Influence, Power and Politics in Business Organizations

Paper Summary:

The writer analyzes and examines influence, power and politics in business organizations firstly by distinguishing between social influence, power, and organizational politics. Thereafter he characterizes the major varieties of social influence and discusses the conditions under which various forms of social influence are used. The major types of individual power in organizations are identified and the two major approaches to the development of subunit power in organizations are explained Finally, organizational politics and major ethical issues surrounding political behavior in organizations are discussed

From the Paper:

"Position power refers to formal powers that remain vested in the position and are available to any individual who holds a certain position or title. Coercive power is used to control punishments that others receive. Information power is used to control information needed by subordinates to do their jobs. Technological advances have made information more widely available, and so information power is not as crucial as it used to be. Legitimate power covers a relatively narrow range of influence and refers to power individuals have because others accept and recognize their authority. Reward power is used to control the rewards that subordinates receive."

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