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The Power Of An Organization

Decent Essays

Part X1 of Giblin (2014) focused on power in organizations. Giblin (2014) described power as an important aspect in an organization. Power can help maintain order and ensure others are being compliant. Others have defined power as being influential, as being a force that influences behavior of another and to bring about outcomes in the organization. All these definitions and descriptions have similar things in common. First, power is hard to study unless you know who holds the power and who experiences it. Second, power is something to be exercised. Third, power is basically the ability to do certain things. Fourth and final, power can be used by others and not just from the one who holds it (Giblin, 2014). Giblin (2014) states there are …show more content…

Resource power is when an individual can retrieve the necessary resources for the organization. Charismatic power is when the individual can influence enthusiasm in another (Giblin, 2014). All of these powers are separated into two groups according to Giblin (2014). The two groups are position power and personal power. “Position power bases-legitimate, resource, reward, coercive, and information-are derived from ones position in the organization” (Giblin, 2014, 485). All of these powers depend on which place the individual has on the hierarchy. Then the rest fall under the personal power bases. These powers can be obtained by anyone by any position. Power can be effective in an organization depending on the individual and the circumstance. The three articles in this section focus on power in certain areas of the criminal justice system. Sykes (1958) examined correctional officers and prisoner relationship. Correctional officers usually hold the power in the prison. Sykes states that correctional officers may have the power but inmates have the choice not to listen. They have the power to keep things in order in the prison and to punish if anyone breaks the rules. Some use the power to coerce inmates into submission. But sometimes power is used to create a relationship. “The guard is in close and intimate association with his prisoners throughout the course of the working day” (Sykes, 1958 as cited in Giblin, 2014, 501). Overall, Sykes concludes that it

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