culture's signature pattern of workplace beliefs, mental models, and practices that embody the culture's ideas about what is good, true, and efficient within the domain of work.

Question 15

All of the following are reasons why the spontaneous social interaction called "schmoozing" is advantageous for virtual teams EXCEPT:

A) expedites the operation of virtual teams.
B) increases like and rapport.
C) increases task focus.
D) low cost and efficiency.

Question 16

One of the challenges of virtual teams is building reliability capital. Which of the following tactics is a best practice when building reliability capital in virtual teams?

A) To build cohesion and to encourage friendly team exchanges, consider using sarcasm, joking and teasing in your distance interactions.
B) Follow up with team members as time and schedule allows.
C) Always be brutally honest about your opinions to avoid possible groupthink.
D) Be available to support and respond to team members. When you are not available, follow up as soon as possible.

Question 17

Regarding out-of-the-loop employees, which of the following is one of Edmondson's "Four Tactics for Reframing" that helps people reframe their purpose on a team?

A) Tell yourself that the project is similar to other projects you've already done, and bring your knowledge to the service of others on the team with less project experience.
B) See yourself as vitally important to a successful outcome, and to achieve the goal, you need the willing participation of others on your team.
C) See others as less important than yourself to the successful outcome of the projects, and work to provide the critical pieces of the solution to make up for the shortcomings of others.
D) Be selective about the information you share with others on the team.

Question 18

People from different cultures can differ in many ways. The cultural value of egalitarianism refers to __________; the cultural value of hierarchy refers to __________.

A) the pursuit of personal welfare and self-interest; the maximization of the welfare of the group
B) the belief that status differences are permeable; the belief that social order is not easily permeated
C) the use of explicit, direct information exchange; the use of indirect, tacit messages
D) cognitive cultural intelligence; emotional and motivational cultural intelligence

Question 19

People are their most cooperative when interacting via this form of communication:

A) face-to-face.
B) same time, different place.
C) different time, same place.
D) different place, different time.

Question 20

Virtual teams need to consider several factors for their ultimate success. First, the level of technical support they will need, second their locations relative to one another, and third the:

A) best use of available computer equipment.
B) emotional cohesion of team.
C) public speaking ability of each team member.
D) percentage of time they spend in face-to-face meetings.