Power & Politics

Question 1

Leadership V Power

Answer 1

Leadership focuses on goal attainment, requires goal compatibility with followers and focuses on influence downwards.
Power is used as a means to achieve a goals, requires followers dependency a dependency of followers and is used to gain lateral and upward influence.

Question 2

Power

Answer 2

Power is, a capacity to exert ones will via others, power to affect people & things by getting people to carry out ones will.

It can be positive (the form of persuasion, or negative; through control (authority or coercion)

Question 3

3 process theory

Answer 3

Turner (2005) proposes that the standard theory of power (control of resource - power - influence - psychological group formation) ought be turned upside down.
Power emerges from social relations.
Psychological group formation - influence - persuasion, authority, coercion - power - control of resources.

Question 4

Positional Power

Answer 4

• Legitimate Power (granted as part of a role)
• Reward Power; (power to reward behaviours and deeds or not)
• Information Power (control over information people require to work)
• Resource dependency (Power over disseminating resources).

Question 5

Power in Groups

Answer 5

Power lies in where the groups are located. Close to core = more power.
Not as a result of imbalance in exchange.
Reflects structural sources of power beyond division of labour.

Question 6

Personal Power

Answer 6

-Expert Power; influence gained from specialised knowledge or skills.
-Referent Power; influence through having desirable traits (charisma)
-Prestige Power; influence through having networks & being connected.
Expert and Referent power have positive effects on job satisfaction. Linked strongly

Question 7

Power Tactics

Answer 7

• Rational Perspectives
• Inspirational Appeals
• Consultation
• Legitimacy
• Personal Appeals
• Ingratiation
• Pressure
• Coalition

first three are most effective.

Question 8

Sexual Harassment

Answer 8

Any unwanted activity of a sexual nature that affects an individuals employment and creates a a hostile work environment

Question 9

Politics

Answer 9

“Power in Action”
Political Strategy used to attain a goal.
Political Tactics used to generate power

Question 10

Functional V Dysfunctional Political Behaviour

Answer 10

Functional political behaviour supports organisational goals where dysfunctional behaviour goes against them

Question 11

Individual factors contributing to political behaviour.

Answer 11

High self monitoring
Internal Locus of control
High nAch & nPow
Machiavellian tendencies
Emotional Insecurity
Organisational investment
Perceived job alternatives
Expectations of success
Avoiding Work

Question 12

Organisational Level factors contributing to political behaviour

Answer 12

Heir-achy (downsizing)
Competitive work environment
Political behaviour of senior management
Low trust
Role Ambiguity
Subjective performance standards
Zero-sum rewards
Democratic decision-making
High performance pressures
Self-serving senior management.

Question 13

Effects of Dysfunctional Politics

Answer 13

Decreased job satisfaction
Increased anxiety
Reduced performance
Increase in defensive behaviours (avoiding action, blame and change).

Question 14

Political Skill

Answer 14

-Social Astuteness; read between the lines
-Interpersonal Influence; socially flexibly and able to convince
Networking ability; gain entry into groups creating inherently reciprocal opportunities for others
-Apparent sincerity; impression of openness and honesty.