Power and Politics

Organizational power is, according to Slack & Parent, one of the most widespread yet more problematic concepts in the organizational theory literature.  It is not something we can see within a sport organization, but its effects can be clearly felt.  It's the ability to get someone to do something they would not have otherwise done or "the probability that one actor in a social relationship will be in a position to carry out his own will despite resistance, regardless of the basis on which this probability rests".  There is individual powers and organizational power.  Sources of individual power include: Legitimate Power, Reward Power, Coercive Power, Referent Power, and Expert Power.  Organizational power comes from: Acquisition and Control of Resources, The Ability to Cope With Uncertainty, Centrality, Nonsubstitutability, and Control Over the Decision-Making Process.
Organizational Politics pervades all sport organizations, although it is somewhat intangible and hard to measure.  Slack & Parent says, "Politics is related to the use of power; political skills involve the ability to sue the bases of power effectively to convince those to whom one has access; to use one's resources, information, and technical skills to their fullest in bargaining; to exercise formal power with a sensitivity to the feelings of others; to know where to concentrate one's energies; to sense what is possible; to organize necessary alliances."  Ways to increase political power within an organization include: Building Coalitions, The Use of Outside Experts, Building a Network of Contacts, and by Controlling Information.