This 4 page paper considers the sources of informal and formal power within an organization. The sources of the power, the way they emerge, characteristics of each type of power and management considerations are discussed. The bibliography cites 4 sources.
Name of Research Paper File: TS14_TEpowers.rtf
Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
understand but it is not always the most influential. Informal power structures are less transparent but can be very powerful; especially due to the lack of control an employer may
have ion these sources of power. Bernard looked at theories of power, considering the formal sources of power (Barnard, 1970, quoted Koumakhov, 2005). These were regarded as hierarchical in
nature and he argued that there were three main characteristics or features in terms of the authority. In the formal setting power may be seen as given by authority.
The first feature is that where there is power or authority there is the ability to give commands along the vertical lines of the hierarchy, those higher in the hierarchy
have a type of power over their subordinates, but Barnard argues that compliance and acceptance by employees of the seniors power is not the same as consent (Koumakhov, 2005).
The second feature is that the communication structure in place in the organization reflects the power structure; this communication can be direct
in terms of the actual message channels but may also be indirect wit authority or power being implied through positions on the hierarchy chart. Senior managers may simply control centers
of communication, which it is argued makes formal power the only real power in an organizations and it governs the communication structure (Koumakhov, 2005).
The last of the features of a formal power structure put forward by Barnard is that the decision made by the individual with power need to be
within what he calls the employees zone of indifference, this means that the command is such that it is not questioned by the employee, it may not be significant enough