Final answer:
The assertion about self-managed work teams is true. These teams comprise multiskilled workers who share tasks, work collaboratively, and need minimal supervision while having the potential to increase efficiency and innovation in production.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that self-managed work teams may include 5 to 12 multiskilled workers who rotate jobs and produce an entire product with a minimal amount of supervision is true. In modern workplaces, companies are drawing on diverse skills, experience, and expertise by delegating work to such teams to respond swiftly to evolving market conditions and technological advances. These teams are exhibiting an alternative to traditional structures that utilized specialized workers focusing on repetitive tasks, as they encourage collaboration, flexibility, and a broader skills base within the team.
These teams are capable of higher productivity as members are cross-trained to perform multiple tasks, leading to innovative problem-solving and increased efficiency. The self-management aspect implies that the team operates with minimal supervision, relying instead on the collective skills and decision-making abilities of its members. This is supported by patterns in labor specialization, where workers can become highly efficient in their specialized roles and contribute to continuous improvement when given more autonomy.