10. Management has noticed that the accounting work group is having difficulty because group members seem to be working in different directions. Which suggested action can the company take to increase group cohesiveness?

Answer: B

Explanation:

Giving group rewards rather than individual rewards can increase group cohesiveness.

Implementing group rewards fosters a sense of unity and collaboration among team members, encouraging them to work together towards a common goal. This approach can help align their efforts and improve overall group performance.

A) Give individual rewards rather than group rewards

Offering individual rewards can create competition among group members, which may exacerbate the existing issue of working in different directions. This approach is likely to lead to fragmentation rather than enhancing cohesiveness.

B) Give group rewards rather than individual rewards

Providing group rewards is an effective strategy to enhance cohesiveness as it incentivizes collaboration. When team members are rewarded collectively, they are more likely to support each other and work towards shared objectives, thereby improving their alignment and teamwork.

C) Have the group avoid competition with other groups

While minimizing competition with other groups can be beneficial, it does not directly address the internal dynamics of the work group. Simply avoiding external competition may not resolve the underlying issues of misalignment and lack of cooperation among team members.

D) Establish more rigid role definition for group members

Rigid role definitions can limit flexibility and stifle collaboration, as team members may feel confined to their specific tasks. This approach could further fragment the group by discouraging interaction and mutual support, which are essential for cohesiveness.

Conclusion

The most effective way to enhance group cohesiveness is through group rewards, as this aligns the interests of all members towards a common goal. Other options either promote competition, create rigidity, or fail to address the core issue of collaboration, making them less effective in improving group dynamics.