Mario Augusto Junior

Cases and Exercises Chapter 11

1. What forms of interpersonal power does Larry Ellison use
and how does he use them?
Larry Ellison extremely demonstrates he is a follower of the Coercive
Power. Comparing to the other types power use coercive power is the
one that seems to be tougher and stricter. The Coercive Power is the
manner

that

punishments,

always

informs

warns

before

the

subordinates

penalizing,

and

of

plays

policies

and

punishment

consistently and uniformly. On the other side other types of power are
smoother, being cordial, polite, confident, and explain reasons for
request. Ellison uses coercive power in order to control individuals or
organizations that he is interested; he creates unkind situations for
those people. This is not a bad way to run his business, but he could
use other approaches to get the same results. Other type of power
used in Ellisons company is Expert Power, which maintains reliability,
act assertive and decisive, keep informed, recognizes employees
concern (Nelson and Debra, 2015, p. 174). He has know-how about
industry and fundamental abilities in controlling a prosperous business.
He takes risk and having a solid baggage in the computing helped him
to pave the manner for enterprise computing.

2. How do the two faces of power relate to Larry Ellison's

actions?

Larry Ellisons attitudes seem to be a mixture of a negative power versus a

positive one in his company. He uses personal power that is a negative way to
obtain what he wants or what he wants to control; this is focused on benefits that
he can gain only for him and his company. In other words, he is most interested
in his own needs and interests. Individuals that uses the Personal Power are
considered Machiavellian, which is doing whatever it takes to obtain what they
need at certain point. The use of this power can cause legal problems and
uncertainty among co-workers or with the other companies. The positive face
power inside Oracle is defined by the fact that Ellison strongly believes in the
authority system; the company is important and its authority is necessary.
Influencing others happens naturally for him. Also, there is a sense that prefers
the work and discipline; he likes his job and is systematic with it. This principle
says that the work is good for an individual and better than its salary. Altruism is
other fact within the positive power practiced in the Oracle. The company needs
come before than any other thing. They see their own wellness as essentially
linked to the organizations wellness.

3. Does Larry Ellison use power ethically? Explain your

answer
Larry Ellison demonstrates not being very ethical in his manner do business.
According to the article Oracle's Larry Ellison: A Profile of Power, Influence, and
Dominance, by Michael K. McCuddy, Ellison made aggressive actions to Mark
Hurd as Hewlett-Packards CEO in August 2010 after an investigation over
accusation of sexual assault. After Hurd was fired Ellison hired him to work at
Oracle. Also, Ellison goes beyond business and does personal confrontations on
the CEOs and Board of Directors of other organizations in attempt of gaining any
competitive benefit. Determining if decisions made will reflect in ethical actions
is a difficult situation. There are three questions that can be asked to check if the
actions that will be done are reasonable and ethical. First, does the comportment
create a decent result for individuals both internal and external of the company?,
second, Does the comportment respect the rights of all parties?, and Does the
comportment consider all parties equally and honestly?. The first question is
focused on the result that has to be great for the greatest number of individuals
involved. It fails if it only serves the persons interest and does not help the
company achieve its objectives. The second question represents the criterion of
individual rights freedom of speech, privacy, and due process are individual
rights that must be respected (Nelson and Debra, 2015, p .174). The last question
focuses on the distributive justice that needs to be met, for example, giving
vacancy for an employee and not for the other would not be correct. If one of

those three questions have a negative answer, then it fails in the test an the
decision is unethical.

4. What influence tactics does Larry Ellison use? How does

he use these influence tactics?
It seems that he puts everyone under pressure, uses demands, threats, or
coercion to make people to do what he wants. He has a lot of experience, which
gives him a chance of using rational persuasion. Logical facts and arguments are
needed to persuade people, and then the suggestion or proposal is viable to
produce a satisfactory result.
The employees of Oracle have their opinions and conducts affected by Ellison. He
establishes a workplace that only has winners and losers better than an
environment that people perform their job to meet the goals of the organization.
As noticed in one of the previous answers he uses lateral power to persuade and
acquire other corporations or confronts other organizations CEO and Board
directors.

5. Does Larry Ellison use power effectively? Explain your

answer.
ThefactsandstoriesthathavebeenpresentedaboutLarryEllisonandhiscompanydo
notshowthatheusespowerpositively.Althoughitstillcanbeconsideredeffective
becausehehasbeenusingtheavailablepowertogrowhiscompanyandacquireother
organizations.Hehasenoughabilitiestochooseandpursueorganizationshewantsto

controloracquire.Ellisonknowsexactlyhowtousethepowereffectivelytoobtain
thingsthathetargets.

6. In your own future career, would you be willing to

emulate Larry Ellison's behavior? Why or why not?
I definitely would not follow Larry Ellisons conduct in my future career.
For sure I want to succeed in my business or work, but I want it without
roll over other person, or company. I would not feel comfortable
knowing that I am getting benefits not respecting other individual for
that. Ellison behaves in a combative manner against others and every
thing is a competition that needs to be won in order to take advantage.
I believe that I can reach the success using respectable strategies.
Working in an ethical manner is better and makes a healthier climate
inside the work place. There are other types of power that can be used
in order to obtain the concordance of the co-workers of doing business
with other organizations. Legitimate Power that is being cordial, polite,
be clear and follow up to verify understanding, making sure that the
request is appropriate (Nelson and Debra, 2015, p. 174). I would also
use Referent Power to treat the subordinates fairly and defend
subordinates needs and feelings.