Question 1

The job of the concepts managers at Starbucks is to use a cross-functional team to develop four to six new beverages annually. Why does Starbucks use this type of team?

Accepted Answer

By using a cross-functional team, Starbucks can tap into the expertise and perspectives of employees from different departments, leading to diverse ideas and innovative solutions for developing new beverages. It also promotes collaboration and cross-departmental communication, which can ultimately lead to more successful product launches.

Question 2

Magna International,a Canadian auto parts firm,is one of many subcontractors providing automobile parts to Chrysler's Jeep product line. Jeep began asking Magna to deliver more complex component configurations than it had been previously. Magna set up a semiautonomous work group to develop new techniques for product assembly,configuration,and delivery. Which statement best describes what this work group did?

Accepted Answer

The semiautonomous work group set up by Magna had the authority to solve problems related to the correct configuration of automotive parts. It was created to develop new techniques for product assembly, configuration, and delivery to meet Jeep's demand for more complex component configurations. Therefore, option D is the best description of what the work group did. Option A is incorrect because the work group was not providing advice to the company's functional departments. Option B is incorrect because the work group did not control all of the major production tasks for manufacturing automotive parts. Option C is incorrect because the work group did not control the design and membership of the team; it was set up by Magna to meet Jeep's specific requirements.

Question 3

Trevor has a meeting this afternoon. He makes sure the video and speakers on his computer are working as he prepares to meet with Tiina from Finland,Boris from the Czech Republic,and Naresh from India. What kind of team does Trevor belong to?

Accepted Answer

Trevor is preparing for a meeting with team members from different countries using video and speakers, indicating they are not meeting in person. This setup is characteristic of a virtual team, where members collaborate from various locations using technology.

Question 4

In what ways can teams be broadly classified?

Accepted Answer

Teams can be broadly classified as functional or cross-functional. Functional teams are composed of members from the same department or function within an organization, while cross-functional teams are composed of members from different functions and departments who work together towards a common goal. This is the best classification as it distinguishes between teams based on the nature of their membership and the level of collaboration required.

Question 5

In which of the following is the least amount of team autonomy found?

Accepted Answer

Traditional work groups have the least amount of team autonomy as they are typically structured and directed by a manager or supervisor who has ultimate authority over the group's activities and decisions. Employee involvement teams, semiautonomous work groups, and self-managing teams progressively have more autonomy and decision-making power within the team.

Question 6

In which of the following is the highest level of team autonomy found?

Accepted Answer

Self-designing teams have the highest level of team autonomy as they not only manage their own work but also design and determine the goals and processes of their work. Self-managing teams have a high level of autonomy but they do not design their own work processes. Semiautonomous work groups and employee involvement teams have limited autonomy compared to the other two options.

Question 7

Jonathan is on a team responsible for the completion of a special project. He works with Anita from accounting,Mark from marketing,and Opie from operations. What kind of team is Jonathan a part of?

Accepted Answer

Jonathan is a part of a cross-functional team because the team includes members from different departments or functions within the organization.

Question 8

The construction of tunnels is one of the greatest challenges encountered during road construction. The technique of tunnelling has not kept pace with the development of other technical fields. A team of tunnel experts from different geographic areas will develop road tunnel engineering principles and maintenance practices and the use of telecommunications and information technology. What type of team is this group of tunnel experts?

Accepted Answer

The group of tunnel experts is a virtual team because they are from different geographic areas and work together using telecommunications and information technology.

Question 9

NovoNordisk Canada,a division of global pharmaceutical giant NovoNordisk,has an employee involvement team called TakeAction! that is a voluntary forum for sharing best practices across the company. Which of the following describes what this team does?

Accepted Answer

The TakeAction! team is a voluntary forum for sharing best practices across the company. It provides advice to management about areas that need change or improvements, but it does not have the authority to solve problems related to marketing and manufacturing issues, nor does it control all of the major production tasks at NovoNordisk. Therefore, option A, C, and D are incorrect.

Question 10

Magna International,a Canadian auto parts firm,is one of many subcontractors providing automobile parts to Chrysler's Jeep product line. Jeep began asking Magna to deliver more complex component configurations than it had been previously. Magna set up a semiautonomous work group to develop new techniques for product assembly,configuration,and delivery. In which of the following classifications would this group belong?

Accepted Answer

The semiautonomous work group set up by Magna can be classified as a project team, as it was created to develop new techniques for product assembly, configuration, and delivery, which implies a specific goal and a temporary nature of the team's work.

Question 11

Which of the following accurately characterizes virtual teams?

Accepted Answer

Virtual teams are characterized by their flexibility, as they are not constrained by physical proximity and can work from anywhere with an internet connection. This allows for more flexibility in terms of scheduling, location, and work arrangements. While virtual teams may not be fully autonomous, they are often given a degree of autonomy in managing their own work and collaboration processes. Therefore, option B accurately characterizes virtual teams. The other options are inaccurate or do not fully capture the nature of virtual teams.

Question 12

Which of the following is the only type of responsibility given to traditional work groups?

Accepted Answer

Traditional work groups are often responsible for executing the task assigned to them. They are not typically given authority to make decisions or manage major production tasks, and while they may offer advice or make suggestions, this is not their primary responsibility.

Question 13

Which type of team is composed of employees from several different departments?

Accepted Answer

A cross-functional team is composed of employees from several different departments who work together to solve a specific problem or complete a project. This type of team is effective because it allows for a diversity of perspectives and skill sets to be brought to the table, leading to innovative solutions and better outcomes.

Question 14

Which statement accurately characterizes semiautonomous work groups?

Accepted Answer

Semiautonomous work groups can make decisions and solve problems related to the major tasks of producing a good or service. This is because they are given a certain level of autonomy and responsibility to carry out their duties independently. They are empowered to take ownership of their work and make decisions that will benefit the team and the organization.

Question 15

Candice is satisfied with the research that has been completed and moves the team more toward development. She hires developers and ends the contract of several of the researchers. Which category of teams does Candice's team fit into?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Candice is satisfied with the research that...

Question 16

Which of the following should a member of a typical traditional work group expect to be responsible for?

Accepted Answer

Members of traditional work groups are primarily responsible for executing tasks and completing the work assigned to them. Giving advice and making suggestions to management, making decisions and solving major problems, and cross-training employees are generally not within the scope of responsibilities for members of traditional work groups.

Question 17

Which of the following groups provide advice rather than having the authority to make decisions?

Accepted Answer

Employee involvement teams provide advice and suggestions to management but do not have the authority to make decisions. Self-designing teams, semiautonomous work groups, and self-managing teams all have varying degrees of decision-making authority.

Question 18

The autonomy continuum shows how five kinds of teams differ in terms of autonomy. What is the correct sequence,from low team autonomy to high team autonomy,in the autonomy continuum?

Accepted Answer

The correct sequence, from low team autonomy to high team autonomy, in the autonomy continuum is traditional work groups, employee involvement teams, semiautonomous work groups, self-managing teams, and self-designing teams. Choice A, B, and C have either incorrect order or include teams not mentioned in the autonomy continuum. Therefore, choice D is the best answer.

Question 19

The Calgary Fire Department was challenged by City Council and its new fire chief,Steve Dongworth,to become more diverse and inclusive. Chief Dongworth appointed a deputy chief to lead this initiative to transform the fire department,which at present has a largely white,male demographic. The deputy chief's team has a limited time to gather information and create a plan. What is this type of team called?

Accepted Answer

The type of team described in the scenario is a project team. They have a specific task or goal and a limited time to complete it, in this case to gather information and create a plan for making the fire department more diverse and inclusive. A self-designing team would typically have more autonomy to define their own goals and processes. Virtual teams are geographically dispersed and work together through technology. Cross-functional teams are composed of members from different departments or areas of expertise within an organization, which is not the case in this scenario.

Question 20

Which kind of team not only provides advice and suggestions to management but also has limited authority to make decisions and solve problems related to the major tasks required to produce a product or service?

Accepted Answer

A semiautonomous work group not only provides suggestions and advice to management, but it also has limited decision-making authority to solve problems related to production tasks. Traditional work groups do not have this autonomy, and employer-monitored groups are directly controlled by management. Self-managing teams have more authority and control over their work processes than a semiautonomous work group.

Quiz 9: Leading Teams