High-Performing Self-Managed Work Teams A Comparison of Theory to Practice [Paperback]

Since the mid-1970s, pressure from international competition has forced business in the United States to look for better ways to achieve and maintain a competitive position. One popular tool is the self-managed work-team (SMWT). This book provides a thorough examination of SMWT both at the level of theory and at the practical level of when to use work teams to find solutions and how to develop successful teams.

By examining the most widely accepted theories of work-team performance, illustrated by 10 case studies from the areas of manufacturing, public service and health care, the authors define: how high-performing self-managed work teams differ from work groups and short-term teams; the problems which compel an organizatiSince the mid-1970s, pressure from international competition has forced business in the United States to look for better ways to achieve and maintain a competitive position. One popular tool is the self-managed work-team (SMWT). This book provides a thorough examination of SMWT both at the level of theory and at the practical level of when to use work teams to find solutions and how to develop successful teams.

By examining the most widely accepted theories of work-team performance, illustrated by 10 case studies from the areas of manufacturing, public service and health care, the authors define: how high-performing self-managed work teams differ from work groups and short-term teams; the problems which compel an organizatiTHEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE PERFORMANCE OF SELF-MANAGED WORK TEAMS
The Classical and Human Relations Theories
Systems Theories and the Emergence of the Socio-Technical and SMWT Perspectives
Contingency Theories
The Importance of Individual, Technical and Environmental Differences
Contemporary Theories Explaining SMWT Performance
Development of a Theoretical Framework To Eló>