Question 1

Cohesive teams do all but the following:

Accepted Answer

While cohesive teams do achieve higher levels of performance, consistently perform better than other teams, and have motivated members, they may not necessarily coach disgruntled members. This responsibility may fall on the team leader or manager.

Question 2

Maximum team effectiveness occurs when a team has ________ members.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that the optimal team size is between 5 and 9 members. This allows for a diverse range of skills and perspectives, while still maintaining effective communication and coordination. A team with fewer than 5 members may not have enough resources or perspectives, while a team with more than 9 members may be more difficult to manage and may experience communication and coordination challenges. Therefore, option B (7) is the best choice.

Question 3

What is a characteristic of the storming stage of team development?

Accepted Answer

In the storming stage of team development, members often experience conflicts and differences as they try to clarify their roles, expectations, and how they fit into the team's dynamics. This stage follows the forming stage, where members initially get to know each other.

Question 4

Which of the following is not a benefit of a company employing empowerment techniques?

Accepted Answer

Empowerment techniques may improve job satisfaction, motivation, and accountability among employees, but they do not necessarily lead to a reduction in recruitment needs. In fact, if employees are given greater autonomy and responsibility, they may be more likely to seek out new and challenging job opportunities, which could increase turnover and recruitment needs for the company.

Question 5

Which situation is most likely to undermine team cohesiveness?

Accepted Answer

Team members who are unsure of the team's mission may lack direction and purpose, leading to confusion and lack of focus. This can result in individual team members feeling disconnected and disengaged, which can ultimately undermine team cohesiveness.

Question 6

Team cohesiveness ____________ when members interact frequently, share common attitudes and goals, and enjoy being together.

Accepted Answer

Team cohesiveness increases when members interact frequently, share common attitudes and goals, and enjoy being together.

Question 7

Which type of team provides the greatest diversity of skill and background for its members?

Accepted Answer

Cross-functional teams consist of members from different functional areas within an organization, providing a diverse range of skills and backgrounds. This allows for a more holistic approach to problem-solving and decision-making, as well as promoting creativity and innovation. Self-managed teams have autonomy over their work, but may not necessarily have a diverse range of skills and backgrounds. Virtual teams may have members from different locations, but their skills and backgrounds may not be as diverse as those in a cross-functional team. Problem-solving teams are formed to address a specific issue, but may not have members from a diverse range of functional areas.

Question 8

Approximately, what fraction of firms currently use work teams?

Accepted Answer

According to most recent studies, approximately 70% of firms currently use work teams.

Question 9

Which of the following is a work team that has the authority to decide how its members will complete their daily tasks?

Accepted Answer

A self-managed team is a work team that has the authority to decide how its members will complete their daily tasks without the need for a manager or supervisor to intervene.

Question 10

Which of the plans below benefits employees by giving them ownership stakes in their companies, leading to potential profits as the value of their firm increases?

Accepted Answer

An employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) benefits employees by giving them ownership stakes in their companies, leading to potential profits as the value of their firm increases. ESOPs provide a way for employees to acquire company stock, often at a discounted price or as part of their compensation package, which can result in financial rewards if the company performs well.

Question 11

Managers promote _______ by giving employees the authority and responsibility to make decisions about their work without traditional managerial approval and control.

Accepted Answer

The concept described in the question is empowerment, which involves giving employees the authority and responsibility to make decisions without managerial approval or control. A is incorrect because decision-making is a broad term and does not specifically refer to this type of employee empowerment. C is incorrect because authority is only part of the equation - the question specifically mentions giving employees both authority AND responsibility. D is also incorrect because information sharing is not necessarily related to giving employees decision-making authority.

Question 12

Consensus about the leader's role develops in the ________ stage.

Accepted Answer

The norming stage is where the group begins to establish norms, values, and expectations. In this stage, there is typically a consensus about the leader's role and how they will contribute to the group's success.

Question 13

Which of the following allows employees to share ownership in the firm by offering them the right to buy a specified amount of a company stock at a given price within a given time period?

Accepted Answer

Stock options allow employees to purchase a specified amount of company stock at a predetermined price within a specified time frame. This provides employees with the opportunity to benefit from the company's success and to share in its ownership. Employee stock ownership plans (B) also allow employees to own a stake in the company, but they typically involve the company contributing stock to a trust on behalf of employees rather than allowing employees to purchase stock directly. Derivatives (A) and RRSP plans (C) do not typically involve employees sharing in ownership of the company.

Question 14

During which stage of development do members focus on solving problems and accomplishing tasks?

Accepted Answer

The performing stage of group development is when members focus on solving problems and accomplishing tasks. This is the most productive stage and occurs after the group has gone through the forming, storming, and norming stages.

Question 15

________ represents the strength that comes from differences in abilities, knowledge, experience, and other team factors.

Accepted Answer

Team diversity refers to the differences among team members in terms of their knowledge, skills, experience, and other demographic factors such as age, gender, and cultural background. This diversity can bring more perspectives, creativity, and knowledge to the team, enhancing its problem-solving capability and improving its performance.

Question 16

The team's average level of ability, experience, personality, or any other factor, is referred to as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The team's average level of ability, experience, personality, or any other factor, is referred to as the team level. Team diversity refers to differences in characteristics among team members, team cohesiveness refers to the degree of unity among team members, and team dynamics refer to the interactions and relationships between team members.

Question 17

Cohesive teams often experience high turnover of members.

Accepted Answer

Cohesive teams actually experience lower turnover rates as members feel a strong sense of belonging and commitment to the team.

Question 18

Will is the Customer Service manager for a mid-sized firm. The number of callers who have complaints has increased. What kind of team should Will assemble to help him determine the reason for the complaints?

Accepted Answer

A problem-solving team is specifically designed to solve problems and improve processes, making it the most suitable choice for identifying and addressing the reasons behind an increase in customer complaints.

Question 19

During which stage of development does a team resolve differences and accept each other?

Accepted Answer

During the norming stage, team members begin to resolve differences, develop cohesion, and establish norms for communication and behavior. This allows them to accept each other and work more effectively as a team.

Question 20

One of the most effective methods of empowering employees is to:

Accepted Answer

Keeping employees informed of the firm's financial performance can give them a sense of ownership and investment in the company's success. It allows them to understand the impact of their work on the company's bottom line and can motivate them to work harder and smarter. This can ultimately lead to a more empowered and engaged workforce. Giving them more job duties or decreasing outsourcing may lead to burnout or resentment, while becoming a more profitable company is a result of various factors and not a direct method of employee empowerment.

Quiz 9: Top Performance Through Empowerment, Teamwork, and Communication