Topic: Using the Political Theories Lens

Question/Prompt: Discuss how the following questions—which are based on the political theories lens—help you better understand your organization. Include in your discussion thread the strengths and weaknesses of this lens for gaining that understanding.

Please note, this assignment should not be a reiteration of the answers you use in your case study, rather, for the Group Discussion Board assignments you are being asked to discuss how answering the questions help you to better understand your organization.  That is, explain how the questions have helped you understand your organization better.  For example, when discussing your views on the structural theories lens in Forum 1, you might say “viewing the chain of command helped me to realize….” or “after considering the span of control, it is clear that….”  You do not have to share your views on each of the guiding questions.   

1. Who has what power in this organization? (Reward, coercive, legitimate, expert, referent)
2. Who has access to agendas, control over information, knowledge of procedures, ability to cope with uncertainty, etc.?
3. Describe the power coalitions and alliances affecting your unit.
4. How does your unit attempt to influence other units and create upward influence in organization?

Submit your thread by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday of Module/Week 5 and your replies by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of the same module/week.

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