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Bureaucratic Political Theory Paper

Decent Essays

The organisational dynamics of guilds can be explored using the Bureaucratic Politics model, which can be applied when there are multiple actors engaged with different priorities and perceptions (McFarland & Gomez, 2013). The Bureaucratic Politics theory contends that the multiple players in an organisation have different resources and power, and the actors will enter a game of exchange or bargaining according to agreed rules (McFarland & Gomez, 2013). Each of the millions of World of Warcraft players have resources of interest to other players, such as quest items, knowledge or access to trade skill masters. Guilds are formed to enable groups to have access to resources and enhance their ability to advance through the game.

Coalitions, …show more content…

As outlined on the WOWWiki (2013), “you shouldn’t expect free handouts for no effort”.

3. The process of choice is where mutually acceptable trades are arranged (McFarland & Gomez, 2013). There is a better chance of success for all players if the group works together, rather than as individuals, so the group must work together to make decisions. At the same time each team member is likely to want to protect their own parochial interests such as advancing one’s own personal quest, developing their own skills, or gaining power within the guild. Therefore, the exchange process must be negotiated so that resources in the form of skills, collective knowledge, or quest items are shared in a manner that is mutually acceptable for group members.

4. Each actor trades, trying to improve their position, fulfilling their preferences/identity as best they can until no more legal or mutually acceptable trades are possible (McFarland & Gomez, 2013). The guild continues to reach collective decisions through the exchange of resources in order to advance through the various stages and challenges of the game.

While the Bureaucratic Politics model provides a useful lens for examining guilds as coalitions that enhance mutual interests and make favourable decisions, there are other elements that influence the organisational dynamics of guilds that are not explicitly discussed in this theory. The Bureaucratic Politics theory asserts that

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