IIA IIA Certifications IIA-CIA-PART3 Questions & Answers

• Question 631:

  Following a decision to change the composition of several work teams, management encounters significant resistance to the change from members of the teams. The most likely reason for the resistance is:

  A. Possible inefficiencies of the new arrangement.

  B. The breakup of existing teams.

  C. Understaffing for the tasks involved.

  D. The selection of a more costly approach to performing the assigned tasks.

  Correct Answer: B

  Commitment to a group depends on its attractiveness and cohesiveness. Attractiveness is a favorable view from the outside. Cohesiveness is the tendency of members to adhere to the group and unite against outside pressures. Group attractiveness and cohesiveness are fostered by its prestige and status, cooperation among the members, substantial member interaction, small size of the group, similarity of members, good public image, and common external threat. Thus, members of cohesive work groups often exert pressure to resist changes that threaten to break up the group.

• Question 632:

  Teams may be built by all the following methods except:

  A. Participating in a series of outdoor challenges.

  B. Incorporating a number of interdependent roles.

  C. Rating group effectiveness.

  D. Exerting direct pressure on dissenters.

  Correct Answer: D

  Exerting direct pressure on dissenters is a symptom of groupthink. One of the perils of cohesive groups is the tendency to conform and ignore relevant individual input that varies from the group opinion.

• Question 633:

  Which of the following is an indicator of interpersonal skills that are necessary for members of a team?

  I. Routinely keeps superiors, team members, and other appropriate parties informed of significant developments.

  II. Spends sufficient time cultivating contacts with peers to obtain timely information or resolve issues outside formal channels.

  III.

  Routinely assumes an appropriate amount of work or responsibility for group projects.

  A.

  I only.

  B.

  I and II only.

  C.

  II and Ill only.

  D.

  I, II, and Ill.

  Correct Answer: B

  Building trust is central to team effectiveness. Individuals build trust through use of interpersonal skills that include interaction, cooperation, and ability to deal with other people. Thus, trust is built through timely and accurate communication; supportive behavior; showing respect, e.g., by delegation and effective listening; fairness of evaluations; predictability of behavior and promise-keeping; and competence exemplified by sound judgment and technical proficiency. Thus, a trusted team member routinely keeps superiors, team members, and other appropriate parties informed of significant developments. S)he also spends sufficient time cultivating contacts with peers to obtain timely information or resolve issues outside formal channels. However, routinely assuming an appropriate amount of work or responsibility for group projects is indicative of team participation, not of the interpersonal skills required of team members.

• Question 634:

  Which one of the following statements about quality circles is false?

  A. A quality circle is typically comprised of a group of 8 to 10 subordinates and supervisors.

  B. Part of the quality circle concept includes teaching participants communication skills, quality strategies, and problem analysis techniques.

  C. Quality circles meet on the company premises and on company time.

  D. The quality circle has the final control over implementation of recommended solutions.

  Correct Answer: D

  Use of quality circles is a form of participative management. A quality circle is a group of up to 10 individuals managers and subordinates) who do similar work and who volunteer to meet weekly to discuss and solve work- related problems. However, management retains the right to make the final decisions.

• Question 635:

  Which of the following indicates a high performance team?

  A. Pride in the team leader.

  B. Quick agreement on the first proposed solution for problems facing the team.

  C. Care in risk-taking.

  D. Commitment to personal growth of team members.

  Correct Answer: D

  Team effectiveness is reflected in achievement of objectives, innovation, adaptability, commitment, and favorable evaluations by senior management. According to Hans Thamhain, team effectiveness is determined by three sets of interdependent factors. Team effectiveness requires that all factors need to be addressed continually. A high- performance team is committed to the personal growth of its team members.

• Question 636:

  A team is a group whose members work together to achieve a specific common goal. Which of the following is true with respect to teams?

  A. All groups are teams, but not all teams are groups.

  B. Teams improve organizational performance because teams are easy to form.

  C. A team is similar to a group because team leadership often rotates and members are accountable to each other.

  D. Smaller teams are recommended.

  Correct Answer: D

  Normally, smaller teams are recommended. Two to nine members is recommended because working in teams requires accepting a diversity of ideas and opinions. Larger groups require more time for each of the members to develop trust in one another and to work together productively.

• Question 637:

  The STEP model is consistent with which organizational philosophy?

  A. Self-managed teams.

  B. Open-book management.

  C. Impression management.

  D. Group development.

  Correct Answer: B

  Open-book management involves sharing important financial information with trained and empowered employees. The first step is to share S) the financial information with the employees. Next, management must teach T) the employees how to understand the information and use it to the benefit of the organization. Then, management empowers E) the employees to act on the information given. Finally, the employees are paid P) for their accomplishments.

• Question 638:

  Which of the following statements regarding virtual teams is false?

  A. Virtual teams may be able to work faster than a traditional team.

  B. In-person interaction and team-building exercises are unnecessary.

  C. Roles and objectives must be clearly communicated.

  D. Team leaders should meet members in person before the members are chosen for participation in the group.

  Correct Answer: B

  In-person and team-building exercises are often necessary to create the cohesion and trust for a group to operate effectively. If there are no team-building exercises, the team may fracture and become ineffective at achieving its objective.

• Question 639:

  Which of the following is not an appropriate approach to team building?

  A. Ensuring a balance of complementary team roles.

  B. Choosing members who need to improve skills.

  C. Developing clear and shared values.

  D. Selecting team members based on how the members are likely to relate to each other.

  Correct Answer: B

  A team is most likely to be effective when it is fully empowered. Empowerment follows from properly training and equipping team members, and providing them with all necessary information. A team will not be effective if its members lack the needed skills.

• Question 640:

  Which of the following factors is critical for the success of participative management?

  A. Trust.

  B. Control.

  C. Information.

  D. Influence.

  Correct Answer: A

  Trust is the key factor in any participative management approach. Management should take action to build trust as soon as groups are formed. If there is a lack of trust, then success is unlikely because both the team and management will act in their own self- interest and not the interest of the organization.