Question 1

How do you determine the appropriate size for a cross-functional team?
A)Make sure to have one person from each functional unit.
B)Make sure you have a diverse number of perspectives.
C)Keep the team as small as possible with critical functional representation.
D)Make sure all powerful people are members.
E)Keep the team to fewer than eight members.

Accepted Answer

It is important to have critical functional representation in a cross-functional team but keeping the team as small as possible ensures efficient communication and decision-making processes. A team with too many members is difficult to manage and can lead to confusion and conflicts. Therefore, the best option is to keep the team to a minimum with necessary functional representation.

Question 2

What is the Human Moment?
A)Encounters in which people are physically in the same room or place and focus their emotional and mental attention
B)Group of members who are geographically dispersed meet via video conferencing
C)When managers keep in close contact with their employees via email, voicemail, and video conferencing
D)When team members share stories about their lives outside of work.
E)All of these are example of human moments.

Accepted Answer

The Human Moment refers to encounters where individuals are physically present in the same space, directing their emotional and mental focus towards each other, which is accurately described in option A.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a component of the OABC method for composing email messages? A)Opening B)Audience set C)Body D)Closing E)Agenda

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is NOT a...

Question 4

When leaving a voice mail, why is it helpful to give your name at the beginning of the message rather than at the end (as is more common with written messages)?
A)Because you may forget to leave your name at the end of your message
B)Because a letter is a less formal communication medium
C)Because it quickly puts your message in context for your listener
D)Because it helps the listener prioritize your call.
E)Because it lets your listener know that an important person is calling

Accepted Answer

Giving your name at the beginning of the message quickly puts your message in context for your listener. This allows them to mentally prepare and organize the information you are sharing. It also prevents them from having to listen to the entire message before knowing who it is from.

Question 5

Consistent with the principles of Adam Smith and Henri Fayol, differentiation has traditionally been accomplished by
A)Paying individuals different amounts based on their expertise
B)Creating specialized jobs and work units that are then organized hierarchically
C)Hiring individuals who have a variety of different backgrounds
D)Increasing the efficiency of work processes
E)Subordinating individual interests to the interests of the organization

Accepted Answer

According to Adam Smith and Henri Fayol, differentiation is achieved by creating specialized jobs and units that are then organized hierarchically. This allows for a clear division of labor, which increases efficiency and productivity. Differentiation also involves assigning different levels of authority and responsibility to positions within the hierarchy.

Question 6

All of the following are guidelines for managing cross-functional teams EXCEPT? A)Seek to create a critical mass of leadership. B)Train members in teamwork and process management. C)Encourage team members to stay within their functional roles. D)Clarify expectations within and between teams. E)Get early involvement from all functional areas.

Accepted Answer

Encouraging team members to stay within their functional roles is not a guideline for managing cross-functional teams because the main objective of cross-functional teams is to break down functional silos and promote collaboration between different departments. Encouraging team members to stay within their functional roles goes against this objective. Instead, cross-functional teams should encourage members to understand and contribute to the goals of the team as a whole, beyond their individual functional areas.

Question 7

The decision to use cross functional teams as a way to provide the integration needed in differentiated organizations is
A)One of the oldest approaches used by organizations
B)A new approach, so we know little about how well it will work
C)Supported by management theory but challenging to implement in practice
D)Easy to implement in practice but not supported by management theory
E)Not really appropriate.

Accepted Answer

The use of cross functional teams is supported by management theory as a way to provide integration in differentiated organizations. However, implementing it in practice can be challenging due to organizational and cultural barriers.

Question 8

Cross-functional teams have become more popular over time because
A)New technologies allow work to be done around the globe more economically
B)Changes in the external environment require that different types of expertise at different times, so it is important to use cross-functional teams that can be formed and disbanded rapidly, rather than creating ongoing workgroups.
C)Integration and coordination is needed throughout the organization, which is facilitated by having team members from different functional areas
D)All of these.
E)None of these.

Accepted Answer

All of these options factors in the increasing popularity of cross-functional teams. Rapidly changing technologies have made it more cost-effective to collaborate across the globe. Meanwhile, external factors may require different areas of expertise at different times, which cross-functional teams can provide. Lastly, integration and coordination across different functions within an organization benefit from having team members with diverse backgrounds working together.

Question 9

What is the most important reason to know your audience when deciding how to communicate with a particular individual?
A)Different people are more receptive and responsive to different types of communication
B)Some people rarely check their email
C)Some people never delete old voice mails
D)Some people save all their emails which might cause problems later if anyone questions your judgment about a decision
E)New technologies are harder to use for older employees

Accepted Answer

Knowing your audience allows you to tailor your communication to their preferred style, which can increase their receptiveness and response rates. Different individuals may prefer different types of communication, such as email versus phone calls or visual aids versus written documents. Therefore, it is important to know your audience to effectively communicate with them.

Question 10

When used in a "chat" message, what does the abbreviation "O" mean.
A)Over and out
B)Opponent in a gambling match
C)Hugs from the sender
D)All of these
E)It is not possible to say without knowing the context of the message

Accepted Answer

The meaning of "O" in a chat message can vary widely depending on the context in which it is used, making it impossible to determine its meaning without additional information.

Question 11

Which of the following describes cross-functional teams?
A)They are made up of specialists from different functional areas.
B)They have responsibility for managing the work process, purchasing, handling quality issues, and hiring and firing members.
C)They are made up of specialists from across a single functional area.
D)All of these describe cross-functional teams.
E)None of these describe cross-functional teams.

Accepted Answer

Cross-functional teams are made up of specialists from different functional areas, such as marketing, finance, and operations, who work together to achieve a common goal or complete a project. Option B describes the role of a team leader or manager, while option C refers to a functional team composed of specialists within the same functional area. Option D is incorrect because only option A is accurate. Option E is also incorrect.

Question 12

At the beginning of the competency, "Working and Managing Across Functions," you were asked to complete an assessment related to "mapping your organization" that asked you to obtain a copy of the organizational chart for your employer or school.What information can be found on an organizational chart?
A)Information about formal reporting relationships between people in the organizations
B)Information about where decisions are made in the organization
C)Information about how long it takes for decisions to be made in the organization
D)Information about formal reporting relationships between positions in the organization
E)Information about informal reporting relationships among employees in the organization

Accepted Answer

An organizational chart typically shows the formal reporting relationships between positions in the organization, including who reports to whom and the structure of departments and teams. Other information such as decision-making processes and informal relationships among employees may not be explicitly shown on the chart.

Question 13

Several paradoxes result when using cross-functional teams.One key paradox that is likely to have a major impact on employee motivation is that organizations need to
A)Ensure that employees are creative and are still working within organizational guidelines.
B)Evaluate and reward individual performance when much of the work of the organization is being done in teams
C)Achieve multiple focuses (on product, market, customer, geography, etc.) without segmenting the organization in a dysfunctional way.
D)All of these are paradoxes that relate to the use of cross-functional teams.
E)None of these are paradoxes that relate to the use of cross-functional teams.

Accepted Answer

Evaluating and rewarding individual performance in a team-based environment can demotivate employees, as it may not accurately reflect their contributions to team success.

Question 14

How is integration primarily accomplished in an organization that is organized into different functional units?
A)With regular inspections by managers of employee work habits.
B)With formal cross-functional teams and liaison officers
C)With informal relationships among organizational members
D)With standardized processes and procedures that are inherent in the organizational hierarchy.
E)Integration is not needed in companies organized by functional units

Accepted Answer

The answer of How is integration primarily accomplished in an...

Question 15

Cross-functional teams were first encouraged as a way to help U.S.companies be more successful in the global economy more than 20 years ago.Since that time, which of the following best describes what researchers have learned about cross-functional teams?
A)Cross functional teams are almost always beneficial because by increasing the amount of functional diversity on the team, better solutions can be obtained.
B)Cross functional teams are most beneficial when external communication increases as a result of having members with diverse backgrounds, areas of expertise, and different external networks of information.
C)Cross functional teams are least beneficial when external communication increases because this distracts members from the primary task of the team.
D)Cross functional teams were common in the 1990s but their use in organization has fallen as organizations realized that they were not a panacea.
E)Cross-functional teams are rarely beneficial because the diversity of functional backgrounds and expertise makes it difficult for members to communicate effectively and increases conflict.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that cross-functional teams are most beneficial when external communication increases as a result of having members with diverse backgrounds, areas of expertise, and different external networks of information. More diverse teams are better able to consider multiple perspectives, generate more creative solutions, and adapt to changes in the environment. However, effective communication and coordination across functions can be challenging and requires careful management.

Question 16

The primary goal of differentiation, according to Adam Smith is to
A)Increase efficiency
B)Encourage diversity in hiring
C)Make work more interesting for employees
D)Give managers an opportunity to learn new things
E)Ensure that the organization has sufficient numbers of qualified workers

Accepted Answer

According to Adam Smith, the primary goal of differentiation is to increase efficiency in the organization. By dividing tasks and assigning specialized roles to employees based on their skills and abilities, the organization can produce more goods or services with fewer resources, ultimately leading to increased profitability.

Question 17

Which of the following is TRUE about face-to-face communication? A)Video-conferencing can replace all aspects of face-to-face communication. B)Face to face meetings are still necessary C)Teams perform just as well whether or not they ever have any face-to-face meetings. D)If they are limited in the number times they can meet face to face, teams should save face to face meetings for the end of the project. E)It is easier to convey difficult emotions with email than with face-to-face communication.

Accepted Answer

Face to face meetings are still necessary because they allow for nonverbal communication, relationship building, and can often lead to more productive and efficient conversations. While video-conferencing can be a helpful alternative, it cannot completely replace the benefits of in-person communication. The other options are not true about face-to-face communication.

Question 18

Which of the following is a guideline for managing cross-functional teams?
A)Clarify goals and charter and get team buy-in.
B)Change individual members frequently to bring fresh ideas into the team.
C)Keep the group as large as possible.
D)Provide the group with information only as necessary.
E)Use an accommodating approach to conflict within the team.

Accepted Answer

Clarifying goals and charter and getting team buy-in are crucial for managing cross-functional teams as it ensures that everyone is on the same page and understands their roles and responsibilities. This helps in achieving the objectives of the team and ensures better coordination among team members.

B, C, D, and E are not guidelines for managing cross-functional teams as changing individual members frequently can disrupt the team's effectiveness, keeping the group as large as possible can cause communication and coordination issues, providing information only as necessary can lead to misunderstandings and lack of transparency, and using an accommodating approach to conflict may not always be effective.

Question 19

Which component of the OABC method for composing email is described as the "business" message itself, expressed in concrete and simple terms?
A)Agenda
B)Action items
C)Audience set
D)Body
E)Opening

Accepted Answer

The component of the OABC method for composing email that is described as the "business" message itself, expressed in concrete and simple terms is the body. The body of the email should contain the main message or information that the sender wants to convey to the recipient.

Question 20

Which component of the OABC method for composing email is described as an outline or map of what your message is about?
A)Agenda
B)Action Items
C)Audience set
D)Body
E)Opening

Accepted Answer

The Agenda component of the OABC method for composing email serves as an outline or map of what the message is about, helping to organize the content and flow of the email.

Quiz 2: Establishing and Maintaining Stability and Continuity

How do you determine the appropriate size for a cross-functional team?

What is the Human Moment?

Which of the following is NOT a component of the OABC method for composing email messages?

When leaving a voice mail, why is it helpful to give your name at the beginning of the message rather than at the end (as is more common with written messages) ?

Consistent with the principles of Adam Smith and Henri Fayol, differentiation has traditionally been accomplished by

All of the following are guidelines for managing cross-functional teams EXCEPT?

The decision to use cross functional teams as a way to provide the integration needed in differentiated organizations is

Cross-functional teams have become more popular over time because

What is the most important reason to know your audience when deciding how to communicate with a particular individual?

When used in a "chat" message, what does the abbreviation "O" mean.

Which of the following describes cross-functional teams?

Several paradoxes result when using cross-functional teams.One key paradox that is likely to have a major impact on employee motivation is that organizations need to

How is integration primarily accomplished in an organization that is organized into different functional units?

Cross-functional teams were first encouraged as a way to help U.S.companies be more successful in the global economy more than 20 years ago.Since that time, which of the following best describes what researchers have learned about cross-functional teams?

The primary goal of differentiation, according to Adam Smith is to

Which of the following is TRUE about face-to-face communication?

Which of the following is a guideline for managing cross-functional teams?

Which component of the OABC method for composing email is described as the "business" message itself, expressed in concrete and simple terms?

Which component of the OABC method for composing email is described as an outline or map of what your message is about?