Power: Its Uses and Abuses in Organizations - Essay Example

Power: Its uses and abuses in Organizations The paper deals with the detailed discussion onuse and abuse of power within an organizational setup. The paper also emphasizes on importance of the topic. The part played by power relative to organizational behavior and values has evolved as a significant issue in the development of organizational business and business ethics as well. The role of power is equally significant in management and social sides of the organizations. However, the ultimate significance lies within the role and risk for abuse of power in organizations. The classic conception of power sharing backgrounds with classic political theory and initial organizational behavior studies is now outdated and is appropriate in realization of role, complex situations, and ethical issues related to power in organizations. Now the analysis of power usage either positive or negative draws it’s root from the modern political organizational theory, this results in deep understanding of the issues relating power and its consumption. The issues of power, its uses and abuses have become the subject of criticism for many years. To analyze the role of power it is important to understand the concept of business or organizational power. Organizational power is the capability of a business or a businessperson to put an impact on the business or organization or any individual or group of individuals in particular. Power can be harmful or advantageous; similarly, it can be used or abused. However, in organizational behaviors the abuse of power comes more under criticism as most of the times it brings unwanted, unexpected, and unlawful damages and harms to the victims. Therefore, the study and analysis of this topic is very essential as to minimize the risk and hazards attached to the consumption of power, particularly the negative consumption of power. In the history of world, there are many examples of the leaders who have used their enormous power for the betterment and good of their people, and used the power in a positive manner. However, there also exist certain leaders who have abused the power in their hands for either the personal motives or other related things. Nelson Mandela is one of the good and respectable leaders of the world, who used their power positively. According to the BBC, he is the most honorable leader in the history of world leaders. He holds the credit of replacing and rejecting the apartheid or the racial discrimination and introducing multi racial democracy in South Africa. His positive attributes has made him ambassador of peace, and his world wide campaign against HIV/ Aids has added more honor to this high profile leader. . On the other hand, the downfall of Roman Empire is the best example of power abuse in history of the world. Caligula, the third ruler of the vast dynasty that started from Julius Caesar, had certain physical problems and mental illness but regardless of the fact, he still did rule the Roman Empire for the span of four years. The emperor abused his people and power to the maximum possible extent; he used to do anything that he wanted without any counseling with the members of senate. The emperors after him followed the same suit as that of Caligula and this ever increasing abuse of power led to the downfall of great Roman Empire. While discussing the positive or negative influence of power the question arises on what grounds does the use or abuse of power takes place. Groups are very efficient and effective in terms of the growth of an organization but at the same times the same hierarchy levels and groups cause conflicts, infringe, and waste. Working in groups is the most gratifying experience of life and at the same time, it is the most tormenting experience for many of the employees working in organizational setup. While working in any organization, anxiety is a prime factor that influences the performance of the group or organization. Many a times, in order to cope up with the time limits and deadlines, decisions holds their grounds on unilateral basis with respect to the heads of groups that does not involve every member presenting his services for the benefits of organizations. In this manner, the use of power bears fruit that are positive and advantageous but at times, the results can be unexpectedly harmful as well. However, the motive behind the usage of power was positive and it does not usually create troubles for members of group or employees working together in any organization (Gabriel, pp. 150). On the other hand, situation gets fuzzy and uncomforting when the motives behind any decision or any enforcement of power are not noble in terms of organizational ethics and business development. Employees start having a feeling of being used and deceived. Moreover, the organizational anxiety, panic, and discomfort take hold of the situation influencing the organizational growth in a negative manner. In addition to this, the abuse of power creates many other serious moral, ethical, and legislative issues that go against with the organization’s policy of ethics and moral conducts resulting in disasters for organization’s performance, its future, and for the employees as well. However, the consequences of use of power create a number of problems. When a person or group having power to influence other group forces their decisions and exerts their power, two significant problems are likely to arise. First and the very basic problem is the interpretation of the influenced people when it is clear that potent and powerful people are using them and taking advantages. This can result in harmful consequences related to the organizational ethics and business development. In the similar manner, the nature of relationship shared by power holder and the powerless people depends on the use and abuse of power and not on the outcomes or results of power consumption. The other significant problem arises when the people having the hold of power becomes addicted in using it everywhere, that creates the abuses of power even involving issues like sexual harassment and corruption. The conception or perspective of powerless people, influenced by the power holders is more important than the outcomes of the power consumption in any particular organization. The objectives and aims of power consumption holds more significant place than the results of usage of power. If the exertion of power takes place under some good, and constructive objectives that are most likely to result in betterment of the organization then the employees or the power absorbers accepts this change in a positive manner. Another approach that matters is the way of exerting power, the organization forcing people to change bears less fruitful results then the organization providing people the space and directions to change them (Northcraft, pp. 204). Another major problem that arises in organizational power leading to power abuse is the addiction of exerting power. Many a times, people cannot limit themselves to stay controlled and calm with immense power in their hands, the sense of power is quite difficult for them to handle, the feeling of being empowered and others dependent on them and the immediate sense of being important lead people to enforce power in every possible right or wrong way. This change occurs in several steps. At first, the availability of power enables people to use it. Secondly, the consumption of power makes the power holders feel that others are dependent on them and they have ultimate grab on others. Thirdly, this feeling of ultimate control makes the power holders feel that they are more significant and valuable than others and anything they do can have the direct impact on other employees of the organization. This results in various abuses of power that includes sexual harassment as well. Sexual harassment is the most significant example of people addicted of using power and exert in a real inappropriate manner to carry out their personal objectives. The paper draws the conclusion that anxiety and panic exists in every working environment. The prime needs today, are to plan, foster, and implement decisions that are most likely to get results in favor of the organization while using the power effectively (Cropanzano, pp. 209). However, the abuse of power makes already makes the organization have a downfall long before the consequences appear. The discussion extracts many of the significant researches done in this regard, in order to increase awareness for the issues created by unethical use or the abuse of power, and to emphasize the way the world reacts to it. Works Cited Cropanzano, Russell. Justice in the Workplace. Routledge, 2001. Gabriel, Yiannis. Organizing & Organizations. Sage Publications, 2009. Northcraft, Gregory B. Organizational Behavior. Routledge, 2002. 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