Power, Politics, & Ethics Flashcards
Define power
The capacity to influence others who are in a state of dependence
What are the three aspects of power?
- Potential
- Relationships
- Multi-directional
Explain how power has “potential”
Even when someone has the potential for power, it is not always noticed and not always used
Explain how power is connected to “relationships”
Can be positive and/or negative, functional/dysfunctional
Explain how power is “multi-directional”
It can move up or down
What are the two types of power?
- Positional power
2. Resource power
What are the five bases of individual power?
- Legitimate power
- Reward power
- Coercive power
- Referent power
- Expert power
Which bases are forms of positional power?
Legitimate power
Which bases are forms of resource power?
Reward power, coercive power, referent power, expert power
Define legitimate power
Power based on job title and formal authority
Define reward power
Power based on someone’s ability to give out positive outcomes
Define coercive power
Power based on someone’s ability to give out or threaten negative outcomes
Define referent power
Power you get from people liking you
Define expert power
Power that comes from having specialized skills that other people don’t have
What are the three ways in which people respond to power?
- Resistance
- Compliance
- Commitment
Explain how people might respond to power by resisting
When they don’t cooperating, when they go against requests/orders, and avoid the problem
Explain how people might respond to power by complying
When they go along with the request and put in minimal effort
Explain how people might respond to power by committing
When someone is enthusiastic about the request and carries the task out intentionally well
What are the three ways in which someone gets power?
- Extraordinary activities
- Highly visible
- Relevant activities
Explain how extraordinary activities can give you power
Extraordinary activities create change, create new ideas, and make a difference
Explain how being highly visible can give you power
People need to know about your accomplishments; when your accomplishments are widely known you are more likely to gain power
Explain how relevant activities can give you power
When people care about your activities you can gain more power: by solving pressing problems, improving a situation, and winning new opportunities for others
Who are the four people that can give you power through admiration and respect?
- Outsiders
- Subordinates
- Peers
- Superiors
How can outsiders give you power?
You gain connections with people in other organizations and other fields; you expand your network
How can subordinates give you power?
See chapter notes
How can peers give you power?
They help and cooperate with you, and connect you with opportunities
How can superiors give you power?
They are usually better-connected, and they have the authority to reward, recommend, and promote
Define organizational politics
The pursuit of self-interest in an organization, whether or not this self-interest corresponds to organizational goals
What is the impact of organizational politics dependent on?
Depends on the link between influence means and influence ends
When does organizational political activity happen more often?
In complexity and ambiguity; when there’s room for interpretation and influencing others
Explain how too much political maneuvering can harm individuals and organizations
- Interpersonal and intergroup conflict
- Lower perceived organizational support
- Worse performance
- Time waster “playing games”
- Lower job satisfaction and higher turnover
Explain how politics can be beneficial to the organization
If it works to achieve the organization’s goals
Define ethics, in the context of organizational behaviour
A code of moral principles and values that governs people’s behaviour with respect to what is right and wrong
What are the three ethical principles?
- Utilitarian/consequentialist
- Rights
- Justice
Define the utilitarian ethical principle
The principle where behaviour is ethical if it leads to the best desired outcome
How does someone go about making an ethical decision using the utilitarian principle?
Conduct a cost-benefit analysis and make a decision based on what results in the greatest good for the greatest number of people. It focuses on outcomes; “the ends justify the means”
What are the advantages to the utilitarian principle of ethics? (3 things)
it’s easy to apply, it’s efficient, and it can lead to more profits
What are the disadvantages to the utilitarian principle of ethics? (3 things)
It ignores the rights of some individuals, it’s difficult to apply to values that cannot be easily quantified (like health, life, and employment), and it does not compute well in dilemmas involving rights or justice because it may ignore rights/justice
Define the rights ethical principle
Behaviour is ethical if it respects the fundamental rights shared by all human beings
How does someone go about making an ethical decision using the rights principle?
Focuses on Rights and Freedoms, like free speech, due process, freedom of religion, etc.
What are the advantages to the rights principle of ethics?
Protects individuals from injury consistent with freedom and privacy, and it’s easy to apply (just don’t do anything that takes away somebody’s rights)
What are the disadvantages to the rights principle of ethics?
One person’s rights might create harm to many people, can create overly legalistic environment, and can hinder productivity and efficiency
Define the justice ethical principle
Behavioural is ethical if it is fair and impartial to people
How does someone go about making an ethical decision using the justice principle?
Impose and enforce rules fairly
What are the advantages to the justice principle of ethics?
Protects interests of under-represented and less powerful
What are the disadvantages to the justice principle of ethics?
Difficult to agree on the definition of “fairness,” doesn’t consider that we might have a moral obligation to be “more fair” to those close to us, and encourages a sense of entitlement
When are ethics particularly apparent?
When we must make decisions
What are the two main general causes of unethical behaviour?
- “Bad Apple” - personality causes
2. “Bad Barrel” - situational causes
Explain how personality (“bad apple”) may cause unethical behaviour
- Need for power
- Machiavellianism and politics
- Risk taking
Explain how situations (“bad barrel”) may cause unethical behaviour
- Organizational culture
- Competition over scarce resources
- Too much power
- Unethical leaders/role models
- Low accountability
What are the five specific causes of unethical behaviour?
- Gain
- Role conflict
- Competition
- Personality
- Culture
Explain how “gain” can cause unethical behaviour
Unethical behaviour is more likely if someone can benefit from it
Explain how “role conflict” can cause unethical behaviour
Unethical behaviour can result when there is conflict between which is more important, the success of the company or the safety of the customers
Explain how “competition” can cause unethical behaviour
Limited resources encourages desperate behaviours and conflict, which can be unethical
Explain how “personality” can cause unethical behaviour
Unethical behaviour can arise when people have a high need for power, a need for control, and Machiavellian
Explain how “culture” can cause unethical behaviour
Unethical behaviour can occur when corporate cultures reward unethical behaviour
What are the six components of ethical behaviours?
- Honest communication
- Fair treatment
- Fair competition
- Responsibility to organisation
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Respect for the law
