Analysis of Power Structures and Their Impacts on Interactions in Organizations

An organization is made up of teams that work together to guarantee that the firm’s mission, goals, and objectives are met (Papa, Daniels, & Spiker, 2008). The management teams, committees, departments, and teams for specific projects are some of these organizations. These divisions are primarily responsible for coordinating the daily operations of any organization (Chander, 2017). The decisions made by the groups have a direct impact on how the business operates. As a result, the teams need to communicate effectively in order to ensure effective decision-making and problem-solving processes (Campbell & Nelson, 2013). Impacts of Power on Organizational Relationships

Power is a complicated aspect of an organization that can yield positive or negative results for the firm depending on the appropriateness of its use (Chander, 2017).

Power Positivism

A motivated workforce is a crucial element for organizational success (Papa, Daniels, & Spiker, 2008). Individuals in power have an exclusive ability to influence the operations of the firm through ensuring the maintenance of a motivated workforce. When there is appropriate coordination of various groups, the decision-making process is enhanced, and every employee becomes satisfied with the working environment (Chander, 2017). Positive power should encourage productivity by devising a creative strategy to spur growth of the organization and, to surpass the production goals (Campbell & Nelson, 2013). The employees should be motivated by methods including giving them a chance to participate in decision making, rewarding performances and giving them supervisory roles (Papa, Daniels, & Spiker, 2008). This achieves the following;

Diligence among employees. The various forms of motivation provide the employees with the urge to increase their productivity (Chander, 2017). As a result, they work harder which significantly increases the achievements of the firm as well as enhance the individual growth of the employees.

Top Leadership gains respectable power. Involvement of the employees in vital company’s processes earns the individuals in power respect from the employees (Papa, Daniels, & Spiker, 2008). On the contrary, coercive efforts to impose authority to the employees lead to rebellion and reduced productivity (Campbell & Nelson, 2013).

Higher Employee Retention Rate. The ability to retain top skills and talents in an organization is vital for the growth of any organization (Chander, 2017). The ability can be enhanced if power is used correctly to make the employees feel valued. They should have a degree of freedom to express their views, concerns, and suggestion that they may have to improve the working environment (Papa, Daniels, & Spiker, 2008). The participation in vital organization’s activities motivates them to continue working for the organization.

Negative Effects of Power

Individuals transform their power into politics of influence to safeguard their interests in the firm (Chander, 2017). Politics engagement of the influential individuals in the organization is one of the most disturbing situations for the employees and may lead to an increase in their turn over (Papa, Daniels, & Spiker, 2008). The employees who cannot counter the unfriendly politics of power get disillusioned which significantly decreases their level of output and may eventually lead to the collapse of the firm (Campbell & Nelson, 2013).

The organizational politics is a selfish motive where the influential individuals in the organization disregard ethics and use their power to achieve individual goals over the organizational goals (Chander, 2017). The politics can, however, attract benefits to the company if it is positively tapped to enhance fair competition (Campbell & Nelson, 2013).

Examples of Forms of Power in an Organization

There are several forms of power in an organization including;

Coercive Power

This type of control is gained through the use threats and punishments which instill fear among the employees (Papa, Daniels, & Spiker, 2008). The leader uses unnecessary force to coerce the employees as they perform their daily activities. The threats that the influential individuals use may include demotion, job termination, poor performance review and withdrawal of particular privileges (Campbell & Nelson, 2013). The power creates an unfavorable environment for the employees which may lead to high employee turnover.

Example. A fruit vendor, around home residence, tells her only employee that she will be denied her pay and food if the daily target is not met by noon. While the employee feels uncomfortable with the situation, there are no alternatives to the coercive employer and she is forced to comply with the harsh directives.

Reward Power

The power is gained when the employer rewards exceptional work (Papa, Daniels, & Spiker, 2008). This form of authority encourages timely completion of tasks in an error-free manner. The employer can reward gifts such as vouchers and promotions (Chander, 2017).

Example. In a telecommunication company, the managing director has devised a scheme where every employee who introduces ten new clients to their firm gets a new iPhone 8. The manager has used the power bestowed to the position to motivate the employees to work harder.

Expert Power

This is achieved through the leader’s exceptional knowledge, skills, and experience in a specific field (Papa, Daniels, & Spiker, 2008). The expertise, confidence, and decisiveness help to overcome challenges leading to success. The employees respect and follow such leaders due to their credibility in solving the issues affecting them.

Example. Tom is a marketing director at an animal feed production unit. Ten employees are reporting directly to him. His expertise in developing bonus schemes has catapulted the company to great heights. The employees have experienced the enthusiasm that the schemes bring to the clients. This exclusive ability has earned the director respect and authority from his team and has assured the success of the company.

Interview to Determine Experiences with Power

A meeting was conducted to get primary information on the experiences of powerful individuals in a telecommunication service provider. The managing director of the firm gave valuable information on the dynamics of power and why it is vital to balance power for efficient operation of the company. The findings from the interview are summarized below;

How does Power Influence the Performance of the Firm?

Power is a crucial determinant of the firm’s success. The firm relies on the individuals with varying degrees of power to make critical decisions that have a direct impact on how the junior employees perform their duties. If the individuals fail to spot the problematic areas and develop a comprehensive plan to improve, the company will continually suffer losses resulting from the problems. As such, power determine the productivity, profitability, and conduciveness of the operational environment. Unfortunately, many influential individuals have misused their powers for their self-interests which has led to stagnation and collapse of such firms (Strother , 2017).

What Contributes to Misuse of Power in Organizations?

Power politics is a common occurrence in many firms where the individuals want to gain specific benefits inappropriately. The common factors leading to power politics include;

Lust for Power. The people in power develop an urge to increase their authority with the aim of influencing crucial decision-making processes as well as having a direct influence on the employee’s activities (Strother , 2017).

Poor organizational culture. When an organization lacks proper operational systems, it forms a fertile ground for powerful individuals to politic resulting from the low trust, biased evaluation system, role ambiguity and high pressure to perform. Individuals misuse their power to advance self-interests including seeking job promotion or promoting friends despite their poor skills (Strother , 2017).

Safeguarding own interest during a downsizing exercise. Different companies downsize their teams after a thorough evaluation and realization of overstaffing. In such a scenario, powerful individuals introduce politics to maintain their positions as well as help close friends to maintain their positions (Strother , 2017).

Discretionary Powers. There exist specific positions in an organization that have special powers that can be used in case of an emergency. Such powers are bestowed to the individuals who hold the positions making it highly competitive. As such, power politics are involved when filling these positions due to the special powers that the holders possess (Strother , 2017).

What Suggestions do you have to Effectively Manage Power?

It is necessary that there is a fair distribution of resources among the employees to reduce the need to acquire power for particular benefits. The roles of every employee should be clear, and efforts to improve communication should be made. Dysfunctional communication systems bring negative power and energy to the organization (Strother , 2017).

Suggestions for Appropriate Use of Power

Power enhances the organizational productivity if correctly applied (Papa, Daniels, & Spiker, 2008). The following suggestions show the ideal methods of using power in a firm;

Motivation

Power should be used to instill confidence among the organization’s employees which would have a positive impact on the firm’s productivity (Chander, 2017). The employees are the driving force of any company, and their welfare is paramount. Individuals in power can achieve motivation among the employee in various ways including incentives, designing attractive benefits, spot rewards, and other competitive benefits (Campbell & Nelson, 2013).

Effective Decision Making

Power in an organization should be used to increase communication between the top leadership and the junior employees (Campbell & Nelson, 2013). Effective communication is instrumental in decision making and consequently efficient running of the firm (Papa, Daniels, & Spiker, 2008). The employees like predictability on the decisions likely to affect their operations (Chander, 2017). The certainty can only be achieved if they are involved in the formulation of the company’s policies.

Creation of a Cohesive Team

The relationships in the organization should portray a sense of togetherness to achieve the set goals (Papa, Daniels, & Spiker, 2008). The management holds power to either unite or disorient the employees. The choices that the powerful individuals adopt determine the productivity of the company (Chander, 2017). The cohesion can be built through activities such as team building campaigns and other activities that enhance the bonding of the individual team members.

Conclusion

Power is an essential instrument in the management of organizations. Proper use of power by the individuals in these organizations is crucial in guaranteeing the success of the company operations. There are different types of powers bestowed to various individuals. These power privileges are sometimes misused leading to adverse effects on the company’s operation.

It is essential that every influential person in a company uses the power to enhance communication. The aspect of effective communication is necessary for efficient decision-making processes as well as to improve the employee-management relationships. When this is achieved, it produces teamwork, cohesiveness and the members become goal-oriented. The motivation developed by appropriate use of power makes the employees work diligently towards achieving the set goals and objectives.

References

Campbell, J., & Nelson, D. L. (2013). Organizational Behavior: Science, The Real World, and You. CengageBrain.

Chander, N. (2017). Power and Politics in Organizations. Delhi: University of Delhi.

Papa, M. J., Daniels, T. D., & Spiker, B. K. (2008). Organizational Communication: Perspectives and Trends. Sage Publications.

Strother , T. C. (2017, November 2). Experiences with Power within Organizational Settings.