Power & Politics Power & Politics

Prof.Shabir Prof.Shabir AhmadAhmad

The Business SchoolThe Business School

University of KashmirUniversity of KashmirSept 03, 2010Sept 03, 2010

Concept of PowerConcept of PowerPower

Status

Conflict

Stress

Competition

Power – is the ability of one person to influence another.

Status - is an estimate of one person’s esteem made by another person or group based n specific criteria.

Conflict- is a difference of opinion between two or more persons or groups that causes one to attempt to influence a situation affecting all parties concerned.

Stress - is a condition that exists when one’s perception of the environment causes one to subconsciously or voluntarily increase the expenditure of mental and or physical energy.

Sources of PowerSources of Power

• French & Raven• Reward Power- exists when one person has the ability to give

another person positive reinforcement.

• Coercive Power- This source of power depends on fear.

• Referent Power- a person is said to have referent power of others voluntarily imitate the perceived behavior of that person.

• Expertise Power- this source of power is based on the extent to which others attribute knowledge and expertise on the power seeker. e.g. Individuals possess expertise power when they have information or skill needed by others.

• Legitimate Power- stems from the internalized values of the other persons that give the legitimate right to the agent to influence them. The others feel they have the obligation to accept this power.

• Maintain Alliances with power people.

• Embrace or Demolish.

• Divide and Rule.• Manipulate

Classified Information.

• Make a Quick Showing.

• Collect and Use

IOUs.• Avoid Decisive

Engagement.• Progress One

Step at a a Time.• Wait for Crisis.• Take Counsel

with Caution.

Specific Political Strategies for Power Acquisition

Further ReadingsFurther Readings

• Organizational Structure creates power by specifying certain individuals to perform certain tasks. Three important forms of structural power include

• A- Access to resources,• B- Ability to affect decision- making,• C- having access to relevant and important

information.• Factors Contributing to Political Behavior.• Impression Management.• Ethical issues in Power and Politics.

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