Organizational Behavior

Key Terms

group (P- 316) group cohesion (p. 318)

integrated involvement (p. 330) 1055 of individuality (p. 318) maintenance function (p. 327) norms of behavior (p. 3 1 7)

Review Questions

1.

.7

UJ LII

What is a group? A work team? . Explain four aspects of group behavior. How can

each aspect help or hinder the group’s functioning? Describe what happens in each stage of a group’s development according to Tuckmam’s Five-Stage Model. What are the leadership requirements in each stage? Describe the four characteristics of mature groups.

. Why are work teams important to organizations today? How and why are work teams formed?

psychological intimacy (p. 330) quality circle (QC) (p. 330) quality team (p. 329) self-managed team (p. 334) social loafing (p. 318) status structure (p. 325)

10.

task function (p. 326) team diversity (p. 332) teamwork (p. 328) upper echelon (p. 334) work team (p. 316)

. Describe at least five task and five maintenance functions that effective work teams must perform. Discuss diversity and creativity in teams.

. Describe the necessary skills for empowerment and teamwork.

. What are the benefits and potential drawbacks of self-managed teams? What is the role of the manager in the new team environment? What is the role of the team leader?

Discussion and Communication Questions

|\)

. Which was the most effective group (or team) of which you have been a member? What made that group (or team) so effective?

. Have you ever felt peer pressure to act more in accordance with the behavioral norms of a group? Have you ever engaged in a little social loafing? Have you ever lost your head and been caught up in a group’s destructive actions?

. Name a company that successfully uses teamwork and empowerment. What has that company done that makes it so successful in this regard? Has its team approach made a difference in its perfor— mance? How? Name a person you think is a particularly good team member. What makes him or her so? Name someone who is a problem as a team member. What makes this person a problem?

- Think about your current work environment. Does It use QCs or self-managed teams? What are the barriers to teamwork and empowerment in that environment? What elements of the environment enhance or encourage teamwork and empowerment?

(If you do not work, discuss this question with a friend who does.)

. (communication question) Prepare a memo describ- ing your observations about work teams and groups in your workplace or university. Where have you observed teams or groups to be most effective? Why? What changes might be made at work or in the university to make teams more effective? (communication question) Develop an oral presen- tation about what the most important norms of behavior should be in an academic community and workplace. Be specific. Discuss how these norms should be established and reinforced.

(communication question) Interview an employee or manager about what he or she believes contributes to cohesiveness in work groups and teams. Ask the person what the conclusions are based on. Be prepared to discuss what you have learned in class.

Do you admire the upper echelons in your organiza— tion or university? Why or why not? Do they communicate effectively with groups and individuals throughout the organization?