Power relations in organizations - OB

The chapter begins with a review of the sources of power and reveals that the power to influence can come from many sources. These sources range from extremely personal things such as charisma to structural or positional influences. The use of power is really a question of leadership styles. The power one holds over another is associated with dependency. When one person is influenced by another for something he or she values, the former is more easily influenced by the latter.

Complex interrelationship between organizational goals and the political process known as coalition formation is discussed. Regardless of whether one accepts the natural systems view or the individual view of organizational goals, one must explain how the desires of various interest groups and/or individuals are translated into objectives of organizations. This is where theory of political coalition becomes an important issue.

Viewing power and goal formation as political processes adds processes evident in organizations of every type. Human beings important to recognize this aspect of organizational behavior.