This DQ is in response to an article in BNET about "How to Win at Office Politics" by Kelly Pate Dwyer at http://www.bnet.com/2403-13070_23-93243.html .
My response to the article i nthe form of "DQ" is also posted at BNET, http://www.bnet.com/5208-13070-0.html?forumID=1&threadID=632&messageID=2334&start=-1 .
However, I have placed the response here in for your perusal.
Organizational Politics: Discussion
The article discusses a very important subject that we all face one way or other in the workplace. However, there are few circumstances where politics in the workplace becomes overbearing:1. Ethics of Organizational Behavior (OB): If ethics of OB is violated by politics, the issue becomes difficult to deal with as well it is non productive. Corporation should promote apolitical workplace where possible. While politics in workplace is considered by some as a means of creating a non-coercive, or a democratic work environment, others may find it the alamode for "totalitarian rule". It is important to observe and understand what is considered “totalitarian rule” as oppose to democratic work environment. For purposes of understanding organizational political behavior, Wilf Ratzburg (2000) suggested that an employee with considerable time invested in industry-specific training is less likely to engage in organizational politics that might jeopardize that investment, than an employee with less time invested. Henceforth, one should need to be watchful of politics in workplace whether or not the outcome is productive and healthy for the organization or the end result undermines ethics of OB. It should be noted, that, actions for an incumbent, stated in the article will be handy. However, those executives who could influence OB significantly, should also ensure that politics in the workplace does not become overbearing and violates ethics of OB. The latter will undermine employee morale. 2. Bipartisanship: One of the nasty outcomes of organizational politics is bipartisanship that will undermine productivity of the organization as less qualified person may get promotion over the qualified person. It is to be understood the politics is the outcome of ego centric mentality; more ego a person has the less productive he or she will be. In today’s global marketplace, where competition is a daily menace, efficiency is the key to success. And efficiency cannot be achieved without collaborative works of all members within an organization and thus paving the way for team work. Politics undermines the spirit of team work.
Reference
Wilf H. Ratzburg, 11th Feb, 2000. DEFINING ORGANIZATIONAL POLITICS. [online]. Available from http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/1650/htmlpolitc01.html [cited 12th July, 2007].
Posted at BNET by: Dhiman Chowdhury Posted on: 07/12/07
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