COMM 122: Micro/Macro Organizational Communication Lecture 6b 11/2/09 Dave Seibold Professor, Department of Communication Division of Social Sciences (L&S) Co-Director, Graduate Program in Management Practice Technology Management Program (CoE)

Preview Lecture 6b: Power 1. Definition 2. Assumptions 3. Sources of Power 4. Gaining Power in Organizations

Power I. DEFINITION Power is (a) the ability of one person to carry out her/his will,

Power I. DEFINITION Power is (a) the ability of one person to carry out her/his will, and (b) to do so despite resistance of the other.

Power I. DEFINITION Stated differently, power is . . . . the capacity of A to get B to do what B would not otherwise do

Power II. ASSUMPTIONS Power is not static (position) or linear (top down) Power is relative to person and situation

Power II. ASSUMPTIONS A. Power is relative to person and situation B. Power is dynamic: It arises from the perceptions of others with whom we interact Example 1: Role w/ great power in any unit? Example 2: Unit w /great power in any organization?

Power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office)

Power II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) = most stable form of power for an organization, but least stable for an individual

Power May create compliance, but not commitment. II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) May create compliance, but not commitment.

Power Key: What bases of power in orgs lead to willingness to comply? II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) May create compliance, but not commitment. Key: What bases of power in orgs lead to willingness to comply?

Power

Power B. Influence: Individual power II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) B. Influence: Individual power (ability to affect others without use of authority)

Power B. Influence: Individual power II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) B. Influence: Individual power (ability to affect others without use of authority) = power attached to person, not position (office)

Power (e.g., expert power, referent power) II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) B. Influence: Individual power (ability to affect others without authority) 1. Individual characteristics (e.g., expert power, referent power)

Power 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) B. Influence: Individual power (ability to affect others without authority) 1. Individual characteristics (e.g., expert power, referent power) 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need)

Power 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) B. Influence: Individual power (ability to affect others without authority) 1. Individual characteristics (e.g., expert power, referent power) 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) Others depend on those who secure/control resources! 2 examples: Units in organization Members in units

Power Others depend on those who secure/control resources! II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) B. Influence: Individual power (ability to affect others without use of authority) 1. Individual characteristics (e.g., expert power, referent power) 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) Others depend on those who secure/control resources! Theories: Exchange (HR); Power-dependency (Systems) Principles: Dependency is essential element of relationships Exchange of resources maintains relationships Dependency and resource exchange are bases for organizing!

Power (in these interdependent org relationships)? II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) B. Influence: Individual power (ability to affect others without authority) 1. Individual characteristics (e.g., expert power, referent power) 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) So, where does power come from (in these interdependent org relationships)?

Power 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) B. Influence: Individual power (ability to affect others without authority) 1. Individual characteristics (e.g., expert power, referent power) 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) a. In interdependent relationships, power is directly related to the relative degree of dependency of each party

Power 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) B. Influence: Individual power (ability to affect others without authority) 1. Individual characteristics (e.g., expert power, referent power) 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) a. In interdependent relationships, power is directly related to relative degree of dependency of each party (If one party is more dependent than other, then the other has more power -- and the relationship is asymmetrical)

Power of the resource(s) II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) B. Influence: Individual power (ability to affect others without authority) 1. Individual characteristics (e.g., expert power, referent power) 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) a. relative degree of dependency of each party b. in such asymmetrical relations, power is (1) directly related to essentiality of the resource(s)

Power 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) B. Influence: Individual power (ability to affect others without authority) 1. Individual characteristics (e.g., expert power, referent power) 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) a. relative degree of dependency of each party b. in asymmetrical relations, power is (1) directly related to essentiality of the resource(s) That is, power is directly proportional to indiv’s/ grp’s motivation to obtain what another has . . .

Power of the resource(s) II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) B. Influence: Individual power (ability to affect others without authority) 1. Individual characteristics (e.g., expert power, referent power) 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) a. relative degree of dependency of each party b. in asymmetrical relations, power is (1) directly related to essentiality of the resource(s) (2) inversely related to substitutability of the resource(s)

Power 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) B. Influence: Individual power (ability to affect others without authority) 1. Individual characteristics (e.g., expert power, referent power) 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) a. relative degree of dependency of each party b. in asymmetrical relations, power is (1) directly related to essentiality of the resource(s) (2) inversely related to substitutability of the resource(s) Fewer alternatives outside the relationship = more power inside the relationship

Power 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need). II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) B. Influence: Individual power (ability to affect others without authority) 1. Individual characteristics (e.g., expert power, referent power) 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need). a. relative degree of dependency of each party b. in asymmetrical relations, power is (1) directly related to essentiality of the resource(s) (2) inversely related to substitutability of the resource(s) (3) directly related to uncertainty reduction afforded by the resources

Power 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need). II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) B. Influence: Individual power (ability to affect others without authority) 1. Individual characteristics (e.g., expert power, referent power) 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need). a. relative degree of dependency of each party b. in asymmetrical relations, power is (1) directly related to essentiality of the resource(s) (2) inversely related to substitutability of the resource(s) (3) directly related to uncertainty reduction by the resources Power goes to those who can 1. cope w/ uncertainty themselves 2. reduce others’ uncertainty

Power Summary of key concepts -- dependency essentiality II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) B. Influence: Individual power (ability to affect others without authority) 1. Individual characteristics (e.g., expert power, referent power) 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) Summary of key concepts -- dependency essentiality substitutability uncertainty (reduction)

Power 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) B. Influence: Individual power (ability to affect others without authority) 1. Individual characteristics (e.g., expert power, referent power) 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) a. relative degree of dependency of each party b. in asymmetrical relations, power is (1) directly related to essentiality of the resource(s) (2) inversely related to substitutability of the resource(s) (3) directly related to uncertainty reduction of resources 3. Network centrality Centrality = f (work flow) Centrality = f (information flow)

Power 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) II. SOURCES OF POWER A. Authority: Positional power (affecting others through the force of one’s office) B. Influence: Individual power (ability to affect others without authority) 1. Individual characteristics (e.g., expert power, referent power) 2. Resource control (ability to control resources others need) a. relative degree of dependency of each party b. in asymmetrical relations, power is (1) directly related to essentiality of the resource(s) (2) inversely related to substitutability of the resource(s) (3) directly related to uncertainty reduction of resources 3. Network centrality Centrality = f (work flow) Centrality = f (info flow) Power = centrality in network! (e.g. . . .)

Power Gaining Power A. Create Perception of Possessing Valued Personal Characteristics

Power Gaining Power A. Create Perception of Possessing Valued Personal Characteristics (1) Have expertise that is scare, significant, irreplaceable

Power IV. Gaining Power A. Create Perception of Possessing Valued Personal Characteristics (1) 3 Aspects of Expertise (a) Demonstrate real knowledge of job (b) Articulate arguments for action (b) Assess power relationships accurately, and adapt to them appropriately

Power IV. Gaining Power A. Create Perception of Possessing Valued Personal Characteristics (2) Have useful interpersonal relationships (a) to secure compliance (b) to gain information

Power 3. Have access to symbols of power IV. Gaining Power A. Create Perception of Possessing Valued Personal Characteristics 1. Have expertise 2. Have useful interpersonal relationships 3. Have access to symbols of power Examples?

Power B. Control Key Resources IV. Gaining Power A. Create Perception of Possessing Valued Personal Characteristics 1. Have expertise 2. Have useful interpersonal relationships 3. Have access to symbols of power B. Control Key Resources

Power B. Control Key Resources IV. Gaining Power A. Create Perception of Possessing Valued Personal Characteristics 1. Have expertise 2. Have useful interpersonal relationships 3. Have access to symbols of power B. Control Key Resources 1. Information 2. Rewards 3. Coalitions

Power IV. Gaining Power (Summary) A. Create Perception of Possessing Valued Personal Characteristics 1. Expertise 2. Useful Interpersonal Relationships 3. Symbols of Power B. Control Key Resources 1. Information 2. Rewards 3. Coalitions