POWER
The course this week focused on the concepts of power, politics, and knowledge. The respective entries were analyzed and discussed in length in relation to their subsequent definitions. Power has been defined in numerous different ways in this course.
Power has been defined in relation to a character within a given social setting. Personally, I think that the definition tries to capture all concepts within that scope. The definition learnt roots from a collection of definitions regarding power. The definition has to a large extent captured the meanings given in other numerous definitions. Thereby, the definition has integrated other vital school of thoughts in its composure.
Power has been assigned sub-categories within its scope. Characteristics of power have also been discussed. I think this section has dissected the concept of power critically. A new dimension to the entity is created in not only this section, but also the following ones. Comprehension has been made simpler with the breakdown and in-depth highlights of the outlined points.
Constructive and destructive power has been highlighted (‘Wk 2’, 2011, ppt 14). These two concepts according to Lucas have been relevantly linked to the course work as is going to be seen in the following chapters. However, I think that the list developed by Lucas and related to this course is not conclusive. To a large extent, many would agree that there are numerous aspects that have been left out in these sub-categories.
Learning this topic has helped me gain some vital insights on the concept of power. Applications of the learnt material in my future rankings and positions as a manager will help me in my undertakings in a large way. It is therefore evidently very vital leant information especially in line with my future endeavors and possible organizational ranks.
THEORIES OF POWER-PAST AND PRESENT
This week’s learning was based on various theories of power. The thoughts of numerous philosophers, both in the past and in the present have been incorporated. I do feel that it is a vital learning element. Learning the presented theories regarding the issue of power to a large extent helps one to understand the entity better.
Whether the selected theories and school of thoughts have been specifically or randomly chosen is a matter of personal perception. However, I do think that the elements and theories in regard to their developers have not been randomly collected. The theorists analyzed are major impact making individuals in the history of the world. The selection of their understanding and perception is therefore deliberate considering the high integrity and loyalty directed to other teachings and beliefs held by the individuals.
I do find that Steven Luke’s thoughts over power are the most invaluable (‘Wk 2’, 2011, ppt 28). The three dimensions presented as elements of power to a large extent help to further dissect the topic. The developer of the theories was evidently informed over the topic. The three dimensions of power provide a proper scholarly bearing. The long run effect of this school of thought is that it will be further analyzed. I believe that the developer of the theory on three dimensions of power played a vital role in creating a debating avenue. The arguments raised in regard to this situation will therefore help in further availing important information and discoveries in future. The bottom line therefore is that the discussed scope is a vital input of study.
POWER ELITES
The topic on power elites has been introduced by a proper definition of the concept. The simple definition was meant to bring the meaning of the concept to the learners in a better way. It has clearly avoided any form of intricacies. This was vital considering that the rest of the components of the subject were easily assimilated.
Elites have been existent in all societies since time immemorial. The fact that Marx Weber mention them is a full prove to this factor. The theorist has indicated that the society is often ruled by the elites (‘Wk 3’, 2011, ppt 6). This aspect is true in numerous ways. The fact that the theory of Weber still makes sense years later only helps to bring to out the fact that the concerned theorist was a perfectionist in his theoretical outputs. Therefore, numerous other cases concerning theory as well as opinion can be comfortably drawn from the deliberations of this theorist.
The topic is an important one considering that it helps to bring out the elements of elitism in a better way. Reflecting from the definitions and teachings integrated, one can adequately determine whether they stand a chance of being labeled elite in a given community. Further, the knowledge earned from this course is vital in application to those individuals wanting to be elites. For instance, I could play along the prescribed rules and adequately conform to the presented teachings in the event I wanted to join the elite society. I have also been able to determine that I do not fall between any of the levels of elitism as provided for in the teachings. The course was therefore very informative to a large extent.
ORGANIZATIONAL POWER
Organizational power and its relations is the topic of this course. In this course, the main point being analyzed is the concept and scope with proper definitions of organizational power. Organizational power has been described in different ways to enhance comprehension.
From a personal perception, I believe that the topic is indeed very vital. Understanding the concept of organizational power helps to a large extent in the normal running of a business. Considering that I hold the managerial position in a given company, applying the accrued knowledge on this aspect is necessary. I will therefore be able to relate and relay the accrued knowledge into creating sustainable and effective organizational power in my company. The effects of these undertakings are obviously numerous.
The highlighted uses of organizational power are particularly of high importance to a large extent. This information can be effected positively in a given scenario with consideration that I am the manager. The effects of this process is that there will be guaranteed professionalism guaranteed in this respect. I tend to believe that the knowledge earned especially in this area will help in drawing a clear cutline between success of company’s endeavors and failing.
Application of various types and levels of power in the organization will also tend to come in handy to a large extent. Moreover, with prior knowledge of the concepts, failure of endeavors arising from the wrongful application of these aspects is avoided wholly. This are some of the positives results are that are accompanying the process of accruing the knowledge on the sub-discipline of organizational power.
ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICS
The teachings on this week were mainly on the issue and concept of organizational politics. The relevance of this aspect is particularly enhanced by the accrued knowledge in the previous weeks, for instance, on the issue of organizational power. Organizational politics are indeed a very vital topic worth learning by concerned individuals.
Various political activities in the organizational environment have been discussed. Further, the reasons for the arising of political activities within the firm have also been highlighted. Clearly, the importance and relevance of this aspect to the general mission and vision of the respective organization has also been highlighted, though not directly. What is the importance of reading this concept? Perhaps the answer to this question would be given differently depending on the individual asked, and their respective positions held in the organization (Harris, Andrews & Kacmar, 2007, p. 141)
Various modes of carrying out politics in the organization have also been discussed. Sanctioned and non-sanctioned politics in the workplace has been described and analyzed in the coursework (‘Wk 5’, 2011, ppt 14). The acquired knowledge on this aspect helps in drawing the line on proper and improper conduct. The ethical perception and application in the workplace is brought out here. With the learned knowledge, I would ensure that I only took part in the sanctioned politics in the organization. This is because the non-sanctioned political activities in the workplace can have negative and severe consequences on not only the concerned individual but also the organization as a whole.
The knowledge on the possible dangers accompanied by the workplace politics has also been vitally incorporated. With this knowledge, I can be able to act accordingly in regard to the policies of the organization. Further, I can be able to adequately apply the organizational power skills learnt in the previous week.
GENDER AND POWER IN THE ORGANIZATION
The topic this week dealt with the issue of gender and power in the organization. The main emphasis of this topic was to bring to the attention of concerned students on the current existing gender bias in the workplace. The sub-discipline has brought out the factor of inequality and sexual indifference. The women are the ones clutching at the shorter end of the stick with the men seemingly self-determining their overall importance over the women (‘Wk 7’, 2011, ppt 11).
Various cases of how this vice is made possible in the workplace have been given. Personally, I have been able to learn quite a lot in regard to this aspect. The various cases of how inequality is carried out in the organization may be invincible to the common eye.
The changing roles of women in the society have been highlighted in the course. These aspects have helped in bringing out the vital fact that women can importantly play vital organizational roles successfully. In some instances, the input of women in the organization can prove to be more valuable than that of their male counterparts (Rantalaiho & Heiskanen, 1997, p. 103).
Learning this topic has helped me gain the necessary knowledge of handling various cases in my organization as a future professional manager. With the integrated knowledge, I intend to ensure that I do not cross the ethical line of being in favor of the current prejudice against women. As a manager, I would ensure that my organization follows the policy of EEO to the letter. Giving women equal opportunities as the men would probably reflect positively in the long run performance of the organization. The bottom line therefore is that women have been relevantly linked with the general running of the organization, a factor which should be implemented by all managers for a better future.
LANGUAGE AND POWER
The course this week dealt with the issue of language and power. Firstly, the importance of engaging in the learning of this topic was made. Indeed, language is a very relevant aspect especially in regard to the normal operations of managers in given organizations. With this in mind, analyzing various concepts related with language and power becomes relevant.
Managers use language to communicate in almost all levels in the organization (‘Wk 9’, 2011, ppt 3). Proper communication is a key input in the smooth running of the organization. With regard to the persuasive powers of employed language, the concept can be directly relevantly linked with the issue of power. This is a very vital connection in numerous ways.
I believe that my learning on the concept of language will be of great help especially in future. I have been able to identify the important link between the organizational power and language. Language seemingly determines the organizational powers of an individual. Considering this therefore, I would be able to ensure that my language skills are at their best so as to ensure that I earn ultimate organizational power professionally. It is more of a sanctioned form of organizational politics.
The fact that language can also be used destructively in the organization has been brought up. In this case, one uses the power of speech to wrongful intentions directed to concerned individuals. The ethics of any profession, including managerial, do not support such kind of acts. Therefore, with the negative implications of such practices and the ethical stand on the issue, I would not be part and parcel of such organizational vices. This aspect presents a situation of un-sanctioned organizational politics, which definitely, are unhealthy and unprofessional.
DO MEN AND WOMEN HAVE EQUAL RIGHTS IN THE WORKPLACE?
Whether gender misappropriation and bias occurs in the workplace is not a new issue in regard to normal organizational behavior. To a large extent, this topic has been a matter of concern and review in the recent times by a number of concerned entities.
Gender inequality in the workplace is indeed a practice within our organization. In this case, men seem to have the upper hand over women in regard to various positions and offices held in the organization. The importance of analyzing this aspect cannot be missed. Gender inequality is persistent in numerous organizations across the world today (Heiskanen & Hearn, 2004, p. 99)
It is vital to note that women have the same or even in some cases better skills than the men. With this knowledge in mind, it would be inappropriate to negatively discriminate the women in the workplace. The importance of this knowledge to respective heads of organizations is very vital.
From a personal point of view, the acquisition of such knowledge is in the best interest of the general undertakings of given firms. As a professional manager in a given organization, I would see to it that this vice is not persistent or even present in the least in my company. This would be the best course or action considering that given firms might be in the losing end if not applying the policy of EEO in their undertakings. The results of this trend would be positively reflected in the long run, in relation to the performance record displayed.
Therefore, the topic on gender and power in the organization was a very important one in numerous aspects. It helped me integrate various crucial inputs that will definitely come in handy in future.
FINAL REFLECTION
Generally, the course has been very helpful in a large way. Evidently, I have been able to acquire diverse knowledge concerned in the field of management. I have been able to internalize and incorporate various aspects and sub-categories concerned with the discipline. I do believe that the knowledge acquired during the course will be very beneficial in not only the short run, but also the long run. Applications of learnt concepts will clearly draw a line separating success and failure. Therefore, I do believe that reading the course work and actively engaging in the process of acquiring more knowledge on this discipline will pay off.
The learnt concept on the issue of organizational power and politics is particularly of interest to me. I have been able to learn vital information that I did not previously know about in this aspect. The different organizational powers and their relevant application in the organization are very important. Further, the incorporation of the two concepts according to me is very vital. I believe that organizational power should be used to curb the levels of organizational politics. With this in mind, professionalism in the undertakings of the organization will be guaranteed.
The reflections made on each weeks work is also a very important undertaking. It has helped me analyze the learnt concepts and their importance and relevance especially in regard to future plans of being a professional manager. This analysis has also helped me in internalizing the learnt concepts more. I have been able to go back through the course work in an effort to make conclusive personal judgments over the sub-disciplines. Further, the writing process has also helped me put to test my basic writing skills.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Duarte, F. (2011). Wk 9: Language & Power. School of Management. Sydney: UWS
Duarte, F. (2011). Wk 2: Theories of Power. School of Management. Sydney: UWS
Duarte, F. (2011). Wk 1: Defining Key Concepts. School of Management. Sydney: UWS
Duartes, F. (2011). Wk 3: Power Elites. School of Management. Sydney: UWS
Duartes, F. (2011). Wk 4: Power in Organizations. School of Management. Sydney: UWS
Duartes, F. (2011). Wk 7: Gender & Power in Organizations. School of Management. Sydney: UWS
Duartes, F. (2011). Wk 5: Organizational Politics. School of Management. Sydney: UWS
Harris, K. J., Andrews, M. C., & Kacmar. (2007). The moderating effects of justice on the relationship between organizational politics and workplace attitudes. Journal of Business and Psychology, 22, 135-144.
Heiskanen, T & Hearn, J. (2004). Information society and the work place. Spaces, boundaries and agency. New York: Routledge
Rantalaiho, L. & Heiskanen, T. (eds.) (1997). Gendered practices in working life. London: MacMillan & St Martin’s Press.
