Lecture 6

Question 1

Group synergy

Answer 1

Gain in performance attributable to group interaction (Larson, 2010)

Question 2

GROUP COGNITIVE COMPETENCIES =

Answer 2

group emergent properties generated by the
coordination of individual cognitive competencies
(i.e., individual rationality, intelligence) during social
interactions

Question 3

DARK SIDE of GROUPS

Answer 3

Synergy losses
ü Biases
ü Groupthink
ü Disagreements &
conflicts
ü Goal conflicts
ü Role ambiguity
ü Motivation loss & free-
riding
ü Decreased performance & innovation

Question 4

BRIGHT SIDE of GROUPS

Answer 4

ü Synergy gains
ü Innovation
ü Performance
ü Decision-making accuracy
ü Motivational gains

Question 5

Workforce diversity: opposing views

Answer 5

Positive
o Source of creativity and innovation
o Different perspectives
o Larger array of resources

Negative
o Source of misunderstandings, suspicion and
conflict
o Stereotypes
o Biases
o Differences are difficult to bridge

Question 6

Separation, variety, disparity (Harrison &
Klein, 2007)

Question 7

Different responses to diversity

Question 8

Examples of diversity biases

Question 9

Group cohesiveness

Answer 9

shared commitment to the group task and/or attraction to the group

Question 10

Positive of cohesivenss

Answer 10

increased effort
satisfaction with the team
–> Team performance

Question 11

Negative of cohesiveness

Answer 11

Groupthink:
- Illusion of invulnerability
- Rationalization
- Illusion of morality
- Shared stereotypes
- Direct pressure
- Self-censorship
- Illusion of unanimity
- Mind guards

Question 12

Groupthink prevention

Question 13

What are decision rules

Answer 13

• prescribed norms that guide the interaction of the group members;
• influence the way in which information is communicated and
  integrated in the group;

Question 14

Types of decision rules:

Answer 14

• Collaborative
• Consultative
• Identify-the-best

Question 15

Decision-making and decision rules

Answer 15

• Identify the best (identify and follow the expert in the group)
• Consultative decision-making (follow the leader)
• Collaborative

Question 16

Team conflict and performance

Question 17

Team conflicts dynamics

Question 18

Multiple-team membership

Answer 18

OPPORTUNITY
* Development of interpersonal and negotiation skills
* Cross-project learning
* Increase visibility in the organization

CHALLENGE
* managing conflicting demands;
* scheduling & getting members attention;
* coordination & allocation of people
* switching between contexts= source of stress, cognitive overload
* work fragmentation=effort

Question 19

Conditions enabling MTM effectiveness

Answer 19

1) Team members should have proper social and
task management skills
2) The task and team structure should enable MTM
work
3) Trust among team members
4) Appropriate communication system
5) Adequate organizational climate
6) The presence of a load-balancing system