AA

Chapter 13 - Power & politics

A definition of power

  • @@Power@@: capacity that A has to influence the behavior of B, so that B acts in B accordance with A’s wishes.
  • @@Dependency@@: B’s relationship to A when A possesses something that requires.

Bases of power

  • Formal power
    • @@Coercive power@@: power base that is dependent on fear of the negative results from failing to comply.
    • @@Reward power@@: compliance achieved based on the ability to distribute rewards that others view as valuable.
    • @@Legitimate power@@: power a person receives as a result of his/her position in the formal hierarchy of an organization.
  • Personal power
    • @@Expert power@@: influence based on special skills or knowledge.
    • @@Referent power@@: influence based on identification with a person who has desirable resources or personal traits.

Power tactics

  • @@Power tactics@@: ways in which individuals translate power bases into specific actions.
  • Nine influence tactics
    • Legitimacy
    • Rational persuasion
    • Inspirational appeals
    • Consultation
    • Exchange
    • Ingratiation
    • Pressure
    • Coalitions
  • @@Political skill@@: ability to influence others in such a way as to enhance one’s objectives.

Politics: power in action

  • @@Political behavior@@: activities that are not required as part of a person’s formal role in the organization but that influence or attempt to influence, the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within the organization.

Causes and consequences of political behavior

Factors that influence political behavior

Employee responses to organizational politics

  • @@Defensive behaviors@@: reactive and protective behaviors to avoid action, blame or change.
  • @@Impression management (IM)@@: process by which individuals attempt to control the impression others form of them.