Question 1

In the workplace, informal groups cannot undercut the plans of formal groups.

Accepted Answer

Informal groups can sometimes undermine or sabotage the plans of formal groups by exerting influence over their members or creating resistance to change.

Question 2

A work team may be self-managed, cross-functional, or virtual; however it cannot be all of these at the same time.

Accepted Answer

A work team can actually be all of these at the same time. A self-managed, cross-functional, and virtual team is possible, although it may present some unique challenges in terms of coordination and communication.

Question 3

Over 25 years ago, Peter Drucker's prediction that the future organization would be organized around teamwork has become a reality.

Accepted Answer

Many organizations today are organized in teams or workgroups, collaborating towards a common goal. This approach allows for increased flexibility, innovation, and employee engagement, reflecting Drucker's prediction.

Question 4

Continuous improvement teams consist of small groups of volunteers or workers and supervisors who meet intermittently to discuss workplace- and quality-related problems.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true, as continuous improvement teams typically involve small groups of individuals meeting regularly to identify and address problems related to workplace processes and quality control.

Question 5

An informal group typically does not have an officially appointed leader, although a leader may emerge from members of the group.

Accepted Answer

An informal group does not have a formally designated leader, but a leader may arise from within the group.

Question 6

Informal groups can be highly productive, but not more so than formal groups.

Accepted Answer

While informal groups can be effective in their own ways, formal groups are structured with specific goals, roles, and responsibilities. This structure can often lead to more efficient and productive work.

Question 7

Twenty-six new employees from Global Technologies Inc. are attending orientation, receiving information about company policies, and filling out various forms. These employees comprise a group.

Accepted Answer

A group is a collection of individuals who share a common goal, purpose or task. In this case, the 26 new employees of Global Technologies Inc. can be considered a group as they are attending orientation together and receiving information about company policies.

Question 8

A maintenance crew is an example of a production team.

Accepted Answer

A maintenance crew is a production team,responsible for performing day-to-day operations.

Question 9

A group is staffed with specialists pursuing a common objective.

Accepted Answer

A cross-functional team is staffed with specialists pursuing a common objective.Examples are task forces,research groups,planning teams,architect teams,engineering teams,and development teams.

Question 10

Teamwork cannot reduce destructive internal competition.

Accepted Answer

Teamwork can help reduce destructive internal competition by fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. When team members are working towards a common goal and encouraged to share ideas and skills, they are less likely to engage in harmful competition with each other.

Question 11

More than 75% of the top 1,000 U.S. companies use some form of self-managed work teams.

Accepted Answer

According to a study by the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 75% of the top 1,000 U.S. companies use some form of self-managed work teams.

Question 12

Quality circles are not the same as continuous improvement teams.

Accepted Answer

Self-managed teams have emerged out of what were called quality circles,now known as continuous improvement teams.

Question 13

Research finds that the majority of workplace learning is informal.

Accepted Answer

Numerous studies have found that informal learning accounts for a significant portion of workplace learning. For example, research from the Center for Creative Leadership suggests that up to 90% of workplace learning occurs through informal channels such as on-the-job experiences, mentoring, and peer-to-peer interactions.

Question 14

A group is a small group of people with complementary skills who are committed to a common purpose and performance goals.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

Participating on virtual teams does not require individuals to be available for electronic communication 24 hours a day.

Accepted Answer

While virtual team members should be responsive and available during agreed-upon working hours, they are not expected to be constantly available for communication. It is important for virtual teams to establish clear boundaries and expectations regarding communication and availability.

Question 16

A group is defined as two or more freely interacting individuals who share collective norms, share collective goals, and have a common identity.

Accepted Answer

This is the definition of a group according to social psychology.

Question 17

An advice team, such as an advisory council or an employee involvement group, is created to broaden the information base for managerial decisions.

Accepted Answer

An advice team is created to provide input and advice to managers based on their expertise and experience, in order to improve and broaden the information available for decision making.

Question 18

Common commitment is the essence of a team, and what differentiates it from a group.

Accepted Answer

A team is characterized by the shared commitment of its members towards a common goal. In contrast, a group of individuals may not necessarily have a shared goal or commitment towards each other.

Question 19

Teamwork improves quality, speed, workplace cohesiveness, and productivity.

Accepted Answer

Teamwork is considered crucial in any organization as it improves the quality of work by utilizing the skills of different individuals, speeds up tasks by structuring them effectively, builds workplace cohesiveness by promoting mutual respect and shared goals, and enhances productivity by achieving common objectives. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 20

There is no need for virtual workers to meet regularly.

Accepted Answer

While virtual workers may not need to meet in person, regular virtual meetings are important for building communication, rapport, and ensuring all team members are on the same page.

Quiz 13: Groups and Teams: Increasing Cooperation, Reducing Conflict