Deck 11: Power and Political Behavior

Question 1

Which of the following power sources is LEAST likely to be available to a non-supervisory, technical employee?

A)expert
B)referent
C)knowledge
D)legitimate

Answer 1

D

Question 2

If a person can affect the thoughts, behavior, and feelings of another person, she has:

A)influence
B)power
C)authority
D)dominance

Answer 2

A

Question 3

As a student, you are developing _____ power.

A)legitimate
B)expert
C)reward
D)personal

Answer 3

B

Question 4

The power base of the future will likely be:

A)reward
B)legitimate
C)referent
D)expert

Question 5

As a management trainee, you are assigned to a mentor and gain considerable insight into the nature of management and how to behave in different managerial situations.The relationship you have with the mentor is based on _____ power.

A)reward
B)legitimate
C)referent
D)expert

Question 6

Which of the following guidelines is LEAST likely to result in using power effectively?

A)Use power tempered by self-control.
B)Limit yourself to two or three types of power, ones with which you are most comfortable.
C)Use power ethically.
D)Pursue job situations that allow development of your power skills.

Question 7

An important aspect of a manager's exercise of reward power in the determination of employee salary increases is:

A)individual rights
B)utilitarian outcomes
C)distributive justice
D)procedural justice

Question 8

In a subordinate role, you may have _____ over your boss.

A)authority
B)command
C)power
D)influence

Question 9

Enlarging an employee's zone of indifference is accomplished by:

A)the use of authority
B)the use of power
C)the use of effective communication techniques
D)eliminating cognitive dissonance

Question 10

CEO James Dawson has clearly stated that the key to expert power is that others have the perception that you are the foremost expert on a particular subject. At one point Dawson was deeply in debt and no one wanted to sell a vacuum with no bag. According to Dawson, the key to developing expert power is:

A)luck
B)persistence
C)directing effort at being creative
D)creative destruction

Question 11

Which base of power has the strongest relationship with performance and satisfaction?

A)legitimate
B)referent
C)expert
D)reward

Question 12

Which of the following types of power is NOT likely to change when someone is transferred laterally (or to the same job in another location) inside the organization?

A)reward
B)expert
C)legitimate
D)referent

Question 13

Donald Carty, the prior CEO of American Airlines, wrestled approximately $1 billion in concessions from the labor union to keep American Airlines from going bankrupt.Unfortunately, Carty had to resign due to his inappropriate use of power reflected by:

A)taking more than $240 million, which he spent on art, houses, and yachts
B)expanding into a variety of other businesses that were not profitable
C)using company funds for a $2 million party for his wife
D)providing special pension trust funding and huge retention bonuses for executives

Question 14

Suppose a manager asks an employee to purchase a birthday gift for manager's wife. If the employee is to complete this request, which of the following is most true?

A)The request falls outside the employee's zone of indifference and will therefore be performed.
B)The manager must enlarge the zone of indifference with power.
C)The manager must use his/her authority.
D)All of these

Question 15

Enlarging an individual's zone of indifference is best accomplished through:

A)authority
B)politics
C)power
D)influence

Question 16

Your authors suggest the addition of another source of power to French and Raven's five sources of power.Which of the following best reflects this additional source of power?

A)network centrality
B)position power
C)gatekeepers power
D)information power

Question 17

If a manager asks an employee to purchase a gift for his wife, the employee would think this request:

A)falls within his zone of indifference
B)falls outside his zone of indifference
C)should be based on the manager's authority base
D)is in conflict with the employee's value system

Question 18

The range in which attempts to influence the employee are perceived as legitimate and are acted on without a great deal of thought is known as:

A)the principal/agent relationship
B)agency theory
C)the zone of indifference
D)congruency

Question 19

The legitimacy inherent in one's job is _____, whereas the ability to influence someone else is _____.

A)power; authority
B)influence; authority
C)authority; power
D)power; control

Question 20

Assume you are a senior accounting major.A friend who is taking a Principles of Accounting course seeks you out for tutorial assistance.This is an example of _____ power.

A)reward
B)expert
C)referent
D)legitimate

Question 21

The sales force in a computer firm has power because of its immediate effect on the firm's operations and because other groups (accounting and servicing groups) depend on its activities. This is best explained by which of the following?

A)high degree of centrality
B)nonsubstitutability
C)coping with uncertainty
D)All of the above

Question 22

Indra Nooyi, CEO and Chairman of PepsiCo is considered the most powerful woman on Fortune's 50 most powerful women's list, uses the strategy "performance with purpose" to guide PepsiCo. An example of a program consistent with their strategy is PepsiCo's "Pepsi Challenge" which provides consumers with the opportunity to come up with creative solutions that "refresh the world".In this situation, Nooyi is an example of someone who uses:

A)personal power
B)social power
C)legitimate power
D)expert power

Question 23

To use power ethically a manager should examine the behavior by asking three questions regarding criterion outcomes of:

A)procedural justice, utilitarian, and individual rights
B)individual rights, utilitarian, and distributive justice
C)distributive justice, utilitarian, and individual rights
D)procedural justice, distributive justice, and individual rights

Question 24

McClelland's perspective of power is best reflected by which statement?

A)The concept of power is value free and neutral.
B)It is not so much how power is used but rather the base of power that is important.
C)Power and the use of politics to increase power inevitably will have negative effects on the organization.
D)All managers should receive training in the effective use of power.

Question 25

According to the strategic contingency perspective, which one of the following factors is NOT a primary factor used to explain differences in power between individuals or groups?

A)amount of formal authority given departments
B)nonsubstitutability of the group or individual's function
C)degree of centrality
D)ability to cope with uncertainty

Question 26

The key element behind the factors used to explain power differences between individuals or groups based on the strategic contingency model is:

A)interdependency
B)synergy
C)independence
D)dependence

Question 27

McClelland has found that the best managers are those who have:

A)a high need for affiliation
B)a high need for social power and a high need for affiliation
C)a low need for social power and a high need for affiliation
D)a high need for social power and a low need for affiliation

Question 28

Kanter's focus on power is in terms of one's:

A)inclination to be coercive
B)ability to exercise power and do things for others, particularly persons in need
C)expertise in accomplishing job tasks and reaching production objectives
D)charisma and liking by others

Question 29

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich tried to sell President Barack Obama's Senate seat for money. It was also reported he attempted to trade the seat for money, ambassadorships, and even a $150,000 salary for his wife. This is an example of the use of:

A)social power
B)personal power
C)high centrality
D)coercive power

Question 30

According to the strategic contingency model, when a firm is preparing for bankruptcy the accountants as a group may become unduly powerful because of:

A)high centrality
B)their nonsubstitutability
C)their ability to better cope with change or reduce uncertainty
D)All of the above

Question 31

Which of the following is NOT a positive power-oriented characteristic according to McClelland?

A)Explain just enough to pacify employees sufficiently so they won't ask questions.
B)Publicly put the company and its needs before one's own needs.
C)A strong belief is justice and equity.
D)View of work as positive and self-discipline building.

Question 32

McClelland's positive face of power is:

A)social power
B)personal power
C)expert power
D)referent power

Question 33

If a salesperson significantly discounted the price of a product in order to make a sale that would win a contest, the salesperson would be most likely to breach which of the following ethical principles?

A)utilitarian principle
B)distributive justice
C)individual rights
D)procedural justice

Question 34

A manager who is considered Machiavellian would rely on what type of power?

A)social
B)reward
C)personal
D)referent

Question 35

A manager who withholds information to make another manager look bad by making an incorrect decision is displaying _____ power.

A)reward
B)coercive
C)social
D)personal

Question 36

Granting a day of vacation to one employee in a busy week when coworkers must struggle to cover for them would be considered unethical under which of the following criterions?

A)distributive justice
B)individual rights
C)utilitarian outcome
D)procedural justice

Question 37

To be considered ethical, power related behavior must meet:

A)the individual rights criterion
B)the distributive justice criterion
C)the utilitarian criterion
D)All of these

Question 38

According to McClelland, when a manager treats others as objects to be utilized to get ahead, or views situations as win-lose, the manager is using which form of power?

A)personal power
B)social power
C)legitimate power
D)expert power

Question 39

Kanter's focus on power is in terms of one's:

A)inclination to be coercive
B)ability to exercise power and do things for others, particularly persons in need
C)expertise in accomplishing job tasks and reaching production objectives
D)charisma and liking by others

Question 40

McClelland's two faces of power include:

A)coercive and social
B)legitimate and personal
C)personal and social
D)legitimate and social

Question 41

Which of the following influence tactics would likely have the most negative effect in your attempt to influence a decision with respect to promotability?

A)pressure
B)consultation
C)inspirational appeal
D)ingratiation

Question 42

The Science Feature of Chapter 11 summarized the results of research investigating the relationship between political behavior, personal power, and career growth potential. Which of the following statements are consistent with the findings of this research?

A)Individual who engaged in political behavior actually saw their personal power decrease
B)Individuals who engaged in political behavior had more personal power
C)Individuals who had more personal power were rated by supervisors as having more career growth potential
D)Both B & C

Question 43

The textbook suggested that there were three ways a manager can use influence tactics well or in a positive manner.Which of the following is NOT one of the key ways to positively use influence?

A)maintain open lines of communication in all directions
B)treat targets with basic respect
C)use job-related tactics
D)direct influence attempts toward organizational goals

Question 44

Research has shown that four tactics are used most frequently regardless of the target of the influence attempt.Which of the following is NOT one of the four tactics used most frequently?

A)exchange
B)inspirational appeals
C)ingratiation
D)consultation

Question 45

Whose perspective on power is best captured by the statement, "There are more people who inconvenience themselves on your behalf than there are people on whose behalf you would inconvenience yourself."?

A)Kanter
B)Etzioni
C)McClelland
D)Korda

Question 46

Which of the following is a symptom of powerlessness at the first line supervisory level?

A)overly close supervision
B)resistance to change
C)protecting your turf
D)punishing others

Question 47

If your boss exhibits a participatory style of managing, an appropriate influence tactic for you is:

A)inspirational appeals
B)ingratiation
C)rational persuasion
D)coalition building

Question 48

Which of the following influence tactic is LEAST political?

A)consultation
B)ingratiation
C)pressure
D)exchange

Question 49

The least effective influence tactic, regardless of the circumstance of the situation, involves:

A)consultation
B)upward appeals
C)pressure
D)ingratiation

Question 50

All of the following are conditions within an organization that can encourage unnecessary political behavior except:

A)ambiguous lines of authority
B)unclear goals
C)well-defined and understood problems
D)uncertainty

Question 51

According the Kanter's perspective on power, the key to overcoming powerlessness in organizations is to:

A)delegate tasks and share power
B)recruit strong willed individuals
C)identify strategic contingencies and reduce uncertainty
D)develop relationships with individuals within the organization that have influence

Question 52

Which of the following conditions would LEAST encourage political activity?

A)abundant resources
B)unclear goals
C)performance appraisal process
D)uncertainty

Question 53

When both men and women witness political behavior and the agent is of their gender and the target is of the opposite gender, evidence suggests:

A)women will view the political behavior more negatively than men
B)men will view the political behavior more negatively than women
C)men and women will view the political behavior as negative
D)men and women will view the political behavior more positively

Question 54

Korda's symbols of power focus on status or:

A)the ability to help others
B)a person's relative standing in a group based on prestige and having other people defer to him or her
C)the access to information
D)position within the hierarchy

Question 55

Evidence indicates that the influence tactic which has the most positive effect on supervisors' assessments of promotability is:

A)upward appeal
B)ingratiation
C)rational persuasion
D)consultation

Question 56

Actions not officially sanctioned by an organization that are taken to influence others in order to meet one's personal goals is called:

A)coercion
B)illegitimate power
C)utilitarian power
D)political behavior

Question 57

An individual who seems to always have a full calendar and is frequently going to meetings displays _____, according to Korda.

A)top-down power
B)expert power
C)legitimate power
D)time power

Question 58

The use of power and influence in organizations is referred to as:

A)manipulative
B)negative
C)organizational politics
D)an alternative to authority

Question 59

Research on influence tactics indicates that _____ tactics are least used.

A)coalition
B)pressure
C)exchange
D)ingratiation

Question 60

According to Michael Korda's view on power which emphasizes symbols of power, which of the following are the three unusual symbols used to explain power differences between individuals?

A)level of organization, time power, and standing by
B)size of office, time power, and level of organization
C)office furnishings, time power, and standing by
D)office furnishings, size of office, and time power

Question 61

Research suggests that the one factor that enables people to use ingratiation effectively is:

A)rational persuasion
B)consultation
C)political skill
D)inspirational appeal

Question 62

You have a new boss, someone hired from outside the firm.He has several years of managerial experience in the industry of your firm, but, of course he doesn't have specific knowledge of operational matters for your firm.If you want to develop an effective work relationship with him, you should:

A)provide information on performance deficiencies in the organization
B)share information and keep him informed
C)limit his time with other employees
D)try to encourage a better match between his management style and those being supervised

Question 63

The organizational rewards sought from using all four of the empowerment dimensions discussed in your text include:

A)increased effectiveness, efficiency, and higher job satisfaction
B)lower turnover, less absenteeism, and higher job satisfaction
C)higher organizational commitment, increased effectiveness, and efficiency
D)increased effectiveness, less stress, and higher job satisfaction

Question 64

The ability to get things done through positive interpersonal relationships outside the formal organization is know as:

A)informal authority
B)the use of power
C)political skill
D)the use of expert knowledge

Question 65

All of the following are guidelines for implementing an empowerment program except:

A)create opportunities for employees to participate in significant problem solving
B)remove tight controls
C)allow failure and offer constructive criticism
D)set modest goals

Question 66

The critical factor that increases empowerment in relation to the critical job dimensions is:

A)involvement in the decision-making process
B)self-management
C)mission defining
D)motivation to accept responsibility

Question 67

Alan Gilbert, music director of the New York Philharmonic, recognizes that his musicians have considerable experience playing classical music. While a director is expected to put his "brand" on the orchestra he believes the "best" music is played when all musicians are able to "access their own points of view". During concerts, Gilbert gives the audience a chance to vote through text message's and choose the orchestra's encore piece. Gilbert uses which of the following?

A)social power
B)empowerment
C)personal power
D)self efficacy

Question 68

Self-management or the highest level of empowerment represents:

A)decision-making control over job content and job context
B)shared decision making over job context
C)shared decision making over job content
D)decision-making control over internal critical psychological processes as they relate to the job

Question 69

Which of the following bases or types of power would be most compatible with employee empowerment?

A)McClelland's social power
B)French and Raven's reward power
C)McClelland's personal power
D)Etzioni's utilitarian power

Question 70

The first step in managing political behavior is:

A)insuring open communication
B)to clarify expectations regarding performance
C)encouraging cooperation
D)recognizing it

Question 71

Which of the following set of dimensions comprise the essence of empowerment?

A)teamwork, delegation, trust, and autonomy
B)meaning, teamwork, competence, and trust
C)delegation, trust, competence, and autonomy
D)meaning, competence, self-determination, and impact

Question 72

Which of the following is NOT included in the set of activities discussed in your text on how to manage the relationship with your boss?

A)Assess yourself and your needs.
B)Assess the needs of the organization as they relate to customers or the external/market environment.
C)Develop and maintain a relationship that is based on dependability and honesty.
D)Make sure you understand your boss and her context.

Question 73

All of the following are considered a key dimension for being politically skillful EXCEPT:

A)social astuteness
B)networking ability
C)interpersonal influence
D)low self monitoring

Question 74

Women may have fewer opportunities to develop political skills because they:

A)aren't in power positions
B)avoid the use of power
C)don't have mentors
D)are excluded from formal networks

Question 75

In which culture would a manager be more likely to deal with a tardy employee by stating: "is there anything I can do to help you overcome the problems that are preventing you from coming to work on time"?

A)U.S.
B)Germany
C)Japan
D)Mexico

Question 76

An employee empowerment attempt would be LEAST appropriate in a:

A)quality control lab
B)bank
C)hospital
D)prison

Question 77

Which of the following is LEAST likely to minimize the negative aspects of organizational politics?

A)encourage participative management
B)disregard the informal organization
C)clarify goals and performance objectives
D)maintain open communication channels

Question 78

It is easier to encourage employee empowerment when the organization highly values _____ and _____ power.

A)expert; referent
B)legitimate; coercive
C)reward; coercive
D)personal; manipulative

Question 79

The term meaning with respect to the essence of empowerment refers to:

A)the fit between the work role and employees' values and beliefs
B)the belief that one has the ability to do the job well
C)the belief that one's job makes a difference within the organization
D)the degree to which one has control over the way one does his or her work

Question 80

Empowerment can be thought about as being related to which two job dimensions?

A)job content and job variety
B)job autonomy and job variety
C)job context and job variety
D)job content and job context