Chapter 5: Authority, Power and Politics

Distinction Authority Power Politics

between Authority and Politics

Introduction

Organizations/ voluntary associations often do not follow strictly their own well defined system leaving scope for power play and politics Necessary to understand the dynamics of power, politics and authority so that organizations can be managed in proper way

Distinction Between Authority and Power

Authority Power

Legally enforce and is derived from level of position in an organization

Formal based upon superior and subordinate relationship Has limited scope and is confined to organizational structure Authority is just apply and applied equally

Individual and independent and originates from charisma and social positioning
Informal and based upon individual understanding Linked with an individual and transcends boundaries Power may be used indiscriminately

Authority

Defined as the ability of an individual to seek compliances to the regulated instructions of the superior. Three types of authority:

Traditional rests on an established belief in the sanctity of immortal traditions Rational Legal authority rests on sheer legality of individual's position Charismatic has its origin in an individual's personal charisma and qualities
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Characteristics of Authority

Authority resides in the position and is individual independent Nature of authority i.e traditional, legal, charisma, determines the nature of structure Authority is in proportion to levels in an organization Ideally there is a positive correlation between the authority and degree of competence
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Power

Involve the rules by the few over the majority Depend on upon individual strength and competencies Several kinds of power :

Rewarded power Rewarded power Legitimate power Personal power Expert power

Rewarded power

Manger can use extrinsic and intrinsic (basic) rewards to control other people Success in accessing and utilizing rewards depends on managers skills Manager can use subordinates internalized values or belief that the boss has a right of command to control their behaviour Id legitimate is lost, authority will not be accepted by subordinates
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Legitimate power

Personal power

Derived from individual sources

Expert power

Ability to control another persons behaviour through the possession of knowledge, experince, or judgement that the other person needs or does not have?

Politics

If organizations do not follow their systems and procedures fairly, there will be lots of political. Implies of maneuverability (skill movement) in the allocation of responsibility, rewards and resources Politics is the use of power to develop socially acceptable ends and means that balance individual and collective interest Political behaviour can take many forms. Comprise passing a chain of commands, withholding information, spreading rumors, leaking confidential information, lobbying, using pressure tactic etc.

Characteristics Political Behavior

It is outside ones job requirement It is an attempt to influence the decision making process It may involve give and take strategy It is usually devoid (completely lacking in something) of morality and ethics

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Reasons of Political Behavior

Lack of clarity in organizational policies presence of over ambitious individual workforce Limited promotional avenues Discriminatory behaviour of management

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Ways for Political to take place in organization

Impression management : an attempt (to do something) is made to create an impression that everything is good because of us and anything wrong has nothing to do with us Extra role relationship : flattery (sweet talk), creating goodwill and being overtly friendly some of the tactics through which political behaviour is promoted Coalition (union) : like minded people come together and promote a particular cause which is essentially political in nature Bargaining : negotiating etc are used to get extra benefits which are normally not available.
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