Chapter 10: Understanding Work Teams Flashcards
work group
a group that interacts primarily to share information, make decisions and help each group member perform within his or her area of responsibility
work team
generates positive synergy through coordination. the individual efforts result in a level of performance greater than the sum of the individual inputs
problem-solving teams
groups of 5 to 12 employees from the same department who meet for a few hours each week to discuss ways of improving quality, efficiency, and the work environment
self-managed work teams
groups of 10 to 15 employees who take on the responsibilities of their former supervisors
not always more productive. it depends on the degree to which team-promoting behaviors are rewarded
cross-functional teams
employees from about the same hierarchical level but from different work areas who come together to accomplish a task
virtual teams
teams that use computer technology to tie together physically dispersed members in order to achieve a common goal
require a different style of management than traditional teams; they generally work best when there is shared leadership spread throughout the team
multiteam system
a collection of two or more interdependent teams that share a superordinate goal; a team of teams
what factors determine whether teams are successful?
adequate resources, leadership and structure, climate and trust, performance evaluation and reward system
what factors determine team composition?
abilities of members the personality of members allocation of roles diversity of members cultural differences size of teams member differences
organizational demography
the degree to which members of a work unit share a common demographic attribute, such as race, age, sex, educational level, or length of service in an organization, and the impact of this attribute turnover
what factors effect team processes?
common plan and purpose specific goals team efficacy team identity team cohesion mental models conflict levels social loafing
reflexivity
a team characteristic of reflecting on and adjusting the master plan when necessary
team efficacy
a team’s collective belief that they can succeed at their tasks
team identity
a team member’s affinity for and sense of belongingness to his or her team
team cohesion
a situation when team members are emotionally attached to one another an motivated toward the team because of their attachment
