Politics in Business

Research Paper # 109862

Business > Human Resources
Business > Management
Psychology

This paper outlines the components of politics in the workplace.

3,263 words () | 7 sources | MLA | 2008 Canada

Paper Summary:

The paper looks at four types of annoying workers in the office and six types of power and shows how individuals translate their bases of power into specific action that is called politics. The paper discusses different types of empowerment and how those who engage in harassment in the workplace are typically abusing their power position. The paper explains that politics is almost inevitable in a workplace due to members holding different goals and interests, the scarcity of organizational resources and unclear and subjective performance outcomes. The paper concludes by describing several ways in which people can help to minimize office politics.

From the Paper:

"I think the most important aspect of power is that it is a function of dependency. Dependency is basically the more that B depends on A, the more power A has in the relationship. Dependence is based on the alternatives that B perceives and the important that B places on the alternatives that A controls (Langton and Robbins, 2006, p.281). An example of this would be if you are attending university on funds totally supplied by your parents, you should recognize the power that your parents hold over you. You are dependent on them for financial support. But when you are done school, have a job, and making a living, your parents' power is drastically reduced. Another example of this seems to be the rich relative who is able to control family members by the threat of removing them from the will."

Sample of Sources Used:

Albright Tia, Your 4 other worst enemies, Men's Health (10544836, Sept2007, Vol.22Issue 7, p.126, 1/3p, 4c.
Burkey-Wade, Linda, Motivating Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Staff inTimes of Shrinking Budgets: How to Say Yes with Less, Journal of InterlibraryLoan, 2007, vol.17, Issue 4, p.135-147, 13p.
Cipriani, Krystal, Investing in Human Assets, Graphic Arts Monthly, Sept2007, Vol.79Issue 9, p.8, 1p, 1c.
Conner, Alana, Butter Your Way to the Top, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Fall2007, vol. 5, Issue 4, p.15, 1p.
Langton, Nancy, Robbins, Stephen, Organizational Behaviour, Pearson Education Canada, Toronto (2007).