Since the mid-1970s, pressure from international competition has forced business in the United States to look for better ways to achieve and maintain a competitive position. One popular tool is the self-managed work-team (SMWT). This book provides a thorough examination of SMWT both at the level of theory and at the practical level of when to use work teams to find solutions and how to develop successful teams.
By examining the most widely accepted theories of work-team performance, illustrated by 10 case studies from the areas of manufacturing, public service and health care, the authors define: how high-performing self-managed work teams differ from work groups and short-term teams; the problems which compel an organizati
Inhaltsverzeichnis
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE PERFORMANCE OF SELF-MANAGED WORK TEAMS
The Classical and Human Relations Theories
Systems Theories and the Emergence of the Socio-Technical and SMWT Perspectives
Contingency Theories
The Importance of Individual, Technical and Environmental Differences
Contemporary Theories Explaining SMWT Performance
Development of a Theoretical Framework To Explain SMWT Performance
THE WORK PROCESS: ACTUALLY DOING THE WORK WITH EFFORT, TALENT, PROCEDURES AND RESOURCES
Effort Placed Directly on the Work
THE INTERPERSONAL PROCESS: THE 6 Cs PLUS TRUST
Communication and Coordination
Cooperation, Collaboration and Conflict
Cohesion and Trust
Interpersonal Processes between the Team and Others
THE ENVIRONMENT SURROUNDING THE SMWT WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE ORGANIZATION
The Organization s Philosophy, Culture and Its Mission for the SMWTs
Performance Appraisal and Assessment Systems
The Reward System
Types of Rewards
Education and Training Systems
Information Systems
Management Support, Encouragement and Roles
Union, Customer, Supplier and Ancillary Support within the Organization
The Environment outside the Organization
TEAM MEMBER CHARACTERISTICS
Talents, Values, Needs, Interests and Prejudices
Personality and Demographic Characteristics
TEAM DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS
Team Goals and Job Design
Team Size and Composition
Roles of Self-Managed Teams
Decision-Making Methods and Processes
Team Leader Roles and Responsibilities
