Activity 12.8

Read the following scenario. Raheel and Veronica both worked at the same level in the sales department of Keen Machine, a large importer of motorcycles that held the sole rights to sell one of the leading Japanese brands in Europe. They each managed a team of salespeople responsible for a different geographical area. Although the teams operated independently of each other, they shared the services of two female administrators who dealt with orders, invoicing, etc. The administrators also carried out typing and other administrative work for Raheel and Veronica. This work was done by whoever was available at a particular time. Every year, all the salespeople had to undergo performance appraisals, which were performed by their manager (either Raheel or Veronica). However, the two administrators had been excluded from this process and the sales director decided that they also should be appraised as well and, to be fair to both, by the same person (either Raheel or Veronica). Raheel's sales team had faced some difficulties on their territory recently and Raheel was having to work hard to recoup their previous good performance. The sales director, not wanting to distract Raheel from this task, asked Veronica to carry out the administrative staff appraisals.

Please read activity 12.8 (pp407) in Unit 9, Chapter 12and answer the question at the end of the activity ''Attempt to explain this situation using concepts and ideas related to issues of power and conflict."