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Organizational Politics

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Introduction Organizations irrespective of their structure, design, hierarchies and outlook have one thing in common, the interplay of dynamics of different natured individuals who constitute them, say Porfeli and Vondracek (2001). This statement reflects three keen interest areas – firstly that individual employees who make an organization are natured differently and have varied interests, goals and personal ambitions. Secondly there is an interplay of these individuals’ intents and goals with those of the others and thirdly and importantly that this interplay translates into a dynamic organizational culture and politics. Politics is power in action cite Culbert and McDonough (1985). There can be no politics without power whether …show more content…

2009). Hence we have season that there are obvious reasons cited above such as limited nature of resources, conflict of interests, groupism, unfulfilled ambitions, relationship with the team members and the leaders that are all mostly part of the organizational culture and constitute the external framework giving rise to organizational politics. There are some theorists who have worked extensively in assessing and analyzing intrinsic factors or traits that are more personal in nature and describe why few employees in organizations would always or more actively engage in political behavior or politicking as it is referred to than others (Dawis, Rene V. and Lofquist, Lyold H. 1969). Barling and Loughlin (2001) state that age group cohorts also vary in their disposition with regards to politics at work. The authors argue that young workers of today are influenced by many factors; a substantial amongst them is the influence of their families, in particular by their parents’ experiences on the job. In the 80s and 90s, when their parents were working, downsizing and rightsizing were common (Barling, Julian and Loughlin, Catherine. 2001). Thus these young cohorts have grown up seeing this insecurity at work, which makes them skeptical, and though better prospects at work today make them better paid, but they do not trust the systems to last forever. They are interested in immediate pay offs, independence and flexible working hours. These young

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