Page 58 - DMGT520_ORGANIZATION_CHANGE_AND_DEVELOPMENT

Dilfraz Singh, Lovely Professional University
Unit 4: Power, Politics and Ethics in OD

Unit 4: Power, Politics and Ethics in OD Notes

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction

4.1 Power and Control Issues in Organisations
4.1.1 Power
4.2 The Concept of Organisational Politics

4.2.1 The Political Subsystem
4.2.2 Implication of Power and Politics for the Practice of OD
4.3 Ethics in OD
4.3.1 Major Categories of Ethical Dilemma
4.4 Summary

4.5 Keywords
4.6 Review Questions
4.7 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
 Explain meaning of Power and Control issues in Organisations
 Describe concept of Organisational Politics
 Explain Ethics in OD

Introduction

In last unit you have studied about the different models of change. Power is the capacity to
influence others who are in a state of dependence. This does not necessarily imply that a poor
relationship exists between the power holder and the target, as most friendships involve reciprocal
influence processes. Power can flow in any direction in an organization, although members at
higher levels typically have more power. Power is a broad concept that applies to individuals as
well as to groups. In this unit you will go through issues related to power, politics and ethics in
organization development
4.1 Power and Control Issues in Organisations

Power and politics are indisputable facts of organisational life. They are universal, important
phenomena that need to be understood by employees, managers and OD practitioners. The
practitioners need both awareness (knowledge) and behavioral competence to deal effectively
in the area of organisational power and politics.

OD has been criticized in the past for not taking account of organisational politics and power.
The criticism was essentially correct for many years; it is less valid today.

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