Deck 8: Power and Politics

Question 1

Keisha is considered to be an intimidating boss.It is well known throughout the organization that if you do something wrong in her view, she will get angry and make things difficult for you.What type of power is Keisha exhibiting

A)Reward
B)Legitimate
C)Expert
D)Coercive
E)Referent

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The statement "That person has experience and knowledge that I can respect," describes a person with what type of power

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

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Your manager offers you a raise if you will complete additional work beyond the requirements of your job; he or she is exercising

A)legitimate power.
B)coercive power.
C)reward power.
D)expert power.
E)referent power.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Power is

A)capacity to influence others.
B)dependency upon others.
C)equal to sexual harassment.
D)being rewarded by others.
E)independence.

Question 5

Bases of power refers to

A)power characteristics.
B)whether the power position has a good foundation.
C)what the power holder has that gives him or her power.
D)the elements of power.
E)leadership characteristics.

Question 6

Mai grants power to a colleague whom she admires and aspires to be like; the power Mai has granted is

A)coercive.
B)legitimate.
C)referent.
D)expert.
E)political.

Question 7

Gino is a very popular boss and his staff will "walk through walls" for him.What type of power does Gino possess

A)Reward
B)Legitimate
C)Expert
D)Coercive
E)Referent

Question 8

What type of power base allows celebrities to demand millions of dollars to endorse products

A)coercive
B)referent
C)expert
D)reward
E)status

Question 9

Nicole is abrasive, but she is the boss and employees know she works hard and has earned her management position.When she asks you to do something, you agree to do it because you know she has the right to.What type of power does Nicole possess

A)Reward
B)Legitimate
C)Expert
D)Coercive
E)Referent

Question 10

Whenever someone in the department has to write a report about how to market a new product, they typically have to get input from Jim.Because Jim deals with customers on a daily basis he knows what their concerns are and what they want from company services.What is Jim's dominant type of power

A)Coercive
B)Reward
C)Legitimate
D)Referent
E)Information

Question 11

If a team leader decides to utilize an information base of power they would be most apt to

A)have the data or knowledge that you need.
B)have the right to expect you to comply with legitimate requests.
C)make things difficult for people.
D)give special benefits or rewards to people.
E)have the experience and knowledge to earn your respect.

Question 12

If a person decides to employ a coercive base of power, he or she would be most apt to

A)give special benefits or rewards to people.
B)have the experience and knowledge to earn your respect.
C)make things difficult for people.
D)have the data or knowledge that you need.
E)have the right to expect you to comply with legitimate requests.

Question 13

Your physician has advised you to take a series of medications.You comply because of his or her ________ power.

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

Question 14

Which of the following is most important in the definition of power

A)persuasion
B)potential
C)discretion
D)dependency
E)capacity

Question 15

The most important aspect of power is

A)it is needed to get things done in an organization.
B)it is a function of dependency.
C)it tends to corrupt people.
D)it is counterproductive.
E)it is productive.

Question 16

Yanni has been with the organization for 25 years; even though he hasn't been promoted, he is held in high regard by co-workers who ask for his ideas when trying to solve problems.It is agreed amongst his coworkers that "Yanni knows everything and everything around here!" Yanni possesses

A)no power.
B)referent power.
C)information power.
D)expert power.
E)legitimate power.

Question 17

Lisa works in the Human Resources Department, and everyone tries to do favours for her because she has the ability to give special benefits to employees like free corporate tickets to hockey games.Lisa possesses

A)coercive power.
B)reward power.
C)referent power.
D)legitimate power.
E)information power.

Question 18

Power is

A)alienation between two parties.
B)a function of relationship dependency.
C)corruption of ethical behaviour.
D)intermittent between management.
E)only possible if you have legitimate authority.

Question 19

Mohammed was a very good report writer, but a terrible speller, so he had to rely on Kelly, one of his co-workers, to help him with this aspect of his reports.What type of relationship did Mohammed have with Kelly

A)Cordial
B)Collaborative
C)Dependency
D)Powerful
E)Enduring

Question 20

People comply with ________ power because they fear negative outcomes if they don't comply.

A)knowledge
B)coercive
C)influence
D)persuasive
E)legitimate

Question 21

According to research the favoured power tactic utilized by all individuals is

A)inspirational appeals.
B)rational persuasion.
C)consultation tactics.
D)legitimating tactics.
E)coalition tactics.

Question 22

Pina is very charming, and she puts her charm to her advantage by using flattery prior to asking someone to do something for her, and it works most of the time.This influence tactic is known as

A)ingratiation.
B)personal appeals.
C)inspirational appeals.
D)pressure.
E)rational persuasion.

Question 23

How do individuals translate their bases of power into specific, desired action

A)influence tactics
B)pressure tactics
C)winning friends
D)implementation tactics
E)empowerment tactics

Question 24

When your organizational behaviour professor employs flattery prior to making a request she/he is

A)making a personal appeal.
B)making an inspirational appeal.
C)using consultation tactics.
D)using ingratiation tactics.
E)using legitimating tactics.

Question 25

When Rico, from accounting, presents a large amount of data to make a logical argument for his budgeting proposal, the influence tactic he is utilizing

A)inspirational appeals.
B)consultation tactics.
C)rational persuasion.
D)legitimating tactics.
E)personal appeal.

Question 26

SCENARIO 8-1 Your colleagues at work are constantly talking about the vice president in your area.He is feared throughout the organization as a ruthless man who is not to be "messed with".It is necessary for you to bring him a report and you are very nervous about having to deal with him.
The base of power the vice president does not seem to have is

A)reward.
B)referent.
C)expert.
D)legitimate.
E)connection.

Question 27

Power tactics explain

A)how to influence others in an organization.
B)how things motivate people to seek power.
C)how to organize power functions.
D)how to translate power bases into specific actions.
E)how to use power for organizational benefit.

Question 28

Antonio is clearly the boss, and no one would ever dispute that since he is very accomplished; he deserves his position.He is particularly good at using his power to get people both within and outside of his department to do what he wants and needs.Antonio is exhibiting

A)Influence
B)Dependency
C)Empowerment
D)Reference
E)Harassment

Question 29

The study of scarcity helps explain

A)how low-ranking members in an organization, who have important information, gain power.
B)where power comes from within an organization.
C)how employee behaviour is manipulated by management.
D)how leaders are forced to act in order to achieve goals.
E)how decisions are made throughout an organization.

Question 30

The influence tactic that gets the support of other people to back a request is

A)exchange tactics.
B)inspirational appeals.
C)coalition tactics.
D)consultation tactics.
E)legitimating tactics.

Question 31

Todd is great at influencing other people.He is particularly skilled at getting the support of other people to back him up when he asks for something from the boss.This influence tactic is known as

A)pressure.
B)coalition tactics.
C)legitimating tactics.
D)exchange.
E)rational persuasion.

Question 32

Kayla is considered to be a "political animal"; one of her redeeming qualities is that she is adept at influencing others in such a way that it enhances THEIR own objectives.This is known as

A)political behaviour.
B)influence.
C)political skill.
D)dependency.
E)harassment.

Question 33

The degree of dependency a person feels is inversely proportional to

A)power.
B)alternative sources of supply.
C)knowledge.
D)financial resources.
E)leadership influence.

Question 34

SCENARIO 8-1 Your colleagues at work are constantly talking about the vice president in your area.He is feared throughout the organization as a ruthless man who is not to be "messed with".It is necessary for you to bring him a report and you are very nervous about having to deal with him.
You know that the vice president has the authority to accept or reject your report.This is part of his ________ power.

A)reward
B)coercive
C)expert
D)legitimate
E)connection

Question 35

Li is a worker who did favours for two co-workers who supported her project proposal in a recent meeting.This is an example of

A)coercive practice.
B)influence tactics.
C)power play.
D)deceptive practices.
E)empowerment play.

Question 36

Dependency upon you is decreased when the resource you control is

A)important.
B)scarce.
C)plentiful.
D)in demand.
E)insufficient.

Question 37

Jacques is the only employee in the department who has been with the company for more than one year.As a result, he is the only one who knows what to do when unforeseen things happen.The other employees depend on him because the knowledge that he has is

A)powerful.
B)scarce.
C)timely.
D)political.
E)hearsay.

Question 38

The ________ relationship can be seen in the power of occupational categories.In occupations where supply is low relative to demand, compensation is more attractive.

A)substitutability
B)scarcity-dependency
C)referent power
D)importance-dependency
E)referent dependency

Question 39

SCENARIO 8-1 Your colleagues at work are constantly talking about the vice president in your area.He is feared throughout the organization as a ruthless man who is not to be "messed with".It is necessary for you to bring him a report and you are very nervous about having to deal with him.
The vice president's major base of power seems to be

A)reward.
B)coercive.
C)referent.
D)expert.
E)position.

Question 40

In which instance will there be no dependency

A)having something that somebody wants
B)being uncertain of selling one's product
C)possessing specialized knowledge
D)empowering and sharing power
E)having a resource with no viable substitute

Question 41

Sheila is a very demanding boss who regularly requires employees to work overtime without pay "or else." This is an example of

A)harassment.
B)workplace bullying.
C)intimidation.
D)political behaviour.
E)reward power.

Question 42

Which of the following is true of sexual harassment

A)It includes a single request for a date when a person.
B)Sexual harassment is accepted in western business cultures.
C)Higher-ranking women can sexually harass junior male colleagues.
D)It cannot occur between co-workers.
E)A man cannot be sexually harassed by a woman.

Question 43

When employees have power, they are likely to satisfied with their jobs, which can lead to higher productivity.This is known as what type of employee power

A)task-setting
B)self-management
C)empowerment
D)participatory
E)mission-defining

Question 44

SCENARIO 8-2 Your supervisor embarrasses you by constantly telling sexual jokes and making sexual comments.Although he has never directly asked you to sleep with him, you feel threatened and are uncomfortable; it is difficult for you to do your job.
Your supervisor is guilty of all of

A)sexual harassment.
B)abusing his influence.
C)creating an equitable work environment.
D)exercising common sense.
E)showing respect.

Question 45

When Ingmar appeals to your loyalty and friendship when asking you to edit his major paper for him, he is

A)making an inspirational appeal.
B)using consultation tactics.
C)using legitimating tactics.
D)making a personal appeal.
E)using ingratiation tactics.

Question 46

Alison is very happy with her job primarily because she has total decision-making power with respect to both the content and context of her job.When she makes a mistake, her supervisor discusses it with her.For Alison to be empowered, what steps must a manager ensure

A)Alison is demoted if she makes a mistake.
B)Alison is encouraged to blame others for mistakes.
C)Alison is given relevant training to try to prevent such mistakes.
D)Alison discusses her mistake with a committee to ensure she doesn't repeat it.
E)Alison's mistake is discussed in the company newsletter.

Question 47

One of the greatest things about working for Francois is that he lets his staff make decisions and commitments without always having to check with him first.Francois is practicing

A)dependency.
B)power.
C)empowerment.
D)class.
E)political behaviour.

Question 48

Roy's product development committee has authority to make decisions about both tasks and procedures relating to the new product; the committee operates independently, based on company's values and mission.This is an example of

A)job context.
B)job content.
C)empowerment.
D)dependency.
E)referent power.

Question 49

When Jing, your co-worker, demands and threatens that you must support his ideas on the marketing strategy, he is

A)making a personal appeal.
B)using pressure tactics.
C)using coalition tactics.
D)using exchange tactics.
E)making an inspirational appeal.

Question 50

Gina has been given the authority to decide for herself how the tasks and procedures relating to a new project will be executed, but how the project fits into the organization's mission and objectives has been set for her.Thus, for this project, Gina has

A)impact.
B)pressure.
C)dependency.
D)empowerment.
E)influence.

Question 51

What employees love about Abdul is that he doesn't micromanage; they are free to choose how to do their work.His employees are enjoying

A)a sense of competence.
B)empowerment.
C)a sense of pride.
D)a sense of impact.
E)a sense of meaning.

Question 52

When Akira, the team leader, says he has the authority and right to take extra supplies for his unit, he is

A)making a personal appeal.
B)making an inspirational appeal.
C)using consultation tactics.
D)using ingratiation tactics.
E)using legitimacy tactics.

Question 53

Research shows using self-promotion ____________ job interview outcomes and __________ performance evaluation outcomes.

A)decreases, decreases.
B)increases, decreases.
C)decreases, increases.
D)increases, increases.
E)decreases, has no impact on.

Question 54

Sophia, your co-worker, gets others involved to support her idea for the new marketing strategy; she explains her ideas, shows people documents and concept plans and asks directly for their help at the meeting when the decision is made.Sophia is using what type of influence tactic

A)consultation tactics.
B)personal appeal.
C)inspirational appeal.
D)pressure tactics.
E)ingratiation tactics.

Question 55

SCENARIO 8-2 Your supervisor embarrasses you by constantly telling sexual jokes and making sexual comments.Although he has never directly asked you to sleep with him, you feel threatened and are uncomfortable; it is difficult for you to do your job.
Studies show that this situation is probably more about ________ than about sex.

A)power
B)coercion
C)politics
D)impressing you
E)influence

Question 56

Activities that influence the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within the organization are

A)human resources.
B)political behaviour.
C)tactical planning activities.
D)strategic planning activities.
E)power brokering activities.

Question 57

Most studies confirm that the concept of ________ is central to understanding sexual harassment.

A)power
B)sex
C)politics
D)locus of control
E)common sense

Question 58

SCENARIO 8-2 Your supervisor embarrasses you by constantly telling sexual jokes and making sexual comments.Although he has never directly asked you to sleep with him, you feel threatened and are uncomfortable; it is difficult for you to do your job.
A basic problem in this situation is that

A)your clothes are probably too suggestive.
B)there is an unequal power relationship between your supervisor and you.
C)your perception of the situation is the same as your supervisor's.
D)this is not clearly sexual harassment, since he has not requested that you give him sexual favours.
E)your supervisor probably has nothing better to do.

Question 59

Unwelcome advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature is

A)sexual harassment.
B)not illegal.
C)ethical-power usage.
D)flattering.
E)welcoming.

Question 60

When Ang, your desk partner, offers to give you tickets to a concert in return for your support of his marketing strategy, he is

A)using exchange tactics.
B)making a personal appeal.
C)making an inspirational appeal.
D)using coalition tactics.
E)using pressure tactics.

Question 61

SCENARIO 8-3 Jerod is new to Xenon Corporation and wants to make a good impression on his coworkers and supervisor.He is on a three-month probationary status, and he knows that all of the office staff have a say in whether he is permanently hired.He agrees with the supervisor's opinion most of the time and is always doing nice things for him.Jerod makes sure that he associates with the "right" people and is constantly complimenting others about their good work.
Research on influence tactics would suggest Jerod should use "softer" tactics first.Softer tactics rely on

A)coercion
B)impression management
C)legitimate power
D)personal power
E)favours

Question 62

SCENARIO 8-3 Jerod is new to Xenon Corporation and wants to make a good impression on his coworkers and supervisor.He is on a three-month probationary status, and he knows that all of the office staff have a say in whether he is permanently hired.He agrees with the supervisor's opinion most of the time and is always doing nice things for him.Jerod makes sure that he associates with the "right" people and is constantly complimenting others about their good work.
Jerod is using

A)politics.
B)influence tactics.
C)defensive behaviour.
D)his power base.
E)influence association.

Question 63

One of the most unpleasant characteristics of Stephan, a new employee, is that he regularly attempts to take credit for the positive accomplishments of others.This is known as

A)building coalitions.
B)managing impressions.
C)blaming others.
D)being political.
E)abuse of power.

Question 64

SCENARIO 8-4 General Insurance Corporation (GIC)handles a wide variety of comprehensive and specifically oriented insurance coverage.GIC handles and brokers a variety of plans aimed at general business coverage, small business, consumer and personal property insurance.
Peter Bond is a well-liked manager in one of the business divisions.He is a survivor and a visionary in a business known for its cutthroat competitiveness, questionable loyalty, and high employee mobility to other divisions or competitors.The forty brokers or account representatives who report to Peter deal with a variety of insurance agents and business customers.All have been with GIC for some time and seem to have developed loyalty to the company.All of them have established clients with a high degree of loyalty.
Bond supports his brokers and readily provides training, fair rewards and equitable compensation for their accomplishments.He demands superior performance and is known to administer punishment from time to time when performance is not up to standard.Despite this characteristic, Peter is flexible and accommodating because he believes that personal and private lives do impact an individual's performance.
Les Green joined GIC about a year after Peter did, in a position somewhat lower than Peter's.Peter has just learned that Les is being made a vice president of a newly created division, which will provide financial services in addition to specialized insurance coverage.Green is aggressive and very competitive in his position.It is evident that he is very much interested in moving up the corporate hierarchy.Sometimes, his performance was not that good and his division certainly has not been as successful as Peter's.
Peter began to wonder why Les received the promotion.Did he know the right peopleHe was puzzled as to why Les was promoted when his actual performance was questionable.Peter was envious.
The reality of the situation is probably related to company politics.Peter was not overly concerned with politics; he pays careful attention to the running of his department and kept his people motivated to produce satisfactory results.In fact, Peter appeared to be quite oblivious to what led up to Les's promotion.Which of the following factors would assist Peter to improve his political effectiveness

A)Peter should make himself appear to be indispensable to GIC.
B)Peter should develop powerful allies with potentially influential people.
C)Peter needs to support his boss more frequently.
D)Developing the right image to "fit" into GIC might be beneficial.
E)All of the actions listed here would help Peter create a more influential presence at GIC.

Question 65

Political behaviour is

A)outside one's specified job requirements.
B)part of each job requirement.
C)seen only in large organizations.
D)counterproductive to individual goals.
E)not related to power.

Question 66

SCENARIO 8-3 Jerod is new to Xenon Corporation and wants to make a good impression on his coworkers and supervisor.He is on a three-month probationary status, and he knows that all of the office staff have a say in whether he is permanently hired.He agrees with the supervisor's opinion most of the time and is always doing nice things for him.Jerod makes sure that he associates with the "right" people and is constantly complimenting others about their good work.
Jerod was hired to a permanent position, and continues to be popular in the company.Jerod has

A)persuasive personality.
B)ingratiation.
C)effective resources.
D)political empowerment.
E)political skill.

Question 67

Political behaviour can negatively impact

A)internal locus of control.
B)high self-monitoring.
C)job performance.
D)role ambiguity.
E)role conflict.

Question 68

Which of the following terms is least synonymous with the definition of political behaviour

A)cooperation
B)power
C)decision making
D)informal behaviour
E)influencing decision making

Question 69

The process by which individuals attempt to control the impressions others form of them is referred to as

A)impression management.
B)misdirection.
C)defensive behaviour.
D)perception management.
E)value management.

Question 70

Jose is well aware of the negative effect that office politics can have on employees.Which of the following principles will help him to improve the climate of the organization

A)Nobody wins unless everybody wins
B)Just ask for opinions - don't change them
C)Some employees expect to paid back
D)Success never creates opposition
E)Nothing succeeds like success.

Question 71

The more an organization ________, the greater the likelihood that an employee can get away with politicking.

A)allows politics
B)appraises an individual immediately following performance
C)mistreats employees
D)emphasizes an overall performance measure
E)sets specific standards for performance

Question 72

Norma is notorious for doing favours for her co-workers so that they will "owe" her favours later on when she really needs them.Norma is

A)influencing people.
B)using information.
C)building coalitions.
D)managing impressions.
E)creating obligations.

Question 73

Ron is very adept at trying to influence employees in other departments on various matters to gain an advantage for himself or for his department.This is known as

A)political behaviour.
B)abuse of power.
C)harassment.
D)referent power.
E)dependency.

Question 74

Which of the following is an example of an impression management

A)dressing to match the company dress code
B)mirroring the behaviours of an interviewer
C)finding areas of disagreement
D)asking favours of others
E)associating with your friends

Question 75

Which of the following factors is most likely to contribute to political behaviour

A)authoritarian personalities
B)employees' high need for power
C)organizational culture
D)age of the organization
E)management's high need for power

Question 76

"I've got two tickets to the game tonight that I can't use.Take them.Consider it a 'thank you' for taking the time to talk with me." This is an example of which influence tactic

A)exchange
B)flattery
C)accounts
D)conformity
E)collaboration

Question 77

Which of the following is false, concerning impression management techniques

A)Applicants using impression management techniques did better in interviews.
B)Applicants using a self-promotion during an interview were rated higher.
C)Impression management techniques tend to be used more in highly uncertain, ambiguous situations.
D)Applicants using a submissive style were preferred because this demonstrated respect.
E)Applicants ingratiation and self-promotion to reflect confidence.

Question 78

Political behaviour includes activities such as

A)bypassing chain of common.
B)forming coalitions.
C)compliance.
D)enforcing organizational policies .
E)social responsibility.

Question 79

Emphasizing favourable events to someone in order to maximize the desirable implications for that person, is an example of which influence tactic

A)exchange
B)rational persuasion
C)coalitions
D)favours
E)conformity

Question 80

When employees see their work environment as political, the effect on work attitude and behaviour is usually

A)positive.
B)negative.
C)compliance.
D)cooperation.
E)ambiguous.