The Meaning of Power Power is the capacity of a person, team, or organization to influence others. The potential to influence others People have power they don’t use and may not know they possess Power requires one person’s perception of dependence on another person

Power and Dependence Person A Person B Person B’s Goals Person B’s counterpower over Person A Person A Person B Person B’s Goals Person A’s power over Person B

Model of Power in Organizations Sources Of Power Power over Others Legitimate Reward Coercive Expert Referent Contingencies Of Power

Sources of Power Legitimate Power Reward Power Coercive Power Expert Power Reuters Archive Photos Referent Power

Information and Power Control over information flow Based on legitimate power Relates to formal communication network Common in centralized structures (wheel pattern) Coping with uncertainty Those who know how to cope with organizational uncertainties gain power Prevention Forecasting Absorption

Contingencies of Power Sources Of Power Power over others Contingencies Of Power Substitutability Centrality Discretion Visibility

Increasing Nonsubstitutability Differentiation Controlling Tasks Increasing Nonsubstitutability Controlling labor Controlling Knowledge

Networking and Power Cultivating social relationships with others to accomplish one’s goals Increases power Expert Referent Visibility and centrality contingencies

Office Romance and Power Co-workers believe that employees in relationships abuse their power to favour each other. Higher risk of sexual harassment when relationship breaks off.

Influencing Others Influence is any behaviour that attempts to alter someone’s attitudes or behaviour Applies one or more power bases Process through which people achieve organizational objectives Operates up, down and across the organizational hierarchy

Types of Influence Tactics Assertiveness Influence Tactics Silent authority Exchange Information control Forming coalitions Persuasion Upward appeal Impression management

Types of Influence Silent Authority Assertiveness Following requests without overt influence Based on legitimate power, role modelling Common in high power distance cultures Assertiveness Actively applying legitimate and coercive power (“vocal authority”) Reminding, confronting, checking, threatening more

Types of Influence (con’t) Exchange Promising or reminding of past benefits in exchange for compliance Negotiation is integral to this strategy Networking relates to exchange influence Coalition Formation Group forms to gain more power than individuals alone Pools resources/power Legitimizes the issue Power through social identity more

Types of Influence (con’t) Upward Appeal Appealing to higher authority Includes appealing to firm’s goals Formal alliance to perception of alliance with higher status person Ingratiation/ Impress. Mgt. Ingratiation Increasing liking/similarity to target Flattering, helping, seeking advice Impression Management Actively shaping our public images Way we dress to padding resumé more

Types of Influence (con’t) Persuasion Using logic, facts, emotional appeals to gain acceptance Depends on persuader, message content, message medium, audience Information Control Manipulating others’ access to information Withholding, filtering, re-arranging information

Contingencies of Influence Tactics “Soft” tactics generally more acceptable Appropriate influence tactic depends on: Influencer’s power base Level in the organization Cultural values and expectations Younger employees Gender differences

Organizational Politics Behaviours that others perceive as self-serving tactics for personal gain at the expense of other people and possibly the organization

Conditions for Organizational Politics Personal Characteristics Scarce Resources Conditions Supporting Organizational Politics Tolerance of Politics Complex and Ambiguous Decisions

Minimizing Political Behaviour Introduce Clear Rules Manage Team Norms Free Flowing Information Support Desired Values Manage Change Effectively Leaders as Role Models