2.1 Autonomy, the Key Dimension
Teams can be classified in a number of ways, such as permanent or temporary, or functional or cross-functional. However, studies indicate that the amount of autonomy possessed by a team is the key difference among teams.44 Autonomy is the degree to which workers have the discretion, freedom, and independence to decide how and when to accomplish their jobs. Exhibit 10.4 shows how five kinds of teams differ in terms of autonomy. Moving left to right across the autonomy continuum