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Power and Politics in Organizations: Leaders and Followers

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1. Is power good or bad in organizations - why or why not?
2. Can management stop the use of power or politics in their organization - explain?
3. Can someone have a successful career by aspiring to be to be an effective follower - why or why not?

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Solution Summary

Power and politics are present in all organizations, however how you use this power will determine whether it will have a negative or positive impact to the organization.

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1)
Power usually means the influence and authority over others in an organization. Depending on the type of organization (hierarchical) and culture (Eastern countries vs Western), some organizations have greater power over the employees than others.
How an organization uses its power, it can either have a negative or positive influence to the organization. There are five bases of power that have been identified:
• Coercive: power to punish and force others to act a certain way
• Legitimate: this comes with position; authority
• Reward: give positive things in return of work (bonuses, perks, praise)
• Expert: most valuable; a skill a person has such as professionals (lawyers, doctors)
• Referent: network and relationships with others; how well you are liked, admired, and respected by others

Power can be good or bad in an organization, depending on how an individual uses it. We ...

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