Macro change drivers like global competition, information and technology
innovations, and demographic shifts have required organizations to
rethink their structures and processes. In particular, the flattening and
downsizing of organizations has led to the empowerment of teams in an
attempt to increase flexibility, adaptability, customer responsiveness, and
productiveness. The formation of teams requires the presence of certain
external and internal conditions. The external requisites include support
and direction, such as congruence with strategy, top management support,
clear goals and parameters, and effective selection of employees. The
internal requisites include an emphasis on preparation and training of
employees through initial team building and ongoing team development,
and encouragement of a continual reflective learning cycle. Without the
internal processes for team learning, even an initially successful team
may defeat itself and become unproductive, thereby discouraging further
support for team empowerment initiatives.