POWER DYNAMICS IN ORGANIZATIONS

What is Power?
Power define as the potential of an individual (or group) to influence another
individual or group. Is ineffective for the individual? Is it effective for the
organization? Is it ethical? These are three questions as interrelated criteria that we
should apply in evaluating an individual's exercise of power and influence. In
answering those questions, both the short- and long-term consequences of an
individual's actions should be assessed.
Organizations as Political Entities
Political conflict over scarce or key organizational resources is inevitable, given the
challenges of managing in contemporary organizations. In Realities of Managerial
Life there are The Challenge and "The Solution. Interdependency, diversity, and
power gap are included into The Challenge and The Solution consists of Law of
Reciprocity and Networks. Organizations consist of interdependent individuals(and
groups) with divergent interests who must figure out how to reconcile these
interests. The more interdependence, diversity, and resource scarcity in an
organization, the more political conflict. There are prevention factors that help to
reduce the amount of conflict such as the consistency of organization successfully
negotiating win-win resolutions. There are precipitating factors that exacerbate the
conflict in an organization though. When super ordinate goals and values do not
exist it can be political conflict in organizations. Shared goals and values can be
lacking for a variety of reasons, for instance, when no shared culture exists or
strong leaders fail to define a vision behind which people are aligned and motivated.
To eliminate political conflict, managers would have to eliminate diversity, including
the division of labor and specialization. Diversity and conflict are essential
ingredients for creativity and innovation. Power and influence are the mechanisms
by which the inevitable political conflicts in organizations get resolved. The
distribution of power and influence in organizations is generally aligned with the
realities they face and can become institutionalized and thereby endure well beyond
its usefulness.
Where Does Power Come From?
A person's power is determined by two sets of factors: positional and personal
characteristics. The sources of positional power are formal authority, relevance,
centrality, autonomy and visibility. And expertise, track record, attractiveness and
effort are the sources of personal power.
Assessing Power Dynamics
In assessing the power dynamics in a given situation, you need to:
1.
Identify the interdependencies among the relevant parties. Who is dependent
on whom and for what? Whose cooperation is needed? Whose compliance?
2.
Determine the sources of power of the relevant parties.
3.
After the interdependent parties have been identified, analyze the relevant
differences among them. What are the underlying factors that have created or are
reinforcing those differences? How might these differences lead to other
assumptions or perceptions about the current situation? Around what issues can you
expect conflict?
4.
Analyze the broader context. How much potential for political conflict exists?
Where are the major alliances? The major rivalries? Are there any precipitating
factors? Are there any prevention factors? How are key players likely to respond to
conflict? Will their response most likely lead to constructive or destructive
consequences?

5.

Periodically update your diagnosis. Power dynamics are just that dynamic.