Which statement best defines power in organizations?

• A. The ability to influence others and gain compliance, even if they might not otherwise act
• B. The authority to issue orders from a formal position
• C. The capacity to maintain personal popularity within the team
• D. The control of all resources within the department

Answer: (A)

Power in organizations is the capacity to influence others and secure their compliance, even when they might not act on their own. This captures power as a potential to shape actions, not just a formal right, and it can come from various sources—formal authority, expertise, relationships, or access to valued resources. The idea is that people respond to influence and legitimacy, not only to being told what to do. The statement about formal authority describes a specific source of power (the official position), but power itself is broader and can operate through many avenues beyond a title. The notion of maintaining personal popularity centers on social appeal, which can influence, but it doesn’t inherently guarantee task-related compliance. And while controlling resources is a form of power, claiming to control all resources is too absolute and does not define power itself.