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ACCA Applied Knowledge · Business and Technology · Leadership, management and supervision

A junior analyst, Tom, has no formal management position but is the only person who understands the company's complex pricing model, so managers must consult him before making pricing decisions. Which source of power, in French and Raven's classification, does Tom hold?

Tom holds expert power, because his influence arises from specialist knowledge of the pricing model that others need. He has no formal position, so it is not legitimate power, and nothing suggests colleagues admire or identify with him, so it is not referent power.

  1. AExpert powerCorrect
  2. BLegitimate power
  3. CReferent power

Explanation

Tom's influence comes from specialist knowledge, which is expert power. Legitimate power comes from a formal position, which Tom lacks. Referent power rests on others admiring or identifying with a person, which is not described.

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