Organizations as arenas in which different interest groups compete for power and scare resources Political Frame

Five propositions summarize the perspective of the political frame : 1.Organizations are coalitions of various individuals and interest groups. 2.There are enduring differences among coalition members in values, beliefs, information, interests, and perceptions of reality. 3.Most important decisions involve the allocation of scarce resources - who gets what. 4.Scare resources and enduring differences give conflict a central role in organizational dynamics and make power the most important resource. 5.Goals and decisions emerge from bargaining, negotiation, and jockeying for position among different stakeholders.

Metaphor: The Jungle Organizations are coalitions of various individuals and interest groups which/who compete for resources to get things done.

Similarities Between the Jungle and an Organization There are different animals in the jungle with varying and similar needs and different ways to satisfy those needs. There are enduring differences among coalition members in values, beliefs, information, interests, and perceptions of reality.

Similarities Between the Jungle and an Organization Scarce resources and enduring differences give conflict a central role in how animals in the jungle co-habitate, or make power or survival of the fittest the most important resource. Scarce resources and enduring differences give conflict a role in organizational dynamics and make power the most important resource.

Similarities Between the Jungle and an Organization Struggles emerge when animals fight for territory among their own species or different species and for associations. Goals and decisions emerge from bargaining, negotiation, and jockeying for position among different stakeholders.

Politics is too often understood to mean amoral, scheming and unconcerned about the common good.  A fixation on politics can become a cynical, self-fulfilling prophecy that reinforces conflict and mistrust while sacrificing opportunities for rational discourse, collaboration, and hope

 It’s a capacity to influence  Like water behind a damn: it can destroy (flood) and/or create energy for life  Only when used has it an ethical dimension and can it “mean” good or bad.  A fixation on politics can become a cynical, self-fulfilling prophecy that reinforces conflict and mistrust while sacrificing opportunities for rational discourse, collaboration, and hope  It’s a capacity to influence  Like water behind a damn: it can destroy (flood) and/or create energy for life  Only when used has it an ethical dimension and can it “mean” good or bad. Power is neutral; it is not of its nature, bad.

Position or vested power Personal characteristics Expertise- special skills or knowledge Holding rewards others want Personal Sources of Power

Political Frame Questions

4. Are individual commitment and motivation essential to success? 5. Is the technical quality of the decision important ? If the answer is no, political frame analysis may be more helpful than others

Political Skills Agenda setting Mapping the political terrain Networking and formal coalitions: Building bases for support Bargaining and negotiating: Learning how to manage relations with both allies and opponents Managing change

Mapping the Political Terrain Determine informal channels Identify agents of influence Analyze the possibilities for both internal and external sources of influence Anticipate the strategies that others are likely to employ

Networking and Building Coalitions Identify relevant relationships Assess who might resist, why, and how strongly (where will the leadership challenges be) Develop, wherever possible, relationships with potential opponents to facilitate communication, education, or negotiation

Bargaining and Negotiation in the Political Frame Bargaining is central to all decision making in an organization. Negotiation is attaining through joint action more than you can by acting unilaterally whenever two or more parties with some common interests are in conflict and need to reach an agreement. In short, it’s the exploration to find shared interests.