In: Operations Management
Mark which type of power does the parent best illustrate in the following scenario. A child asking why they need to clean their room. The parent responding, "I'm your parent, that's why."
a. Legitimate Power b. Referent Power c. Expert Power d. Reward Power e. Coercive Power
Answer: a.Legitimate Power
A person is conferred with legitimate power if he or she enjoys the obedience of others due to the position that he or she is holding. Here in this situation, the parent's replay stresses on his position as a parent. So the power he or she used is Legitimate Power.
Other powers mentioned in the question can be briefly explained below.
Referent Power is the power a person enjoys due to the charisma and charm of his or her personality. For example, the power enjoyed by a celebrity.
Expert Power is the power enjoyed by a person on account of his or her expertise in a particular area. For example, the power enjoyed by a scientist.
Reward Power is the power that a person enjoys due to his capacity to give rewards to another. For example, a parent is offering a gift to his or her child for getting the room cleaned.
Coercive Power is the power enjoyed by a person due to his or her capacity to punish others. For example, a policeman enjoying coercive power while he is on duty.
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