Question 1

Molly organized several teachers to discuss the school's interior painting scheduled for summer. They looked at several brands, and heard a presentation by a designer who then helped them choose a color palette to recommend to school administrators. In this instance, the teachers make up a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

The teachers are a formal group because they were organized to discuss a specific task or objective, and their actions were guided by school protocol or policies. They were tasked with making a recommendation on interior painting, and they followed a certain process to arrive at that decision. The fact that they were organized and had a clear purpose makes them a formal group.

Question 2

Informal groups can be highly productive-even more so than formal groups.

Accepted Answer

Informal groups often have strong social relationships and a shared sense of purpose, leading to high levels of motivation and collaboration. They may also be able to respond more quickly and efficiently to challenges and opportunities. However, it is important to note that informal groups can also be prone to conflict and may lack formal structures or accountability measures.

Question 3

Which of the following is the best way to manage virtual teams?

Accepted Answer

Focusing on what is accomplished instead of hours or locations allows virtual teams to have more flexibility and can lead to better productivity. This also allows team members to work at their own pace and not feel like they have to be constantly monitored.

Question 4

Which of the following is not a benefit of teamwork in an organization?

Accepted Answer

Increased stress is not a benefit of teamwork in an organization. While teamwork can increase productivity, reduce costs, improve workplace cohesiveness, and reduce destructive internal competition, it should not add to an individual's stress levels. In fact, effective teamwork should help distribute work and create a supportive environment, leading to decreased stress levels.

Question 5

A data processing group is an example of a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

A data processing group is focused on producing a specific output (processed data) and is therefore an example of a production team.

Question 6

Invulnerability, stereotyping of opposition, rationalization, and illusion of unanimity are symptoms of the Abilene paradox.

Accepted Answer

Invulnerability,inherent morality,stereotyping of opposition,rationalization and self-censorship,illusion of unanimity,peer pressure,and mindguards are symptoms of groupthink.

Question 7

In all but the worst weather, Beth and three coworkers met each day at 12:15 to walk the wilderness trail behind their office building. This is an example of a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of an informal group as it is not formally structured or assigned by management, but rather formed based on personal relationships and mutual interests outside of work responsibilities.

Question 8

Which of the following is true of informal groups?

Accepted Answer

Informal groups can sometimes have significant influence on the decisions of an organization and can support or disrupt the plans of formal groups. They lack appointed leaders and may form spontaneously based on shared interests, social relationships, or common goals. A temporary committee would be an example of a formal group, not an informal group. Members of informal groups typically join voluntarily, rather than being assigned based on their skills. Informal groups are not necessarily created to solve organizational problems, as they may exist simply as a means of socializing or expressing shared interests.

Question 9

A group that is created to do something productive for the organization and is headed by a leader is called a(n) _____.

Accepted Answer

A formal group is created with a specific purpose in mind and has a designated leader. It is structured and organized towards achieving a particular goal or objective.

Question 10

Excessive conflict has little effect on organizational performance.

Accepted Answer

Excessive conflict can have a negative impact on organizational performance as it can lead to decreased productivity, increased turnover, and decreased motivation among employees. Organizations should try to manage conflicts effectively through open communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution strategies to minimize its impact on performance.

Question 11

Teamwork increases costs and destructive internal competition.

Accepted Answer

Teamwork can actually decrease costs and foster positive competition among team members. When individuals work together towards a common goal, they can often accomplish more efficiently than working independently. Additionally, healthy competition within a team can drive individuals to improve their performance and contribute more to the team's success.

Question 12

Devil's advocacy is the process of assigning someone to play the role of critic to voice possible objections to a proposal.

Accepted Answer

Devil's advocacy is indeed the process of assigning someone to play the role of a critic in order to voice possible objections to a proposal.

Question 13

Work teams, which engage in collective work requiring coordinated effort, are of four types that may be identified according to their basic purpose: advice, process, project, or virtual.

Accepted Answer

Work teams,which engage in collective work requiring coordinated effort,are of four types that may be identified according to their basic purpose: advice,production,project,or action.

Question 14

A _______ 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.

Accepted Answer

The definition given perfectly describes a team, which is a group of people with different skills who work towards a common goal and take mutual accountability for their work. The other options, like quality circle, panel or group, are not as precise in their definition and may not fit the description as accurately as the term "team" does.

Question 15

In managing virtual workers, a manager should _____.

Accepted Answer

Meeting regularly, face-to-face, is important in managing virtual workers to establish a relationship, build trust, and clarify expectations. Other options, such as giving directions only by phone or in person, or enforcing a fixed schedule, may not be feasible or effective for virtual workers who work remotely. Allowing employees to work using their own expectations may lead to inconsistent results and lack of direction. Initiating change quickly without having established a relationship with the worker may also be counterproductive.

Question 16

The stages in which groups may evolve into teams often aren't of the same duration or intensity, or even necessarily always in this sequence.

Accepted Answer

The stages of group evolution into a team may vary in terms of duration and intensity, and they may not necessarily always follow a specific sequence.

Question 17

Being mutually accountable to a supervisor rather than to other members of the team makes members feel mutual trust and commitment-a key part in motivating members for team effort.

Accepted Answer

Being accountable to a supervisor may create a hierarchical and less collaborative atmosphere within a team. Mutual accountability and trust should be fostered among all team members, not just to a supervisor.

Question 18

The dialectic method is used to elicit different opinions without inciting people's personal feelings.

Accepted Answer

The dialectic method, also known as the Socratic method, is a way of discussing ideas and issues without attacking individuals personally. This method encourages open-mindedness and the expression of different opinions in a calm and rational manner.

Question 19

Two or more freely interacting individuals who share collective norms, share collective goals, and have a common identity are called a _____.

Accepted Answer

A group is defined as two or more individuals who interact with each other, share collective goals, have a common identity, and follow collective norms. This is the most accurate description of the given scenario. While the other options may also involve collaboration or teamwork, they do not necessarily meet all the criteria necessary to define a group.

Question 20

At one GE factory, teamwork resulted in a workforce that was 20% more productive than comparable GE workforces elsewhere. This is an example of increased productivity, an advantage of teamwork.

Accepted Answer

The statement clearly states that the workforce at the GE factory was 20% more productive than comparable GE workforces elsewhere, which is an example of increased productivity resulting from teamwork. Therefore, the answer is true.

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