Final answer:
Employees are likely to follow Poornima's instructions because she has legitimate power due to her position of authority. However, her power might be challenged if employees don't respect her authority, if they see her as abusing her power, or if the organizational culture doesn't support hierarchical power. Cultural factors, like guanxi in China, can also affect the effectiveness of legitimate power.
Step-by-step explanation:
Poornima, the CEO of Down Home Fashion, has legitimate power at work. Employees are likely to do what Poornima says because she occupies an official position with the authority to influence and make decisions. This form of power stems from the recognized and formal hierarchy within the company. Legitimate power is associated with a person's role or title within an organization and is one of the bases of social power identified in organizational behavior.
Poornima is likely to have difficulty using her power if employees do not recognize her authority or if they lack trust in her leadership. Furthermore, if there is a perception that she is abusing her power or if the organizational culture does not support the hierarchical exercise of power, it may undermine her ability to lead effectively. Situations such as economic abuse, where employees might feel taken advantage of, can lead to a lack of respect for authority. Market pressures could also destabilize her power if employees have better options elsewhere, as when workers leave a discriminatory business for better pay, exemplifying external influence on internal power dynamics.
Additionally, the legacy of cultural practices such as guanxi in China, where personal relationships can sometimes trump formal authority, provides a global perspective on how legitimate power can be challenged. In environments where some expectations of power are culturally embedded, even legitimate power may be insufficient without the support of these social networks. Understanding and navigating these complex social and cultural dynamics is crucial for any leader trying to exercise legitimate power effectively.