Question 1

When people hold the interests of the organization above their own interests, provide high levels of feedback to employees, and maintain good working relationships to achieve results, then ______ will have positive results.

Accepted Answer

Political skill involves navigating organizational politics effectively, which includes prioritizing the organization's interests, providing feedback, and maintaining good relationships to achieve positive outcomes.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the political situation when people are in "the woods"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following best describes the...

Question 3

Brice works in sales, but none of the sales reps in his office are allowed to have laptops. Brice knows that if he could get his hands on a laptop, he could sell more than anyone in the office. He secretly figures out a way to sneak a laptop in his office and immediately his sales start to soar. This action by Brice is a direct example of which OB concept?

Accepted Answer

Brice's action is an example of politics, as he is maneuvering within the organization's rules and policies (by sneaking in a laptop) to gain a personal advantage (increase his sales), which is a common definition of organizational politics.

Question 4

Which element below is an example of political behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Building a coalition is a political behavior because it involves aligning interests and gaining support from others to achieve a specific goal, often seen in organizational or political contexts.

Question 5

______ is defined as others' awareness of your presence in an organization.

Accepted Answer

Visibility is defined as the extent to which others are aware of your presence in an organization. It involves being noticed and recognized by others, which can be crucial for career advancement and professional development.

Question 6

When in the weeds, people tend to engage in politics using which of the following?

Accepted Answer

When in the weeds, people often rely on personal influence and informal networks to navigate and influence politics, as these methods allow for more flexibility and adaptability in complex situations.

Question 7

What are the two main factors that influence organizational politics?

Accepted Answer

Organizational politics are influenced by both the broader organizational context (including its culture, structure, and policies) and individual factors (such as personal goals, power, and relationships).

Question 8

______ is defined as the ability to understand and influence others for the good of the organization.

Accepted Answer

Political skill is the ability to understand others and to use such knowledge to influence them to act in ways that enhance one’s personal or organizational objectives. It is crucial for effective leadership and management within organizations.

Question 9

Carson's team has been arguing over several issues for months. At some point, he recognizes that everyone from the marketing division prefers one outcome, but everyone from the research division prefers a different outcome. Overtime, he recognizes that it doesn't matter the issue; the two divisions are always on different sides. He starts to think that there may be some underlying issue driving the conflict. Carson's group is most likely effected by which type of organizational politics?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Carson's team has been arguing over several...

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of an organizational factor that could impact political behavior in organizations?

Accepted Answer

Organizational factors refer to the structural or resource-related aspects within an organization that can influence behavior. The lack of bonus money is an organizational factor because it relates to the organization's reward system and resource allocation, which can impact political behavior as employees vie for limited resources.

Question 11

John works for Super Sales Company. He has been first in sales for the past year, but this year Steve is close to John's numbers. John is not happy about this and works with his boss to get some of Steve's clients assigned to John. This behavior by John is an example of ______.

Accepted Answer

John's actions of working with his boss to get some of Steve's clients reassigned to him is an example of engaging in workplace politics. This behavior is aimed at maintaining or improving his position within the company by using influence or manipulation, rather than purely merit-based methods.

Question 12

Weishen's department is paralyzed by the rules and regulations within the organization. Anytime a decision is to be made, they want to create a policy to show that the decision would be applied in the same way when faced with future decisions. This desire to work within policies is impediment to progress. Weishen's group is most likely effected by which type of organizational politics?

Accepted Answer

The "high ground" refers to organizations that are overly focused on rules, policies, and procedures, which can hinder decision-making and progress.

Question 13

People are more likely to engage in political behavior in organizations when ______.

Accepted Answer

When monetary rewards are limited, individuals may engage in political behavior to gain power, influence, or access to resources within an organization, as alternative means to achieve their goals or secure their interests.

Question 14

In order to gain visibility, it is important to ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In order to gain visibility, it is...

Question 15

When in the rocks, people tend to engage in politics using which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The answer of When in the rocks, people tend to...

Question 16

Ed has worked for his company for a year, yet the company is starting to lay off people. Ed recently started making an effort to run into his bosses at lunch, on the elevator, at the gym, and so on. He goes out of his way to tell his bosses how great they are and how important they are to the company. Ed is engaging in which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Ed is engaging in politics by attempting to increase his visibility and favor with his bosses through flattery and strategic encounters, rather than through direct work performance or contributions.

Question 17

Which of the following is one of the political behaviors described in the textbook?

Accepted Answer

Self-promotion is a political behavior described in textbooks, as it involves individuals engaging in activities that are aimed at enhancing their own image and advancing their own career prospects within an organization.

Question 18

An example of an individual factor that could impact political behavior in organizations is the ______.

Accepted Answer

Individual factors that impact political behavior in organizations are related to personal attributes rather than organizational structures or missions. The personality of the manager is an example of an individual factor because it directly relates to how a person might behave or influence others within an organization.

Question 19

Which of the following statements is true regarding people with political skill?

Accepted Answer

People with political skill are often adept at navigating organizational politics and building networks of relationships, which can help them gain more personal power and influence within an organization. This can lead to better opportunities for advancement and success.

Question 20

Morgan's team sometimes feel as if they are all puppets being controlled by a string. Their boss sets goals, then uses her power to change the goals as soon as people are close to accomplishing the task. She often refuses to sign off on hard work. Her team members feel that she wants to make them look bad, as she is afraid that others might perceive them as better than her. Morgan's group is effected by which type of organizational politics?

Accepted Answer

The scenario described fits the definition of "the rocks" in organizational politics, where an individual in a position of power uses their authority to manipulate or obstruct others' progress to maintain their own status or control.

Quiz 13: Influence, Power, Politics