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¶ … Abuses of Power
Because all organizations are comprised of people, it is virtually inevitable that some individuals, most especially those in positions of authority, will acquire more power relative to others. Power, though, is not the sole domain of management but it is reasonable to suggest that the majority of power wielded in any workplace setting is by higher-level executives and front-line supervisors and managers who inherently possess their power by virtue of their corporate authority. In many cases, the use of power can be a useful and acceptable practice while in others the exercise of power is unacceptable. In any case, the use of power can have some unintended consequences that make it a high-risk option. This paper reviews the relevant literature concerning these issues, followed by a summary of the research and important findings concerning the use of power in the workplace in the conclusion.
When is power useful?
According to the definition provided by Black's Law Dictionary (1991), "power" is "The right, ability, authority, or faculty of doing something. Authority to do any act which the grantor might himself lawfully perform" (p. 1169). In organizational settings, power can be useful in the workplace when...
In this context, power is useful because it helps to get everyone in an organization moving in the same direction to achieve a mutually advantageous objective. It is important to note, though, that the efficacy of the use of power is situational in nature and depends on the unique circumstances that are involved. For instance, Olmstead emphasizes that, "Much depends upon the individual and the situation. However, one point is clear: the effective leader knows not only how to use his authority to get things done but also when to use it" (p. 32).
In some situations, the effective use of power can empower subordinates to achieve organizational goals while in others, subordinates will be limited in their responsibilities, all depending on the discretion of the power-wielding supervisor. In this regard, Olmstead concludes that, "The effective leader uses the power of his position selectively and responsibly to grant or restrict independence as appears necessary" (p. 32). Given this high degree of subjectivity, it is clear that there are numerous opportunities for abuses of power to take place and these issues are discussed…
References
Alecu, G. & Micu, C. D. (2012, July 1). The status of active subject of bribe-taking. Contemporary Readings in Law and Social Justice, 4(2), 587-591.
Black's law dictionary. (1991). St. Paul, MN: West Publishing Co.
Einarsen, S. & Raknes, B. I. (1997, January 1). Harassment in the workplace and the victimization of men. Violence and Victims, 12(3), 247-251.
Macaulay, M. & Arjoon, S. (2013, Fall). An Aristotelian-Thomistic approach to professional ethics. Journal of Markets & Morality, 16(2), 507-511.
Executive Orders Abuse Power? The best known directives consist of executive orders and presidential proclamations, but there are many other documents that have a similar functional and effects. Reduced to their basic core, presidential directives are merely written, rather than oral, instructions or declarations that are handed down by the President. Authority for these directives must come from either the Constitution or statutory delegations. Yet the President's authority to issue
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
In addition those on the board of directors may have worked at the same accounting or law firms and had business dealings with one another in the past. Even some college professors and ex-high ranking government officials who have conducted studies or have useful connections are board members (Holbrook, 2004). The author further reports that "These people with intertwined relationships with corporate management often sit on multiple boards, causing
Power and influence are important concepts in leadership and management because they are intertwined. In essence, it's impossible for a leader to influence his/her followers without power, which is crucial in getting things done and accomplishing specified goals. The close link between these two concepts is also evident in the fact that power can be defined as the capability to influence others (Lunenburg, p.1). As a result, the effective use
...Children dying of pellagra must die because a profit cannot be taken from an orange. And coroners must fill in the certificate -- died of malnutrition -- because the food must rot, must be forced to rot."(Steinbeck, 391) Thus, Steinbeck makes a cogent commentary on the corruptibility of the human being under the influence of power and economical profit. Arthur Miller's All My Sons also exemplifies the way in which power
Even with under reporting, approximately 5% of elder women are likely abused to the point where they seek medical attention at least annually. These women are often well-known in their communities, so when they come into the emergency room with some story of malady, they know everyone will want to about what happened. In some cases, the trend is becoming more supportive, though. As educational programs transend economic barriers;