Final answer:
Traditional task forces are increasingly being replaced by virtual teams to better handle the complexities of globalization, shifts in organizational structures, and rapid changes in the business environment. Virtual teams can offer benefits but also bring challenges such as the team halo effect. The effectiveness of virtual teams and other team structures in enhancing productivity remains an area of active research.
Step-by-step explanation:
Traditional task forces are more strategically being replaced with virtual teams. Virtual teams consist of individuals who are geographically dispersed and are brought together using digital communications technology to perform their work. These teams respond to the challenges of globalization, shifts in organizational structure, and allow for the leveraging of diverse skills, expertise, and rapid responses to change. Despite the perceived benefits, the effectiveness of virtual teams is an ongoing subject of study within organizational culture, as team dynamics and productivity vary.
One of the effects of the team halo effect is that teams may appear to work better than they actually do (a). This phenomenon can mask the inefficiencies within a team, such as social loafing, where certain team members contribute less effort than others. Moreover, while bureaucracies are intended to increase efficiency and productivity (b), secondary groups play a transactional, task-based, and short-term role in society, addressing practical needs (a).
The shift towards flat organizational structures means that work is increasingly team-based, with significant interaction between different levels of staff. This format encourages feedback from all members, regardless of rank, which may contribute to finding innovative solutions and addressing business challenges more effectively.