Power

1
Chapter 9

• Power Politics in HSOs

2
The Role of Power Politics

• Managers must be cognizant of
• -the distribution of power
• -how power is utilized
• -strategies tactics

3
Definitions

• Power the ability of one person or group in an
  org to influence other people to bring about
  desired outcomes.
• Power influences the thoughts and/or actions of
  others.

4
Definitions

• Influence either direct or indirect actions that
  cause behavioral or attitude change.
• Influence affects others to do what you want
  them to do.
• Politics activities to acquire, develop, and use
  power other resources to obtain a desired
  outcome.

5
POWER

• Types of power
• Formal- org. structure of authority
• Informal-org. structure that influences
  actions but w/out formal authority

6
POWER

• Informal power often deemphasized because
• -viewed as illegitimate
• -viewed as being counterproductive

7
Perspectives

• Rational vs Political Perspectives on Mgmt.
• Rational model
• 1. Define and formulate the problem
• 2. Develop alternative solutions
• 3. Choose best alternative

8
Power

• Sources of power
• Position
• Control over resources
• Control over info decision making
  process
• Skill in dealing with uncertainty

9
POWER and POLITICS

• Conditions to use power
• 1. Important, high level, crucial issues
• 2. Performance is difficult to assess or
  situations of uncertainty disagreement

10
POWER and POLITICS

• Utilization of power
• -structural change
• -interdepartmental coordination
• -mgmt. succession
• -resource allocation budgeting

11
POWER and POLITICS

• Power strategies and tactics
• Best when implied
• Legitimate and rational
• Support from other powerful people

12
Employee Responses to Use of Power

• Maintain employee trust to minimize negative
  fallout.
• Steps to guard against abuse of power
• -create transparencies in decision making
• -design appropriate appraisal hiring
  systems
• -create strong code of ethics