Politics

Politics in Organization

Definition of Politics

* Politics is the study of influence and the influential

* behavior to influence, or attempt to influence the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within the organization.

* Politics refers to the structure and process of the use of authority and power to affect definition of goals, directions and the other major parameters of the organization. Decisions are not made in a rational or formal way but rather through compromise, accommodation and bargaining.”

Organizational Politics

* Organizational politics is the process whereby individuals or groups use whatever power they can amass to influence organizational decision in the direction of their own interests.

* Organizational politics refer to intentional behaviours that are designed to enhance or protect a person's influence and self-interest.

* Attempts to influence others using discretionary behaviours to promote personal objectives

* Discretionary behaviours — neither explicitly prescribed nor prohibited

* Politics may be good or bad for the organization

Measure of Influence

* Influence is measured on the basis of the number of shares one or a group has in the preferred values or attributes

* The more values or attributes shared, the greater the influence

Political Influence

* Measured in terms of who gets the most of what there is to get:

* Access to people, places, things, opportunities,

* Attention from others

* Deference to ideas, positions, places

* Security, safety, protection from harm or hardship

* Greater financial reward

Plain old Influence

* Attributes:

* Wealth

* Physical Attractiveness

* Skills & knowledge

* Personality

* History

* Background or experience

* Attitude

Impression management

* Conformity: agreeing with another’s opinion to get their approval

* Excuses: Explanations of a predicament-creating event aimed at...