ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
T E N T H
E D I T I O N
Why Have Teams Become So Popular
 Teams typically outperform individuals.
 Teams use employee talents better.
 Teams are more flexible and responsive to
changes in the environment.
 Teams facilitate employee involvement.
 Teams are an effective way to democratize an
organization and increase motivation.
Work Groups vs. Work Teams
Four Types of Teams
 Problem-solving teams - usually 5-12 members from same
department meeting to improve quality, efficiency and work
environment
 Self-managed work teams - usually 10-15 members who
take on responsibilities usually associated with management
 Cross-functional teams - members come together from
different work areas or departments to accomplish a task
 Virtual teams – use on-line technology to tie together
members in different geographic areas. They are made up of
physically dispersed employees who use computer technology to
achieve a common goal.
Beware: Teams Aren’t Always the Answer
 Ask these to see if a team fits the situation:
– Can the work be done better using more than 1
person?
– Is the work complex and is there a need for different
perspectives?
– Does the work create a common purpose or set of
goals for the group that is larger than the aggregate of
the goals for individuals?
– Are members of the group involved in interdependent
tasks?
Ex) Sacramento State women’s basketball team vs. the
women’s track team…
Creating
Effective Teams
Turning Individuals Into Team Players
 The Challenges
– Overcoming individual resistance to team membership.
– Countering the influence of individualistic cultures.
– Introducing teams in an organization that has
historically valued individual achievement.
 Shaping Team Players
– Selecting employees who can fulfill their team roles.
– Training employees to become team players.
– Reworking the reward system to encourage
cooperative efforts while continuing to recognize
individual contributions.
So… would you rather work on your own or in a team?
Why? Why not?
Contemporary Issues in Managing Teams
 Team Effectiveness and Quality Management
Requires That Teams:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Are small enough to be efficient and effective.
Are properly trained in required skills.
Allocated enough time to work on problems.
Are given authority to resolve problems and take
corrective action.
5. Have a designated “champion” to call on when
needed.
Team and Workforce Diversity:
Advantages and Disadvantages of Diversity
EXHIBIT
9-5
Reinvigorating Mature Teams
 Problems of Mature Teams
– Becoming stagnant and complacent as cohesiveness
increases.
– Developing groupthink.
– Confronting more difficult issues.
 Reinvigorating Teams
1.
2.
3.
4.
Prepare members to deal with problems of maturity.
Offer refresher training.
Offer advanced training.
Encourage teams to treat their development as a
constant learning experience.
Summary: Why are teams “great”?
 Why are teams “great”?
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Increased employee motivation.
Higher levels of productivity.
Increased employee satisfaction.
Common commitment to goals.
Improved communication.
Expanded job skills.
Organizational flexibility.
Summary: Why are teams “not so great”?
 Mature teams are task oriented and have successfully
minimized the negative influences of other group forces.
(What about apathy? Infighting?)
 Individual, group, and organizational goals can all be
integrated into common team goals. (What about
competition? Stress? Frustration? Individualistic
personality traits?)
 Participative or shared leadership is always effective.
(Some people need leadership!)
 The team environment drives out the subversive forces of
politics, power, and conflict that divert groups from
efficiently doing their work. (What about special deals?
Favoritism? Enemies? Teams can't stop this!)