POWER AND POLITICS

MEANING OF POWER
Power is one's ability to influence others behaviors Power influence:

Decision making Resource allocation Goal setting Hiring decisions

Power is the ability to enable a person possess or to deprive him of something that the individual considers valuable The individual who has the power can be very low in the organizational hierarchy

Power is not institutional and legitimate as compared to authority as authority is received by virtue of position in the organization but power is the ability of a person to induce force on another person for change

SOURCES OF POWER

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People in the organization can derive power from several sources. These basis of power can be broadly categorized into: Interpersonal source Structural source and Situational source

INTERPERSONAL SOURCES OF POWER

Acc to French and Raven there are 5 sources of power:

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Legitimate power Reward power Coercive power Expert power Referent power

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Legitimate Power

Use authority granted by the institution by virtue of the position The target of influence is aware of the authority The person with authority is in the position to reward or punish

The power holder enjoys legitimate power only within a specific area of responsibility and farther he gets from this specific area of responsibility the weaker the legitimate power becomes

Reward Power

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One is able to influence behavior of others in the target of influence believe that the power holder is in a position to offer rewards like: Praise Promotion Money

Coercive Power

The power is primarily based on fear The power holder seek compliance through force The target of influence know that power holder enjoys the power to fire, discharge them on non compliance

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The punishments can take form of: Reprimands Undesirable work assignments Close supervision Tighter enforcement of work rules Suspension without pay And Life

Expert Power

Expert power comes from possession of skills talents or specialized knowledge in the field that target of influence lacks Example: doctors, lawyers, doctors, accountants, labor relations managers, management consultants

Referent Power

When target of influence feel attracted towards the power holder because of his amicable manners, pleasing personality, charisma the referent power arises Example: People emulate movie stars, sports personalities, political leaders, war heroes

Information Power

It is based on perceived access to data as distinct from expert power which is the understanding of or ability to use data

Connection Power

It is based on perception of association with influential persons or organizations

STRUCTURAL AND SITUATIONAL SOURCES OF POWER

Structural Source of Power

The structural source of power is often created by division of labor and departmentalizing which naturally results into unequal access to information resources, decision making, individuals and groups

A particular work is more important for the organizational survival and growth than some other work This fact brings power to those job holders regardless of their personalities and leadership qualities

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The organization allocates power in two ways: Structural power-by creating hierarchical structure Functional power-by dividing work resulting into specialization

Situational Sources Of Power

KNOWLEDGE AS POWER The one who ideates, who can innovate, who can peep into the future or has knowledge of current operations gains power in the organization

RESOURCES AS POWER The departments, groups, or individuals who can provide critical or difficult to obtain resources acquire power in the organization

DECISION MAKING AS POWER To an extent a person can influence decision making at a particular stage acquires power

NETWORK AS POWER Some people are able to build connections with different people within or outside the organization which help them in getting things done This brings them power

POWER OF LOWER LEVEL EMPLOYEES Superiors are often dependent upon lower level employees for information, for performance, for control of resources which makes this lower level powerful

Hence Power emanates from:

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Access to person or information or instruments Expert knowledge Difficulty of replacement Amount of effort expended

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MAJOR FORMS OF POWER

Force when the power figure influences the behavior of others by physical manipulation like: -assault -confinement -beating

Domination when power figure makes it explicit to others what he wants them to do through command or request Manipulation when power figure does not makes it explicit to others what behavior he wants them to perform but still wants to influence Eg: using propaganda or sabotaging activities

CONCLUSION

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Generally a person who influences behavior in large number of areas is more powerful than a person who repeats it in a particular area In order to seek compliance the following can be used: Coercive power (threat and force) Utilitarian power (money) Normative-social power (symbol of prestige and love)

ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICS

Meaning of Politics

Politics relates to the way a person is able to get power over others and the way in which he uses power over others It is the process through which power is acquired and exercised upon others to influence their behavior or get things done

Acc to Farrell and Peterson,

Politics in an organization refers to those activities that are not required as part of ones formal role in the organization but that influence or attempt to influence the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within the organization.

It involves use of pressure over others and use of rewards and punishments It is self serving It is outside ones specified job requirements It may not be rational and the purpose of it is to acquire more power

FEATURES OF ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICS

Relationship of Power and Politics

Power an Politics are inseparable If power is the force to influence events politics involve those activities through which power is developed and used Politics is power in action Politics expands power

Politics As Group Phenomenon

Politics can be played as individuals as well in groups Various alliances tend to develop among individuals These alliances can be vertical, horizontal or random or mixed with prime means of acquiring and expanding power

CAUSES OF ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICS Dalton has identified 6

major areas in which problems continuously reoccur and people play politics These Ares include: Pressures from economy Line and staff relationships Conflict between labor and management

Uncertainty about standards and strategies for promotion Difficulty of linking reward with productivity Practicality of policies

Other factors given by Beeman and Sharkey are:

Decision making procedures and performance measures are highly uncertain and complex Competition for scarce resources

Politics as a Mixed Bag

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Politics has both detrimental as well as beneficial effects also Some benefits are: Career advancement Recognition Status Achievement of goals

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Harmful effects of politics are: Demotions Loss of job Misuse of resources Creation of ineffective organizational culture

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Strategies for use of modern managers from DuBrib:

Maintain alliance with powerful people Embrace or demolish Divide and rule Manipulate classified information Make quick showing to gain the right peoples attention

Favor and look for reciprocity Follow evolutionary approach Progress one step at time Wait for crisis to exploit the situation Do not get dejected after failure Be alert

Engage in horse trading Making trade-offs Mending fences Compromise