Teamwork in Management Lecture Notes PDF

UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, JAMAICA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Introduction to Management (MAN1006) UNIT 9 – LECTURE NOTES Teamwork in Management The Rise of Teamwork The use of teams has surged in recent decades...

UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, JAMAICA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Introduction to Management (MAN1006) UNIT 9 – LECTURE NOTES Teamwork in Management The Rise of Teamwork The use of teams has surged in recent decades due to factors like heightened competition, the need for adaptability, and the desire for increased employee engagement. Organizations leveraging teams have reported notable benefits, including improved productivity, enhanced quality, greater innovation, and heightened employee satisfaction. The effectiveness of teams is evident in real-world examples like FedEx and Xerox, where teams have led to significant improvements in service and productivity. Defining Teams A team is a unit of two or more individuals who interact and collaborate to achieve a shared objective. Key components of this definition include: o Teams can vary in size, but most have fewer than 15 members. o Team members engage in regular interaction. o Teams are united by a common performance goal. Teams vs. Groups While teams and groups share similarities, they differ in several key aspects: o Leadership: Teams often share or rotate leadership, while groups typically have a designated leader. o Accountability: Teams hold each other accountable, whereas groups have individual accountability. o Purpose: Teams have a specific team vision or purpose, while groups align with the broader organizational purpose. o Work Products: Teams produce collective work products, while groups generate individual work products. o Meetings: Teams encourage open-ended discussions, while groups prioritize efficient meetings. o Effectiveness: Team effectiveness is measured by the value of collective work, while group effectiveness is gauged by influence on the business. o Work Distribution: Teams discuss, decide, and share work, while groups discuss, decide, and delegate work to individuals. Dysfunctional vs. Effective Teams Dysfunctional teams exhibit characteristics like lack of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. Effective teams, on the other hand, are characterized by trust, healthy conflict, commitment, accountability, and a results-oriented approach. The Work Team Effectiveness Model This model outlines the factors influencing team effectiveness, starting with the organizational context. The model encompasses three types of teams: formal, self-directed, and informal. Team characteristics like size and roles impact internal team processes, which in turn affect output, satisfaction, and adaptability. Effective team leaders manage stages of development, cohesiveness, norms, and conflict. Work team effectiveness is evaluated based on three outcomes: productive output, personal satisfaction, and the capacity to adapt and learn. Effective Team Leadership Leaders play a crucial role in team success by: o Rallying members around a shared purpose. o Sharing power, information, and responsibility. o Admitting their own limitations and seeking help when needed. Types of Teams Formal Teams: Created by the organization as part of the formal structure. o Vertical Teams: Consist of a manager and their subordinates in the chain of command. o Horizontal Teams: Comprise employees from the same hierarchical level but different areas of expertise. ▪ Cross-Functional Teams: Temporary groups formed to address specific tasks. ▪ Committees: Long-lived or permanent groups dealing with recurring tasks. o Task Forces/Project Teams: Temporary teams created to solve specific problems. Self-Directed Teams: Empower employees with decision-making authority and multi- skilled roles to produce an entire product or service. Informal Teams: Emerge naturally from social interactions and can support or hinder organizational goals. Stages of Team Development Forming: Orientation and ice-breaking stage. Storming: Conflict and disagreement stage. Norming: Establishment of order and cohesion stage.  Performing: Cooperation and problem-solving stage. Adjourning: Task completion and closure stage. Team Cohesiveness The degree to which members are attracted to the team and motivated to stay. High cohesiveness leads to increased communication, a positive climate, loyalty, and member participation. Cohesiveness impacts both morale (positively) and productivity (depending on the relationship with management). Conclusion Effective teamwork is vital for organizational success in today's dynamic environment. By understanding the characteristics of effective teams, the stages of team development, and the role of leadership, managers can foster collaboration, innovation, and high performance within their teams.