Influence Power Politics Influence This refers to the

Influence, Power, & Politics • Influence -- This refers to the outcome of an attempt to change someone’s behavior or attitude • Power -- This refers to the means by which the influence is accomplished. • Politics -- The pursuit of self-interest in an organization to protect or further either individual or organizational goals.

Influence Tactics • Rational persuasion -- use of logic • Emotional appeals -- use of values, loyalty, fear • Exchange -- use of rewards • Norms -- use of traditions, policies

Position Power • Legitimate: Power derived from a person’s position of authority in an organization • Reward: Power derived form the ability to provide positive outcomes • Coercive: Power derived from the ability to administer punishments

Individual Power • Information: Power derived access to information that is important to others in the organization • Expert: Power derived from an individual’s superior skills or abilities in an area values by the organization • Referent: Power derived from the extent to which an individual is well liked and admired by others.

Resource Dependency Model Important Resources Engineering Production Personnel Unimportant Resources Needed resource Controlled resource

Strategic Contingencies Model Substitutability Scarcity Unit Power Centrality Uncertainty

Political Tactics • Controlling access to information • Building a favorable impression • Building a support base — Politics as the art of clout or gathering debts owed • Blaming and attacking others • Networking

Political Action Occurs • When scarce resources are at stake • When there are conflicting interests • When uncertainly or ambiguity exists

Common Ethical Dilemmas • Employee conflict of interest • Where to draw the line in accepting favors or gifts • Sexual harassment • Personnel decisions based on favoritism

Causes of Unethical Choices • • Gain or greed Role conflict Competition Organizational culture

Ethical Guidelines 3 Activity meets standards of fairness 2 1 Political activity respects rights of stakeholders Tactics promote purely selfish interests Ethical Yes No No Yes Unethical Behavior No

Backwards & Forwards • Summing up — Examined power from individual and situational perspective. Looked at how departments gain and maintain power, at various political tactics and the thin line between using and abusing power. • Looking ahead — Next time, building on our knowledge of power, we explore its application in study of leadership