Apply: Effective Groups and Teams (Ch. 8, 10 & 12)

Which of the following quotes from the case best summarizes the main problem it describes at Nike?

"The findings illustrated systematic sexual harassment and discrimination."

Which of the following hypothetical scenarios, which could occur as a result of Nike's sexual harassment and discrimination problem, represents an act of organizational politics?

All of these acts represent organizational politics.

Linking Influence Tactics with Outcome Influence tactics are used in order to attempt to affect and change behaviors of others. This activity is important because, as a future manager and OB practitioner, you must have a good understanding of these tactics in order to strengthen your chances of success. The goal of this activity is for you to link different influence tactics with various outcomes of the influence process. Read each description. Match the outcomes with the best-fitting descriptions. Pay close attention—some descriptions might fit more than one outcome, but there is only one way they all combine to be correct.

Inspirational appeals are one of the several tactics that might result in this outcome. Friendship: Personal appeals are often instrumental in achieving this outcome. Honesty: People who have credibility and are trustworthy are most successful in achieving this outcome. Inclusion: Individuals who use consultative strategies are more likely to achieve this outcome. Schmoozing: Ingratiation works and may be characterized this way. Subtlety: Subtle forms of ingratiation may be characterized this way.

Nine Generic Influence Tactics A large measure of interpersonal interaction involves attempts to influence others, including parents, bosses, coworkers, spouses, children, teachers, friends, and customers. Researchers developed a useful body of research that generated nine influence tactics. This activity is important because managers need to understand both how they influence and are influenced by others. The goal of this activity is for you to demonstrate your knowledge of the nine influence tactics. Read each description. Match the influence tactics with the corresponding descriptions.

Rational persuasion: To influence your prospective client, you created a highly professional PowerPoint presentation including many graphs and figures. Inspirational appeals: Politicians attempts to influence voters in many ways, including trying to appeal to their values. Consultation: Your boss periodically asks you and your colleagues for your input on projects for which your department is responsible. However, he always retains decision-making authority and ultimately decides what he thinks is best. Ingratiation: Many business deals are done over dinner, drinks, golf, or other social events. Personal appeals: We often ask favors of our friends. Exchange: Employees routinely swap shifts to accommodate their commitments outside of work. Coalition tactics: After many unsuccessful attempts to convince your boss to change the vacation policy, you gathered the support of all affected employees and the case is now being made by the group. Pressure: To influence you to work more weekends, your boss subtly reminded you that those who work weekends get promoted. Legitimating tactics: Employees with the most seniority get the first choice of which holidays to have off from work. Being new, you have last choice.

Which of the following is not a potential negative consequence to Nike that could result from its sexual harassment issues and is explicitly mentioned in the case?

backlash from critics who believe its attempts to fix the problem aren't sincere enough

Jennifer is confronted with low team performance. Which of the following would you recommend to overcome this problem?

implement psychological empowerment

How do the percentages of women in VP positions and management positions at Nike compare to the percentage of women in Nike's workforce?

percentage of VPs and managers are both lower

Jennifer's team members are producing poor work, but instead of addressing the poor work, she is just fixing it herself. What team-level process from the organizing framework needs to be taking place but is not?

performance management