Student Resource
Scandura, Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
Case Notes
Chapter 7: Power and Politics
Case 7.1: Can You Succeed Without Power?
Case Description
Scoria is a company that helps provide colleges and universities the tools needed to offer degree
programs online with services such as the learning management system, tech support for the
systems, and online application management. Scoria recently entered a partnership with Daily
University, a fairly well known private university. Daily decides to use the learning management
and online teaching tools, course building services, student recruitment and admission services,
and textbook and materials management services. The contract was drawn up such that Scoria
will receive 50 percent of the revenues generated from the students in the online program.
Several issues have risen that is causing Daily University and its faculty problems. Daily faculty
develops the course content and sends it to the team at Scoria that builds the course in the LMS.
Learning Objectives:
7.1: Define power and influence and provide an organizational example of each.
7.2: Provide examples of each of the five bases of power.
7.3: Identify the most effective influence strategies.
Student Resource
Scandura, Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
Question & Answers
1. Identify the different power issues going on in the case. What types of power do the
different parties have? Explain.
Ans: Daily has reward power in that it is contracting and paying for a service by Scoria. Daily
also has expert power (in terms of the course curriculum) and legitimate power in terms of being
2. How are individuals reacting to their power or lack thereof?
Ans: We are seeing resistance developing among individuals in both organizations in reaction to
their lack of power. For example, Scoria is not willing to find a way to work around the current
system to find a solution that would benefit both the faculty and students. Daily is slow in
3. What types of influence techniques could be used to help in any of these situations to
reach commitment by both parties? Identify and justify at least three.
Ans: OB researchers have identified the following effective influence strategies used:
• Collaboration would involve an offer by Daily to provide assistances or resources to
Scoria in helping to modify the curriculum or to expedite the admission backlog.
Student Resource
Scandura, Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
• Apprising involves persuading the leaders of each organization that complying will
advance the goals, mission, and success of each of the respective organizations.
• Inspirational appeals try to arouse the emotions of individuals within each organization
to provide better services to the students and communities served.
Note:
In this guide, some suggested answers are provided. Most of these questions are there to make