Question 1

Write a note on command groups and self-managed work teams.

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Question 2

Discuss how teams and groups contribute to increasing innovation.

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Question 3

All teams are groups, but not all groups are teams. Discuss the two characteristics that distinguish "teams" from "groups."

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Question 4

"Groups function and, ultimately, their effectiveness hinge on group characteristics and processes known collectively as group dynamics." With reference to this statement, explain the importance of group size.

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Question 5

Members of virtual teams rely on information technology. Virtual team members communicate and interact with one another in real time simultaneously using technology such as videoconferencing, teleconferencing, and electronic meetings. This type of technology is known as ________.
A) asynchronous technology
B) synchronous technology
C) virtuality
D) global-synchronous technology

Accepted Answer

Group cohesiveness decreases with increase in group size. Therefore, to promote cohesiveness in groups, when feasible, managers should form groups that are small to medium in size.

Question 6

Sam is a student in Dr. Arthur's Principles of Management course, in which team projects are assigned. Sam likes courses with group projects because he knows he can team up with good students who will work hard on the projects. He will undoubtedly miss some of his group's out-of-class meetings. What can Dr. Arthur do to help groups deal with students in Sam's situation?
A) Assign groups randomly
B) Require group members to discipline other members when they "loaf"
C) Assign more members to groups
D) Help groups identify the potentially valuable contributions of each member and assign specific responsibilities

Accepted Answer

Managers can make individual contributions to a group identifiable when possible, or help groups to do so, and emphasize the valuable contributions of individual members.

Question 7

Distinguish between formal and informal groups.

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Question 8

What does "top management" refer to? Write a note on the importance of top management.

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Question 9

Discuss how groups and teams relate to responsiveness to customers.

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Question 10

Explain the effects of cohesiveness on group participation.

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Question 11

Explain the five stages of group development.

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Question 12

Discuss how groups and teams can be utilized as performer enhancers.

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Question 13

Explain what is meant by a task force and a virtual team.

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Question 14

As group size increases, ________.
A) communication becomes more difficult
B) identifying individual contributions becomes easier
C) the chances of social loafing decrease
D) group cohesiveness increases

Accepted Answer

Group cohesiveness decreases with increase in group size. Therefore, to promote cohesiveness in groups, when feasible, managers should form groups that are small to medium in size.

Question 15

Explain the reasons why group members need to conform to norms.

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Question 16

Social loafing can be a very detrimental practice to the effectiveness of an organization. Explain what is meant by this concept and discuss three specific steps that managers can take to reduce or to eliminate this undesirable work behavior.

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Question 17

Self-managed work teams can improve the effectiveness and the efficiency of the organization. Discuss the positive outcomes that can occur with these types of teams.

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Question 18

What can a manager do to discourage social loafing in a group?
A) Create large groups
B) Focus on recognizing the group's performance as a whole
C) Downplay individual contributions
D) Assign specific tasks to group members and hold them accountable for their performance

Accepted Answer

One way in which managers can effectively eliminate social loafing is by making individual contributions to a group identifiable so that group members perceive that low and high levels of effort will be noticed and individual contributions evaluated.

Question 19

A member of a task force does not do much work related to the goals of the task force. This member is confident that the other members of the task force "will take up the slack." This group member is exhibiting ________.
A) social facilitation
B) social loafing
C) groupthink
D) self-serving bias

Accepted Answer

Social loafing is the tendency of individuals to put forth less effort when they work in groups than when they work alone.

Question 20

Discuss how the use of groups and teams can help an organization to gain a competitive advantage.

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Quiz 11: Effective Team Management