Power and Politics

Question 1

Define power and what it depends on.

Answer 1

The capacity of a party to influence the behaviour of another party to act in accordance with the first party’s wishes

• Dependence is the most important aspect
• Dependence is based on the alternatives available
  and the importance a party puts on the alternatives
  controlled by another party
• The greater the dependence of one party on
  another, the greater the power capacity

Question 2

*Slide 4
Power vs. Leadership

Question 3

Where does power come from? (5)

Answer 3

Formal Power
Coercive: ability to punish
Reward: ability to reward
Legitimate: position/role

Personal Power
Referent: Identify with another
Expert: Superior knowledge

Question 4

Slides 6-10
Sources of power

Question 5

What sources of power have a Relation to satisfaction,
commitment & performance? (3)

Answer 5

Coercive reduces satisfaction, commitment & performance

Expert and Referent increase satisfaction,
commitment & performance

Question 6

What are 9 power tactics?

Answer 6

1. Coalitions
2. Consultation
3. Inspirational appeals
4. Personal appeals
5. Exchange
6. Rational persuasion
7. Ingratiation
8. Pressure
9. Legitimacy

Question 7

What is the commonly used power tactic?

Answer 7

Rational Persuasion

Question 8

Slides 14-16
Power tactics explained

Question 9

What type of power tactic is most effective?

Slide 17

Answer 9

o Softer tactics most effective - rational persuasion, inspirational appeals , consultation
o pressure tactic is the least effective - unlikely to be sanctioned by organizational leaders and may be unethical
o Combining tactics increases effectiveness with the combination of 2 soft tactics

Question 10

*Slide 18
What does power reveal?

Question 11

What are the 4 reasons politics arise?

Answer 11

1. Interpretation of organization information and the actions of individuals
2. Ambiguity in decision making
3. Conflict over the allocation of limited resources
4. The organization is composed of individuals with conflicting goals & interests

Question 11

Slide 21
Examples of political behaviour

Question 12

Define political behaviour and what it looks like.

Answer 12

Activities that are not required as part of one’s formal role in an organization but that influence, or attempt to influence, the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within the organization

• Conversion of power into action
• Use of power to affect decision-making
• Use of power on self-serving and organizationally
  unsanctioned behaviours

Question 13

WHat are 5 responses to political behaviour?

Answer 13

Decreased job satisfaction: Reduction in the positive feeling emanating from the job

Increased anxiety and stress: Competing in a political arena or losing ground to politickers

Reduced performance: Demotivated as the political environment deemed unfair

Increased turnover: Leave when politicking becomes too much

Defensive behaviour: Reactive and protective behaviours to avoid action, blame, or change

Question 13

**Slides 22-23
Factors Contributing to Political Behaviour

Question 14

Define impression management.

Answer 14

The practice of actively shaping our public images
and controlling the impression people form

Question 15

What are 8 impression management techniques?

Slides 27-28

Answer 15

Ingratiation:
Conformity
Favour

Defensive IM:
Excuse
Apology

Self-focussed IM:
Self-promotion
Enhancement

Assertive IM:
Flattery
Exemplification

Question 16

What impression management (IM) techniques are used most in interviews?

Answer 16

• Self-promotion used most and may be more related to
  interview success
• Ingratiation also works well

Question 17

How do IM techniques affect performance evaluations?

Answer 17

• Ingratiation positively related to performance ratings
• Effect of self-promotion on performance evaluations mixed
  • High political skill – positive relationship
  • Low political skill – negative relationship