Introduction to Organizational Behavior

Chapter Summary

The terms work groups and work teams do not have the same meaning, although they are generally used interchangeably. A team consists of a small number of people committed to a common purpose and common performance goals. They share the responsibility and hold themselves mutually accountable for accomplishing the predetermined goals of the team.

The team members possess complementary skills and follow a common approach to achieve their objectives. Unlike traditional work groups, teams have broad job categories, less formal supervision and different types of reward systems. Teams help organizations enhance performance and reduce costs, and provide employees with a sense of dignity and self-fulfillment.

Teams can be classified into three types on the basis of their objectives: problem-solving teams, self-managed teams and cross-functional teams. A Quality Circle is a type of problem-solving team. It consists of a group of employees who work in the same field or perform similar work. They meet voluntarily to identify and resolve work-related problems. Teams can be effective when the environment is supportive of collective efforts and when the members of the team possess the requisite skills to perform their tasks. The presence of an effective reward system enhances the effectiveness of a team.

All individuals may not be team players. Therefore, managers should select only those candidates who have the necessary skills and are good team players. It is possible to shape individuals into good team players through programs and workshops. Also, by designing effective reward systems, individuals can be motivated to become good team players.

Total Quality Management (TQM) is a management philosophy that focuses on continuous process improvement. TQM encourages working in teams, removing internal organizational barriers, and sharing power. It also emphasizes the continuous improvement of processes. Diversified teams provide unique and innovative solutions, but at the same time, they are less cohesive. If the team norms are supportive of diversity, it can achieve cohesiveness. Studies reveal that teams with high cohesiveness are likely to be very effective and have low rates of absenteeism and attrition.

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