Question 1

When goals are in alignment, there is little differentiation, departments are characterized by pooled interdependence, and resources seem abundant, managers can use ____ of organization.

Accepted Answer

A)   a political model
B)   referent power
C)   authority
D)   a rational model D

Question 2

What political tactics are recommended for using power?

Accepted Answer

Using power effectively in politics requires a nuanced understanding of the environment, the stakeholders involved, and the goals to be achieved. Here are some recommended political tactics for using power:

1. **Building Alliances:** Cultivate relationships with key individuals and groups who can support your agenda. This includes both those with similar interests and potential adversaries who can be persuaded to align with your objectives.

2. **Strategic Communication:** Communicate your message clearly and persuasively. Tailor your communication to different audiences to gain broader support. Use media and social platforms to shape public opinion and build momentum.

3. **Negotiation and Compromise:** Be willing to negotiate and compromise without losing sight of your core objectives. This helps in creating win-win situations and maintaining long-term relationships.

4. **Leveraging Resources:** Use the resources at your disposal, such as funding, information, or expertise, to influence outcomes. Ensure that the distribution of resources aligns with your strategic goals.

5. **Setting the Agenda:** Take the initiative to set the political agenda. By doing so, you can frame issues in a way that favors your position and forces others to react to your terms.

6. **Coalition Building:** Form coalitions with groups that have similar interests to increase your power base. A larger, united front is often more effective in achieving political goals than isolated efforts.

7. **Reward and Punishment:** Use incentives to reward supporters and discourage opponents. This can involve political appointments, funding allocations, or public endorsements.

8. **Timing and Opportunism:** Be aware of the timing of your actions. Capitalize on opportunities as they arise and be prepared to act quickly when the situation is favorable.

9. **Controlling Information:** Control the flow of information to maintain an advantage. This can involve releasing information strategically or withholding it to create uncertainty among opponents.

10. **Issue Framing:** Frame issues in a way that resonates with the values and beliefs of the public and key stakeholders. This can shape how problems are perceived and which solutions are considered legitimate.

11. **Legislative Maneuvering:** Understand the legislative process and use procedural tactics to advance or block legislation. This can include adding amendments, influencing committee decisions, or using filibusters.

12. **Ethical Considerations:** While wielding power, it's important to consider the ethical implications of your actions. Maintain integrity and public trust by adhering to ethical standards and avoiding abuses of power.

13. **Adaptability:** Be flexible and adaptable in your strategies. The political landscape is constantly changing, and the ability to adjust your tactics accordingly is crucial.

14. **Visibility and Presence:** Maintain a strong public presence to reinforce your position of power. This can involve public speaking, attending important events, and being active in the community.

15. **Expertise and Knowledge:** Cultivate a reputation for expertise and knowledge in your area of influence. This can enhance your credibility and the persuasiveness of your arguments.

Using power in politics is a complex and often delicate balancing act. It requires a combination of strategic thinking, ethical consideration, and an understanding of the human elements that drive political behavior.

Question 3

Applying what you know about sources of conflict, you could conclude that as task interdependence moves from pooled to reciprocal interdependence:

Accepted Answer

A)   conflict would decrease and competition would increase.
B)   the potential for cooperation increases.
C)   the potential for conflict increases.
D)   greater goal incompatibility arises. C

Question 4

Legitimate power is the authority to punish or recommend punishment, whereas expert power derives from a person's greater skill or knowledge about the tasks being performed.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Departments can cope with critical uncertainties by obtaining prior information, prevention, and absorption.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

____ is defined as the behavior that occurs among organizational groups when participants identify with one group and perceive that other groups may block their group's goal achievement or expectations.

Accepted Answer

A)   Goal incompatibility
B)   Intergroup conflict
C)   Political conflict
D)   Strategic contingencies

Question 7

Vertical sources of power include all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

A)   control of decision premises.
B)   network centrality.
C)   formal position.
D)   manipulation.

Question 8

Network centrality means that managers have access to information and people that are critical to the company's success, and thereby increase their power base.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Being centrally located in the organization and having access to information and people that are critical to the company's success is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

A)   decision premises.
B)   strategic contingencies.
C)   network centrality.
D)   power sources.

Question 10

What is empowerment? Describe the three elements that enable empowered employees to act more freely to accomplish their jobs.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is empowerment? Describe the three elements...

Question 11

____ is the potential ability of one person/department to influence other persons/departments to carry out orders or do something they would not otherwise have done.

Accepted Answer

A)   Cooperation
B)   Collaboration
C)   Power
D)   Personal position

Question 12

Middle managers and lower-level employees do not have access to information that would increase their power.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

In most organizations, are decisions more likely to be made using the rational or political model of organization? Explain and defend your position.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In most organizations, are decisions more likely...

Question 14

Legitimate power comes from:

Accepted Answer

A)   the positions in the organizations.
B)   skill and knowledge.
C)   personal characteristics.
D)   resources controlled by managers.

Question 15

____ is a mechanism for arriving at consensus when uncertainty is high and there is disagreement over goals or problem priorities.

Accepted Answer

A)   Power
B)   Authority
C)   Politics
D)   Decision premise

Question 16

Differentiation refers to the dependence of one unit on another for materials, resources, or information.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Today e-commerce departments have growing power in many organizations. Explain why, based on the strategic contingencies and power sources that apply to horizontal sources of power.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Today e-commerce departments have growing power in...

Question 18

Describe when political activity is used.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe when political activity is used....

Question 19

Which of the following is not a political tactic for using power?

Accepted Answer

A)   Expand networks
B)   Schedule intergroup consultation
C)   Enhance legitimacy and expertise
D)   Control decision premises

Question 20

A win-win strategy means that both departments adopt a positive attitude and strive to resolve the conflict in a way that will benefit each other.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 13: Conflict, Power, and Politics

When goals are in alignment, there is little differentiation, departments are characterized by pooled interdependence, and resources seem abundant, managers can use ____ of organization.

What political tactics are recommended for using power?

Applying what you know about sources of conflict, you could conclude that as task interdependence moves from pooled to reciprocal interdependence:

Legitimate power is the authority to punish or recommend punishment, whereas expert power derives from a person's greater skill or knowledge about the tasks being performed.

Departments can cope with critical uncertainties by obtaining prior information, prevention, and absorption.

____ is defined as the behavior that occurs among organizational groups when participants identify with one group and perceive that other groups may block their group's goal achievement or expectations.

Vertical sources of power include all of the following except:

Network centrality means that managers have access to information and people that are critical to the company's success, and thereby increase their power base.

Being centrally located in the organization and having access to information and people that are critical to the company's success is referred to as:

What is empowerment? Describe the three elements that enable empowered employees to act more freely to accomplish their jobs.

____ is the potential ability of one person/department to influence other persons/departments to carry out orders or do something they would not otherwise have done.

Middle managers and lower-level employees do not have access to information that would increase their power.

In most organizations, are decisions more likely to be made using the rational or political model of organization? Explain and defend your position.

Legitimate power comes from:

____ is a mechanism for arriving at consensus when uncertainty is high and there is disagreement over goals or problem priorities.

Differentiation refers to the dependence of one unit on another for materials, resources, or information.

Today e-commerce departments have growing power in many organizations. Explain why, based on the strategic contingencies and power sources that apply to horizontal sources of power.

Describe when political activity is used.

Which of the following is not a political tactic for using power?

A win-win strategy means that both departments adopt a positive attitude and strive to resolve the conflict in a way that will benefit each other.