Question 1

The effects of team diversity on team performance are independent of the nature of the team or the organizational context.

Accepted Answer

The effects of team diversity on team performance can vary depending on the nature of the team and the organizational context. For example, some research suggests that diversity may have a larger positive effect on creativity and innovation in teams that are focused on tasks that require complex problem solving, while in other contexts, diversity may lead to more conflict and lower performance.

Question 2

One reason that understanding task interdependence's effect on team performance is important is because task interdependence is one of the most important characteristics that distinguishes true teams from mere groups of individuals.

Accepted Answer

Task interdependence is indeed one of the key characteristics that distinguishes true teams from mere groups of individuals. Understanding its effect on team performance is important in order to effectively manage and facilitate teamwork.

Question 3

In tasks with an objectively verifiable best solution, the member who possesses the highest level of the ability relevant to the task will have the most influence on the effectiveness of the team.

Accepted Answer

When there is a clear "best solution" for a task, it is likely that the member with the highest relevant ability will have the most influence on the team's effectiveness in achieving that solution. This is because their skills and knowledge will be most directly applicable to the task at hand, and they will likely be able to contribute the most towards achieving the optimal outcome. However, this may not always be the case in more complex or ambiguous tasks where a variety of skills and perspectives may be necessary to arrive at an effective solution.

Question 4

In what way are management teams similar to work teams?
A)They require a lot of input from members with different types of training and expertise.
B)They participate in managerial-level tasks that affect the entire organization.
C)They require only part-time commitment from members.
D)They focus on the accomplishment of core operational-level production and service tasks.
E)They are designed to be relatively permanent.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In what way are management teams similar...

Question 5

Which of the following is most likely to be categorized as a work team?
A)A team that oversees the functioning of all the teams in an organization and coordinates activities between teams
B)A team comprising interior designers, architects, and builders involved in designing and creating the layout of a new hotel
C)A quality control team at a factory which oversees the quality of products and recommends changes in production techniques
D)A band travelling around the country playing shows at different venues for six months
E)A group of four workers making a specific part on the production line of an automobile factory

Accepted Answer

A work team is a group of individuals who work together to achieve a common goal or complete a specific task. The group of four workers making a specific part on the production line of an automobile factory is the most likely to be categorized as a work team because they work together to complete a specific task (making a part) within the larger process of automobile production. The other options involve more complex tasks that involve coordination, management or expertise, making them less likely to be classified as a work team.

Question 6

Team viability refers to the likelihood that the team can work together effectively into the future.

Accepted Answer

Team viability is the ability of a team to continue working effectively together in the future. It takes into account factors such as the team's communication, compatibility, and commitment to the team's goals.

Question 7

Having a greater number of members is beneficial for management and project teams but not for teams engaged in production tasks.

Accepted Answer

Having a greater number of members is beneficial for management and project teams but not for teams engaged in production tasks.

Question 8

According to the similarity-attraction approach, a firm with high diversity will have high team effectiveness.

Accepted Answer

The similarity-attraction approach suggests that people are attracted to others who are similar to them, leading to higher team cohesion and satisfaction. However, diversity can also bring new ideas and perspectives to a team, leading to higher creativity and problem-solving abilities. The key is for the team to effectively manage and utilize their diversity. Therefore, it is not necessarily true that a firm with high diversity will automatically have high team effectiveness according to the similarity-attraction approach.

Question 9

Additive tasks are those which depend on the performance and the abilities of the "weakest link."
Additive tasks are those for which the contributions resulting from the abilities of every member "add up" to determine team performance.

Accepted Answer

Additive tasks are those where the contributions of all team members are combined to determine the overall performance, not dependent on the weakest link.

Question 10

Teams differ from groups because:
A)teams have no limits on the number of members, while groups have a restricted membership.
B)members of teams work independently of each other, while those in groups show greater dependence on each other.
C)members of teams work toward individual goals that may or may not be related, while groups have a common goal.
D)members of teams have a specific task-related purpose, while groups do not.
E)teams have a no fixed duration, while groups have a fixed duration.

Accepted Answer

Teams have a specific task-related purpose, while groups may not have a specific goal or purpose. Teams are formed to work together to achieve a particular objective, while groups may be formed for social reasons or simply to bring people together without a specific task or goal in mind.

Question 11

Members tend to be more productive in high task interdependence situations when there's low outcome interdependence.

Accepted Answer

High task interdependence requires coordination and collaboration, which is typically more effective when there is also high outcome interdependence, as it aligns members' goals and motivations.

Question 12

Which of the following is true of teams?
A)A team consists of two or more people who work independently, with distinct goals and strategies.
B)A team works over some time period to accomplish common goals related to some task-oriented purpose.
C)Groups are formed with a specific purpose in mind, while teams do not have a specific goal.
D)The members of a team operate relatively independently of each other, and other members are not essential to their accomplishment of goals.
E)Interactions among members within teams are more personal and informal than interactions between people in groups.

Accepted Answer

Option B is the only statement that accurately defines a team as a group of two or more individuals who work together to achieve a common goal or complete a task over a specific period. Though the other options relate to a group or individuals, they do not accurately describe the characteristics of a team.

Question 13

Team reward structures with hybrid outcome interdependence reward members based on how well they perform as individuals rather than overall team performance.

Accepted Answer

Designing team reward structures with hybrid outcome interdependence means that members receive rewards that are dependent on both their team's performance and how well they perform as individuals.

Question 14

Low outcome interdependence promotes higher levels of cooperation because members understand that they share the same fate.

Accepted Answer

Low outcome interdependence means that members' outcomes are not closely linked, which typically reduces the incentive for cooperation as individuals do not perceive their fates as being shared.

Question 15

Team members prefer low task interdependent situations when there's low outcome interdependence.

Accepted Answer

When there is low outcome interdependence, team members are more likely to prefer low task interdependent situations. This is because there is less pressure to coordinate with others and share resources in order to achieve a common goal. In contrast, when there is high outcome interdependence, team members are more likely to prefer high task interdependent situations in order to maximize their chances of success.

Question 16

Which of the following is the purpose of work teams as compared to other types of teams?
A)To achieve managerial tasks
B)To produce goods or provide services
C)To help the organization achieve its long-term goals
D)To take on "one-time" tasks that are generally complex
E)To provide recommendations to managers about important issues

Accepted Answer

Work teams are specifically designed to produce goods or provide services, while other types of teams may have different purposes such as achieving managerial tasks, helping the organization achieve its long-term goals, taking on one-time complex tasks, or providing recommendations to managers about important issues.

Question 17

Tasks in which the performance of an entire team depends on the best performer are called disjunctive tasks.

Accepted Answer

Disjunctive tasks are those in which the team's performance is dependent on the best performer. This means that if the best performer fails to perform well, the entire team's performance will suffer.

Question 18

According to the value in diversity problem-solving approach, diversity on attributes such as cultural background, race, and attitudes are associated with communication problems and ultimately poor team effectiveness.

Accepted Answer

According to the value in diversity problem-solving approach, diversity on attributes such as cultural background, race, and attitudes is actually associated with improved problem-solving and better team effectiveness. However, communication problems may arise, but they can be overcome through effective communication strategies and building a culture of respect and inclusivity within the team.

Question 19

Cora frequently challenges the teams' assumptions and status quo. Cora exhibits the devil's advocate role.

Accepted Answer

Cora is exhibiting the devil's advocate role, which involves challenging assumptions and the status quo to ensure that ideas and decisions are thoroughly scrutinized before being adopted or implemented.

Question 20

While _____ teams focus on the accomplishment of core operational-level production and service tasks, _____ teams focus on integrating the activities of subunits across business functions.
A)management; work
B)action; work
C)parallel; project
D)project; work
E)work; management

Accepted Answer

Whereas work teams focus on the accomplishment of core operational-level production and service tasks, management teams participate in managerial-level tasks that affect the entire organization. Specifically, management teams focus on integrating the activities of subunits across business functions.

Quiz 11: Teams: Characteristics and Diversity

The effects of team diversity on team performance are independent of the nature of the team or the organizational context.

One reason that understanding task interdependence's effect on team performance is important is because task interdependence is one of the most important characteristics that distinguishes true teams from mere groups of individuals.

In tasks with an objectively verifiable best solution, the member who possesses the highest level of the ability relevant to the task will have the most influence on the effectiveness of the team.

In what way are management teams similar to work teams?

Which of the following is most likely to be categorized as a work team?

Team viability refers to the likelihood that the team can work together effectively into the future.

Having a greater number of members is beneficial for management and project teams but not for teams engaged in production tasks.

According to the similarity-attraction approach, a firm with high diversity will have high team effectiveness.

Additive tasks are those which depend on the performance and the abilities of the "weakest link." Additive tasks are those for which the contributions resulting from the abilities of every member "add up" to determine team performance.

Teams differ from groups because:

Members tend to be more productive in high task interdependence situations when there's low outcome interdependence.

Which of the following is true of teams?

Team reward structures with hybrid outcome interdependence reward members based on how well they perform as individuals rather than overall team performance.

Low outcome interdependence promotes higher levels of cooperation because members understand that they share the same fate.

Team members prefer low task interdependent situations when there's low outcome interdependence.

Which of the following is the purpose of work teams as compared to other types of teams?

Tasks in which the performance of an entire team depends on the best performer are called disjunctive tasks.

According to the value in diversity problem-solving approach, diversity on attributes such as cultural background, race, and attitudes are associated with communication problems and ultimately poor team effectiveness.

Cora frequently challenges the teams' assumptions and status quo. Cora exhibits the devil's advocate role.

While _ teams focus on the accomplishment of core operational-level production and service tasks, _ teams focus on integrating the activities of subunits across business functions.