Chapter 13 Questions
- Give an example from your personal experience of how differences in tasks, personal background, and training lead to conflict among groups. How might task independence have influenced the conflict?
The difference in tasks may lead to conflict when there is an interaction between the resources used for different tasks. For instance, a room may have to be used by different departments, but only one at a time. When the departments use the room at the same time, there is conflict.
Personal background may influence conflict as it creates different perspectives amongst employees in an organization. For instance, employees with different backgrounds may have varying thoughts concerning gender roles; others think there are special roles for both men and women, while others insist the roles are interchangeable. Such scenarios breed conflict.
Training may influence conflict by reducing it. Through training, the individuals have an improved sense of control over conflict and have the ability to reach amicable solutions.
2.What is the difference between power and authority? Is it possible for a person to have formal authority but not real power?
In organizations, power is an intangible force, which is the ability of one person or department to influence other people or departments to carry out orders. Power can also be defined as the ability of one person to influence other people in bringing up the desired outcomes. Authority, on the other hand, is a force for achieving the desired outcomes. Authority is the influence that is predicated on the perceived legitimacy. Notably, power is required to enforce authority in an organization. However, it is possible to have formal authority without power. This is because authority is granted, but power is mostly earned.