Power in Business Essay Example

able to influence others through referent power was John F. Kennedy.

Coercive power is demonstrated in the workplace when the power holder exerts their influence by way of a punishment or threat when subordinates do not engage in the desired behavior. “A few examples of coercion include reprimands, criticisms, and negative performance appraisals. ” (Ed. Allison McClintic Marion and Gale Cengage, 2006) Being well informed gives a person power.The more knowledge or information that a person posses over another gives them an advantage or power over them.

Being able to control access to certain information that subordinate employees have gives managers information power. Business organisations all have particular goals that are set and which need to be achieved. Management can use power as a means of influencing the subordinates to make the goals a reality. The four types of power which have been discussed will have a different level of impact on subordinates in motivating them to work efficiently to achieve the goals.There are various levels of hierarchy within an organisation which are required for the successful running of a business, for example managers, supervisors etc. The legitimate power that an individual possesses from their employee title is something that will be associated with them regardless of any referent, coercive or informational power that they may also possess.

The effect that this source of power has on the politics of business organisations is that a subordinate will in most cases follow a superior’s orders as the inferred power that they hold over anyone below them is important