Jim Is the Daytime Supervisor for an Automobile Assembly Line

question 33

Multiple Choice

Jim is the daytime supervisor for an automobile assembly line. He supervises 45 people who perform relatively routine jobs that require minimal training. The shop is unionized, so Jim has little latitude when it comes to dismissing poor performers. However, he does have the authority to transfer employees and has been known to reassign poor performers to less desirable jobs on the assembly line. Jim has a reputation for only transferring employees with just cause, and generally is viewed as a fair supervisor by his employees. Although he would like greater autonomy to determine salaries, Jim generally divides bonuses and raises equally among his employees. To do otherwise would likely create conflict with union members and representatives. According to Fiedler's model, how would Jim's position power be described?

• A) Expert
• B) Political
• C) Strong
• D) Moderate
• E) Weak

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Definitions:

Primarily Contractual

Pertaining mainly to agreements made between parties that are enforceable by law.

Run With The Land

Legal principle indicating that certain rights and obligations attached to a piece of land transfer with the property from one owner to the next.

Purchaser

A person or organization that purchases products or services.

Life Estate

A property interest that lasts for the lifetime of a specific individual, after which the property passes to another designated party.