Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 7e
© 2017, SAGE Publications
Answers to Questions in the Text
Chapter 10: Organizational Behavior:
Power, Politics, Conflict, and Stress
WORK APPLICATION SAMPLE ANSWERS
Most of the answers are actual student answers or based on student answers. You may give these
answers as part of your lecture before, after, or in place of getting student answers.
10–1. Identify a present or past boss’s personality; refer to the personality traits in the Self–
Assessment.
My boss was an externalizer, as he was always blaming everyone else for things that went wrong. He
10–2. Give three examples of how you (or a manager you know) have used the attribution process at
work.
I went to my boss for help, and he gave me a flip answer with a negative attitude about helping
10–3. Give an example of a situation that you and someone else experienced together but perceived
differently. Which of the biases in perception might explain the difference in perception?
My friend and I had to go to a company training program for two hours one afternoon. The training
10–4. Give an example of how your attitude affected your performance at work.
I worked as an administrative assistant for a law firm. At first, I liked the job but over time I came to
Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 7e
© 2017, SAGE Publications
10–5. Think of someone who really expected you to perform well (or poorly) and treated you as if you
would do well (or poorly), which strongly affected your success (or failure). Explain how the
Pygmalion effect influenced your performance.
I remember being on a Little League baseball team. I was a pretty good hitter, but I got into a
10–6. Identify the type(s) of power usually used by your current boss or a previous boss. Was there
any type(s) of power that this person used only rarely?
My boss at Papa Gino’s used reward power. We got periodic reviews and raises every few months.
10–7. Which of the suggestions for increasing your power are the most relevant to you? Explain.
10–8. Give an example of how you used political behavior to achieve an organizational objective.
10–9. Which of the suggestions for developing political skills is the most relevant to you?
I need to stay tuned in to the grapevine more. I tend to be shy and quiet and don’t socialize much
10–10. Think of one of your present or past bosses and give several examples of the conflict
management style that person used most often.
My boss was a real negotiator. He was very concerned about treating all employees fairly. For
10–11. Which one of the five conflict management styles do you tend to use most often? Explain.
Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 7e
© 2017, SAGE Publications
I tend to use the forcing style. I don’t come right out and really push people with threats, but I do
10–12. Describe a conflict in which you used (or should have used) a BCF statement.
I had a situation with my friend coming to pick me up from work late, and I had to wait for her
10–13. If you are currently experiencing stress at school or work, identify which of the stress-
management techniques you believe you can put into practice.
10–14. At which of the stress-management techniques are you best and worst? What can you do to
improve your stress-management skills?
I’m best at exercise because I play on the basketball team. I’m worst at nutrition because I drink a
REVIEW QUESTION ANSWERS
10–1. What are the Big Five personality dimensions?
10–2. What are the four biases in perception?
The four biases in perception include selectivity, frame of reference, stereotypes, and expectations.
10–3. What are the determinants of job satisfaction? Are they of equal importance to everyone?
The six determinants of job satisfaction are personality, the work itself, compensation, growth and
10–4. What are the seven types of power?
Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 7e
10–5. Can management order that power and politics in an organization be abolished? If yes, should
they?
10–6. Why should you learn the organizational culture and identify power players where you work?
Learning the organizational culture helps you to understand how to develop power through
10–7. How do you know when you are in conflict?
10–8. What is the difference between functional and dysfunctional conflict, and how does each affect
performance?
Functional conflict exists when disagreement and opposition support the achievement of
10–9. What does it mean to “maintain ownership of a problem”?
10–10. What is the difference between a mediator and an arbitrator?
10–11. What are the characteristics of a Type A personality?
The Type A personality is characterized as fast moving, hard driving, time conscious, competitive,
impatient, and preoccupied with work.
10–12. What are six stress-management techniques?
Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 7e
© 2017, SAGE Publications
COMMUNICATION SKILLS ANSWERS
10–1. Does personality really play a part in your personal and professional happiness and success? Can
you change your personality? If so, how?
Yes. Generally, people who are externalizers, pessimistic, emotionally unstable, and irresponsible
10–2. Why do most people use attribution rather than ask people why they do and say the things they
do? How often do you use attribution rather than asking people? Why?
10–3. Does the Pygmalion effect really work? Why or why not?
Answers will vary.
10–4. What is your attitude toward power and politics in organizations? Should power and politics be
changed, and if so, how?
10–5. Which of the guidelines for developing political skills do you think is most important? Why?
10–6. What are the most relevant points you learned about negotiation that you didn’t already know
and use? Will you follow the steps in the negotiation process in future negotiations?
Answers will vary.
10–7. Which of the conflict management styles do you tend to use most often? Why?
10–8. How much stress do you have in your life? When do you tend to have more stress, and what is
(are) the major cause(s) of the stress?
10–9. Which of the stress-management techniques listed in the text do you use currently? Can you
think of or do you use any other stress-management techniques that are not listed in the text?
Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 7e
© 2017, SAGE Publications
APPLYING THE CONCEPT ANSWERS
Applying the Concept 10–2: Perception Bias
Identify the perception bias indicated by each comment.
A. selectivity
B. frame of reference
C. stereotyping
D. expectations
E. “like me” assumption
6. The new guy Jamal is a tall black, so I guess I should talk about basketball with him.
7. Helen is so predictable. I usually know what she is going to say at meetings.
8. Shawn, I realize you are a good worker, but you need to realize that I have to look out for everyone
in the department. I can’t give you the assignment again.
9. I thought you were my friend, Hank, and that you would agree with me on this.
E. Like me. An assumption is made regarding thinking alike.
10. Kit, your point is weak. Don’t you see that my five reasons for doing the task are more relevant?
Applying the Concept 10–3: Using Power
Identify the appropriate type of power to use in each situation.
A. coercive
B. connection
C. reward or legitimate
D. referent
E. information or expert
11. One of your best workers, Sonia, is currently not performing as usual. You are quite sure Sonia has
a personal problem affecting her work.
12. A new expensive software program is now available that can increase your department
productivity. Major purchases must be approved by a committee, and its decisions tend to be
influenced by politics.
Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 7e
© 2017, SAGE Publications
13. Samuel has talked to you about getting ahead through the company internal promotion policy and
has asked you to help prepare him for a supervisor position when the next opportunity comes.
E. Information or Expert. Samuel is looking for information and your expertise to help him get promoted.
14. Amita has ignored one of your directives again, and the customer is upset about the poor-quality
product she sent.
15. You have to get an important customer order shipped today, and Ari is not working to standard
again. Ari claims that she does not feel well and cannot afford to take time off, so she can’t get much
work done and may not get it shipped today.
Applying the Concept 10–4: Political Behavior
Identify the political behavior in each situation as
A. effective
B. ineffective
16. Julio avoids socializing so that he can be more productive on the job.
17. Ronnie sent copies of a report that she wrote to three higher-level managers.
A. Effective. This is a way of getting recognition and visibility for your work.
18. Hoang has to drop off daily reports at a certain office by noon. He brings them in around 10:00 on
Tuesdays and Thursdays so that he can run into some higher-level managers who meet at that time
near the office. On the other days, Ron drops the reports off around noon on his way to lunch.
19. Pavel is taking golf lessons so that he can join the Saturday golf group that includes some higher–
level managers.
20. Juanita told her boss’s boss about a mistake her boss made yesterday.
Applying the Concept 10–5: Conflict Management Styles
Identify the most appropriate conflict management style to use in each situation.
A. avoiding style
Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 7e
© 2017, SAGE Publications
B. accommodating style
C. forcing style
D. negotiating style
E. collaborating style
21. Cindy joined a committee that she has no real interest in to make contacts. At a meeting, she
makes a recommendation that is opposed by narcissist Karl, who is using a forcing style.
22. Ted is on a task force that has to select a new high-tech machine. The four alternatives will all do
the job, but team members disagree about the brand, price, and service.
D. Negotiating style. This is a situation in which there is no simple clear solution, so a compromise is
appropriate.
23. Liang is the sales manager. Competent sales rep Hank is trying to close a big sale. The two are
discussing the next sales call, and they disagree on the strategy to use to close the sale.
24. Jessica is on her way to an important meeting and running a little late. As Jessica leaves the office,
at the other end of the work area she sees Bonnie socializing instead of working.
A. Avoiding style. Jessia doesn’t have time to confront Bonnie now; however, when she gets back,
Jessica should talk to Bonnie.
25. Kirkland is over budget for labor this month. The store currently is not busy, so he asks Kendra, a
part-time employee, to leave work early. Kendra tells him she doesn’t want to go because she needs
the money.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
Join the Discussion 10–1: Following Orders
Officers in the armed forces tend to use legitimate power with troops. Military recruits are conditioned
to follow orders without questioning authority. In fact, it is a crime for a military member to willfully
disobey any lawful order. However, many military officers issue unlawful orders to recruits and expect
them to obey them.
1. Is it ethical and socially responsible to teach people in the military or any other organization to
follow orders without questioning authority?
Answers vary
Lussier, Management Fundamentals, 7e
© 2017, SAGE Publications
2. What would you do if your boss gave you an unethical/unlawful order?
3. Is following orders a good justification for conducting unethical/unlawful practices?
Join the Discussion 10–2: Obesity
Being overweight places stress on the body, and poor nutrition contributes to obesity. Obesity is on the
increase, and it is a major contributor to the rising cost of health care. Health officials are trying to
persuade Americans to lose weight. The government has released public service ads to convince people
to get in shape and eat right.
1. Is there prejudice and discrimination against obese people at work?
2. Is it ethical and socially responsible for the government to try to get people to lose weight through
ads and other methods?
3. What is the reason for the increase in obesity in the United States? Are restaurant owners and
other food marketers responsible for the obesity problem, or are consumers at fault?