Power and Politics in Management
Question1) Power and Politics in Management). Identify an episode in which two or more people (e.g., peers, superiors, subordinates, clients, etc) are involved in an organization/ company with the same or different objectives, hidden or revealed; and closely follow through the process in influencing each other. Present the objectives, process, tools used in the process, and ultimate outcome in detail, so that we can analyze and learn from the episode about the social and organizational dynamics. Discussion question 1) what are reasons (sources of power) that you and many others listen to your boss? Or not listen to your boss? Show some examples. & who has the most power or potential of influence among people you know? What does he /she has that other people do not?
Question 2)(Strategic contingency at work) One of the classic theories of power is the contingency theory, which suggests you to place yourself in the strategically important position in your company to gain power, to be brief. Study the theory closely (Pages 316-318); and present how you can use an element (or two, like centrality or so on) to build power in your workplace. If you do not work, use any company you are familiar with. Offer some details of the work context.
Question 3) what did or can you do in your job to make other people (your coworkers or boss) listen to you? have you ever felt powerless in an organization? What made you feel such powerlessness?
