Power and Organizations a Case Study
Power and Organizations: A Case Study
Who is in charge is a huge element that determines the organizational structure of a company. Part of understanding this notion is examining the bases of power and the delicate balance between dependency and power. The bases of power are important in understanding the organizational structure of a company and how its leadership delegates authority over the subordinates and other members of the organization as a whole.
One of the most basic bases of power is that of coercive power. Here, the research describes coercive power as "the ability of a leader to punish those who do not conform to their ideas or demands" by withholding rewards or punishing those who are not obedient to the leader's demands (Tran, 2007, p 2). One major example of coercive power is the marketing manager's enforcement of forty-hour work weeks for everyone except employee…...
mlaReferences
Rao, Sree Rama. (2008). Dependency: The key to power. Citeman. Web. http://www.citeman.com/3690-dependency-the-key-to-power.html
Tran, Thang Q. (2007). Basis of power effects on method of communication. United States Military Academy. Web. http://www.sys.virginia.edu/sieds07/papers/SIEDS07_0004_FI.pdf
Power Elite
Then and Now
A half-century after it was written, C. Wright Mills's The Power Elite remains relevant to American society. Mills's analysis of the ways in which powerful people in different sectors of society share economic interests and so share concepts and access to power remains true of the United States now. We can see many of the same dynamics at work in this election year, for while some of the key particulars of American society have changed, the way in which power interests intersect and reinforce each other.
Mills wrote The Power Elite in the aftermath of World War II. By 1956, the year of publication, much of the country had moved on to what they believed would be generations of peace and prosperity. But Mills's view of society was that there were important holdovers from the war economy and the social priorities that had arisen during the war, holdovers…...
mlaReferences
Mills, C.W. (1956). The Power Elite. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Weber, M. (1978). Max Weber: Selections in Translation, W.G Runciman
(Trans.) Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Power and Weakness
obert Kagan's 2002 article entitled "Power and Weakness" which appeared in the journal Policy eview is a fine example of an argument that takes advantage of its assumptions without discussing them. The purpose of this essay is to critically analyze this source which represents a sustained reflection on the detractions, merit and implications of the author. This essay will first summarize the article by discussing the explicit and implicit assumptions made by the author. The next section of this essay will state my personal views on the subject presented and discuss the implications that I believe the article to be putting forth.
The essential point of the article can be inferred by the subtitle of the article: Why the United States and Europe see the World Differently. This piece was written in the year 2002 which, in historical terms was a very delicate and trying time for the entire…...
mlaReferences
G. Howell and J.C. Pevehouse, "When Congress Stops Wars," Foreign Affairs, September/October 2007.
J. Goldsein, "The contemporary presidency: Cheney, Vice-Presidential power and the War on Terror," Presidential Studies Quarterly, 40:1 (2010)
L. Jacobs & B. Page, 'Who influences U.S. foreign policy?', American Political Science Review, 99:1 (2005)
Kagan, Robert. (2002). Power and Weakness. Policy Review. 13
However owners of this people were highly prohibited to mistreat them as it was against the customary law of the community to do so.
The following is the list of the title given to different people in Lao community depending on their job and duty performed in the community.
Huu muang (transl. "ear of the muang") - head of foreign affairs, diplomat
Taa muang (transl. "eye of the muang") - scholar, wise person, advisor
Kaan muang (transl. "seed of the muang") - religious head, head of cultural affairs
Haak muang (transl. "root of the muang") - astrologer, head of computation of time and Forecast
Ngau muang (transl. "trunk of the muang") - advisor, elder of the seenaa council .
Khuu muang (transl. "roof timbering of the muang") - administrators of minor political
Units, state officials faa muang (transl. "wall of the muang") - military, head of defense paa muang (transl. "roof of the muang") - members of…...
mlaReferences
Marc Bleacher, (1986). China Politics, Economics and Society. France Printers, London
Macrae janet and peg white, (1984). The Chinese Way, Brooks Waterloo, Sydney.
Jana Raendchen, (2012). The Socio-political and Administrative Organization of Muang in the Light of Lao Historical Manuscripts. Retrieved August 5, 2012 from http://www.laomanuscripts.net/downloads/literaryheritageoflaos31_raendchen_en.pdf
Rosita Dellios, (2003). Mandala: from Sacred Origins to Sovereign Affairs in Traditional Southeast Asia. Retrieved August 5, 2012 from http://epublications.bond.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1007&context=cewces_papers
Pluralism is a theory that states "…groups with shared interests influence public policy by pressing their concerns through organized effort." (Edwards, 2010, p.14) and the many linkage groups across America would seem to indicate that this theory is being carried out in practice as opposed to the hyper-pluralist theory in which pluralism runs wild and no one can agree with anyone else. Those institutions that can become organized in the most effective manner seem to be the ones who can influence the government when it comes to public policy.
Because it is the voters who must be convinced to cast their ballots for a specific candidate, candidates must campaign for office. When it comes to a campaign, it is the primary purpose of the organization to reinforce, activate, and convert voters. (Edwards, 2010, p.136) Campaigns need to reinforce voter's positive perception of a candidate, activate them into becoming involved, and…...
mlaReferences
Edwards, George, Martin Wattenberg, and Robert Lineberry. (2010). Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy. Boston: Pearson Longman. Print.
Power of Media in American Values
Contemporary
Discuss the power of the media in shaping contemporary American values.
The online oxford dictionary defines media as "the main means of mass communication (television, radio, and newspapers) regarded collectively" (oxforddictionaries.com). This implies that the public globally are highly dependent on media to get information regarding what surrounds them, so is the American public (Edwards, 2001;9). In any case, the most efficient way of transmitting information to a large population almost instantly is the media. Media has been present since the beginning of man, all that has been changing and improving is the means of disseminating the information to the masses with the result being significant. For instance, the arrival of television in the early 1950's revolutionized the media industry and its efficiency to providing information to Americans has been undoubtedly superb. Just like any other technological advancements, the changes in media have had both negative…...
Thus, the initial negotiation was not a difficult choice, as Miami had both the lowest opportunity cost and the highest benefits.
Later, when Washington re-entered the picture, it was because the league had raised suspicion with respect to the Miami contract with Howard. As a result, the cost-benefit analysis and risk analysis shifted. If Howard went to arbitration against the league, he would risk losing $50-60 million over the length of his contract. In this new position, Howard would have felt that we would make about $10 million less if he went back to Washington, since that was the last offer from that team at the time. In addition, the career success benefit did not have the same opportunity cost that it did before -- if Washington won back Bird rights to Howard it would be able to add him to a team full of quality free agents that it…...
They have worked hard to change the views of women in power. In particular, the women that have succeeded despite having "female" personality traits and leadership styles have paved the way for a shift in the paradigm that allows for future women to be more readily accepted. Once this occurs, more women will be in management. This allows for the rational-legal authority to also shift, since leaders tend to prefer to be surrounded by their own kind. More women in leadership will beget more women in leadership in the future.
Another method of acquiring real power was to create it. Sharon Patrick notes that if opportunities to build one's power are not immediately present, then those opportunities need to be created. hile Patrick discusses this approach as being congruent with her "female" values because the new ventures and partnerships allow her to lead in her own style, creating such ventures…...
mlaWorks Cited:
Muoio, a. (1998). Women and men, work and power. Fast Company. Retrieved June 23, 2010 from http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/13/womenofpr.html?page=0%2C0
My colleagues at work know me for being honest yet diplomatic and congenial. To my staff, I am an authority figure who knows how to empathize with them, as I also rose through the ranks before I became a middle manager. However, in order to preserve the authority, respect and influence I have over my staff, I also make it a point to assume the role of a superior while offering empathic advice or suggestions to them. Further, I only discuss with my staff issues that are related to our work, which may include personal problems that led to poor performance, absences, among other issues. I also offer my honest opinion in every issue discussed, and I think that my honesty and ability to empathize with my staff made me a good influence and inspiration to them.
I also establish my legitimacy as a middle manager by showing that I…...
Power Its Use and Misuse
Use and misuse of power: Different types of power
Power is often conceptualized as a force that is done 'to' someone 'by' something (such as an institution) or someone. However, power is often a far more subtle form of influence. Power is not necessarily 'bad;' rather it is how it is used makes all of the difference. When T.S. Eliot wrote: "Half of the harm that is done in this world is caused by people who have power and want to feel important. They do not mean to do harm; they are simply absorbed in the useless struggle to think well of themselves," he was likely writing about the use of coercive power (Manning & Curtis, p. 143). Coercive power is the typical scenario that comes to mind when people are talking about the potential misuses of power. "This is the power to force someone to do…...
mlaReferences
Straker, David. (2012). French and Raven's Five Forms of Power. Changing Minds.
Retrieved at: http://changingminds.org/explanations/power/french_and_raven.htm
Power Tools
Few products are truly necessary to the average consumer, and even fewer products become omnipresent. Examples of such products are automobiles, clothing, food, and shelter. Power tools are another such product. Any individual who has undertaken a home improvement project has most likely purchased and used power tools. While power tools range from the largely ordinary (i.e., drills) to the vastly complex (i.e., tools used on large-scale construction projects), it is clear that power tools have become an integral component in nearly every individual's life.
This paper analyzes and examines the multitude of issues related to power tools. Part II discusses statistics regarding power tools, companies and competition in the industry, government regulation, and health hazards. Lastly, this paper concludes with recommendations about whether the company should manufacture power tools in its excess plant space.
STATISTICS REGARDING POWER TOOLS, COMPANIES AND
COMPETITION IN THE INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT REGULATION, AND
HEALTH HAZARDS
In order for the…...
mlaBIBLIOGRAPHY
"Black & Decker." Retrieved from on July 14, 2002.http://www.blackanddecker.com
"Bosch." Retrieved from on July 14, 2002.http://www.boschtools.com
"DeWalt: High Performance Industrial Tools and Accessories." Retrieved from on July 14, 2002.http://www.dewalt.com
"Hand and Power Tools." Retrieved from on July 14, 2002.http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/handpowertools
Power, by definition, is the "ability to control the behavior of others, even against their will" (hio, 2000, p. 179). he relationship between power, and our belief system or ideology is quite simple - this control that can be exerted over another person, group, country, race, or religion is most often associated with wealth. he majority of sociologists believe that with wealth comes power, and with more wealth comes more power (hio, 2000, p. 179).
Power is intertwined into our system of beliefs throughout - our political system is one prime example of that relationship. Most of the top government positions are occupied or funded by someone who is wealthy. George W. Bush hails from exas, land of oil millionaires, and he once was the owner of the exas Rangers. Yes, the owner of a Major League Baseball team. You might say he has some money. Wealthy persons are surely more…...
mlaThere are some kinds of power that may not be negative, such as the power that is labeled as "legitimate" by Thio on page 358. Legitimate power is when the person believes the control being exercised is with their "consent" or permission (Thio, 2000, p. 357). This type of power is either influence, which is the "ability to control others' behaviors through persuasion rather than coercion or authority" or authority, which is power represented by organizations or institutions, such as our government (Thio, 2000, p. 358). Influence is a more subtle approach to power, such as a professional athlete attempting to influence his fans to purchase a certain brand of sneaker or apparel.
Just as there is consensual yielding of power, there are the kinds of power that someone uses without the permission of the other person. This type of power is defined as illegitimate (Thio, 2000, p. 357). The use of this sort of power is called "coercion" - the "use of force or the threat of force to compel obedience" (Thio, 2000, 357). For example, when someone commits sexual violence against another person, it is typically their threats of harm that prevent the victim from yelling out for help.
Obviously, our entire lives and belief systems are centered around power, and its control of our actions. Someone always holds power at all times, and for some sociologists, it is the power elite with all of the control, or to others power is evenly distributed among large groups in our nation. Regardless of which theory is believed, it is undeniable that power struggles exist daily, and can bring positive as well as negative repercussions for those in power, and those without power.
At the end of the school career, the average Japanese child is then highly educated. Hotaka is no exception, while his high level of intelligence also counts in his favor. Hotaka is not physically very adept, but enjoys water sports such as swimming and sailing. In general, physical prowess is not something he will need during his future career in his father's company.
Another element that counts in Hotaka's favor is the fact that he has a particular affinity for his father's work. He is very communicative with his father, and enjoys learning from him. He sees entering his father's role as an opportunity to further the family legacy. Like his father, he also feels that family values and traditions are highly important not only for the stability of Japanese culture in general, but also for the Japanese individual specifically.
Although Hotaka is limited in terms of personal career choice, he…...
Malala
Are words as powerful as weapons? Malala Yousafzai has often made this analogy in her speeches and written works, and there is some merit to the idea that words have a power that is similar to the power held by weapons. She’s said, for example, that “books are more powerful than guns.”
The analogy is not a new one, but Malala is a poignant example of this idea in action, having survived an attempt on her life, merely for speaking strongly in favor of girls’ education rights. For Malala, this analogy is what got her started, and has proven to drive her since that point.
What she means when she says this is simple. Guns, as a form of violence, can harm or kill people, but they can only harm or kill each person individually. Even weapons of mass destruction that could wipe out an entire civilization would be hard-pressed, in the…...
After all, a person's sense of self-worth depends on feeling competent and able to influence what is happening in one's life. How much power we perceive ourselves to have directly influences our sense of self-esteem.
In a discussion of power currencies, Hocker & Wilmot (2007) say how much power we have depends on whether we have "currencies" other people want. In other words your power over another person rests on your having something to give them that they need. For example, in the days when women had few rights and little power in their marriages, they did have sex (a valuable currency), which they could give or withhold in order to exert power. But it depends on the relationship what the currency is. Sex isn't a currency in a business relationship, for instance, and perhaps it shouldn't be used as a currency in an intimate relationship.
Every person has potential currencies…...
mlaReferences
Hocker, J.L. And Wilmot, W.W. (2007). Interpersonal conflict. Seventh Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Choosing how to start your essay on deviance depends on the type of essay you are writing and the type of coursework you are trying to complete. Deviance is a broad topic that is covered in many of the soft sciences, including (but not limited to) sociology, psychology, and criminology. It is also discussed in the humanities, particularly philosophy and history. Therefore, we would probably begin the essay with two things: a definition of deviance and an explanation of how that definition fits into the context of the essay we are writing.
Generally, deviance is a sociological concept....
One of the reasons that Frederick Douglass was an effective anti-slavery advocate was because he was a powerful speaker and writer who mastered rhetorical tools and was able to use them to convey the realities of slavery to people who had either never experienced or had experienced slavery from the perspective of the slaveholder, rather than the perspective of the slave.
Douglass uses simile, comparing most slaves’ knowledge of their birthdays to what a horse would know of its birthday. Given that slaves were often compared to beasts of burden; this may not seem like a rhetorical device....
Dueling Protagonists: Exploring the Roles of Napoleon and Snowball in Animal Farm
Generally, the protagonist of a story is its main character and the center of the action. Many people think of protagonists as the heroes of the story, but that is not always the case. Villains can also be the protagonist of stories, and it is common for the protagonists of the story to view themselves very differently from how the story’s other characters would view them. In Animal Farm, it is difficult to identify a single protagonist because both Snowball and Napoleon play a protagonist....
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