organization behavior test bank Robbins ob14 tif10 PDF

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Organizational Behavior, 14e (Robbins/Judge) Chapter 10 Understanding Work Teams Which of the following helps explain the current popularity of teams? Teams ________. A) are easier to manage B) better utilize employee talents C) are less expensive D) promote socialization and cohesion E) greatly inc...

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Organizational Behavior, 14e (Robbins/Judge) Chapter 10 Understanding Work Teams 1) Which of the following helps explain the current popularity of teams? Teams ________. A) are easier to manage B) better utilize employee talents C) are less expensive D) promote socialization and cohesion E) greatly increase efficiency Answer: B Explanation: As organizations have restructured themselves to compete more effectively and efficiently, they have turned to teams as a better way to use employee talents. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 314 Topic: Why Have Teams Become So Popular? Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Popularity of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 1 2) The popularity of teams has increased. Today ________ percent of employers indicate that teamwork is a more important skill than it was two years ago. A) 10 B) 22 C) 35 D) 51 E) 76 Answer: C Explanation: In a recent poll, 35% of employers consider skill to be much more important today than it was two years ago. This change is probably due to the economic downturn and the perceptual need to work together. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 314 Topic: Why Have Teams Become So Popular? Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Popularity of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 1

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3) Which of the following is not a reason for the recent popularity of teams? A) quick assembly and disassembly B) increased employee motivation C) efficient use of employee talent D) slower deployment and refocusing E) organizational democratization Answer: D Explanation: Organizations have turned to teams as a better way to use employee talents. Teams are more flexible and responsive to changing events. They can quickly assemble, deploy, refocus, and disband. Teams are an effective means for management to democratize organizations and increase employee motivation. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 314-315 Topic: Why Have Teams Become So Popular? Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Popularity of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 1 4) Which of the following statements best defines a work group? A) The performance of a work group is generally greater than the sum of its inputs from individual members. B) A work group interacts primarily to share information, rather than to engage in work that requires joint effort. C) A work group consists of 3 or more people who take on self-supervising responsibilities. D) A work group consists of 3 or more people from across departmental or functional lines. E) A work group is a group comprised of 10 or more people. Answer: B Explanation: A work group is defined as a group that interacts primarily to share information and to make decisions to help each group member perform within his or her area of responsibility. They have no need or opportunity to engage in collective work that requires joint effort. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 315 Topic: Differences Between Groups and Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Work Groups Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 2

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5) Which of the following qualities is not found in work groups? A) energy B) enthusiasm C) synergy D) objectives E) security Answer: C Explanation: Work group performance is merely the summation of each group member's individual contribution. There is no positive synergy that would create an overall level of performance greater than the sum of the inputs. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 315 Topic: Differences Between Groups and Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Work Groups Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 2 6) ________ results in a level of performance that is greater than the sum of the individual inputs. A) Synergy B) Enthusiasm C) Energy D) Initiative E) Inversion Answer: A Explanation: Work group performance is merely the summation of each group member's individual contribution. There is no positive synergy that would create an overall level of performance greater than the sum of the inputs. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 315 Topic: Differences Between Groups and Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Synergy Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 2

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7) Which of the following best describes a work team? A) Individual efforts result in a greater performance than the sum of group inputs. B) Group efforts result in a lower performance than the sum of individual inputs. C) Group efforts result in a greater performance than the sum of individual inputs. D) Individual efforts result in a greater performance than the sum of individual inputs. E) Individual efforts result in a lower performance than the sum of individual inputs. Answer: D Explanation: A work team generates positive synergy through coordinated effort. The individual efforts result in a level of performance greater than the sum of those individual inputs. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 315 Topic: Differences Between Groups and Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Work Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 2 8) Which of the following is not a difference between work groups and work teams? Work groups ________, and work teams ________. A) have neutral synergy, have positive synergy B) rely on independent accountability, rely on mutual and independent accountability C) require joint efforts, are the summation of the individual contribution D) have random and varied skills, have complementary skills E) share information, rely on collective performance Answer: C Explanation: Work groups have no need or opportunity to engage in collective work that requires joint effort. Work group performance is merely the summation of each group member's individual contribution making (C) the false answer. All other answer choices accurately describe the difference between work groups and work teams. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 315 Topic: Differences Between Groups and Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Work Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 2

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9) Which is not one of the most common types of teams? A) problem-solving B) interdepartmental C) self-managed D) virtual E) cross-functional Answer: B Explanation: The four most common types of teams in an organization are problem-solving teams, self-managed work teams, cross-functional teams, and virtual teams. Interdepartmental team is not an OB team nomenclature. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Types of Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3 10) Which type of team meets to discuss ways to improve quality, efficiency, and the work environment? A) self-managed B) virtual C) problem-solving D) cross-functional E) committee Answer: C Explanation: Problem-solving teams share ideas or suggest how work processes and methods (such as quality, efficiency, and the work environment), can be improved. They rarely have the authority to unilaterally implement any of their suggestions. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Problem-Solving Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 2

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11) Which of the following types of teams would most likely be assembled to improve the efficiency of a company's production process? A) cross-functional B) problem-solving C) self-managed D) virtual E) co-evolving Answer: B Explanation: Problem-solving teams share ideas or suggest how work processes and methods (such as quality, efficiency, and the work environment), can be improved. They rarely have the authority to unilaterally implement any of their suggestions. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316 Topic: Application of Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Problem-Solving Teams Quest. Category: Application LO: 3 12) Which of the following types of teams would most likely empower its team members to make work-related decisions? A) technical B) self-managed C) problem-solving D) management E) reactive Answer: B Explanation: Self-managed work teams are groups of employees who perform highly related or interdependent jobs and take on many of the responsibilities of their former supervisors. These tasks are planning, assigning tasks to members, making operating decisions, taking action on problems, and working with suppliers and customers. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316-317 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Self-Managed Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3

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13) Self-managed teams are typically comprised of how many members? A) 2-5 B) 5-10 C) 8-12 D) 10-15 E) over 100 Answer: D Explanation: Self-managed work teams are groups of employees (typically 10 to 15 in number) who perform highly related or interdependent jobs. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Self-Managed Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3 14) ________ teams are made up of employees from about the same hierarchical level. A) Problem-solving B) Self-managed C) Cross-functional D) Multifaceted E) Star matrix Answer: C Explanation: Cross-functional teams are teams made up of employees from about the same hierarchical level but different work areas, who come together to accomplish a task. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Cross-Functional Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3

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15) ________ teams are an effective way to allow people from diverse areas within an organization to exchange information, develop new ideas and solve problems, and coordinate complex projects. A) Self-managed B) Problem-solving C) Cross-functional D) Multifaceted E) Star matrix Answer: C Explanation: Cross-functional teams are teams made up of employees from about the same hierarchical level but different work areas, who come together to accomplish a task.They are an effective means of allowing people from diverse areas to exchange information, develop new ideas, solve problems, and coordinate complex projects. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 317-318 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Cross-Functional Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3 16) Jillian is project lead for a team that is writing, programming, testing, and performing quality assurance on a new Spanish language software program. Jillian is in Boston where the developing house is located. Her writers are in Spain. Her programmers are in India. Her testers are in Texas. And her quality assurance team is in Argentina. After given clear specifications, each team has authority to make the necessary decisions to complete their task, or send a task back to another part of the team. Which of the following best describes Jillian's team? A) cross-functional virtual B) self-managed face-to-face C) problem-solving virtual D) problem-solving face-to-face E) cross-functional face-to-face Answer: A Explanation: Jillian's team is cross-functional virtual. The writers, programmers, testers, and quality assurance members are all at about the same hierarchical level, making decisions within their area of expertise to complete the task of finishing the software program. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 317-318 Topic: Application of Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Cross-Functional Teams Quest. Category: Application LO: 3

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17) The early stages of development of a cross-functional team are time-consuming because ________. A) most cross-functional team members are comprised of individuals from similar backgrounds B) members must research the causes of problems which they are assigned to solve C) most cross-functional team members have already established trust D) members have to learn how to perform new functional tasks E) members must learn to work with diversity and complexity Answer: E Explanation: Early stages of development of a cross-functional team are often long, as members learn to work with diversity and complexity. It takes time to build trust and teamwork, especially among people from different backgrounds with different experiences and perspectives. Diff: 3 Page Ref: 318 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Cross-Functional Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3 18) Which of the following types of teams allows for collaboration between team members who are physically dispersed? A) local B) interactive C) real-time D) virtual E) global Answer: D Explanation: Virtual teams use computer technology to unite physically dispersed members and achieve a common goal. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 318 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Virtual Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3

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19) Which of the following is not true about virtual teams? A) There is an absence of paraverbal cues. B) Members are more satisfied with the group interaction process. C) There is limited social context. D) They are more task-oriented. E) Members are more focused on production than on process. Answer: B Explanation: Virtual team members report less satisfaction with the group interaction process than do face-to-face teams. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 318 Topic: Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Virtual Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 3 20) Eva is not getting the results she needs from her data base administration team. She believes that part of the problem is that they are a virtual team and that they aren't communicating well. Which of the following is not something that Eva should do to create an effective virtual team? A) Establish trust among the members. B) Allow more independence among members. C) Monitor progress closely. D) Send team results to each other. E) Publicize team successes company wide. Answer: B Explanation: For virtual teams to be effective, management should ensure that (1) trust is established among members; (2) team progress is monitored closely; and (3) the efforts and products of the team are publicized throughout the organization (so the team does not become invisible). The members should be highly monitored, and less independent. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 318 Topic: Application of Types of Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Virtual Teams Quest. Category: Application LO: 3

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21) Which of the following statements best characterizes the use of work teams? A) Teams are unnecessary if an individual can do the job better. B) Teams are necessary for encouraging individuals to work independently. C) Within a company, teams perform best if they are structured similarly. D) Employees are usually responsible for suggesting that teams be created. E) In successful companies, teamwork is always preferable to individual work. Answer: A Explanation: It should not be assumed that teamwork is preferable to individual work. Creating "effective" teams when individuals can do the job better is like solving the wrong problem perfectly. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 318 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Use of Work Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 4 22) Which of the following is not one of the key components of effective teams? A) effective work design B) recognized company identity C) supportive contextual influences D) defined team processes and goals E) appropriate team membership Answer: B Explanation: The key components of effective teams include the resources available and other contextual influences, the team's composition or membership, process variables or events within the team that influence effectiveness, and effectiveness as objective measures of the team's productivity and work design. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 318-319 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Components of Effective Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 4

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23) There are four contextual factors that appear to be most significantly related to team performance. Which of the following is not one of those factors? A) adequate resources B) work autonomy C) effective leadership D) a performance evaluation and reward system that reflects team contributions E) All of the above are contextual factors. Answer: B Explanation: The four contextual factors most significantly related to team performance are adequate resources, effective leadership, a climate of trust, and a performance evaluation and reward system that reflects team contributions. Work autonomy is not a factor. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 319 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Contextual Factors of Effective Teams Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 4 24) To provide teams with adequate resources, a company must supply which of the following? A) proper equipment B) adequate staffing C) encouragement D) all the above E) none of the above Answer: D Explanation: Resource support includes timely information, proper equipment, adequate staffing, encouragement, and administrative assistance. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 319 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Adequate Resources Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 4

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25) To succeed in achieving their goals, teams must ________. A) have strong leadership B) have autonomy C) receive support from management D) all of the above E) none of the above Answer: C Explanation: Agreeing on the leadership and structure of a team, either from management or from the team members themselves, is essential to team success. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 320 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Adequate Resources Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 4 26) In a ________ team the manager's job becomes managing outside the team. A) technical B) self-managed C) problem-solving D) management E) reactive Answer: B Explanation: In self-managed teams, team members absorb many of the duties typically assumed by managers. A manager's job then becomes managing outside (rather than inside) the team. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 320 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Leadership and Structure Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 4

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27) Leadership is especially important in ________–where different teams need to coordinate their efforts to produce a desired outcome. A) technical teams B) self-managed teams C) problem-solving teams D) management teams E) multi-team systems Answer: E Explanation: Leadership is especially important in multi-team systems. Here, leaders need to empower teams by delegating responsibility to them, and then play the role of facilitator, making sure the teams work together rather than against one another. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 320 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Leadership and Structure Quest. Category: Concept/Definitional LO: 4 28) Araceli is a team member in a large corporation. She never speaks in the team meetings because she has seen members talk behind each others' backs outside of the meetings. Members are constantly monitoring the other member's work, looking for a mistake to point out in a meeting. According to the information provided, which contextual factor is most likely hindering the success of Araceli's team? A) adequate resources B) climate of trust C) team structure D) performance evaluations E) leadership Answer: B Explanation: Araceli doesn't contribute because she does not feel like the group has a climate of trust. Interpersonal trust facilitates cooperation, reduces the need to monitor each others' behavior, and bonds members around the belief that others on the team won't take advantage of them. Diff: 2 Page Ref: 320 Topic: Creating Effective Teams Skill: AACSB: Analytic Skills Objective: Trust Quest. Category: Application LO: 4

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29) In addition to eva...