Question 1

The members of the Research & Development team of Verdantine Labs have developed an understanding among themselves, thereby reducing the possibilities of interpersonal hostilities or disintegration. The team members also occupy key leadership positions thereby evoking a sense of leadership. Which of the following stages of team development does this situation exemplify?
A) forming stage
B) norming stage
C) storming stage
D) adjourning stage
E) performing stage

Accepted Answer

The norming stage is characterized by the development of cohesion and understanding among team members, reducing conflicts and fostering leadership.

Question 2

In considering the results that any team must achieve, ___ means that members should experience satisfaction from performance results and their participation in the process.
A) performance
B) gratification
C) commitment
D) satisfaction
E) future viability

Accepted Answer

Satisfaction is the only option that directly relates to the statement about experiencing satisfaction from both performance results and participation. Performance, commitment, and future viability are all important factors, but they do not specifically address the idea of satisfaction. Gratification comes close to the idea of satisfaction, but it is not the best choice as it carries more of a connotation of pleasure or superficial enjoyment, rather than the deeper sense of fulfillment and contentment that satisfaction implies.

Question 3

The main difference between homogeneous and heterogeneous teams is that
A) the risk of occurrence of groupthink is more in the latter.
B) the latter has members who are quite dissimilar to one another.
C) members of the latter work together through computer-based interactions.
D) the latter achieves high levels of task performance and future viability.
E) only the latter has a task-driven, results-oriented structure.

Accepted Answer

Homogeneous teams have members who share similar backgrounds, skills, and experiences, whereas heterogeneous teams have members who differ in these aspects. Therefore, the main difference between these two types of teams is that heterogeneous teams have members who are quite dissimilar to one another.

Question 4

Which input factor to group process concerns providing support in the form of information, material resources, technology, spatial arrangements, organization structures, and rewards?
A) organizational setting
B) nature of the tasks
C) team size
D) membership characteristics
E) group norms

Accepted Answer

Providing support in the form of information, material resources, technology, spatial arrangements, organization structures, and rewards are all related to the organizational setting in which the group operates. This input factor can significantly impact the effectiveness and productivity of the group's process.

Question 5

Amazon's founder and CEO Jeff Bezos has a simple philosophy regarding the size of his product development teams. Which of the following represents his philosophy?
A) The size of your team is only limited by your imagination.
B) No team should be larger than two pizzas can feed.
C) There's no such thing as "one size fits all".
D) Team size is not a function of success, but of contribution.
E) Life's too short to eat pizza with more than one person.

Accepted Answer

Jeff Bezos famously stated that if a team can't be fed with two pizzas, it's too large. This philosophy promotes small, nimble teams that can move quickly and stay focused on their objectives. It also emphasizes the importance of efficiency and avoiding bureaucratic inefficiencies that can slow progress.

Question 6

As teams increase in size
A) the communication becomes less congested.
B) it becomes easier to manage them.
C) the number of potential interactions increases geometrically.
D) the nature of the task ceases to affect team effectiveness.
E) team effectiveness reaches its peak.

Accepted Answer

As teams increase in size, the number of potential interactions (i.e. communication, coordination, and collaboration) increases geometrically, which can make it more complex to manage the team and hinder their effectiveness. Hence, option C is the best choice. The other options are incorrect as communication becomes more congested, it becomes harder to manage them, the nature of the task affects team effectiveness, and team effectiveness may not necessarily reach its peak with an increase in team size.

Question 7

An effective team is defined as one that ___.
A) achieves and maintains high levels of task performance
B) achieves and maintains member satisfaction
C) remains viable for the future
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Accepted Answer

An effective team is one that achieves and maintains high levels of task performance, member satisfaction, and remains viable for the future. All of the above options are critical for an effective team.

Question 8

___ can present significant group process challenges because of different values, personalities, experiences, demographics, and cultures among the members.
A) Team effectiveness
B) Team diversity
C) Team cohesiveness
D) Team size
E) Team norms

Accepted Answer

Team diversity can present significant group process challenges as individuals from different backgrounds may have different communication styles, values, beliefs, and expectations. This can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and difficulty in achieving consensus. However, if managed effectively, team diversity can also bring about positive outcomes such as improved creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making.

Question 9

In comparison to simple tasks, complex tasks require more information exchange and more intense interactions. This fact reflects which input factor of group process?
A) the nature of tasks
B) membership characteristics
C) the organizational setting
D) the type of the group
E) the cohesiveness of the group

Accepted Answer

The input factor of group process that deals with the nature of tasks includes the level of complexity, the required information exchange, and the degree of interdependence among group members. Therefore, complex tasks require more information exchange and more intense interactions, reflecting the importance of this input factor in group process.

Question 10

The number and complexity of interactions can make teams increasingly difficult to manage as they grow in size. The threshold point at which team size becomes a significant input factor in effective group process is ___.
A) four or five team members
B) six or eight team members
C) eight or nine team members
D) ten or eleven team members
E) twelve team members

Accepted Answer

The complexity and number of interactions within a team increase significantly as the team grows, making it harder to manage. Research and practical experience often suggest that the threshold point where team size starts to significantly impact group dynamics and management difficulty is around six to eight members. Beyond this size, coordination and communication can become more challenging, affecting the team's effectiveness.

Question 11

___ is the way team members work together to accomplish tasks.
A) Team effectiveness
B) Team process
C) Team managing
D) Team leading
E) Team controlling

Accepted Answer

Team process refers to the way team members work together to accomplish tasks, including communication, decision making, and conflict resolution. Team effectiveness refers to the overall success of the team in achieving their goals, and team managing, leading, and controlling refer to specific roles within the team.

Question 12

Which of the following statements does not accurately describe team process? A) Team process includes how well team members communicate, make decisions, and handle conflicts. B) When team process fails, team effectiveness can suffer. C) Since team process is essential to team effectiveness, it guarantees team success. D) Teams must have the resource inputs needed to deal best with the task at hand. E) The organizational setting, nature of the task, team size, and membership characteristics are key inputs to team process.

Accepted Answer

Team process is crucial for team effectiveness but does not guarantee team success, as success can be influenced by many other factors beyond the team's internal processes.

Question 13

The team process challenge is to ___ the advantages and ___ the potential disadvantages of team diversity.
A) minimize; minimize
B) minimize; maximize
C) maximize; minimize
D) maximize; maximize
E) exaggerate; eliminate

Accepted Answer

The team process challenge is to maximize the advantages and minimize the potential disadvantages of team diversity. This means that teams should strive to capitalize on the benefits of having diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, while also being aware of and addressing any potential conflicts or barriers to effective teamwork that may arise due to differences in communication styles, cultural norms, or other factors. By actively managing team diversity, teams can enhance creativity, innovation, and problem-solving, while also promoting greater understanding and collaboration among team members.

Question 14

The phases or stages in the life cycle of any team are ___.
A) forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning
B) introduction, growth, maturity, and decline
C) forming, norming, performing, and satisfying
D) inputs, throughputs, and outputs
E) problem definition, problem analysis, solution generation, solution implementation, and evaluation

Accepted Answer

The phases or stages in the life cycle of any team are forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. This model was developed by Bruce Tuckman in 1965 and is widely recognized and used in the context of team management and development. The stages represent the natural process of how a team evolves over time, starting from forming (when the team comes together), through storming (when conflicts arise), norming (when the team finds its rhythm), and finally performing (when the team achieves its goals). The adjourning phase refers to the ending of the team's work together.

Question 15

___ refer(s) to how the members of a team actually work together as they transform inputs into outputs.
A) Working relationships
B) Interpersonal relationships
C) Team process
D) Job specifications
E) Team responsibilities

Accepted Answer

Team process refers to how the team functions together to achieve its goals by transforming inputs into outputs. Working relationships and interpersonal relationships may be part of the process, but team process encompasses the actual actions and behaviors of the team members in working towards a common goal. Job specifications and team responsibilities are related to individual roles and tasks, but do not directly address the interactions and dynamics within the team.

Question 16

In considering the results that any team must achieve, ___ means that a work group or team is expected to transform resource inputs into product outputs that have some value for the organization.
A) performance
B) cohesion
C) commitment
D) satisfaction
E) future viability

Accepted Answer

Performance refers to the achievement of results that are valuable to the organization, which includes the transformation of resources into product outputs that have value. Cohesion refers to the level of unity within a team, commitment refers to the dedication and loyalty of team members, satisfaction refers to the level of happiness or contentment of team members, and future viability refers to the sustainability and longevity of the team or organization. While these factors may contribute to performance, only performance directly addresses the achievement of valuable results.

Question 17

The differences in values, personalities, experiences, demographics, and cultures among the membership are referred to as ___.
A) functional chimneys
B) glass walls
C) team diversity
D) groupthink
E) culture shock

Accepted Answer

The differences in values, personalities, experiences, demographics, and cultures among the membership are referred to as team diversity. This diversity can lead to increased creativity, problem-solving, and a wider range of perspectives.

Question 18

In the life cycle of a team, the initial task orientation and interpersonal testing of individual members occurs in the ___ stage.
A) forming
B) storming
C) norming
D) performing
E) adjourning

Accepted Answer

The forming stage is characterized by members getting to know each other and focusing on the task at hand. Interpersonal testing of individual members and determining their roles within the team occurs during this stage.

Question 19

Which of the following is most likely to increase team effectiveness?
A) increase in the complexity of interpersonal relationships
B) good information and material resources
C) involvement in social loafing
D) teams that have more than eight or nine members
E) strong cohesiveness that leads to groupthink

Accepted Answer

Good information and material resources are essential for teams to function effectively. With access to the right resources, a team can make informed decisions, be productive, and achieve their goals efficiently. This factor is considered a critical success factor for team effectiveness.

Question 20

As team diversity increases, it is most likely that the
A) risk of the occurrence of groupthink increases.
B) complexity of interpersonal relationships increases.
C) members become more sensitive to nonverbal cues.
D) risk of occurrence of social loafing increases.
E) scope for special performance opportunities reduces.

Accepted Answer

As team diversity increases, the complexity of interpersonal relationships increases because individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives have to navigate and understand each other's communication styles and values. This can lead to misunderstandings and conflict.

Quiz 17: Teams and Teamwork

In considering the results that any team must achieve, ___ means that members should experience satisfaction from performance results and their participation in the process.

The main difference between homogeneous and heterogeneous teams is that

Which input factor to group process concerns providing support in the form of information, material resources, technology, spatial arrangements, organization structures, and rewards?

Amazon's founder and CEO Jeff Bezos has a simple philosophy regarding the size of his product development teams. Which of the following represents his philosophy?

As teams increase in size

An effective team is defined as one that ___.

___ can present significant group process challenges because of different values, personalities, experiences, demographics, and cultures among the members.

In comparison to simple tasks, complex tasks require more information exchange and more intense interactions. This fact reflects which input factor of group process?

The number and complexity of interactions can make teams increasingly difficult to manage as they grow in size. The threshold point at which team size becomes a significant input factor in effective group process is ___.

___ is the way team members work together to accomplish tasks.

Which of the following statements does not accurately describe team process?

The team process challenge is to _ the advantages and _ the potential disadvantages of team diversity.

The phases or stages in the life cycle of any team are ___.

___ refer(s) to how the members of a team actually work together as they transform inputs into outputs.

In considering the results that any team must achieve, ___ means that a work group or team is expected to transform resource inputs into product outputs that have some value for the organization.

The differences in values, personalities, experiences, demographics, and cultures among the membership are referred to as ___.

In the life cycle of a team, the initial task orientation and interpersonal testing of individual members occurs in the ___ stage.

Which of the following is most likely to increase team effectiveness?

As team diversity increases, it is most likely that the