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

question 265

Short Answer

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

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Definitions:

Nitrate Ester

An organic compound containing a nitrate group bonded to an oxygen atom of an alcohol, often used in explosives and propellants.

Energetic Material

Substances that release energy rapidly when triggered, used in explosives, propellants, and pyrotechnics.

Nitroglycerin

A volatile compound used as an explosive and in medicine as a vasodilator to treat heart conditions.

Major Organic Product

The primary outcome or the most abundantly produced compound in an organic reaction, as opposed to minor products.