Rank, Authority and Power Flashcards
Authority*
legitimate, role-based power to allocate resources, make decisions, and enforce directives within a defined scope of responsibility. Brings accountability, and ideally matches responsibility.
Bases of power**
- Reward Power
- Coercive Power
- Legitimate Power
- Expert Power
- Referent Power
Needs a mnenomic device
Hierarchical principle
Individual power in an organization increases with rank .
Position power
Influence tied to a role in an organization, including legitimate authority to issue directives and control rewards and discipline for subordinates.
Power**
Capacity to motivate or compel action despite resistance, has 4 bases.
Span of control*
Number of people who report directly to a supervisor or manager.
Authority example
A plant manager has the responsibility to make up $1M in annual capital expenditures and hire up to 10 new employees per year without prior approval.
Reward Power
Capacity to deliver valued outcomes like salary raises and promotions.
Coercive Power
Capacity to deliver unwelcome consequences such as punishments or penalties.
Legitimate Power
Formal, role-based authority within a defined scope of responsibility, for instance to set budgets and make assignments.
Expert Power
From personal knowledge, skill, or competency.
Referent Power
Influence from personal likeability and tendency of people to identify with and emulate the individual, as with a popular political leader or celebrity.
Power Example
A judge can subpoena a clinical psychologist’s private notes despite objections.
Span of control example
Supervisor of 6-person coal-mining crew has ___________ of 6.
A CEO who supervises 8 vice presidents and 2 assistants has a ____________ of 10.
