Challenge 8: Human Capital in International Business

Teamwork

The cooperative effort of a group of people seeking a common end

Conflict

Friction, disagreement, or discord arising between individuals or groups; Competitive or opposing action of incompatibles : antagonistic state or action (as of divergent ideas, interests, or persons)

Conflict resolution

Working to resolve different opinions in a team environment

Team

a group of people who collaborate on related tasks toward a common goal

Purpose of Teams

•Organizations form teams to accomplish tasks that are too large or complex for an individual to complete or that require a diverse set of skills and expertise.

•Teams are also effective for work that requires different types of skills and expertise.

•While the substance of the tasks involved in teamwork may vary from team to team, there are three processes that are common to how teamwork gets done:

1.the transition process,

2.action processes, and

3.interpersonal processes.

Types of Teams

1.Project Teams

a.Functional Teams

b.Cross-functional Teams

c.Matrix Teams

d.Contract Teams

2.Self-Managed Teams

3.Virtual Teams

4.Operational Teams

Project Teams

groups of employees who work collectively toward shared goals.

√ This type of team allows you to structure work in a specific, measurable, and time-constrained way.

√ You can assign clear roles, responsibilities, and deadlines. Also, by selecting both experienced and inexperienced workers, you enable them to do informal coaching and mentoring.

Functional Teams

These teams are permanent and always include members of the same department with different responsibilities. A manager is responsible for everything, and everyone reports to him.

Cross-functional teams

combine people with different areas of expertise from separate departments such as finance, human resources, and marketing, to solve a problem or achieve a goal.

Matrix Teams

These teams are characterized by a "two-boss system", where an individual reports to a different manager for various aspects of his work. This type of team is the product of the Matrix management approach.

Contract Teams

outsourced teams that are tied down by a contract and brought in to complete a part of a project. After the project is completed and the contract has ended, the client can cut all ties to the team, no questions asked.

Self-Managed Teams

employees of the same organization who work together, and even though they have a wide array of objectives, their aim is to reach a common goal. There is no manager or authority figure, so it is up to members to determine rules and expectations, to solve problems when they arise, and to carry shared responsibility for the results.

Virtual Teams

are made up of people who work in different physical locations and who rely heavily on collaboration tools to get things done together

Virtual teams are characterized by which three dimensions?

Time, space, and culture

Six common types of virtual teams

1. networked teams

2. parallel teams

3. project development teams

4. functional teams

5. service teams

6. offshore information-systems development teams

Challenges of Virtual teams

1.Coordination of tasks

2.Team-member skills

3.Relationships

Dimensions of Diversity

Age, Gender, Religion, Sexual Orientation, Race, Ethnicity, Class, Disability, and Nationality.

Operational Teams

support other types of teams. They are formed to make sure that all back-office processes go smoothly.

Characteristics of Effective Teamwork

1. Shared values

2. Mutual trust

3. Inspiring vision

4. Skill/talent

5. Rewards

Diversity

refers to both an obvious fact of human life—namely, that there are many kinds of people—and the idea that this diversity drives cultural, economic, and social vitality and innovation

Hard Skills

technical knowledge or training gained through any life experience, including your career or education.

(ex. Bilingual, Statistical analysis, Marketing Campaign Management, Strategic Planning, Market Analysis, etc.)

Soft Skills

are personal habits and traits that shape how you work, in your own and with others.

(ex. Integrity, effective communication, empathy, creativity, adaptability, collaboration, dependability, etc.)

Technical skills are usually easier to acquire compared to soft skills.

True or False?

True

Characteristics That Facilitate International Effectiveness

- Interpersonal relations and teamwork skills.

- Leadership ability.

- Physical and emotional health.

- Spouse / dependents prepared for living abroad. (when applied

- Job knowledge

- Self-reliance

- Adaptability

Conflict management

Process by which disputes are resolved, where negative results are minimized, and positive results are prioritized. This key management skill involves using different tactics depending on the situation, negotiation, and creative thinking.

Where does conflict come from?

goals, personality conflicts, scarce resources, styles, values

The Positive Side of Conflict

-teaches you to make the most of each situation

-used as a learning opportunity or leadership opportunity

-used as an opportunity to transform the situation into something better

The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Model Five Styles of Conflict Management

1. Competing

2. Collaborating

3. Avoiding

4. Compromising

5. Accommodating

Accommodating Style

Individuals prioritize others' concerns over their own. This style is unassertive but cooperative

Avoiding Style

Individuals do not address the conflict directly. This style is unassertive and uncooperative

Collaborating Style

Individuals work together to find a mutually beneficial solution. This style is both assertive and cooperative and requires time and effort from both parties

Competing Style

Individuals pursue their own concerns at the expense of others. This style is assertive and uncooperative.

People who approach conflict in a competitive way assert themselves and do not cooperate while pursuing their own concerns at another's expense.

Compromising Style

Individuals seek a middle ground, partially satisfying both parties. This style is moderately assertive and cooperative.

There is no BEST way to handle conflict.

Each conflict is different and requires a different response.

True or False?

True

When the domain of teamwork is technical, then the language of science and engineering often provide a solid foundation for effective communication.

True or False?

True

Committing to a communication charter is one of the principles of making virtual teams work.

True or False?

True

Five characteristics of effective teamwork are

shared values, mutual trust, inspiring vision, skills, and rewards

To succeed in the global economy today, more and more companies are relying on

a geographically dispersed workforce

Cross-functional teams does not combine people with different areas of expertise from separate departments such as finance, human

resources, and marketing.

True or false?

False

Globalism is an example of

Universalism

Virtual teams rely upon computing and communications technology, especially Internet access.

True or false?

True

A team is a group of people who collaborate on related tasks toward a common goal.

True or false?

True

Clarify only goals and roles is one of the 10 principles of making virtual teams.

True or false?

False

Teamwork processes can be divided into three categories:

the transition process, action process, and interpersonal process