Question 1

Herbert Kelmen identified three levels of conformity. They are: ___________, ______________, and __________________.

Accepted Answer

Kelmen identified three levels of conformity: compliance, identification, and internalization. Compliance occurs when an individual changes their behavior to conform to the group, but their private beliefs remain the same. Identification occurs when the individual changes both their behavior and beliefs to conform to the group, but only while in the presence of the group. Internalization occurs when the individual changes their behavior and beliefs to conform to the group, even in the absence of the group.

Question 2

Reciprocal alliances are efforts by organizational members to seek resources and achieve desired goals through informal systems and structures.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Reciprocal alliances are efforts by organizational members...

Question 3

Political savvy is a skill and adroitness at reading political environments and understanding how to influence effectively in these environments.

Accepted Answer

Political savvy is indeed a skill that involves understanding the dynamics of political situations and knowing how to navigate them effectively. It includes being able to identify key stakeholders, build relationships, and influence with both formal and informal power.

Question 4

Which type of power arises from influence with a powerful person on whom others depend?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which type of power arises from influence...

Question 5

Which of the following describes a form of power arising from alliances with others developed through reciprocity?

Accepted Answer

Reciprocal alliances are direct or indirect alliances with others developed through reciprocity, which is an important source of power in many societies. This type of power is based on the expectation that favors or benefits given to others will be returned in kind, generating support and loyalty among those in the alliance.

Question 6

Brokers serve as links between structural holes in a network, providing greater access to resource, information and opportunities.

Accepted Answer

Brokers act as intermediaries who bridge gaps between disconnected contacts in a network, thus facilitating communication, cooperation, and resource sharing. As a result, they can enable people and organizations to access new information, ideas, and market opportunities that would not have been available otherwise.

Question 7

Another term for political savvy is political power which the ability to effectively understand others at work, and to use such knowledge to influence others to act in ways that enhance one's personal and/or organizational objectives.

Accepted Answer

Political savvy is more about understanding and navigating the political landscape within an organization to achieve objectives, rather than holding or wielding political power itself. It involves the ability to influence others and build networks, but it is distinct from the concept of political power.

Question 8

Perception of organizational politics is the perception that political activities in the organization are self-serving, illegitimate, and harmful to organizational members.

Accepted Answer

Perception of organizational politics is typically negative and characterized by the belief that individuals engage in political activities for their own personal gain, rather than for the benefit of the organization as a whole. This perception can be harmful to morale, trust, and overall organizational performance.

Question 9

Social capital is the knowledge, skills and intellectual assets employees bring to the workplace.

Accepted Answer

Social capital refers to the social network, relationships, trust, and cooperation among individuals and groups in a workplace or society. It is not the same as the knowledge or intellectual assets employees bring to the workplace which refers to human capital.

Question 10

Structural holes are the absence of a link between two contacts in a social network.

Accepted Answer

Structural holes are indeed the absence of a link between two contacts in a social network.

Question 11

Workaround occurs when people work around the system to accomplish a task or goal when the normal process or method isn't producing the desired result

Accepted Answer

Workaround is defined as finding an alternative way to achieve a goal when the normal process is not working effectively.

Question 12

All of the following are reasons subordination is a problem EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Subordination means making employees work under someone else's authority. This can lead to problems like employees not taking initiative, deferring responsibility, becoming overly dependent on managers for direction and motivation. However, it does not lead to employees becoming more empowered. In fact, subordination can have the opposite effect and make employees feel disempowered and less motivated to take ownership of their work.

Question 13

Reflecting their informal nature, politics are often described as the management of influence to obtain ends not sanctioned by the organization, or to obtain sanctioned ends through non-sanctioned means.

Accepted Answer

Politics are indeed characterized by an informal nature and involve the utilization of influence to achieve desired outcomes, which may or may not be sanctioned by the organization. Sometimes, individuals resort to unethical or non-sanctioned means to achieve desired sanctioned ends.

Question 14

Information power is built through internal networks, external networks, and being central in a network. It comes from aligning oneself with others who can provide advice, friendship, alliances, collaborations, information flows, and access to job opportunities.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Information power is built through internal networks,...

Question 15

Organizations should only be comprised of formal systems to be successful.

Accepted Answer

Organizations should also include informal systems such as culture, relationships, and communication patterns in order to be successful.

Question 16

Informal systems dictate what is to be done in organizations and how work processes are to be coordinated and structured.

Accepted Answer

Informal systems refer to the unofficial but often influential networks and practices within an organization that dictate how things actually get done, as opposed to formal systems which are the official rules, procedures, and structures designed to dictate work processes and coordination.

Question 17

When Mary is able to call on her networks both inside and outside the organization for support in getting things done and in meeting her goals, she is utilizing which of these powers?

Accepted Answer

Connection power refers to the ability to call on networks both inside and outside the organization for support in getting things done and meeting goals.

Question 18

Formal systems are patterns of activity and relationships that arise in everyday activities as individuals and groups work to get things done.

Accepted Answer

Formal systems are deliberately designed structures, rules, and processes established to guide the operations and activities within organizations, not patterns that arise spontaneously in everyday activities.

Question 19

Power bases are the sources of power individuals and subunits develop in organizations.

Accepted Answer

Power bases refer to the sources of power that individuals and subunits develop in organizations, such as legitimate power, reward power, coercive power, expert power, and referent power. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 20

Self-interested politics occur when individuals or groups work to shift otherwise ambiguous outcomes to their personal advantage without consideration of the organization or coworkers.

Accepted Answer

Self-interested politics focus on personal gain rather than the well-being of the organization or colleagues, so it is true that individuals or groups may attempt to manipulate outcomes for their own benefit.

Quiz 12: Power and Politics

Herbert Kelmen identified three levels of conformity. They are: _, , and __________.