Exam 12: Power: Its Uses and Abuses in Organizations

Table 12.1 Lee is the vice-president of a large department. He has a number of projects to assign to his managers, who are already overworked and understaffed. While they are capable and willing, one more project is going to push some of them to the breaking point. Before assigning any projects, he calls a meeting of all his managers to discuss the current situation and the new projects that have been given to him. He asks his managers for their help in getting through this workload crisis and points out that they were able to do it before. A couple of managers complain to Lee, saying it isn't fair to expect so much, and they can't keep going at this pace. In response, Lee points out that the company has always been this way. He told them about the workload when he interviewed them, and they have been through this kind of push before. Lee decides to give the Techno 2120 project to Joan. As he tells her about it, he explains that this project will contribute directly to the company's bottom line, and that it is something similar to her last project, making her the best manager for the job. With Hoa, Lee begins by making some small talk and asking him how his golf game is going. Lee expresses admiration for Hoa's skill as a golfer and his ability to balance his work and personal life so well. Then Lee explains how Hoa is the only one who can handle the project he is getting. As his best project manager because of his great past results, Hoa is the one for the job. -Refer to Table 12.1. Lee's social influence tactic with Hoa was:

Getting someone to do what you want by putting that person in a good mood is called:

Influence is the capacity to influence another's behavior through the appropriate use of power.

In 2009, approximately how much did the EEOC recover in monetary benefits for the charging parties of sexual harassment?

A type of personal power that is based on both expertise and personal qualities is:

Which of the following is NOT true about sexual harassment?

The human resources department allocates personnel slots based on their capacity plan for the company. HR has resource-dependency based power.

Ken calls attention to his authority when making his requests. Ken is using:

The process of putting people in charge of what they do, by passing power from managers to employees is known as:

According to strategic contingencies theory, which of the following is a factor that provides subunit power?

Tim is the CEO of Doc.com, a information search Internet company. A manager comes in saying that he's been trying to get the information services manager to meet with him to discuss a new product, but the IS manager keeps claiming he's too busy. Tim calls the IS manager and asks him to come to his office. The IS manager shows up, Tim tells him to meet with the other manager and do so now. The meeting happens. Tim's power to do this is an example of:

Discuss the two theoretical approaches used to study the use of power in groups or subunits.

According to the strategic contingencies model, a subunit's power is enhanced when ________.

A relatively enduring atmosphere in the workplace that supports empowerment is known as:

Research has shown that most people prefer using coercive power.

People high in self-monitoring are less likely to engage in politics than those low in self-monitoring.

Table 12.1 Lee is the vice-president of a large department. He has a number of projects to assign to his managers, who are already overworked and understaffed. While they are capable and willing, one more project is going to push some of them to the breaking point. Before assigning any projects, he calls a meeting of all his managers to discuss the current situation and the new projects that have been given to him. He asks his managers for their help in getting through this workload crisis and points out that they were able to do it before. A couple of managers complain to Lee, saying it isn't fair to expect so much, and they can't keep going at this pace. In response, Lee points out that the company has always been this way. He told them about the workload when he interviewed them, and they have been through this kind of push before. Lee decides to give the Techno 2120 project to Joan. As he tells her about it, he explains that this project will contribute directly to the company's bottom line, and that it is something similar to her last project, making her the best manager for the job. With Hoa, Lee begins by making some small talk and asking him how his golf game is going. Lee expresses admiration for Hoa's skill as a golfer and his ability to balance his work and personal life so well. Then Lee explains how Hoa is the only one who can handle the project he is getting. As his best project manager because of his great past results, Hoa is the one for the job. -Refer to Table 12.1. In reasoning with the complaining managers, Lee used:

In order to use rational persuasion, it is important to base your arguments on valid data and to present that information in a clear, unemotional manner.

When seeking to influence peers and superiors it is best to use either reward or referent power.

The strategic contingencies model suggests that the key determinant of a subunit's power in an organization is that unit's control of valuable resources.