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(i) Briefly explain three differences between "authority" and "power". (ii) Name and explain the main sources of power.

      

(i) Briefly explain three differences between "authority" and "power".
(ii) Name and explain the main sources of power.

  

Answers


Kavungya
i) Distinction between authority and power
Authority
- Authority is the right to command
- Usually resides in the position i.e. it is
institutionalized
- Authority is a down flowing concept
- Authority can be delegated to the lower
levels
Power
- Power is the ability to command
- Power is not institutionalized rather it is
personal
- Power flows in all directions
- Power cannot be delegated

ii) Main sources of power
- Legitimate power: results from the position the person occupies in the organization.
- Reward power: when a person has at his disposal rewards which he uses to get compliance
from others.
- Coercive power: the use of either physical or psychological threat of punishment. Usually
its forced.
- Expert power: results from a person's possession of specialised and rare knowledge/skill in
a certain area.
- Referent power: this is the power based on identification with another person. One holds
the desire to be like the power holder it is therefore imitative.
Kavungya answered the question on May 17, 2019 at 16:19


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