ON
POWER AND POLITICS IN THE ORGANISATION
MBA(IB)
Batch 2015-2017
Submitted to:
Submitted by:
Ms. Chitra
SHUBHANKAR RUDRA
A1802015024
MOHIT
AGGARWAL
A1802015042
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to express
the deepest
appreciation
Chitra, without her guidance and persistent help, this study would not have been
possible. It is very difficult for the employed individual to spare time during working
hours but we are thankful to those employees of public and private organizations, who
generously spared time and provided information regarding this study. Finally but not
certainly the last, it is important to pay gratitude to our parents whose financial and
moral support led us reach up to this stage.
ABSTRACT
Our Project work is based on the power and politics in organization in which we focus on
organizational politics. The purpose of our research work is to identify the sources of
power and how power is required for leadership. This study also tries to explain types of
political organizations, factors those influence power and politics and factors contributing
to political behavior in organizations. The report further elicit show organizations use
strategies and tactics against power and politics. In a nutshell we identify the effects of
power and politics on organizations as well as on the society as a whole.
Generally, most of us equate politics with the stereotypical politician and because of this
most of us have the view that the nature of politics is power-hungry, self-seeking, corrupt,
and, in some cases, violent. These ideas come from our socialization, as well as from our
exposure to social forces and our own experiences with politicians. By conducting this
study, we found that skillful and appropriate use of organizational politics is necessary for
a leader to acquire and retain power and to accomplish major goals. Although political
behavior can be unethical and destructive, it also can and should be ethical and contribute
to a balanced set of interests.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Politics goes beyond the activity of government, the political parties and the politicians.
Politics is a universal phenomenon that is; it is present in all human organization such as
the family, trade unions, corporations, universities, etc. In all these organizations, politics
is characterized by struggle for power and influence, conflict, bargaining, reconciliation,
resolution and consensus. Political power is a psychological relation between those who
exercise it and those over it are exercised. It gives the former control over certain actions
of the latter through the influence which the former exerts over the latters mind.
Politics are those activities that are not a part of an individuals formal role in the
organization, but affect the advantages and disadvantages with the organization.
Organizational politics is the influence to obtain results not allowed by the organization
or to obtain allowed results with the help of means that are not allowed.
To make effective use of organizational politics, leaders must be able to make appropriate
use of specific political strategies and tactics. The ethical behavior is regarded as an
important requirement for effective leadership. Leaders must be able to influence their
followers to achieve greater performance; their superiors and peers to make important
decisions; and stakeholders to ensure the vitality of the organization.
Organizational politics can hurt an organization and its members when carried to excess.
Too much politicking can result in lower morale, higher turnover, and wasted time and
effort, thereby lowering performance. To avoid these negative consequences, leaders
should combat political behavior when it is excessive and dysfunctional. Organizational
politics and power can control through proper accountability otherwise bad impact and
effects of power and politics on organization and whole society.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1:
POLITICS.....................................................................................................................
1.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................................
1.2 Thoughts on Politic.........................................................................................................................
CHAPTER 2:
POWER........................................................................................................................
2.1 Introduction....................................................................................................................................
2.2 Meaning of power...........................................................................................................................
2.3 Empowerment and authority...........................................................................................................
2.4 Difference between Authority and Power.......................................................................................
2.5 Bases of power:..............................................................................................................................
2.6 Three dimensions of power:..........................................................................................................
2.7 Politics: power in action...............................................................................................................
2.8 Power a need for leadership:.........................................................................................................
CHAPTER 3:
ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICS...............................................................................
3.1 Definition......................................................................................................................................
3.2 Goal Setting Intervention in Public Sector Organization:............................................................
3.3 Facing Challenges:......................................................................................................................
3.4 Is There a Power Struggle?.........................................................................................................
3.5 Organizational politics..................................................................................................................
3.6 Conditions supporting organizational politics..............................................................................
3.7 Types of Political Organizations..................................................................................................
3.8 Factor influencing power and politics. (Organization)................................................................
3.9 Factors Contributing to Political Behavior in Organizations.......................................................
3.10 Use of Political Strategies and Tactics in Organization.............................................................
3.11 Avoiding Political Blunders.......................................................................................................
3.12 Potentially Unethical Political Strategies and Tactic..................................................................
3.13 A Cave......................................................................................................................................
3.14 Exercising Control over Functional Politics.............................................................................
CHAPTER 4:
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................
POLITICS
1.1 Introduction
The term politics originates from Greek word "polis". Aristotle opines that it is "zoon
politikon", which means political animal and suggests that man can only reside in a group
(i.e public) that necessarily leads to politics. Politics is the study of influence and the
influential. Influence is measured on the basis of the number of shares one or a group has
in the preferred values or attributes. The more values or attributes shared, the greater the
influence.
One of the other definition which serves to explain it is politics is the process of seeking
and using power
Politics can simply be defined in three ways:
Secondly, it is concerned with people and the way in which they make decisions
and the way those decisions are reached.
Thirdly, politics is that part of the social sciences which treats the foundations of
the state and the principle of government, governmental, social and economic
programs, international relations, organizations and cooperation.
Politics goes beyond the activity of government, the political parties and the politicians.
Politics is a universal phenomenon that is; it is present in all human organization such as
the family, trade unions, corporations, universities, etc. In all these organizations, politics
is characterized by struggle for power and influence, conflict, bargaining, reconciliation,
resolution and consensus.
Al-Razi believed that common people had originally been duped into belief by religious
authority figures and by the status quo. He believed that these authority figures were able
to continually deceive the common people "as a result of [religious people] being long
accustomed to their religious denomination, as days passed and it became a habit.
The thoughts on politics are various in natures and attitudes human nature to attain power
discovered a way politics. As Merriam Webster defines it as "competition between
competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership". People who use
political relationships in the workplace often wield power that is either disproportionate
to their position, or enhances their power beyond the position they hold. But where does
this power come from? Why do some people exert tremendous influence, while others
can't even lay claim to the power that comes with their title? Is political power always
exploitative, or can it be moral and constructive?
The state is a particular kind of society, a group sovereign over a specific territory, and
the balance of powers manifesting this sovereignty is the political system. The political
system may not encompass all of society, and indeed may be restricted to a limited
sphere. Nonetheless, the type of political system and type of society are harmonious. The
political system is an aspect of the social field and as that field manifests a particular
form of power, the political system will be its image.
The power to influence others comes with a price; the responsibility to act ethically.
While the use of political power for selfish ends may seem beneficial to the individual in
the short term, it is ultimately self-defeating, as it erodes trust, commitment, and loyalty.
Ethical use of political power can motivate people to work together to accomplish goals
that provide individual and collective benefits. Taking an honest look at your own
motivations is a first step towards building and using political power constructively and
ethically.
POWER
2.1 Introduction
When we speak of power we do not mean men power over nature, or means of
production, or over himself, we actually mean mans control over the minds and actions
of other men. When we speak of political power we refer to the mutual relations of
control among the holders of public authority and people at large. Political power and
physical force are two different things. When violence or physical force becomes the
practical actuality and people it amounts to negation of power. Physical power can be an
instrument of power but not power in any sense. Political power is a psychological
relation between those who exercise it and those over it is exercised. It gives the former
control over certain actions of the the latter through the influence which the former exerts
over the latters mind.
the things done through others. It is a right to take decisions. It is a right to give orders to
the subordinates and to get obedience from them. A manager cannot do his work without
authority.According to Henri Fayol,"Authority is the right to give orders and power to
exact (get) obedience."
A manager gets his authority from his position or post. He gets his authority from the
higher authorities. The lower and middle-level managers get their authority from the toplevel managers. The top-level managers get their authority from the shareholders.
Authority always flows downwards. It is delegated from the top to the bottom. Also
shown in below picture
TOP MANAGERS
MIDDLE MANAGERS
Power is a broader concept than authority. Power is the ability of a person or a group to
influence the beliefs and actions of other people. It is the ability to influence events.
Power can be personal power. A person gets his personal power from his personality or
from his expert knowledge. Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, Programmers, etc. get their
power from their expertise and professional knowledge. Power can also be legitimate or
official power. This power comes from a higher authority.
In management, authority differs from power in the following ways:i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
Position and Person: Authority is given to a position or post. The manager gets
the authority only when he holds that position. Power resides (lives) in the person
who uses it.
The bases of power are divided onto different attributes.To know about the knowledge of
the power about its use in the first stage is identify that some individuals and groups have
more power than others why it is. Power rottenly comes from several sources at the same
time and some of these sources are located within and individual or groups some sources
comes from the nature of the organization and some other sources may be arise from the
situations.
ii.
Several different scheme has been suggested that sources of power should be divided into
different parts but according to French and Raven's (1959) five basis of power; the
original scheme only gives the ideas about these bases but some sources derived from the
power holder positions and some others sources derived from the personal characteristics
these are divided into two groups.
iii.
Coercive power:Coercive power is the totally different from the reward power.
Coercive power is the ability to inflict punishment which means to force someone
to do something against his wish. Coercive power is possibly physical harm but
sometime other threats could be used but its main purposes compliance. Coercive
power is the power of dictators, financial, expert and personnel. Examples of
coercive power are all governments. Although mostly it is use as negative but also
it is often seen to keep the peace. For children's who know no better about
anything parents used the coercive power.
Expert power:Expert power is the power of superior knowledge and skills. When
a person has strong knowledge and skills that someone as requires then he has
expert power. Like; if a person has strong knowledge about anything then he can
get the better level as compare to those who don't have much power like doctors.
This form of power is very common power. Examples of expert power are
specialist engineers and trade unions. These all use this power to get benefits and
when they want to maintain their selves.
Referent Power:Referent power is the power when people want to be like you,
your attributes and trades. The most common Examples of referent powers are
celebrities and social leaders. When social leaders or celebrities come in any place
in the front of the public then public like them and wants some miracles through
they can get the personality just like them. Due to referent power people use this
power in negative sense and some time they use their power in positive sense like;
the social leader can use his power anywhere to protect his self from others and
could give order to any one for any work. That is why some time people feel fear
due to this. Power that arises because of a person's desirable resources or
personal traits.
Channels:
There are three different channels in which power is enacted
Physical power:
Informational power:
Informational power comes from knowledge it often comes from the control of access
to information.
Emotional power:
Emotional power is the social power of affect using emotion and body language
ii.
Intents:
Intent means in which sense the power is used. There are two ways of power in which it
is used
Positive power
Positive power is used for good purpose and it does not harm.
Negative power
Deliberateness:
There are two triggers of power which lead to power being used
Reactive power
Proactive power
Proactive power used consciously. For example; using physically strength to attack
someone
This table shows the uses of power by understanding channels and sources of power
in which these are used either these are physical, informational or emotional.
Uses of power
Nature
Physical
informational
Emotional
Positive
Do not harm
Respond
to
calls for help
Negative
Allow harm
Positive
Defend
Negative
Attack
Withhold information
Taunt
Do harm
Blackmail, deceive
Seduce
Reactive
Proactive
40
60
NO
to rate themselves as more powerful at work, while those lower in the organizational
hierarchy tended to rate themselves as less powerful.
Most of the people believe that their organizations work to empower their people at all
levels, and their organization rewards leaders for empowering people. Organizational
trends relative to power and leadership suggest that while power is not typically misused
by top leaders, it does tend to be concentrated to a select few individuals. However, the
flatter organizational structures and self-directed work teams that were first implemented
through the empowerment movements of the 1980s and1990s are becoming
commonplace. This trend may increase the level of empowerment that employees
experience in future years. Organizations also reward leaders who empower the people
they lead, thereby encouraging overall employee empowerment; however, fewer
organizations take the opportunity to teach leaders how to effectively use the power they
possess.
During research when people were asked that Successful executives must be good
politicians.
YES
NO
The power of position is the formal authority that derives from a persons title or
position in a group or an organization.
The power of charisma is the influence that is generated by a leaders style or
persona.
The power of relationships is the influence that leaders gain through their formal
and informal networks both inside and outside of their organizations.
The power of information is the control that is generated through the use of
evidence deployed to make an argument.
The power of expertise is the influence that comes from developing and
communicating specialized knowledge (or the perception of knowledge).
The power of punishment is the ability to sanction individuals for failure to
conform to standards or expectations.
The power of reward is the ability to recognize or reward individuals for adhering
to standards or expectations.
Leaders can be more effective when they emphasize the power of relationships and the
power of information, and also develop their other available bases of power. Strategies
for leveraging power effectively include:
Make relationships a priority. Identify the people with whom you need to establish or
develop a relationship. Your ability to use the power of relationships will be
compromised if you are not connecting with the right people. Invest time and energy into
your existing relationships. Seek to understand others better and acknowledge the needs
of others in order to build the social capital required to influence others now and in the
future. Repair damaged relationships and the image others may have of you. Look for
ways to reestablish trust with others through face-to-face interaction and the sharing of
honest feedback.
ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICS
3.1 Definition
Difference between private company and public company
i.
Private Company
A company with private ownership is called private company. Itdoes not need to
meet the strict Securities and Exchange Commission filing requirements of public
companies.Private companies may issue stock and have shareholders. However,
their shares do not trade on public exchanges and are not issued through an initial
public offering. In general, the shares of these businesses are less liquid and the
values are difficult to determine.
ii.
Public Company
A company that has issued securities through an initial public offering (IPO) and
is traded on at least one stock exchange or in the over the counter market.
Although a small percentage of shares may be initially "floated" to the public, the
act of becoming a public company allows the market to determine the value of the
entire company through daily trading.
Organizational politics help further the shared values and communal goals of an organization.
YES
45; 45%
NO
55; 55%
Vital information to take note of is that any goal setting intervention and its process in
public sector organizations requires careful consideration. In order to avoid negative
consequences, the performance goals must be realistically achievable but at the same
time, setting goals which are too modest can lead an organization to stick to the current
work process which would be difficult to change in the long run, thereby creating counter
productivity.
31; 31%
69; 69%
NO
Personal characteristics
Scare resources
Tolerance of politics
Complex and ambiguous decisions
ii.
Political Parties: Political parties are groups of people who have banded together
to express their common goals by putting their chosen candidates on the election
ballot so the public can vote for them. Political parties have different types of
events and committees that operate at the federal, state, and local level.
iii.
Individual Factors: There are individual factors where individuals play politics
to satisfy their personal needs. These personal or individuals needs are like to gain
power for control and to influence decision-making process of the organization.
The aim of such individuals is to increase the area of their influence. They try to
sustain power as it helps to obtain personal needs and fulfill desires. In
organizations, individuals play politics as they have great desire and high need of
gaining power. Such types of individuals are basically internals and selfmonitored people. There are many individuals who play politics because of their
expectation of quick success in life at any cost.
ii.
High Performance pressure: The individuals play politics when they are
enforced with high performance pressure. The politics playing in the
organization becomes measure to pressurize authority to withdraw control and
lower the performance target.
Affecting lower level persons: - The lower level persons get affected when
they experience persons at higher level playing politics.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
i.
ii.
Make an Early Showing:A display of dramatic results can help gain acceptance
for one's efforts. Once a person has impressed management with his or her ability
to solve an important problem, that person can look forward to working on
problems that will bring greater power.
iii.
iv.
v.
Control Lines of Communication: Related to controlling information is controlling lines of communication, particularly access to key people. Administrative
assistants and staff assistants frequently control an executive's calendar. Both
insiders and outsiders must curry favor with the conduit in order to see an
important executive. Although many people attempt to contact executives directly
through email, some executives delegate the responsibility of screening email
messages to an assistant.
Provide Favors and Develop Ingratiation: A skillful leader always has a positive
balance of favors given, and can draw on that balance when something is needed in
return.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
ii.
Surprising the boss: Surprises, particularly negative ones, are not appreciated.
iii.
iv.
Back Stabbing: The ubiquitous back stab requires that you pretend to be nice, but
all the while plan someone's demise. A frequent form of back stabbing is to initiate
a conversation with a rival about the weaknesses of a common boss, encouraging
negative commentary and making careful mental notes of what the person says.
When these comments are passed along to the boss, the rival appears disloyal and
foolish. Email has become a medium for back stabbing.
ii.
Purge All But Loyalists: The ancient strategy of purge those you have conquered
suggests that you remove from the organization rivals who suffered past hurts
through your efforts; otherwise the wounded rivals might retaliate at a vulnerable
moment.
iii.
Set a Person Up for Failure: The object of a setup is to place a person in a position where he or she will either fail outright or look ineffective. For example, an
executive whom the CEO dislikes might be given responsibility for a troubled division whose market is rapidly collapsing. The newly assigned division president
cannot stop the decline and is then fired for poor performance.
iv.
Exert Undue Pressure: Even if you have the power to do this, it would be
unethical if used to further your interests at the expense of others.
3.13A Cave
There is a danger when becoming sensitized to political behavior that one begins to see
everything as political, to develop a Machiavellian interpretation that suggests that
everyone is trying to outwit and outmaneuver everyone else. We begin to see politics
everywhere, and to look for hidden agendas even where there are none. Rather than use
politics to generate new insights and understandings that can help deal with divergent
interests, there is a temptation to reduce the concept to a tool to be used to advance our
own personal interests.
ii.
Open communication also can constrain the impact of political behavior. For
instance, open communication can let everyone know the basis for allocating
resources, thus reducing the amount of political behavior. When communication is
open, it also makes it more difficult for some people to control information and
pass along gossip as a political weapon.
iii.
iv.
Setting good examples at the top of the organization can help reduce the frequency and intensity of organizational politics. When leaders are nonpolitical in
their actions, they demonstrate in subtle ways that political behavior is not welcome. It may be helpful for the leader to announce during a staff meeting that devious political behavior is undesirable and unprofessional.
v.
CONCLUSION
vi.
vii.
4.1
i.
ii.
Loss of ultimate Goal: The goal set by authority in formation of organization is hurt by
organizational politics. Mostly in public organization the purpose of public welfare cant
be achieved under the influence of personal interest groups.
iii.
Performance pressure and Stress: The individuals play politics when they are enforced
with high performance pressure. The politics playing in the organization becomes
measure to pressurize authority to withdraw control and lower the performance target.
This will result in many mental illnesses and affect the health of stakeholders of
organization.
iv.
Pessimism use of resources: Organizational successes depend upon resources and assets
it possesses. When these resources are mismanaged the objective which organization is
trying to achieve becomes harder. Bad politics and absence of harmony within
organization leads to unbeneficial use of scarce resources.
v.
viii.
Politics lowers the output of an individual and eventually affects the productivity of
the organization.
Common observation says that individuals who play politics at the workplace pay
less attention to their work.
They are more interested in leg pulling and back biting. They spend most of their
times criticizing their fellow workers.
Individuals find it difficult to concentrate on their work. They are more interested in
spoiling the other persons image in front of the superiors.
Even the serious employees lose interest in work and attend office just for the sake of
it.
Internal politics do not allow employees to give their hundred percent at work.
v. Demotivated employees
A non-performer can be the apple of his bosss eye simply due to politics, thus
demotivating the performers.
Discussions are essential at the workplace to extract the best out of employees.
Evaluating the pros and cons of an idea always helps in the long run. Employees
playing politics always look for an opportunity to tarnish the image of the fellow
workers.
Employees feel demotivated when they are not rewarded suitably or someone who
has not worked hard gets the benefits due to mere politics.
Politics increases the stress level of the employees. Individuals are not machines who
can work continuously for 8-9 hours without talking to others. It is important to have
friends at the workplace who help you when needed.
ix.
x.
A wrong person walks away with the credit in an organization where employees are
indulged in politics.
Politics are those activities that are not a part of an individuals formal role in the
organization, but affect the advantages and disadvantages with the organization.
Organizational politics is the influence to obtain results not allowed by the organization
or to obtain allowed results with the help of means that are not allowed. Power and
politics is removed from the organization through accountability.
xi.
REFERENCES
xii. Dubrin, Andrew J. (2001). Leadership. (3rdEd) New York: Houghton Mifflin
xiii. Morgan, Gareth (1996). Images of organization (2ndEd). Newbury Park: Sage
xiv.
http://forums.reformparty.org/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=20
xv.
ww.indiastudychannel.com/resources/73866-Factors-influencing-political-behavior.aspx
xvi.
http://hbr.org/1970/05/power-and-politics-in-organizational-life/ar/1
xvii.
http://www.ma.utexas.edu/users/mks/statmistakes/FactorsInfluencingPower.html
xviii. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/5-sources-power-organizations-14467.html
xix. http://talentmgt.com/articles/view/_leaders_need_power
xx.