Chapter 9 Effective Work Teams

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Chapter 9Effective Work Teams

• Stephen W. Nason

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Why Have Teams Become So Popular?

• Performance on complex tasks
• Utilization of employee talents
• Flexibility and responsiveness
• Motivational properties

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Comparing Work Groups and Work Teams
Share information Neutral (may be
negative) Individual Random and varied
Goal Synergy Accountability Skills
Collective performance Positive Individual and
mutual Complementary
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Important Organizational Teams

• Problem Solving Teams
• Self-Managed Work Teams
• Cross Functional Teams
• Virtual Teams

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FIGURE 11.4 A Cross-Functional Research and
Development Team Skunk Works
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Virtual Teams

• Cross-functional teams that operate across space,
  time and organizational boundaries using
  electronic technology
• Increasingly possible because of technology and
  knowledge-based work
• Increasingly necessary because of globalization,
  knowledge management, and need for team work

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Virtual Teams

• Advantages
• overcome time and space constraints
• allows people to work together who otherwise
  would never interact
• can be very effective when need rapid response
• Disadvantages
• absence of nonverbal communication hinders
  communication effectiveness
• Limited social context reduced commitment and
  cohesion