The Power Framework (Basic)

Question 1

What are stakeholders in the power framework

Answer 1

Actors with different agendas

Question 2

What are power processes in the power framework

Answer 2

How people place themselves above or below each other in groups and organizations

Question 3

What are the historical origins of the power framework

Answer 3

Political philosophy like Sun Zus “Art of war” and Machiavellis “the Prince”

Question 4

What are the main assumptions of the power framework

Answer 4

There is always conflict between stakeholders; There is no solution best for everyone; Organizations are an expression of stakeholders power; Conflicts can be managed to increase the power of certain stakeholders

Question 5

In the power framework conflict is when two parties are openly at ods

Answer 5

No, conflict is often mostly silent but always there because it is when a stakeholder have less the it wants which is always. Open conflict in the power framework can be a solution in contrast to the HR framework which sees it as a problem to be solved.

In the power framework conflict is not the answer, it is the question and the answer is yes

Question 6

The power framework sees organizations as people coming together to work for a common goal

Answer 6

False, it sees them as exploitative schemes by the dominant stakeholders

Question 7

What are Luke’s three faces or dimensions of power

Answer 7

Decision making power, power over agenda and power over thought (manipulation)

Question 8

What is decision making power according to Luke

Answer 8

The ability to make others do things that they’ve otherwise would not. Make decisions for others

Question 9

What is power over agenda according to Luke

Answer 9

The ability to decide what alternatives are on the table and on what topics things are decided.

Question 10

What is manipulation according to Luke

Answer 10

Power over thought, what is a problem and what is a solution, influence what alternatives can be put on the agenda and what decisions are seen as most appropriate.

Question 11

What are the sources of conflict according to Pfeffers model

Answer 11

Differentiation/specialization leads to inter-dependence while different environments lead to different beliefs about cause and effect. Both these factors leads to different goals which coupled with all the other factors including scarce resources lead to conflict.

Question 12

How does conflict lead to a power struggle according to Pfeffer

Answer 12

If a change occurs that alters the power balance and is seen as important and if the power is sufficiently dispersed so that an opposition may form

Question 13

According to Pfeffers model how can one manage conflict

Answer 13

Create consensus in thought regarding goals and means, create a surplus of resources and reduce and downplay the significance of changes

Question 14

What are the risks of creating homogeneity and consensus of ideas

Answer 14

It may stifle innovation. F.ex if you hire all staf from one school to ensure everyone has the same priorities there might be insights that go unnoticed by everyone

Question 15

What are the dangers of always creating a surplus of resources

Answer 15

If it is done through debt it is unsustainable in the long run and it often leads to inefficiency as things that would not be approved are done. Bribing everyone also cuts deeply in profits

Question 16

How can the seaming importance of a decision be reduced

Answer 16

By dividing it into many smaller ones, by making it a temporary change that can have its duration extended and by tailoring the description of the change to suit the stakeholders palet

Question 17

How do you map the political landscape

Answer 17

By identifying all relevant stakeholders that are directly or indirectly affected. Then detail the different agendas of the stakeholders. After that identify how much power each stakeholder has in regards to the current issue

Question 18

What are some structural and symbolic power bases that a stakeholder has

Answer 18

If they have authority, controls rewards and knowledge, can coerce others, have supportive networks and alliances and if they can influence agendas, symbols and their meaning or have personal power such as charisma

Question 19

How does the HR framework hide power influences according to the power framework

Answer 19

The HR framework looks at conflict as something that can and is to be avoided and provides instructions for mitigating them such as sharing knowledge. This stands in stark contrast to the power framework that aspires to make conflicts as visible as possible to better study it

Question 20

What is a generic stakeholder matrix

Answer 20

A matrix that ranks the strength different stakeholders have in different power bases. If one stakeholder has most power, struggle is less likely

Question 21

What are the five steps of an effective power strategy according to Bolman and Deal

Answer 21

map the political landscape, design and customize the agenda, build networks and alliances, bargain and negotiate, co-opt and manipulate

Question 22

How should one design and customize the agenda according to the power framework

Answer 22

Make concrete proposals, solution or opinion that is to your stakeholders gain and also speaks to the most powerful actors given the current power landscape

Question 23

What is a good ally in the power framework

Answer 23

One with similar agenda and many power bases

Question 24

What does it mean to co-opt

Answer 24

To work closely with your opponents and influence them to see things in a way that favor you

Question 25

What characterizes principled negotiation

Answer 25

Separate the people from the problems, focus on the counterparts interests, generate more options and refer to objective evaluation criteria

Question 26

What is the difference between soft and hard negotiation

Answer 26

Soft negotiators do all to safeguard a good relationship while hard negotiators do all to protect their agenda. A principled negotiator is hard on problems but soft on people

Question 27

What are objective evaluation criteria

Answer 27

Commonly recognized ways to be right. It is often easier for people to agree on fair criteria to resolve a conflict than to have them agree on a solution on their own. Like children arguing over a cake

Question 28

Which are the six principles of persuasion

Answer 28

The liking, authority, scarcity, consistency, reciprocity, and social proof principles

Question 29

Explain the liking principle of persuasion

Answer 29

People are more easily persuasion by people they like. To be liked the most important thing is to be perceived as similar so highlight what you have in common and avoid discussing your diferences

Question 30

Explain the authority principle of persuasion

Answer 30

People are more persuaded by people who have legitimate authority based on knowledge and title, highlight your authority ambiently (f.ex by a diploma on the wall) or by highlighting some minor gap in knowledge to avoid being disliked for bragging

Question 31

Explain the scarcity principle of persuasion

Answer 31

Highlight the scarcity of time or other resources to apply persuasion and make the alternative seam more attractive. Also highlight potential losses of inaction as people fear loosing more than they love winning

Question 32

Explain the consistency principle of persuasion

Answer 32

People tend to do what they say that they will so if you highlight them promising a similar action they are more likely to do it

Question 33

Explain the reciprocity principle of persuasion

Answer 33

If you do things for people they are likely to feel obligated to give back in kind

Question 34

Explain the persuasion principle of social proof

Answer 34

People are likely to copy others similar to them especially in situations of uncertainty. If you highlight how similar organizations solves a problem then your organization might take that path as well

Question 36

Why is the power framework rarely expressed in public contexts

Answer 36

It is not seen as scientific, morally good or socially sensitive to both high power and low power