Power and Politics

Home > Organizational studies > Organizational theory > Power and Politics

How power is distributed and exercised within an organization; how decisions are made and influenced by various stakeholders.

Power and authority: The ability to control and influence others in an organization.
Influence tactics: Strategies used to persuade others to support a particular agenda.
Organizational culture: Shared beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviours that shape an organization's behaviour.
Legitimacy: The acceptance and recognition of power and authority by both managers and employees.
Networking: Building and maintaining relationships with influential stakeholders in an organization.
Decision-making processes: Approaches used to make important choices in an organization.
Conflict resolution: Techniques used to manage disputes in an organization.
Organizational structure: The way an organization is organized, including management levels, job roles, and responsibilities.
Politics: The distribution of power and resources in an organization.
Socialization: The process of adapting to an organization and assimilating its culture.
Change management: The process of implementing changes within an organization.
Strategic management: The long-term planning and execution of organizational goals.
Human resource management: The process of hiring, training, and developing employees.
Leadership: The ability to influence others and guide an organization towards its goals.
Communication: The exchange of information within an organization.
Coercive power: This type of power involves the use of threats, punishments, or force to make individuals comply with the demands of those in power.
Reward power: This type of power is based on the ability of the person in power to reward others for complying with their demands. Rewards can include financial incentives or other types of benefits.
Legitimate power: This type of power is based on the accepted authority and position of the individual in power. It is often associated with formal positions or roles within an organization, such as a manager or executive.
Referent power: This type of power is based on the personal charisma or attractiveness of the individual in power. It is often associated with influential leaders who are able to inspire and motivate others to action.
Expert power: This type of power is based on the knowledge, skills, and expertise of the individual in power. It is often associated with individuals who are recognized as experts in their field or who have specialized knowledge.
Information power: This type of power involves the control of information or access to information. It is often associated with individuals who have access to valuable or sensitive information within an organization, such as executives or IT personnel.
Connection power: This type of power is based on the individual's ability to connect and network with others within and outside of the organization. It is often associated with individuals who have strong social ties or relationships with influential individuals.
Collective power: This type of power is based on the collective strength of a group or organization. It is often associated with labor unions or other organized groups that have the ability to influence policy decisions and negotiate with management.
Ideological power: This type of power is based on the shared values and beliefs of individuals within an organization or society. It is often associated with political or religious organizations that have a strong ideology or belief system that guides their actions.
Persuasive power: This type of power is based on the ability of the individual in power to persuade or influence others through their communication and interpersonal skills. It is often associated with effective communication and leadership abilities.