This activity is important because as a manager, you should know how teams can be most productive. Taskwork processes include creative behavior, decision making, and boundary spanning. By being aware of these team processes, you can better manage the team's effectiveness.

The goal of this exercise is to demonstrate your understanding of team taskwork processes by reading a case and answering questions.

Read the case about teams at IDEO and answer the questions that follow.

In 1980, Apple asked IDEO to develop a better computer mouse, and the result was significantly more reliable and 90 percent less costly to produce than the computer mice of the 1970s. Later, IDEO took those innovations further by helping design the popular Microsoft mouse. IDEO developed the rubberized roller ball and "Dove bar" shape still used today and added features such as the audible and tactile clicks of the mouse button that have become so familiar.

This is just one example of IDEO innovationadd the world's first no-squeeze, stand-up toothpaste tube for Crest, the Oral-B toothbrush, and the Palm V PDA, to name just a few. In fact, IDEO's client list includes many familiar companies: Apple, AT&T, Chevron, Dell, Fisher-Price, IKEA, Intel, Kraft Foods, the Mayo Clinic, Microsoft, Nestl, Nike, NASA, Polaroid, Sega, Samsung, Taylormade Golf, and Whirlpool.

How did IDEO become so successful at the business of innovating?

Experts say it is the innovative team structure and attitudes. First, teams are diverse. Each team has members of different expertise and backgrounds. This not only sparks innovation, but encourages contribution of each member toward the group goals. Also, the team leader is more likely to benefit from the expertise and variety of opinions.

People are chosen as leaders because they are good at working with groups. IDEO does not use status as a reason to make someone a leader, especially if that person has no experience in the project type.

Finally, because employees move to different teams for their next projects, they carry knowledge from one team to another, sharing information across the company. IDEO is 'flat,' meaning that there is little hierarchy and employees feel equal in status. Any employee can approach any other, without regard to job level or type of specialization. Employees who are considered the most 'popular' helpers can be found across the organization and at all levels.

1A. Even though employees are organized into teams, they feel free to reach across the organization to ask questions or get help from other teams, suggesting a high level of ?

A. creative behavior.

B. group decision support.

C. boundary spanning.

D. ambassador activities.

E. hierarchical sensitivity.

1B. At IDEO, employees who lead teams are chosen to do so because they are good with groups, valuing the group members' expertise and able to facilitate its best use, suggesting high

A. creative behavior.

B. group decision support.

C. boundary spanning.

D. ambassador activities.

E. hierarchical sensitivity.