ORGANIZATIONAL
CONTROL AND POWER
Materials compiled and presented by:
Jessa Quiño Escarpe
ACTIVITY
Group 1 Group 2
Power
Leadership Power
Influence Authority
Definition of Power
• “the capacity or ability to direct or influence the
behavior of others or the course of events” –
Webster
• “the probability that one actor within a social
relationship will be in a position to carry out his
will despite resistance” – Weber
• “the potential ability to influence behavior, to
change the course of events, to overcome
resistance, and to get people to do things that
they would not otherwise do” - Pfeffer
Distinction between Power,
Authority, and Influence
• Influence is the process of affecting the
thoughts, behavior, and feelings of another
person.
• Authority is the right to influence another
person.
Contrasting Leadership and
Power
• Leaders use power as a means of attaining
group goals.
• Power is a means of facilitating their
achievements.
Characteristics of Power
• According to Kanter:
1. Ability to intercede for someone in trouble
2. Ability to get placement for favoured employees
3. Exceeding budget limits
4. Procuring above-average raises for employees
5. Getting items done on own terms at meetings
6. Access to early information
7. Top managers seeking out opinion
According to Korda:
8. Office furnishing
9. Time Power
10. Standing by
Symbols of Powerlessness
• Overly close supervision
• Inflexible adherence to rules
• Tendency to do the jobs themselves
Empowerment
• Empowerment is the sharing of power in such a
way that individuals learn to believe in their
ability to do the job.
• Empowerment has four dimensions:
1. Meaning
2. Competence
3. Self-determination
4. Impact
Power in Organizations
(Acquisition of Power)
• Some people enjoy more power than others
because of:
1. Formal authority
2. Visible activities
3. Cultivating the right people
4. Coalitions
5. Co-opting
Sources of Power
• Legitimate power is
also known as
positional power. It is
derived from the
position a person
holds in an
organization’s
hierarchy.
Sources of Power
Expert power is
derived from
possessing knowledge
or expertise in a
particular area. Such
people are highly
valued by
organizations for their
problem solving skills.
Sources of Power
Referent power is
derived from the
interpersonal
relationships that a
person cultivates with
other people in the
organization. People
possess reference
power when others
respect and like them.
Sources of Power
Coercive power is
derived from a person’s
ability to influence
others via threats,
punishments or
sanctions. It helps
control the behavior of
employees by ensuring
that they adhere to the
organization’s policies
and norms.
Sources of Power
Reward power arises
from the ability of a
person to influence the
allocation of incentives
in an organization. If
used well, it greatly
motivates employees.
Sources of Power
Informational power is
where a person
possesses needed or
wanted information.
This is a short-term
power that doesn’t
necessarily influence
or build credibility.
Sources of Power
Connection power is
where a person attains
influence by gaining
favor or simply
acquaintance with a
powerful person. This
power is all about
networking.
Power and Power Models
• PLURALISTIC APPROACH – is a theory that
centers on the idea of how power is distributed.
There is no single ruling elite.
• CLASS THEORY/MARXIST THEORY – assumes that
power is unequally distributed throughout
society and a particular group controlling the
means of production hold a monopoly on power.
It focuses on the entire class structure.
Power and Power Models
• ELITE THEORY – domination is achieved by an inner circle
of ruling elite who maintain positions of control in major
social institutions. The dominant class is able to control
outcomes due to shared class consciousness.
• GENDER THEORY – holds that in all societies, the power
is actually in the hands of the men who as a group
dominate the group of women in the society. The power
in each society stands centralized in the hands of the
group of men and it is the power of the gender
domination of man as a group over the women as a
group.
Group 1 Group 2
• What is the importance • If you are a powerful
of acquiring power and individual, how will you
empowerment in an use your power for the
organization? welfare of the
organization where you
are in?
Direction: Answer the following questions in a one-half
lengthwise sheet of paper.
1. Among the seven types of power, which one do you think
you have? Support your answer.
2. Choose one power model and explain.
