Question 1

In a traditional work environment,
A) most information is "management property."
B) managers and team members jointly determine and plan the work.
C) rewards are primarily based on contributions to individual and team performance.
D) measured risk taking is encouraged and supported.
E) everyone works to continuously improve methods and processes.

Accepted Answer

In a traditional work environment, most information is considered "management property" which means that information is only available to those in high-level leadership positions and not shared with lower-level employees. This approach to information management can limit collaboration and hinder transparent communication within the workplace.

Question 2

A(n) ________ is a collection of people who interact to undertake a task but do not necessarily perform as a unit or achieve significant performance improvements.
A) group
B) environment
C) team
D) system
E) sample

Accepted Answer

A group is a collection of individuals that interact with each other, but they do not necessarily have a shared goal or purpose. They can work independently towards their own individual goals, and their performance does not necessarily improve because they are part of a group.

Question 3

An organization has decided to restructure its traditional work environment by adopting team-based approaches to work. How would this affect the organization?
A) The employees will develop an individualistic approach to work.
B) The quality of the work will decline.
C) The employees will refrain from free riding and social loafing.
D) The organization's productivity will increase.
E) The organization's costs will rise.

Accepted Answer

Adopting team-based approaches to work encourages collaboration and communication between employees, leading to increased productivity. Research has also shown that team-based approaches can reduce social loafing and free-riding, as employees feel a sense of accountability to their team members. While there may be costs associated with implementing such a change, the long-term benefits of increased productivity and improved employee satisfaction can outweigh these costs. Therefore, this restructuring is highly unlikely to lead to employees developing an individualistic approach to work or a decline in work quality.

Question 4

In a traditional work environment,
A) everyone works to continuously improve methods and processes.
B) rewards are based on individual and team performance.
C) managers and team members jointly determine and plan the work.
D) most information is freely shared at all levels.
E) risk taking is discouraged and punished.

Accepted Answer

In a traditional work environment, risk-taking is often discouraged and punished as it tends to prioritize stability and adherence to established procedures over innovation.

Question 5

A ________ is a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, set of performance goals, and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.
A) team
B) population
C) system
D) sample
E) group

Accepted Answer

A team is defined as a small group of people who have different skills and expertise, but come together with a common purpose and hold themselves mutually accountable for achieving agreed-upon goals. This definition does not fit any of the other options.

Question 6

In a new team work environment,
A) managers alone determine and plan the work.
B) most information is "management property."
C) measured risk taking is encouraged and supported.
D) rewards are based solely on individual performance.
E) managers alone determine "best work methods."

Accepted Answer

In a new team work environment, it is important to encourage and support measured risk taking. This means that individuals in the team can contribute their ideas and suggestions for the project or work, and are not solely dependent on the managers determining and planning all the work. Additionally, rewards should be based on team performance as well as individual performance, as it is important to recognize the efforts and contributions of the entire team, not just one individual. Therefore, choices A, B, D, and E do not align with the characteristics of a successful team work environment.

Question 7

Teams can satisfy important personal needs for their members, such as affiliation and esteem.

Accepted Answer

Teams can provide a sense of belonging and social support, which fulfills the need for affiliation. Additionally, members can gain self-esteem and recognition from being a part of a successful team.

Question 8

Self-managed teams are seldom found in manufacturing.

Accepted Answer

Self-managed teams are commonly found in manufacturing as they empower workers to make decisions, improve efficiency, and contribute to the success of the organization.

Question 9

Select the benefit that teams CANNOT achieve.
A) an increase in productivity
B) an improvement in quality
C) a reduction in costs
D) an analysis of staffing
E) an increase in speed

Accepted Answer

Teams can achieve an analysis of staffing through collaboration and sharing of information.

Question 10

For a cohesive group to make good decisions, it should establish a norm of constructive disagreement.

Accepted Answer

Constructive disagreement allows for different perspectives and a thorough examination of possible solutions, which ultimately leads to better decision-making by the group.

Question 11

In a new team environment,
A) everyone works to continuously improve methods and processes.
B) managers alone determine and plan the work.
C) jobs are narrowly defined.
D) cross-training is viewed as inefficient.
E) tasks and duties are narrowly defined.

Accepted Answer

In a new team environment, it is important for everyone to work together to continuously improve methods and processes. This promotes collaboration and innovation, leading to better results and a more efficient team. Option B, C, D, and E are not ideal as they limit teamwork and creativity, and may lead to decreased productivity and motivation.

Question 12

How does a group differ from a team?
A) Teams hold their members individually accountable for achieving performance improvements.
B) Groups do not require their members to interact.
C) Groups do not necessarily perform as a unit.
D) Teams usually do not require their members to agree on a common goal to be achieved.
E) Teams are usually formed of a large number of people.

Accepted Answer

A group is simply a collection of individuals who are together, but not necessarily working towards a common goal or performing as a unit. On the other hand, a team is a group of individuals who are interdependent and work together towards a shared goal, while also holding each other accountable for achieving performance improvements.

Question 13

When trust is low, team members may spend more time trying to influence team dynamics to protect their own interests than performing their actual jobs.

Accepted Answer

When trust is low, team members may become more focused on protecting their own interests and may spend more time influencing team dynamics instead of performing their assigned tasks. This can ultimately lead to decreased productivity and effectiveness for the entire team.

Question 14

Identify a defining characteristic of a traditional work environment.
A) Jobs require broad skills and knowledge.
B) Rewards are based on individual and team performance.
C) Measured risk taking is encouraged and supported.
D) Managers primarily determine "best methods" related to work processes.
E) Most information is freely shared at all levels of the organization.

Accepted Answer

In a traditional work environment, managers primarily determine what they consider to be the "best methods" related to work processes. This often means that there is a strict hierarchy in which decisions are made from the top down, rather than involving input or feedback from all levels of the organization.

Question 15

In a new team work environment,
A) people work alone.
B) jobs are narrowly defined.
C) training for nonmanagers focuses on technical skills.
D) managers and team members plan together.
E) risk taking is discouraged and punished.

Accepted Answer

In a new team work environment, managers and team members plan together. This collaboration allows everyone to have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities within the team, leading to better communication and increased productivity.

Question 16

Job skills learned by working in a team are not transferable to new positions.

Accepted Answer

Job skills learned by working in a team such as communication, collaboration, conflict resolution, and leadership are highly transferable and sought after by employers in various industries.

Question 17

In a new team work environment,
A) risk taking is discouraged and punished.
B) rewards are based on individual performance and contributions to team performance.
C) most information is "management property."
D) training for nonmanagers primarily focuses on technical skills.
E) teams are created to promote groupthink among the members.

Accepted Answer

In a new team work environment, rewards should be based on both individual and team performance to incentivize collaboration and cooperation. Option A is incorrect as risk taking should be encouraged and mistakes should be seen as opportunities for growth and learning. Option C is incorrect as transparency and sharing of information is crucial for effective teamwork. Option D is incorrect as nonmanagers need to be trained on interpersonal and communication skills in addition to technical skills. Option E is incorrect as teams should encourage diverse perspectives and open communication rather than groupthink.

Question 18

Groups always keep progressing from one stage of team leadership to the other; they never remain at any level for a long time.

Accepted Answer

Groups can remain at a particular stage of development for varying lengths of time depending on factors such as the group's goals, the effectiveness of leadership, and the dynamics within the group. Progression is not always linear or guaranteed.

Question 19

Team-based approaches to work have generated excitement. Used appropriately, teams can be powerfully effective as a(n)
A) start-up to a large corporation.
B) building block for organization structure.
C) award-winning strategy.
D) marketing strategy.
E) alternative to evaluation.

Accepted Answer

Teams can serve as building blocks for organization structure as they allow for collaboration, communication, and the pooling of resources and expertise to achieve common goals. The other options are not accurate descriptions of the benefits of team-based approaches to work.

Question 20

In a traditional work environment,
A) managers and team members jointly determine and plan the work.
B) rewards are based on individual performance.
C) jobs require broad skills and knowledge.
D) employees at all levels are involved in determining best work methods.
E) most information is freely shared at all levels.

Accepted Answer

In a traditional work environment, rewards are typically based on individual performance rather than team performance or collective efforts.

Quiz 12: Teamwork

In a traditional work environment,

A(n) ________ is a collection of people who interact to undertake a task but do not necessarily perform as a unit or achieve significant performance improvements.

An organization has decided to restructure its traditional work environment by adopting team-based approaches to work. How would this affect the organization?

In a traditional work environment,

A ________ is a small number of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose, set of performance goals, and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable.

In a new team work environment,

Teams can satisfy important personal needs for their members, such as affiliation and esteem.

Self-managed teams are seldom found in manufacturing.

Select the benefit that teams CANNOT achieve.

For a cohesive group to make good decisions, it should establish a norm of constructive disagreement.

In a new team environment,

How does a group differ from a team?

When trust is low, team members may spend more time trying to influence team dynamics to protect their own interests than performing their actual jobs.

Identify a defining characteristic of a traditional work environment.

In a new team work environment,

Job skills learned by working in a team are not transferable to new positions.

In a new team work environment,

Groups always keep progressing from one stage of team leadership to the other; they never remain at any level for a long time.

Team-based approaches to work have generated excitement. Used appropriately, teams can be powerfully effective as a(n)

In a traditional work environment,