Mintzberg (C8 - Power)

Question 1

Micro power

Answer 1

Organisations consist of individuals with hopes, dreams, jealousy, interests and fears.

Question 2

Concept

Answer 2

Strategy is a process of bargaining and compromise among conflicting individuals. groups and coalitions.

There is no single architect. Various actors pursue their own agendas and strategy emerges. No one strategy will be dominant for significant periods of time.

Strategy may not be optimal, but will reflect the interests of the most powerful within the organisation.

Question 3

How strategy can emerge

Answer 3

strategies are emergent, but reside in the deliberate intentions of individuals.

Question 4

Macro power

Answer 4

sees the organisation as promoting its own welfare by controlling or cooperating with other organisations, through the use of strategic manoeuvring as well as collective strategies.

how an organisation manages demands between actors (buyers, competitors, suppliers, investors) and how they are used to the benefit of the organisation.

Question 5

strategic manoeuvring

Answer 5

firms that have established their positions seek to maintain an equilibrium that is to their advantage. manoeuvring is used to communicate with rivals that it makes more sense to create mutually beneficial relationships than to fight.

the political side of positioning. success depends on soft impressions, quick actions and gut feel for what opponents might do.

Question 6

cooperative strategy making

Answer 6

networks, joint ventures, strategic alliances, strategic sourcing.

boundaries between organisations become blurred.

Question 7

criticisms

Answer 7

politics can be wasteful of resources.

macro power can lead to collusion