Question

Discuss how the views about power and organizational politics have changed overtime

Answer 1

Views about power and organizational politics have evolved from a linear view of power being the absolute principle of the organization, to one where power has become a way to create motivation in order to provide the organization the required aspect of productivity.

In the early days of business, the manager had absolute power. Their decisions were based on their ability to coerce their workers into conforming to the needs, which, however impractical became the norm followed throughout the industry. The trends have however evolved throughout. There is still organizational politics and managers still want to impress their superiors through their performance. But, they have now realized that real power comes through and from the people being governed rather than the individualistic value of success and conformity. This view of envisioning the structure which makes the best possible use of the functionality of the company has allowed us to understand what it is that makes businesses grow and therefore, since the performance is being increased, the greatest source of political superiority in the company has become their ability to utilize their workforce in a way which provides everybody the best possible outcome. The principles have become more utilitarian and therefore, the corporate culture has embraced a stewardship, servant leadership as well as a democratic structure.