Ch 12: Teamwork

Question 1

Structure and activity of an organization includes

Answer 1

teams, committees, task forces and work units–GROUPS of people

Question 2

Quality Circles

Answer 2

Group processes used to facilitate organizational change and improvement

Question 3

Organizational development (OD) interventions with groups include

Answer 3

team building
team problem solving
team-based management (recent trend)

Question 4

High Performance Organizations literature and training emphasizes

Answer 4

use of teams and constant communication to create high performance work systems

Question 5

Groups influence our attitudes, including:

Answer 5

acceptance or rejection of new ideas (conformity)
work habits
productivity

Question 6

Irving Janis studied

Answer 6

Groupthink

Question 7

Characteristics of groupthink

Answer 7

stereotyping the opposition
overestimating one’s own position
stifling dissent
self-censorship; mind guards

Question 8

Steps to avoid groupthink

Answer 8

1. everyone is an impartial decisionmaker
2. accept criticism of your own actions
3. invite outside experts to join
4. Require discussion outside the group
5. Assign two or more groups to work on the problem individually
6. Assign a member to play devil’s advocate
7. Break into sub groups
8. Review threats/weaknesses
9. Offer last chance sessions where members can air reservations

Question 9

Steps in communication process (Downs)

Answer 9

1. Transmitter encodes and sends to receiver
2. Receiver decodes
3. Noise influences accuracy of transmission

Accurate communication depends upon the sender, receiver, noise and channels.

Question 10

Problems with horizontal communication

Answer 10

Conflict competition between groups

Question 11

Problems with vertical communication

Answer 11

Hierarchical filtering, resistance, inattentiveness, misunderstanding, reticence or withholding information by lower levels

Question 12

Rogers & Argawala-Rogers (1976) described these communication roles

Answer 12

1. Gatekeeper
2. Opinion leaders
3. Liaison roles
4. Cosmopolites-bring external information to the organization

Question 13

Conflict stages and modes according to Louis Pondy (1967)

Answer 13

1. Latent conflict
2. Perceived conflict
3. Felt conflict
4. Manifest conflict-open warfare
5. Conflict aftermath

Question 14

Conflict stages and modes according to Kenneth Thomas (1983)

Answer 14

1. Accommodation
2. Compromise
3. Compete
4. Collaborate