Which type of integrating mechanism is characterized by team members from different functional areas working together?

The correct answer is the selection of cross-functional teams. This mechanism involves bringing together individuals from various functional areas within an organization to collaborate on a specific project or objective. The primary advantage of cross-functional teams is that they combine diverse expertise and perspectives, enabling them to approach problems and tasks more holistically.

These teams facilitate improved communication and understanding between different departments, fostering innovation and more effective solutions that may not arise within siloed functional units. By leveraging the unique skills and insights of each member, cross-functional teams can address complex challenges that require input from multiple disciplines.

The other options, while they may share some characteristics of integration, do not specifically describe the nature of team members from different functions working closely together in the same way. Task forces are usually temporary groups formed for a specific purpose but may not always include a permanent structure for ongoing collaboration. Coordinating roles typically involve individuals who manage communication and cooperation between functions rather than working alongside team members. Functional units refer to departments that specialize in specific areas and generally operate independently, which doesn’t reflect the collaborative nature that cross-functional teams embody.