Gordon, a Manager, Makes the Following Statement: "Our Experimentation with a Teams-Focused

question 306

Multiple Choice

Gordon, a manager, makes the following statement: "Our experimentation with a teams-focused product development process is complete, and the evidence clearly supports adopting this process across our organization. We picked a test project to see if productivity would be better under shared leadership, team accountability, and collaborative work. That project, Zen Park Frantic, was a market success. What more do we need to know?" Linda, another manager, responds by saying: "You are jumping to conclusions. If Zen Park Frantic went especially well, then that improvement was probably caused by the Hawthorne effect and almost any change from the normal procedures would have produced a benefit."
Which of the following is a point at issue between Gordon and Linda?

• A) Was Zen Park Frantic a market success?
• B) Would Zen Park Frantic have been as successful if it had followed the organization's normal procedures?
• C) Are team-based product development processes successful in any organizational setting?
• D) Is the "Hawthorne effect" an important concept in explaining the causes of increased productivity?
• E) Does the evidence support a move to team-based product development?

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Definitions:

Euphemisms

Mild or indirect words or expressions substituted for ones considered harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.

Obscured Truth

Facts or realities that are made difficult to perceive or understand.

Negative Connotations

Words or phrases that carry negative implications or associations beyond their literal meanings.

Business Messages

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