Chapter 16.6 Political Behavior in Organizations

How can managers reduce the likelihood of political behavior by subordinates?

By providing subordinates with responsibility - By providing subordinates with autonomy, responsibility, challenge, and feedback, managers reduce the likelihood of political behavior by subordinates.

The IT director told the production manager that she will not approve the software upgrade for the production team unless the production manager supports the IT request for a budget increase at the next managers meeting. Which type of political behavior is reflected in the given scenario?

Coercion - Coercion involves using force to gain support, such as threatening to withhold support, rewards, or other resources.

Which political tactic is a manager using who threatens to withhold support or rewards?

Coercion - Coercion is the use of force to get one's way. A manager may threaten to withhold support, rewards, or other resources as a way to influence someone else.

Yui and Arayla don't always get along well, and as a result, they frequently engage in politically motivated behavior to make themselves look good, while making the other look bad. What can their manager do to try to manage political behavior?

Get disagreements out in the open. - Managers should get disagreements out in the open so that subordinates will have less opportunity for political behavior by using conflict for their own purposes.

Woojin wears a shirt and tie to work every day, even though it isn't required. He also asked to be placed on high-profile projects so that he can be linked to successful work. Which of the following is Woojin using?

Impression management - A person motivated by impression management will pay close attention to the choice of attire, selection of language, and use of manners and body posture. People interested in impression management are also likely to try to associate themselves only with successful projects. By being assigned to high-profile projects led by highly successful managers, a person can begin to link his or her own name with such projects in the minds of others.

What is a direct and intentional effort by someone to enhance his or her image in the eyes of others?

Impression management - Impression management is a direct and intentional effort by someone to enhance his or her image in the eyes of others.

Polani works in a male-dominated industry. She is a passionate advocate for increasing gender diversity. As she worked her way up the corporate ladder, Polani presented herself in a professional, composed manner to demonstrate that women can effectively serve in leadership roles at the company. What did Polani use to help promote gender diversity in her organization?

Impression management - Polani engaged in impression management to further her interest in promoting gender diversity. Impression management involves intentional control over one's image to accomplish desired results.

During the interview process, Olesia told a highly qualified candidate that if they accepted the position, the company would cover the cost of relocation and provide an additional bonus. What did Olesia use to encourage the candidate to accept the position?

Inducement - Olesia's promise demonstrates inducement. Inducement involves providing something of value in exchange for support.

Which of the following is true of political behavior in organizations?

It plays a useful role in some situations. - Political behavior can be managed in such a way that it will seldom inflict serious damage on an organization. It may even play a useful role in some situations.

Recently, Eli, a fellow manager, asked Jewel to support his request for the firm to open a childcare center at its site. Jewel has no opinion regarding a childcare center, but she supported Eli's request anyway, with the hopes that he will support her next proposal. Which type of political behavior does this demonstrate?

Obligation

The HR manager insisted that an increase in staff for the production team was simply not in this year's budget. Kelly, the production manager, argued that the upgrade would save money in the long run, as the work would go faster. Additionally, the staff would be able to do their jobs more easily, leading to higher morale as well as lower turnover. Which type of political behavior is reflected in the given

Persuasion - Persuasion involves using emotion and logic to gain support, and it is a common political behavior.

Which of the following is a form of political behavior that involves convincing others to support a goal on grounds that are objective and logical as well as subjective and personal?

Persuasion - Persuasion is a tactic that involves persuading others to support a goal on grounds that are objective and logical as well as subjective and personal.

For which reason might employees engage in political behaviors?

To protect themselves from others - In any situation, individuals may engage in political behavior to further their own ends, to protect themselves from others, to further goals they sincerely believe to be in the organization's best interests, or simply to acquire and exercise power. And power may be sought by individuals, by groups of individuals, or by groups of groups.

According to a survey, who is most likely to engage in political behaviors?

Upper levels of management - Many also believed that the incidence of political behavior was greater at the upper levels of their organization and lesser at the lower levels. More than half of the respondents felt that organizational politics was bad, unfair, unhealthy, and irrational, but most suggested that successful executives have to be good politicians and be political to get ahead.

Rachel works in a male-dominated industry. She is a passionate advocate for increasing gender diversity. For years she has championed the recruitment and advancement of qualified female employees at her firm. As she worked her way up the corporate ladder, Rachel was able to increase her influence because of _____.

political behaviors - Rachel's efforts to further her goals are an example of political behavior conducted to achieve preferred outcomes. Political behavior involves mobilizing power to accomplish desired results.