Question 1

Managers who abuse power and politics to promote their own interests are likely to harm the interests of others.

Accepted Answer

When managers use their power and political influence for personal gain, it often leads to unfair treatment of others and neglect of their interests. This can result in reduced morale, increased turnover, and negative impacts on overall organizational performance.

Question 2

Power is the principal means of directing and controlling organizational goals and activities.

Accepted Answer

Power is a key tool used by leaders and managers to influence and direct organizational goals and activities. With power, leaders can make decisions, allocate resources, and give directions that shape the course of the organization. Power can be gained through various means, such as formal authority, expertise, controlling access to resources, and building alliances with key stakeholders. Effective leaders must use their power wisely and ethically to achieve their objectives and create positive outcomes for their organizations.

Question 3

Political decision making can lead to a more efficient use of organizational resources.

Accepted Answer

Political decision making involves considering the views and interests of various stakeholders within an organization, which can result in more informed and effective decision making, leading to more efficient use of resources.

Question 4

The legitimate power of a CEO is granted by an organization's board of directors.

Accepted Answer

Legitimate power is based on an individual's position within an organization, and a CEO's position is granted by the board of directors. Therefore, the legitimate power of a CEO is indeed granted by an organization's board of directors.

Question 5

Political behavior is seen only at the top levels of an organization.

Accepted Answer

Managers at all levels may engage in political behavior to gain promotion or to influence organizational decision making in their favor.

Question 6

Clearly specified rules and procedures that govern how coercive power and reward power are used prevent superiors from arbitrarily using their legitimate power to hurt people they dislike or disagree with.

Accepted Answer

Clearly specified rules and procedures govern how coercive power and reward power can be used, which helps prevent superiors from using their legitimate power arbitrarily to hurt individuals they do not like or agree with. This prevents any form of abuse of power and promotes fair and just use of authority.

Question 7

The terms power and politics often have negative connotations because people associate them with attempts to use organizational resources for one's personal advantage at the expense of others.

Accepted Answer

Power and politics are often viewed negatively because they can involve individuals using their position and resources to benefit themselves, often at the expense of others in the organization.

Question 8

Power is necessary for the efficient functioning of the organization.

Accepted Answer

Power is necessary for decision-making, delegation of tasks, and effective management of resources in an organization. Without power, individuals would lack the authority to carry out their duties and responsibilities, leading to inefficiencies and confusion.

Question 9

As long as employees value the rewards, a manager can use reward power to influence and control their behavior.

Accepted Answer

Reward power is based on a manager's ability to provide desirable consequences or rewards for employees who comply with their requests or meet performance expectations. As long as employees value the rewards being offered, a manager can use reward power effectively to motivate and influence their behavior.

Question 10

Managers engage in organizational politics to increase their power and pursue goals that favor their individual and group interests.

Accepted Answer

Organizational politics involves using influence tactics and alliances to gain power and advance personal or group goals within an organization. Managers often engage in political behavior to increase their power and control over resources, decision-making, and strategic direction. This can include forming alliances, manipulating information, and emphasizing certain issues or initiatives that align with their interests.

Question 11

Individuals in an organization are not able to control the behavior of other individuals or groups.

Accepted Answer

Most individuals in an organization have some ability to control the behavior of other individuals or groups, but some have more power than others do.

Question 12

Coercive power is the power to give or withhold punishment.

Accepted Answer

Coercive power is typically associated with the ability to impose negative consequences such as punishment or reprisals, which can be used to compel compliance or deter non-compliance.

Question 13

Formal individual power is the power that stems from a person's position in an organization's hierarchy.

Accepted Answer

Formal individual power refers to the authority that comes from a person's position or role within an organization. This power is derived from the organizational structure and the position a person holds within it. Examples of formal individual power include the power vested in a CEO, manager, or supervisor within an organization.

Question 14

The most effective organizations are those in which organizational members hoard information.

Accepted Answer

Although individual managers sometimes benefit from keeping information to themselves, in the most effective organizations, members share information.

Question 15

Superiors sometimes limit subordinates' access to information to maintain their power to control and shape the subordinates' behavior.

Accepted Answer

This is a common tactic in many organizational structures, where those in positions of authority restrict access to information in order to maintain their power over their subordinates. By controlling the flow of information, they can shape the behavior and decisions of their subordinates to better align with their own objectives and goals.

Question 16

Reward power is the power to control and use organizational resources to accomplish organizational goals.

Accepted Answer

Legitimate power is the power to control and use organizational resources to accomplish organizational goals.

Question 17

The ability to confer rewards and punishments fairly and equitably is a crucial managerial skill.

Accepted Answer

Conferring rewards and punishments fairly and equitably is important for creating a sense of justice and fairness among employees, which can lead to increased motivation and job satisfaction. It also helps to avoid favoritism and any potential legal issues. Therefore, it is essential for a manager to have this skill.

Question 18

Any power that an individual has in the workplace comes from his or her formal position in an organization.

Accepted Answer

Power comes not only from an individual's formal position in an organization, but also from a person's personality, skills, and capabilities.

Question 19

The greater a manager's access to and control over information, the greater is his or her information power.

Accepted Answer

Information power is the ability to control or manipulate access to information. Therefore, the more access and control a manager has over information, the greater his or her information power.

Question 20

Informal individual power stems from personal characteristics.

Accepted Answer

Informal individual power comes from personal characteristics such as charisma, expertise, knowledge, and communication skills.

Quiz 13: Power, Politics, Conflict, and Negotiation