Question

question 11

people have authority in an organization because of:

the positions they hold

skill and knowledge they possess

personal characteristics

resources they control

Explanation:

Define authority in organizations

Authority is the formal, socially approved right of a manager or member of an organization to make decisions, issue commands, and allocate resources. Unlike general power, which can stem from personal traits, expertise, or resource control, formal authority is explicitly vested in the organizational position or office itself.

Evaluate the given options

• the positions they hold: This directly aligns with the definition of formal authority (or legitimate power), which is inherent to the structural position rather than the individual.
• skill and knowledge they possess: This describes expert power, not formal authority.
• personal characteristics: This describes referent power or personal charisma, not formal authority.
• resources they control: This describes resource control or reward/coercive power bases, which can exist independently of formal authority.

Answer:

• the positions they hold (Correct answer)
• skill and knowledge they possess
• personal characteristics
• resources they control