Power in Organisations

Question 1

Power as personal property

Answer 1

Jeremy Pfeffer (1981):
- Build a social network
- networking behaviours involve building and maintaining and using internal and external contacts

Question 2

Definition of power

Answer 2

• “Power is the potential ability to influence behaviour “ (Pfeffer, 1992)
• Low power parties DEPEND on high-power parties to obtain rewards and avoid punishment

Question 3

Influence used to obtain compliance with a request (major difference between influence & power)

Answer 3

The effect that a person’s actions can have on the attitudes, values, beliefs, or behaviour of others.

Question 4

Power as relational property

Answer 4

French & Raven (1958)/ Anderson & Brion (2014):
- Power exists only in relation to others (between individuals and groups)
- Power exists in employment relationships (Manager/ Subordinate)

Question 5

Personal qualities that build power

Answer 5

Pfeffer (2010):
- Ambition/Drive
- Energy & Endurance
- Focus - concentration & effort on a limited set of objectives
- Self-knowledge
- Confidence & self-assurance
- Empathy with others - ability to take other’s point of view
- Capacity to tolerate conflict

Question 6

Politics & Power

Answer 6

Power comes from Political Skill
- “Politics involves those activities or behaviours through which power is developed and used in organisational settings” (Pfeffer, 1981).