The Power Framework (Basic) Flashcards
What are stakeholders in the power framework
Actors with different agendas
What are power processes in the power framework
How people place themselves above or below each other in groups and organizations
What are the historical origins of the power framework
Political philosophy like Sun Zus “Art of war” and Machiavellis “the Prince”
What are the main assumptions of the power framework
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
In the power framework conflict is when two parties are openly at ods
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
The power framework sees organizations as people coming together to work for a common goal
False, it sees them as exploitative schemes by the dominant stakeholders
What are Luke’s three faces or dimensions of power
Decision making power, power over agenda and power over thought (manipulation)
What is decision making power according to Luke
The ability to make others do things that they’ve otherwise would not. Make decisions for others
What is power over agenda according to Luke
The ability to decide what alternatives are on the table and on what topics things are decided.
What is manipulation according to Luke
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.
What are the sources of conflict according to Pfeffers model
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.
How does conflict lead to a power struggle according to Pfeffer
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
According to Pfeffers model how can one manage conflict
Create consensus in thought regarding goals and means, create a surplus of resources and reduce and downplay the significance of changes
What are the risks of creating homogeneity and consensus of ideas
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
What are the dangers of always creating a surplus of resources
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
How can the seaming importance of a decision be reduced
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
How do you map the political landscape
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
What are some structural and symbolic power bases that a stakeholder has
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
How does the HR framework hide power influences according to the power framework
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
What is a generic stakeholder matrix
A matrix that ranks the strength different stakeholders have in different power bases. If one stakeholder has most power, struggle is less likely
What are the five steps of an effective power strategy according to Bolman and Deal
map the political landscape, design and customize the agenda, build networks and alliances, bargain and negotiate, co-opt and manipulate
How should one design and customize the agenda according to the power framework
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
What is a good ally in the power framework
One with similar agenda and many power bases
What does it mean to co-opt
To work closely with your opponents and influence them to see things in a way that favor you
What characterizes principled negotiation
Separate the people from the problems, focus on the counterparts interests, generate more options and refer to objective evaluation criteria
What is the difference between soft and hard negotiation
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
What are objective evaluation criteria
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
Which are the six principles of persuasion
The liking, authority, scarcity, consistency, reciprocity, and social proof principles
Explain the liking principle of persuasion
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
Explain the authority principle of persuasion
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
Explain the scarcity principle of persuasion
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
Explain the consistency principle of persuasion
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
Explain the reciprocity principle of persuasion
If you do things for people they are likely to feel obligated to give back in kind
Explain the persuasion principle of social proof
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
Why is the power framework rarely expressed in public contexts
It is not seen as scientific, morally good or socially sensitive to both high power and low power
