To Dr. Clover (Last Response Needed For Unit 2 Second Week)

 
This assignment has 4 parts.

What questions do you have about the overarching Unit 5 assignment? Although not due until the end of the class, it is important that you begin planning for this project early in the course. What are your initial thoughts about how you will approach this assignment? Explain.

For the overall assignment, I do not have any questions about how to do the assignment. The report seems pretty straight forward with what needs to be included. First, I will go through units 1 through 5 Muse learning materials, live chats and the readings to understand the lessons within this class. Next, I will take notes and research for each bullet point. For example, I will take notes on the concept of influence process and/or the roles of influence in contemporary leadership. I will take notes and research on each bullet point first and develop and rough draft of all these notes into an 8-10-page paper. I will then edit what is necessary and develop a final paper to submit for a grade. Reading and gathering all of the appropriate data is key to a successful paper.

How do cross-cultural differences affect the use of or response to power in organizations?

Cross-cultural differences affect the use of power very differently in organizations. Culture is shared assumptions that a group holds and that determines how it views and reacts to its environment. A company’s culture can include many experiences, interests and beliefs. Culture is a behavior, so it can be learned, however, not all cultures are the “right” culture when it comes to power. For example, reward systems are a great way to get the job done but getting rewarded for doing the job that is required of you isn’t always the “right” way to handle things. I have associates that are required to open up charge cards as a cashier in a retail business. This is part of the job description and company requirement for a cashier, but some of my peers have created a “reward” system for the cashiers to do their jobs. Instead of some of my cashiers doing their job they require a treat or a jeans and sneakers pass before they even get to the register. I do not think this is an accurate way of assisting the company meet their goals. This is now a learned culture among my associates and most of them now expect a reward for doing their jobs. I feel there are other ways of encouraging them and motivating them.
Other examples would be individualism culture where employees feel self-directed and autonomous. There can be a stereotypical culture with behaviors of male dominance or female modesty in relation to power.
There are so many differences that can affect responses to power. A few more examples can be in relation to ethics, behaviors, beliefs, structure, rules and regulations, quick and easy vs. difficult and hard and even working conditions.

What are some examples of individual and organizational sources of power and their consequences for followers and organizations?

Legitimate power – based on position and its authority
Reward power – based on an exchange system relationship
Coercive power – based on behavior that is forced
Expert power – based on knowledge
Referent power – based on power that is represented by another individual
According to MUSE UNIT 2 Power in an Organization “reward and coercive power depend on the organization and are more likely to lead to either compliance or resistance, whereas expert and referent power depend on the individual and are more likely to lead to follower commitment.
In my opinion reward and coercive power seem more aggressive, where expert and referent powers seem more based on growth and individual development. With expert and referent power you may have more followers because of the relationships that were built rather than with the others.

What are some examples of the abuse of power in organizations and how might they have been prevented from occurring?

Corruption of power in organizations is an example of abuse in power. Examples in corruption of power can include compliance of followers, favoritism, excessive access to resources, flattery and compliments, gifts. Unethical and immoral actions by a leader and a decrease in value of followers. Corruption of power can also include stealing, embezzling, and an undetermined lack of structure.
These situations can be prevented by having barriers between leaders and followers. Acting with moral and ethical standards. Creating a better culture and organizational structure. Implementing policies and procedures. Leadership may also need to change.