Discussion: View Thread

Office Politics

  • 1.  Office Politics

    Posted 01-31-2008 13:44

    I'm searching for articles that specifically discuss the issue of "office politics" and "political behaviors". I use the notion of "office politics" in the workplace as the informal governance in an organization. Employees I talk to commonly use the notion politics as a negative phenomenon when the informal operations run counter to the interests of the formal organization. However, I'm having a difficult time locating articles to ground my work other than using "politics" as a colloquial notion.

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on">Any advice in pointing me in the right direction is greatly appreciated</u2:place></u2:state></u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype></u2:placename>

     

    Cheers!

     

    /Nic

    <ns6:placename w:insauthor="Alpha" w:insdate="2008-01-31T13:34:00Z" w:endinsauthor="Alpha" w:endinsdate="2008-01-31T13:34:00Z"></ns6:placename><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on"></u2:place></u2:state></u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype></u2:placename>

    _______________________________

    Niclas <u2:placename u3:st="on">L.</u2:placename> <u2:placename u3:st="on">Erhardt</u2:placename>

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Rutgers</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place> </u2:placetype></u2:placename>

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on">School of <u2:placename u3:st="on">Management & Labor <u2:placename u3:st="on">Relations
    <u2:placename u3:st="on">Janice</u2:placename> <u2:placename u3:st="on">H. <u2:placename u3:st="on">Levin <u2:placetype u3:st="on">Building Room 200E
    <u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:street w:st="on">94 Rockafeller Road</st1:street> <st1:city w:st="on">Piscataway</st1:city> , <u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">New Jersey</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">08854-8054</st1:postalcode></u2:place></u2:state></st1:address>
    PH: 001-732-445-0742 FX: 001-732-445-2830
    nerhardt@rci.rutgers.edu</u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype>
    </u2:placename>

    http://www.smlr.rutgers.edu/NErhardt/

     



  • 2.  Office Politics

    Posted 01-31-2008 16:04

    Most definitions of OP or PB include "promotion of self-interest" and "attempts to influence the distribution of outcomes" therefore it is natural for employees to attribute a negative connotation to the word "politics" as they more than likely focus on the motives of the agent...

     

    Mayes & Allen's (1977) framework distinguishes between functional and dysfunctional political behavior based on whether the means and ends are organizationally sanctioned. So if what you mean by "the interests of the formal organization" is "ends" then behavior would be labeled functional, even though the means are not sanctioned by the organization.  However, again, the perceptions make up the reality... Ferris & Kacmar's work is notable in perceived politics.

     

    Ferris, G. R., Harrell-Cook, G., & Dulebohn, J. H. 2000. Organizational politics: The nature of the relationship between politics perceptions and political behavior. In D. G. Bachrach, & E. J. Lawler (Eds.), Research in the Sociology of Organizations: Organizational Politics: JAI Press Inc.

    Ferris, G. R., Russ, G. S., & Fandt, P. M. 1989. Politics in organizations. In R. A. Giacalone, & P. Rosenfeld (Eds.), Impression Management in the Organization: 143-170. <st1:city w:st="on">Hillsdale</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">NJ</st1:state>: <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lawrence</st1:place></st1:city> Erlbaum Associates.

    Kacmar, K. M., & Ferris, G. R. 1991. Perceptions of organizational politics scale (POPS): development and construct validation. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 51: 193-205.

    Ferris, G. R., & Kacmar, K. M. 1992. Perceptions of organizational politics. Journal of Management, 18(1): 93-116.

    Kacmar, K. M., & Carlson, D. S. 1997. Further validation of the perceptions of politics scale (POPS): A multiple sample investigation. Journal of Management, 23(5): 627-658.

    H. Ulas Ograk

    Assistant Professor of Management

    <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Louisiana</st1:placename> at <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Monroe</st1:place></st1:city>

    <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">700 University Avenue</st1:address></st1:street>

    <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Monroe</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">LA</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">71209</st1:postalcode></st1:place>

    (318) 342 1201 – office

    (318) 342 1101 – fax

    ograk@ulm.edu

     

     


    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Niclas Erhardt
    Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 12:44 PM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Office Politics

     

    I'm searching for articles that specifically discuss the issue of "office politics" and "political behaviors". I use the notion of "office politics" in the workplace as the informal governance in an organization. Employees I talk to commonly use the notion politics as a negative phenomenon when the informal operations run counter to the interests of the formal organization. However, I'm having a difficult time locating articles to ground my work other than using "politics" as a colloquial notion.

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on">Any advice in pointing me in the right direction is greatly appreciated</u2:place></u2:state></u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype></u2:placename>

     

    Cheers!

     

    /Nic

    <st1:placename w:st="on"></st1:placename>

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on">

    _______________________________

    Niclas <u2:placename u3:st="on">L.</u2:placename> <u2:placename u3:st="on">Erhardt</u2:placename>

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Rutgers</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place> </u2:placetype></u2:placename>

    </u2:place></u2:state></u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename>

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on">School of <u2:placename u3:st="on">Management & Labor <u2:placename u3:st="on">Relations
    <u2:placename u3:st="on">Janice</u2:placename> <u2:placename u3:st="on">H. <u2:placename u3:st="on">Levin <u2:placetype u3:st="on">Building Room 200E
    <u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:street w:st="on">94 Rockafeller Road</st1:street> <st1:city w:st="on">Piscataway</st1:city> , <u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">New Jersey</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">08854-8054</st1:postalcode></u2:place></u2:state></st1:address>
    PH: 001-732-445-0742 FX: 001-732-445-2830
    nerhardt@rci.rutgers.edu</u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype>
    </u2:placename>

    http://www.smlr.rutgers.edu/NErhardt/

     

    </u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype></u2:placename>


  • 3.  Office Politics

    Posted 01-31-2008 16:19
    This column of mine on "How smart leaders manage office politics" is brief, but maybe it will be of some use to you.
     
    -----Original Message-----
    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Niclas Erhardt
    Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:44 AM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Office Politics

    I'm searching for articles that specifically discuss the issue of "office politics" and "political behaviors". I use the notion of "office politics" in the workplace as the informal governance in an organization. Employees I talk to commonly use the notion politics as a negative phenomenon when the informal operations run counter to the interests of the formal organization. However, I'm having a difficult time locating articles to ground my work other than using "politics" as a colloquial notion.

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on">Any advice in pointing me in the right direction is greatly appreciated</u2:place></u2:state></u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype></u2:placename>

     

    Cheers!

     

    /Nic

    <ns6:placename w:endinsdate="2008-01-31T13:34:00Z" w:endinsauthor="Alpha" w:insdate="2008-01-31T13:34:00Z" w:insauthor="Alpha"></ns6:placename><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on"></u2:place></u2:state></u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype></u2:placename>

    _______________________________

    Niclas <u2:placename u3:st="on">L.</u2:placename> <u2:placename u3:st="on">Erhardt</u2:placename>

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Rutgers</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place> </u2:placetype></u2:placename>

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on">School of <u2:placename u3:st="on">Management & Labor <u2:placename u3:st="on">Relations
    <u2:placename u3:st="on">Janice</u2:placename> <u2:placename u3:st="on">H. <u2:placename u3:st="on">Levin <u2:placetype u3:st="on">Building Room 200E
    <u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:street w:st="on">94 Rockafeller Road</st1:street> <st1:city w:st="on">Piscataway</st1:city> , <u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">New Jersey</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">08854-8054</st1:postalcode></u2:place></u2:state></st1:address>
    PH: 001-732-445-0742 FX: 001-732-445-2830
    nerhardt@rci.rutgers.edu</u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype>
    </u2:placename>

    http://www.smlr.rutgers.edu/NErhardt/



  • 4.  Office Politics

    Posted 01-31-2008 18:45
    Nic,
     
    I have my students read Bolman & Deals Reframing Organizations, they use a four frame approach for understanding organizations, and their overview of the political frame is excellent, this would be a good place to get an overview on the topic.
     
    Frank
     

     

     


    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Niclas Erhardt
    Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:44 AM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Office Politics

    I'm searching for articles that specifically discuss the issue of "office politics" and "political behaviors". I use the notion of "office politics" in the workplace as the informal governance in an organization. Employees I talk to commonly use the notion politics as a negative phenomenon when the informal operations run counter to the interests of the formal organization. However, I'm having a difficult time locating articles to ground my work other than using "politics" as a colloquial notion.

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on">Any advice in pointing me in the right direction is greatly appreciated</u2:place></u2:state></u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype></u2:placename>

     

    Cheers!

     

    /Nic

    <ns6:placename w:endinsdate="2008-01-31T13:34:00Z" w:endinsauthor="Alpha" w:insdate="2008-01-31T13:34:00Z" w:insauthor="Alpha"></ns6:placename><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on"></u2:place></u2:state></u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype></u2:placename>

    _______________________________

    Niclas <u2:placename u3:st="on">L.</u2:placename> <u2:placename u3:st="on">Erhardt</u2:placename>

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Rutgers</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place> </u2:placetype></u2:placename>

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on">School of <u2:placename u3:st="on">Management & Labor <u2:placename u3:st="on">Relations
    <u2:placename u3:st="on">Janice</u2:placename> <u2:placename u3:st="on">H. <u2:placename u3:st="on">Levin <u2:placetype u3:st="on">Building Room 200E
    <u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:street w:st="on">94 Rockafeller Road</st1:street> <st1:city w:st="on">Piscataway</st1:city> , <u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">New Jersey</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">08854-8054</st1:postalcode></u2:place></u2:state></st1:address>
    PH: 001-732-445-0742 FX: 001-732-445-2830
    nerhardt@rci.rutgers.edu</u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype>
    </u2:placename>

    http://www.smlr.rutgers.edu/NErhardt/

     



  • 5.  Office Politics

    Posted 01-31-2008 23:19
    Nic,
    You might also review the following book chapter. Ferris and colleagues (2002) reviewed most of the empirical politics literature up to that point:

    Ferris, G.R., Adams, G., Kolodinsky, R.W., Hochwarter, W.A., & Ammeter, A.P. 2002. Perceptions of organizational politics: Theory and research directions. In F.Yammarino & F. Dansereau (Eds.), Research in multi-level issues, Volume 1: The many faces of multi-level issues: 179-254. Oxford, UK: JAI Press/Elsevier Science.

    Let me know if you have questions or need additional information. Hunter Harris (Vanderbilt U) and I are beginning a research center in organizational politics this year.

    Best of luck,

    Tim Munyon

    -----
    Timothy P. Munyon
    Ph.D. Student, Management
    Florida State University
    821 Academic Way
    Tallahassee, FL 32306
    (850) 556-8506
    tmunyon@fsu.edu






    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Ulas Ograk <ograk@ULM.EDU>
    Date: Thursday, January 31, 2008 7:09 pm
    Subject: Re: Office Politics
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu

    > Most definitions of OP or PB include "promotion of self-interest" and
    > "attempts to influence the distribution of outcomes" therefore it
    > is natural
    > for employees to attribute a negative connotation to the word
    > "politics" as
    > they more than likely focus on the motives of the agent.
    >
    >
    >
    > Mayes & Allen's (1977) framework distinguishes between functional and
    > dysfunctional political behavior based on whether the means and
    > ends are
    > organizationally sanctioned. So if what you mean by "the interests
    > of the
    > formal organization" is "ends" then behavior would be labeled
    > functional,even though the means are not sanctioned by the
    > organization. However,
    > again, the perceptions make up the reality. Ferris & Kacmar's work is
    > notable in perceived politics.
    >
    >
    >
    > Ferris, G. R., Harrell-Cook, G., & Dulebohn, J. H. 2000.
    > Organizationalpolitics: The nature of the relationship between
    > politics perceptions and
    > political behavior. In D. G. Bachrach, & E. J. Lawler (Eds.),
    > Research in
    > the Sociology of Organizations: Organizational Politics: JAI Press
    > Inc.
    > Ferris, G. R., Russ, G. S., & Fandt, P. M. 1989. Politics in
    > organizations.In R. A. Giacalone, & P. Rosenfeld (Eds.),
    > Impression Management in the
    > Organization: 143-170. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
    >
    > Kacmar, K. M., & Ferris, G. R. 1991. Perceptions of organizational
    > politicsscale (POPS): development and construct validation.
    > Educational and
    > Psychological Measurement, 51: 193-205.
    >
    > Ferris, G. R., & Kacmar, K. M. 1992. Perceptions of organizational
    > politics.Journal of Management, 18(1): 93-116.
    >
    > Kacmar, K. M., & Carlson, D. S. 1997. Further validation of the
    > perceptionsof politics scale (POPS): A multiple sample
    > investigation. Journal of
    > Management, 23(5): 627-658.
    >
    > H. Ulas Ograk
    >
    > Assistant Professor of Management
    >
    > University of Louisiana at Monroe
    >
    > 700 University Avenue
    >
    > Monroe, LA 71209
    >
    > (318) 342 1201 - office
    >
    > (318) 342 1101 - fax
    >
    > <mailto:ograk@ulm.edu> ograk@ulm.edu
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > _____
    >
    > From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv
    > [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Niclas Erhardt
    > Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 12:44 PM
    > To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    > Subject: Office Politics
    >
    >
    >
    > I'm searching for articles that specifically discuss the issue of
    > "officepolitics" and "political behaviors". I use the notion of
    > "office politics"
    > in the workplace as the informal governance in an organization.
    > Employees I
    > talk to commonly use the notion politics as a negative phenomenon
    > when the
    > informal operations run counter to the interests of the formal
    > organization.However, I'm having a difficult time locating
    > articles to ground my work
    > other than using "politics" as a colloquial notion.
    >
    > Any advice in pointing me in the right direction is greatly
    > appreciated
    >
    >
    > Cheers!
    >
    >
    >
    > /Nic
    >
    > <http://www.smlr.rutgers.edu/NErhardt/>
    >
    > _______________________________
    >
    > Niclas L. Erhardt
    >
    > Rutgers University
    >
    > School of Management & Labor Relations
    > Janice H. Levin Building Room 200E
    > 94 Rockafeller Road Piscataway , New Jersey 08854-8054
    > PH: 001-732-445-0742 FX: 001-732-445-2830
    > <mailto:nerhardt@rci.rutgers.edu> nerhardt@rci.rutgers.edu
    >
    > <http://www.smlr.rutgers.edu/NErhardt/>
    > http://www.smlr.rutgers.edu/NErhardt/
    >
    >
    >
    >


  • 6.  Office Politics

    Posted 02-01-2008 01:23
    Hi Nic,

    I am delighted to hear of your interest in organizational politics research as it is a favorite of mine and central to my research. Looks like you have received some good feedback so far from folks including Tim Munyon, who is a great source of information and help in this area. I would like to add a few more to the list that I hope will be helpful to you. In addition to following some of the central scholars of this area of inquiry including Ferris, Kacmar, Perrewé, Witt, Treadway, and Hochwarter, Eran Vigoda-Gadot has a few really good books out that are very helpful in getting to know the landscape and history of the politics literature.

    This one first:
    Vigoda, E. (2003). Developments in Organizational Politics. Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar.

    Then:
    Vigoda-Gadot, E. and Drory, A. (2006) Handbook of Organizational Politics. Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar.



    You might also look at these seminal works in addition to those listed in earlier emails:

    Mintzberg, H. (1983), Power in and Around Organizations, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

    Mintzberg, H. (1985), 'The organization as political arena', Journal of Management Studies, 22, 133-54.

    Pfeffer, J. (1981), Power in Organizations, Marshfield, MA: Pitman Publishing.

    Bacharach, S.B. and Lawler, E.J. (1980), Power and Politics in Organizations, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Gandz, J., and Murray, V. V. (1980) 'The experience of workplace politics', Academy of Management Journal, 23, 237-51.



    Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance to you. I think you will find that many of the people in the "organizational politics" research
    neck of the woods are very welcoming, kind, and helpful.

    Best of luck,

    Hunter


    Hunter L. Harris  MBA, MILR
    PhD Program, Management - Org. Studies
    Owen Graduate School of Management
    Vanderbilt University
    ph: 615-430-7287



    -----Original Message-----
    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv
    [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Timothy Munyon
    Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:19 PM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Re: Office Politics

    Nic,
    You might also review the following book chapter. Ferris and colleagues
    (2002) reviewed most of the empirical politics literature up to that point:

    Ferris, G.R., Adams, G., Kolodinsky, R.W., Hochwarter, W.A., & Ammeter, A.P.
    2002. Perceptions of organizational politics: Theory and research
    directions. In F.Yammarino & F. Dansereau (Eds.), Research in multi-level
    issues, Volume 1: The many faces of multi-level issues: 179-254. Oxford, UK:
    JAI Press/Elsevier Science.

    Let me know if you have questions or need additional information. Hunter
    Harris (Vanderbilt U) and I are beginning a research center in
    organizational politics this year.

    Best of luck,

    Tim Munyon

    -----
    Timothy P. Munyon
    Ph.D. Student, Management
    Florida State University
    821 Academic Way
    Tallahassee, FL 32306
    (850) 556-8506
    tmunyon@fsu.edu






    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Ulas Ograk <ograk@ULM.EDU>
    Date: Thursday, January 31, 2008 7:09 pm
    Subject: Re: Office Politics
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu

    > Most definitions of OP or PB include "promotion of self-interest" and
    > "attempts to influence the distribution of outcomes" therefore it is
    > natural for employees to attribute a negative connotation to the word
    > "politics" as they more than likely focus on the motives of the agent.
    >
    >
    >
    > Mayes & Allen's (1977) framework distinguishes between functional and
    > dysfunctional political behavior based on whether the means and ends
    > are organizationally sanctioned. So if what you mean by "the interests
    > of the formal organization" is "ends" then behavior would be labeled
    > functional,even though the means are not sanctioned by the
    > organization. However, again, the perceptions make up the reality.
    > Ferris & Kacmar's work is notable in perceived politics.
    >
    >
    >
    > Ferris, G. R., Harrell-Cook, G., & Dulebohn, J. H. 2000.
    > Organizationalpolitics: The nature of the relationship between
    > politics perceptions and political behavior. In D. G. Bachrach, & E.
    > J. Lawler (Eds.), Research in the Sociology of Organizations:
    > Organizational Politics: JAI Press Inc.
    > Ferris, G. R., Russ, G. S., & Fandt, P. M. 1989. Politics in
    > organizations.In R. A. Giacalone, & P. Rosenfeld (Eds.), Impression
    > Management in the
    > Organization: 143-170. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
    >
    > Kacmar, K. M., & Ferris, G. R. 1991. Perceptions of organizational
    > politicsscale (POPS): development and construct validation.
    > Educational and
    > Psychological Measurement, 51: 193-205.
    >
    > Ferris, G. R., & Kacmar, K. M. 1992. Perceptions of organizational
    > politics.Journal of Management, 18(1): 93-116.
    >
    > Kacmar, K. M., & Carlson, D. S. 1997. Further validation of the
    > perceptionsof politics scale (POPS): A multiple sample investigation.
    > Journal of Management, 23(5): 627-658.
    >
    > H. Ulas Ograk
    >
    > Assistant Professor of Management
    >
    > University of Louisiana at Monroe
    >
    > 700 University Avenue
    >
    > Monroe, LA 71209
    >
    > (318) 342 1201 - office
    >
    > (318) 342 1101 - fax
    >
    > <mailto:ograk@ulm.edu> ograk@ulm.edu
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > _____
    >
    > From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv
    > [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Niclas Erhardt
    > Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 12:44 PM
    > To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    > Subject: Office Politics
    >
    >
    >
    > I'm searching for articles that specifically discuss the issue of
    > "officepolitics" and "political behaviors". I use the notion of
    > "office politics"
    > in the workplace as the informal governance in an organization.
    > Employees I
    > talk to commonly use the notion politics as a negative phenomenon when
    > the informal operations run counter to the interests of the formal
    > organization.However, I'm having a difficult time locating articles to
    > ground my work other than using "politics" as a colloquial notion.
    >
    > Any advice in pointing me in the right direction is greatly
    > appreciated
    >
    >
    > Cheers!
    >
    >
    >
    > /Nic
    >
    > <http://www.smlr.rutgers.edu/NErhardt/>
    >
    > _______________________________
    >
    > Niclas L. Erhardt
    >
    > Rutgers University
    >
    > School of Management & Labor Relations Janice H. Levin Building Room
    > 200E
    > 94 Rockafeller Road Piscataway , New Jersey 08854-8054
    > PH: 001-732-445-0742 FX: 001-732-445-2830
    > <mailto:nerhardt@rci.rutgers.edu> nerhardt@rci.rutgers.edu
    >
    > <http://www.smlr.rutgers.edu/NErhardt/>
    > http://www.smlr.rutgers.edu/NErhardt/
    >
    >
    >
    >


  • 7.  Office Politics

    Posted 02-01-2008 03:49
    Hi Nic

    Apologies for publicizing my own work, but you might find this (and the accompanying references) of interest:

    Buchanan, D.A. (2007) 'You stab my back, I'll stab yours: management experience and perceptions of organization politics', British Journal of Management, 18 (published 'online early')

    This identifies common and rare tactics, and also explores the individual and organizational benefits, as well as downsides, from the use of political tactics. In contrast with the work of Gerald Ferris and colleagues, this adopts a constructivist perspective. Hope this is helpful.

    Best wishes

    David

    David A. Buchanan
    Professor of Organizational Behaviour
    Cranfield University
    School of Management
    Cranfield
    Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, UK

    T: + 44 (0) 1234 751 122 x 3481
    F: + 44 (0) 1234 751 806
    M: + 44 (0) 7850 143 602

    ________________________________

    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv on behalf of Niclas Erhardt
    Sent: Thu 31/01/2008 18:44
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Office Politics



    I'm searching for articles that specifically discuss the issue of "office politics" and "political behaviors". I use the notion of "office politics" in the workplace as the informal governance in an organization. Employees I talk to commonly use the notion politics as a negative phenomenon when the informal operations run counter to the interests of the formal organization. However, I'm having a difficult time locating articles to ground my work other than using "politics" as a colloquial notion.

    Any advice in pointing me in the right direction is greatly appreciated



    Cheers!



    /Nic

    <http://www.smlr.rutgers.edu/NErhardt/>

    _______________________________

    Niclas L. Erhardt

    Rutgers University

    School of Management & Labor Relations
    Janice H. Levin Building Room 200E
    94 Rockafeller Road Piscataway , New Jersey 08854-8054
    PH: 001-732-445-0742 FX: 001-732-445-2830
    nerhardt@rci.rutgers.edu <mailto:nerhardt@rci.rutgers.edu>

    http://www.smlr.rutgers.edu/NErhardt/ <http://www.smlr.rutgers.edu/NErhardt/>


  • 8.  Office Politics

    Posted 02-01-2008 12:03

    Larry,

     

    In the column you seem to suggest that you can control or manage the emergent or informal side of an organization. Every organization has an informal system. It's self-organizing and uncontrollable. The worst that can be done is to push the emergent system underground by all sorts of directives and threats. The best option is to develop an organizational context that allows the informal system to function as openly as possible and thereby support the formal goals and objectives of an organization robustly.

     

    Cheers, Charlie

     

    Charles (Kalev) Ehin, Ph.D.
    Emeritus Professor of Management
    The Gore School of Business
    Westminster College, Salt Lake City
    kalev1@msn.com
    www.UnManagement.com

    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Larry Pate
    Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 2:18 PM
    Subject: Re: Office Politics

    This column of mine on "How smart leaders manage office politics" is brief, but maybe it will be of some use to you.
     
    -----Original Message-----
    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Niclas Erhardt
    Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:44 AM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Office Politics

    I'm searching for articles that specifically discuss the issue of "office politics" and "political behaviors". I use the notion of "office politics" in the workplace as the informal governance in an organization. Employees I talk to commonly use the notion politics as a negative phenomenon when the informal operations run counter to the interests of the formal organization. However, I'm having a difficult time locating articles to ground my work other than using "politics" as a colloquial notion.

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on">Any advice in pointing me in the right direction is greatly appreciated</u2:place></u2:state></u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype></u2:placename>

     

    Cheers!

     

    /Nic

    <ns6:placename w:insauthor="Alpha" w:insdate="2008-01-31T13:34:00Z" w:endinsauthor="Alpha" w:endinsdate="2008-01-31T13:34:00Z"></ns6:placename><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on"></u2:place></u2:state></u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype></u2:placename>

    _______________________________

    Niclas <u2:placename u3:st="on">L.</u2:placename> <u2:placename u3:st="on">Erhardt</u2:placename>

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Rutgers</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place> </u2:placetype></u2:placename>

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on">School of <u2:placename u3:st="on">Management & Labor <u2:placename u3:st="on">Relations
    <u2:placename u3:st="on">Janice</u2:placename> <u2:placename u3:st="on">H. <u2:placename u3:st="on">Levin <u2:placetype u3:st="on">Building Room 200E
    <u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:street w:st="on">94 Rockafeller Road</st1:street> <st1:city w:st="on">Piscataway</st1:city> , <u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">New Jersey</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">08854-8054</st1:postalcode></u2:place></u2:state></st1:address>
    PH: 001-732-445-0742 FX: 001-732-445-2830
    nerhardt@rci.rutgers.edu</u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype>
    </u2:placename>

    http://www.smlr.rutgers.edu/NErhardt/



  • 9.  Office Politics

    Posted 02-01-2008 12:47
    Charlie,
     
    Thanks for your comments.  I apparently gave you the wrong impression.  The point to that brief column was simply that managers should be aware of office politics without being controlled by them.  I agree with you that every organization has an informal system.  However, I would never suggest that anyone should "push the emergent system underground by all sorts of directives and threats," as you say.  To be aware of office politics does not mean that one should engage in short-sighted, destructive actions like that.  Also, while I agree with you that managers can't control office politics, they do have the ability to influence both the process and the outcomes of (some) political behavior, such as through the way they treat and communicate with others.
     
    Larry Pate
    Redondo Beach, California
     
     
    -----Original Message-----
    From: Charles Ehin [mailto:kalev1@msn.com]
    Sent: Friday, February 01, 2008 9:03 AM
    To: larry.pate@gmail.com; OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Re: Office Politics

    Larry,

     

    In the column you seem to suggest that you can control or manage the emergent or informal side of an organization. Every organization has an informal system. It's self-organizing and uncontrollable. The worst that can be done is to push the emergent system underground by all sorts of directives and threats. The best option is to develop an organizational context that allows the informal system to function as openly as possible and thereby support the formal goals and objectives of an organization robustly.

     

    Cheers, Charlie

     

    Charles (Kalev) Ehin, Ph.D.
    Emeritus Professor of Management
    The Gore School of Business
    Westminster College, Salt Lake City
    kalev1@msn.com
    www.UnManagement.com

    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Larry Pate
    Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 2:18 PM
    Subject: Re: Office Politics

    This column of mine on "How smart leaders manage office politics" is brief, but maybe it will be of some use to you.
     
    -----Original Message-----
    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Niclas Erhardt
    Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 10:44 AM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Office Politics

    I'm searching for articles that specifically discuss the issue of "office politics" and "political behaviors". I use the notion of "office politics" in the workplace as the informal governance in an organization. Employees I talk to commonly use the notion politics as a negative phenomenon when the informal operations run counter to the interests of the formal organization. However, I'm having a difficult time locating articles to ground my work other than using "politics" as a colloquial notion.

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on">Any advice in pointing me in the right direction is greatly appreciated</u2:place></u2:state></u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype></u2:placename>

     

    Cheers!

     

    /Nic

    <ns6:placename w:endinsdate="2008-01-31T13:34:00Z" w:endinsauthor="Alpha" w:insdate="2008-01-31T13:34:00Z" w:insauthor="Alpha"></ns6:placename><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on"></u2:place></u2:state></u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype></u2:placename>

    _______________________________

    Niclas <u2:placename u3:st="on">L.</u2:placename> <u2:placename u3:st="on">Erhardt</u2:placename>

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Rutgers</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place> </u2:placetype></u2:placename>

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on">School of <u2:placename u3:st="on">Management & Labor <u2:placename u3:st="on">Relations
    <u2:placename u3:st="on">Janice</u2:placename> <u2:placename u3:st="on">H. <u2:placename u3:st="on">Levin <u2:placetype u3:st="on">Building Room 200E
    <u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:street w:st="on">94 Rockafeller Road</st1:street> <st1:city w:st="on">Piscataway</st1:city> , <u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">New Jersey</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">08854-8054</st1:postalcode></u2:place></u2:state></st1:address>
    PH: 001-732-445-0742 FX: 001-732-445-2830
    nerhardt@rci.rutgers.edu</u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype>
    </u2:placename>

    http://www.smlr.rutgers.edu/NErhardt/



  • 10.  Office Politics

    Posted 02-02-2008 09:40
    I've struggled with years about how to bring organizational politics into my research and teaching. (I prefer the term "organizational politics")  There is a dearth of good research and theory and teaching materials on this issue.  I applaud Ferris and associates on their work in this area, but I do think alternate views are also still needed.
     
    I have often used a "homework" assignment to help get at this issue in my classes.  Since I have difficulty teaching this subject, I thought I would have students teach themselves.  The first attachment is the homework assignment.
     
    In addition, I have written two very short cases on organizational politics.  I like the first case a bit better, because it deals with the issue of selective use (withholding) of information, which is a primary political behavior.  The second case deals with the issue of whether to speak up or not, when you know your point of view will not be welcomed or appreciated by others, especially those who have power.
    I have attached these cases, but I am not satisfied with them.  I think I should be able to find or write better cases.  Any ideas about politics cases would be appreciated.
     
    Finally, I do have a short powerpoint lecturette that I use to summarize and end my module on organizational politics.  I have also attached this pp file.
     
    You are welcome to use (but not publish) any of the attachments.
     
    Finally, I am deeply interested in the interface between leadership and organizational politics, so I would like to hear of any work along this line.
     
    best wishes,
    Hank Sims
     
     
    Henry P Sims, Jr
    Professor of Management & Organization
    University of Maryland
    hsims@rhsmith.umd.edu , www.hanksims.com
    301-486-0787 (Md)
    301-742-1041 (cell)
    336-854-2185 (NC)


  • 11.  Office Politics

    Posted 02-03-2008 14:10
    While relatively new to teaching - only two  years! - I have had issues with identifying resources on organizational politics that would appeal to an MBA student...

    I have tried Butcher and Clarke's 2002 article in Organization Dynamics "Organizational Politics: The Cornerstone for Organizational Democracy" to illustrate the point that organizational politics may not be all "bad" but have not had much success...

    I am sure my students would gain from the excellent resources that have been suggested thus far.

    Thanks,
    Manish
    On Feb 2, 2008 4:40 PM, Hank Sims <hsims@rhsmith.umd.edu> wrote:
    I've struggled with years about how to bring organizational politics into my research and teaching. (I prefer the term "organizational politics") 
    --
    Prof. Manish Singhal
    Organizational Behavior
    XLRI Jamshedpur - School of Business & Human Resources
    INDIA


  • 12.  Office Politics

    Posted 02-04-2008 16:52
    Hi Manish and Hank,
     
    There are a number of good books that look at organizational politics in such a way that it could be viewed as more appealing by your MBAs. Some of these take a leadership perspective as well.  The first three books are intended for a popular audience with a more negative slant on politics with proposed methods to diagnose and manage political activity:
     

    MacGregor Serven, L.B. (2002), The End of Office Politics as Usual, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">New York</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">NY</st1:state></st1:place>: AMACOM.

     

    Reardon, K. (2000), The Secret Handshake, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">New York</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">NY</st1:state></st1:place>: Random House.

     
    Neuhauser, P. (1988), Tribal Warfare in Organizations, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Cambridge</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">MA</st1:state></st1:place>: Harper and Row.
     
     
    These next three books are also more for the popular audience than academic but have a more positive spin on politics. In fact, they discuss how to leverage the power of politics rather than viewing politics as a strictly negative phenomenon that must be eliminated.
     
     

    Ferris, G.R., Davidson, S.L., and Perrewé, P.L. (2005) Political Skill in the Workplace, Mountain View, CA: Davies-Black.

     

    Pfeffer, J. (1992), Managing With Power, <st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">MA</st1:state>: <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Harvard</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Business</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype></st1:place> Press.

     

    Block, P. (1988), The Empowered Manager: Positive Political Skills at Work, Say Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

     

    I hope these resources prove useful in your efforts to integrate more organizational politics themes into your teaching. I have some journal articles on related themes that I am happy to send your way as well.

     

    I would love to see additional ideas for how awareness and management of organizational politics, which I view as central factors of managerial and organizational success, can be integrated into the curriculum. Thank you Hank for what you have already sent.

     

    Best wishes,

    Hunter Harris

     

    Hunter L. Harris  MBA, MILR

    PhD Program, Management - Org. Studies

    Owen Graduate School of Management

    Vanderbilt University

    ph: 615-430-7287

     

    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Manish Singhal
    Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2008 1:10 PM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Re: Office Politics

    While relatively new to teaching - only two  years! - I have had issues with identifying resources on organizational politics that would appeal to an MBA student...

    I have tried Butcher and Clarke's 2002 article in Organization Dynamics "Organizational Politics: The Cornerstone for Organizational Democracy" to illustrate the point that organizational politics may not be all "bad" but have not had much success...

    I am sure my students would gain from the excellent resources that have been suggested thus far.

    Thanks,
    Manish
    On Feb 2, 2008 4:40 PM, Hank Sims <hsims@rhsmith.umd.edu> wrote:
    I've struggled with years about how to bring organizational politics into my research and teaching. (I prefer the term "organizational politics") 
    --
    Prof. Manish Singhal
    Organizational Behavior
    XLRI Jamshedpur - School of Business & Human Resources
    INDIA
     
     
     
     

    From: Organizational Behavior Division Listserv [mailto:OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu] On Behalf Of Hank Sims
    Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2008 8:40 AM
    To: OB@AOMLISTS.pace.edu
    Subject: Re: Office Politics

    I've struggled with years about how to bring organizational politics into my research and teaching. (I prefer the term "organizational politics")  There is a dearth of good research and theory and teaching materials on this issue.  I applaud Ferris and associates on their work in this area, but I do think alternate views are also still needed.
    I have often used a "homework" assignment to help get at this issue in my classes.  Since I have difficulty teaching this subject, I thought I would have students teach themselves.  The first attachment is the homework assignment.
    In addition, I have written two very short cases on organizational politics.  I like the first case a bit better, because it deals with the issue of selective use (withholding) of information, which is a primary political behavior.  The second case deals with the issue of whether to speak up or not, when you know your point of view will not be welcomed or appreciated by others, especially those who have power.
    I have attached these cases, but I am not satisfied with them.  I think I should be able to find or write better cases.  Any ideas about politics cases would be appreciated.
    Finally, I do have a short powerpoint lecturette that I use to summarize and end my module on organizational politics.  I have also attached this pp file.
    You are welcome to use (but not publish) any of the attachments.
    Finally, I am deeply interested in the interface between leadership and organizational politics, so I would like to hear of any work along this line.
    best wishes,
    Hank Sims
    Henry P Sims, Jr
    Professor of Management & Organization
    University of Maryland
    hsims@rhsmith.umd.edu , www.hanksims.com
    301-486-0787 (Md)
    301-742-1041 (cell)
    336-854-2185 (NC)


  • 13.  Office Politics

    Posted 02-05-2008 09:30

     

    A few days ago I asked for assistance with locating readings on office politics. I received many helpful suggestions. Below is a compilation of the responses for those that find this topic interesting.

     

    Again, many thanks to all of you that pointed me in the right direction.

     

    Cheers!

     

    /Nic

    -------------------------------------------------------------

     

    Suggested <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Readings</st1:place></st1:city> on Office Politics:

     

    Ferris, G.R., <st1:place w:st="on">Adams</st1:place>, G., Kolodinsky, R.W., Hochwarter, W.A., & Ammeter, A.P. 2002.  Perceptions of organizational politics: Theory and research directions. In F.Yammarino & F. Dansereau (Eds.), Research in multi-level issues, Volume 1: The many faces of multi-level issues: 179-254. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Oxford</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>: JAI Press/Elsevier Science.

     

    Ferris, G. R., Harrell-Cook, G., & Dulebohn, J. H. 2000. Organizational politics: The nature of the relationship between politics perceptions and political behavior. In D. G. Bachrach, & E. J. Lawler (Eds.), Research in the Sociology of Organizations: Organizational Politics: JAI Press Inc.

    Ferris, G. R., Russ, G. S., & Fandt, P. M. 1989. Politics in organizations. In R. A. Giacalone, & P. Rosenfeld (Eds.), Impression Management in the Organization: 143-170. <st1:city w:st="on">Hillsdale</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">NJ</st1:state>: <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lawrence</st1:place></st1:city> Erlbaum Associates.

    Kacmar, K. M., & Ferris, G. R. 1991. Perceptions of organizational politics scale (POPS): development and construct validation. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 51: 193-205.

    Ferris, G. R., & Kacmar, K. M. 1992. Perceptions of organizational politics. Journal of Management, 18(1): 93-116.

    Kacmar, K. M., & Carlson, D. S. 1997. Further validation of the perceptions of politics scale (POPS): A multiple sample investigation. Journal of Management, 23(5): 627-658.

     

    Jablin, F. M., & Putnam, L. L. (Eds.). (2001). The new handbook of organizational communication: Advances in theory, research, and methods. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Thousand Oaks</st1:place></st1:city>: Sage.

     

    Vigoda, E. (2003). Developments in Organizational Politics. <st1:city w:st="on">Cheltenham</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Northampton</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">MA</st1:state></st1:place>: Edward Elgar.

     

    Vigoda-Gadot, E. and Drory, A. (2006) Handbook of Organizational Politics. <st1:city w:st="on">Cheltenham</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Northampton</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">MA</st1:state></st1:place>: Edward Elgar.

     

     

    Mintzberg, H. (1983), Power in and Around Organizations, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Englewood</st1:place></st1:city> Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

     

    Mintzberg, H. (1985), 'The organization as political arena', Journal of Management Studies, 22, 133-54.

     

    Pfeffer, J. (1981), Power in Organizations, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Marshfield</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">MA</st1:state></st1:place>: Pitman Publishing.

     

    Bacharach, S.B. and Lawler, E.J. (1980), Power and Politics in Organizations, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

     

    Gandz, J., and Murray, V. V. (1980) 'The experience of workplace politics', <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Academy</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Management Journal</st1:placename></st1:place>, 23, 237-51.

     

    Power, Politics, and Organizational Change: Winning the Turf Game, David A. Buchanan and Richard J. Badham, Sage Publications, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>, 2008.

     

    Buchanan, D.A. (2007) 'You stab my back, I'll stab yours: management experience and perceptions of organization politics', British Journal of Management, 18 (published 'online early')

     

    MacGregor Serven, L.B. (2002), The End of Office Politics as Usual, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">New York</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">NY</st1:state></st1:place>: AMACOM.

     

    Reardon, K. (2000), The Secret Handshake, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">New York</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">NY</st1:state></st1:place>: Random House.

     

    Neuhauser, P. (1988), Tribal Warfare in Organizations, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Cambridge</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">MA</st1:state></st1:place>: Harper and Row.

     

     

    Ferris, G.R., Davidson, S.L., and Perrewé, P.L. (2005) Political Skill in the Workplace, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mountain View</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">CA</st1:state></st1:place>: Davies-Black.

     

    Pfeffer, J. (1992), Managing With Power, <st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">MA</st1:state>: <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Harvard</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Business</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype></st1:place> Press.

     

    Block, P. (1988), The Empowered Manager: Positive Political Skills at Work, Say Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

     

     

    This column on "How smart leaders manage office politics" is brief, but maybe it will be of some use to you.

    http://www.lmuleaders.com/LMU_ExecEd_July_OL.html

     

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on"><ns1:placename w:insauthor="Alpha" w:insdate="2008-02-05T09:20:00Z" w:endinsauthor="Alpha" w:endinsdate="2008-02-05T09:20:00Z"></ns1:placename></u2:place></u2:state></u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype></u2:placename><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on"></u2:place></u2:state></u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype></u2:placename>

    _______________________________

    Niclas <u2:placename u3:st="on">L.</u2:placename> <u2:placename u3:st="on">Erhardt</u2:placename>

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Rutgers</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place> </u2:placetype></u2:placename>

    <u2:placename u3:st="on"><u2:placetype u3:st="on">School of <u2:placename u3:st="on">Management & Labor <u2:placename u3:st="on">Relations
    <u2:placename u3:st="on">Janice</u2:placename> <u2:placename u3:st="on">H. <u2:placename u3:st="on">Levin <u2:placetype u3:st="on">Building Room 200E
    <u2:street u3:st="on"><u2:address u3:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:street w:st="on">94 Rockafeller Road</st1:street> <st1:city w:st="on">Piscataway</st1:city> , <u2:state u3:st="on"><u2:place u3:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">New Jersey</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">08854-8054</st1:postalcode></u2:place></u2:state></st1:address>
    PH: 001-732-445-0742 FX: 001-732-445-2830
    nerhardt@rci.rutgers.edu</u2:address></u2:street></u2:placetype></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placename></u2:placetype>
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    http://www.smlr.rutgers.edu/NErhardt/