Question:

A recent survey by the Mauritius Employees Association has shown that the positive benefits of team-working may be largely associated with self-directed or self-managed teams, rather than teams in general. Fully or semi-autonomous teams tend to have higher than average levels of labour productivity, a lower rate of voluntary resignations, lower levels of employee dismissals, and a better than average employee relations climate.

(a) Show the survey's findings using the concept of empowerment.

(b) Describe, using examples, the particular challenges that might arise when teams work as part of a virtual organisation.