Exam 8: Power and Organizational Politics

Which of the following is NOT a structural determinant of power?

Bertrand Russell suggested that power can be formalized by granting someone the authority for its exercise.

Compare and contrast the different sources or bases of power.

Which of the following philosophers suggested that authority in organizations should be made more participative?

________ power occurs where there are differing spheres of influence between parties.

Sarah's boss tells her that the promotion she desires is contingent on whether she successfully completes an important project. What type of power is her boss exercising?

Although members of organizations should invest a significant amount of time in trying to influence decisions in which they have personal stakes, this may impose costs on organizations.

Renee is able to influence others by providing positive outcomes and preventing negative ones. What type of power base does she have?

According to Wilson, fostering your employees' participation, listening carefully to their values and interests, and building and supporting their confidence and skills is known as:

Evaluate the tactics and strategies to gain power, exercise influence, and balance the power of others in organizations. In which types of situations might each of these tactics be most effective? Discuss, providing relevant examples where appropriate.

Positive organizational politics is more about self-interest and manipulation and less about emotional health and intelligence.

Which of the following is part of the second stage in the process of moving from powerlessness to empowerment?

Covert power is easily observed.

Simply having the positive regard and respect of others is a potential source of power.

Is power a positive or destructive force? Does it vary based on the situation? Discuss, bringing in relevant examples where appropriate.

Politics involves efforts both to gain power and to limit or balance the power of others.

Debbie's supervisor controls assignments, initiates transfers and often gives poor performance evaluations. What type of power is her supervisor exercising?

Which of the following is a way in which managers create and maintain power?

________ management is an attempt to influence how others perceive us.

The human relations movement during the 1960s and 1970s challenged the idea that the job of management was to manipulate workers for the benefit of organizations.