Essays for Test 3

Question 1

What are 4 strengths of groups?

Answer 1

1. generate more info and knowledge
2. greater diversity of views and creativity
3. greater acceptance of decisions
4. generally more accurate

Question 2

What are 4 weaknesses of groups?

Answer 2

1. time-consuming act
2. conforming to pressures
3. discussions can be dominated by few members
4. situation of ambiguous responsibility

Question 3

What are 3 group decision making techniques?

Answer 3

1. brainstorming
2. nominal group technique
3. electronic meeting

Question 4

Define brainstorming.

Answer 4

idea-generating process designed to overcome pressure for conformity

Question 5

define nominal group technique.

Answer 5

• works by restricting discussion during decision making process
• members physically present, but operate interdependently

Question 6

define electronic meeting.

Answer 6

uses computers to hold large meetings of up to 50 people

Question 7

what are the 4 types of teams?

Answer 7

1. problem solving team
2. self-management work teams
3. cross-functional teams
4. virtual teams

Question 8

define problem solving team. (4)

Answer 8

• 5-12 employees
• from same department
• meet for few hours each week
• to DISCUSS ways of improving quality, efficiency, and the work environment

Question 9

define self-management teams. (2)

Answer 9

• 10-15 people

- take on responsibilities of their former supervirsors

Question 10

define cross-functional teams. (4)

Answer 10

• employees from about same hierarchal level, but from diff work areas
• come together to accomplish a task
• very common
• also called task force or committee

Question 11

define virtual teams.

Answer 11

teams that use computer tech to tie together physically dispersed members to achieve a common goal

Question 12

How do organizations create effective teams?

Answer 12

using job characteristic model (JCM) to create work design

Question 13

What are the 4 components of JCM?

Answer 13

1. freedom/autonomy
2. skill variety
3. task identity
4. task significance

Question 14

what are 3 ways to turn individuals into team players?

Answer 14

1. selection
2. training
3. rewards

Question 15

define selection with regard to turing individuals into team players.

Answer 15

make team skills 1 of the interpersonal skills in the hiring process

Question 16

define training with regard to turning individuals into team players.

Answer 16

individualistic people can learn to be team players

Question 17

define rewards with regard to turning individuals into team players.

Answer 17

rework rewards system to encourage cooperative effects rather than competitive