General Studies (Paper - 4) : Model Question & Answers

Question: What techniques of social influence would you as an administrator use to increase the perseverance and commitment of your work force?

Answer: Social influence refers to efforts by one or more individuals to change the attitudes, beliefs, perceptions and behaviour of one or more others. Since successful administration demands a committed and dedicated workforce therefore administrators need to equip himself with the tools and techniques that would enable him to secure commitment and perseverance of his work force and social influence techniques assume considerable significance in this regard.

Among the most popular social influence techniques deployed by an administrator for building perseverance and commitment of his work force are:
(1) Rational arguments – which involve use of logical arguments and factual information to persuade.
(2) Consultation – to seek the work force participation in decision making.
(3) Inspirational appeals – attempts to arouse enthusiasm by appeal to their ideals.
(4) Pressure tactics – use of demands, threats of persistent reminders.
(5) Legitimizing tactics – Highlighting that one has the authority to make a request and secure compliance.
(6) Exchange – offer to exchange favour later for compliance now.
Coalition tactics – seeking aid and support of others to increase the power of request.

Approach

The nature of problem is such that the sub-ordinate is capable but unwilling to carry on with the task due to his personal situation. It is important to probe a little to find whether:
(1) His wife has some alternate care available at the moment or not
(2) He can recommend somebody else to replace for him or not
(3) Is it possible for him to work while not being in office premises
(4) Whether project deadline can be extended or not.

If answers to all these questions is such that giving him a leave is not at all possible, it requires convincing skills of a high order to convey it to him that his wife can be cared for at her native place and maybe he can be given another leave with pay at the completion of the project. He can also be given some carrot like possibility of an employee reward in case the project is completed successfully. All such incentives can help in orienting him towards working with full zeal, despite his personal situation.

However, care must be taken that whatever promised is possible and also that it does not sent a wrong example for the future. Others subordinates must be told in no unclear terms that this was a strictly one-off situation and they must plan such their leaves. Leaves of exigency would be very rare in critical times. Also, depending on size of the company, some bench strength can be thought about for very critical projects.