Will Cears works at Mesner Corp, as a middle$-$level manager. Will recognizes that his firm is plagued by organizational politics. Since he is not good at playing games, he frequently engages in defensive behaviors in order to protect himself and his interests. Will is frustrated because he believes that he has little control over his environment, and his environment is uncomfortable to him. He has had some success at establishing a sense of control for himself by appearing to be cooperative and supportive to his colleagues. However, he continues to hold his reservations against politicking and does not engage in it$.$ This is an example of $\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_$ in order to avoid action, blame, or change.

buck passing

misrepresenting

scapegoating

stalling