Political Frame

Question 1

What are the 5 assumptions of the political frame?

Answer 1

1. organizations are coalitions of different individuals and interest groups
2. coalition members have enduring differences in values, beliefs, information, interests, and perceptions of reality
3. most important decisions involve allocating scare resources - deciding who gets what
4. scarce resources and enduring differences put conflict at the center of day-to-day dynamics and make power the most important asset
5. goals and decisions emerge from bargaining and negotiating among competing stake-holders jockeying for their own interests

Question 2

How does the political frame view organizations?

Answer 2

as roiling areas, hosting ongoing contests arising from individual and group interests

Question 3

How do Bolman and Deal define politics?

Answer 3

Politics is the realist process of making decisions and allocating scarce resources in a context of scarcity and divergent interests.

Question 4

How do structural theorists view power?

Answer 4

The structural theorists emphasize authority in power, or having the legitimate prerogative to make binding decisions. In this view, managers make rational decisions and assess how subordinates carry out directives.

Question 5

How do human resource theorists view power?

Answer 5

HR theorists emphasize empowerment, seen through limiting authority and focusing influence that enhances mutuality and collaboration.

Question 6

What are the nine sources of power in the political frame?

Answer 6

1. position power
2. control of rewards
3. coercive power
4. information and expertise
5. reputation
6. personal power
7. alliances and networks
8. access and control of agendas
9. framing

Question 7

How is conflict viewed in the political frame? Is it realistic, or even desirable, to attempt to reduce or even eliminate conflict?

Answer 7

The political frame views conflict as normal, inevitable and as a byproduct of collective life. It is unrealistic and undesirable to reduce or eliminate conflict because conflict stimulates interest and curiosity and is the root of personal and social change, creativity, and innovation.

Question 8

What’s an intelligent approach to dealing with conflict?

Answer 8

The best way to approach dealing with conflict is through management. Well-managed conflict can stimulate creativity and innovation and make an organization more lively, adaptive and effective. On the other hand, poorly managed conflict leads to infighting and destructive power struggles.

Question 9

Overbounded system

Answer 9

power is highly concentrated and everything is tightly regulated

Question 10

Underbounded system

Answer 10

power is diffuse and the system is very loosely controlled