Allen-Stovall-Case Study-PoliticalAnalysis-745
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POLITICAL ANALYSIS
1
Case Study: Political Analysis
Shandri Allen-Stovall
School of Education, Liberty University
Author Note
Shandri Allen-Stovall
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this assignment should be addressed to Student’s Name
Email: spallenstovall@liberty.edu
POLITICAL ANALYSIS
2
Case Study: Political Analysis
According to Bolman and Deal (2021), “The political view sees organizations as
competitive arenas of scarce resources, competing interests, and struggles for power and
advantage” (p.23). Countless organizations function with a hierarchy of ranks that assists with
arranging the level of power and authority within the organization. Wiki Community College
(WCC) is an educational organization that has positions with different ranks to aid in organizing
the dispersal of power and influence. The importance of the political theories lens is on the upper
administration, who are deemed to be the leaders within WCC. Political power may be achieved
when the leaders are able to handle disparaging issues challenging the organization. There are
five types of power that can impact the administration and the success of the educational
organization. Van Vliet (2021) stated that there is a close connection between power and
leadership. The political power at Wiki Community College will be analyzed in this paper
through the political theory’s lens. The impact of the political theory’s lens power on the overall
organization will be revealed.
Power in the Organization
Power is typical in organizations and society. However, it is not easy to define social
power
(Elias, 2008)
. According to
Bolman and Deal (2021)
, “Viewed from the political frame,
politics is the realistic process of making decisions and allocating resources in a context of
scarcity and divergent interests. This view puts politics at the heart of decision-making” (p. 185).
There are five forms of power created by French and Bertram (1959) to gain clarity on
the methods leaders use to influence their organizations and how their power is accepted
throughout the organization. The five forms of power are coercive, reward, legitimate, referent,
and expert.
POLITICAL ANALYSIS
3
At WCC, power starts with the Board of Directors. The Board oversees the policies and
procedures and the college’s budget. They ensure that all policies and procedures are upheld and
followed by having a quarterly board meeting with the administration. The Board uses expert
power to ensure the college complies. The Board of Directors is comprised of educators,
politicians, businessmen, and women. Their knowledge and expertise in policies and procedures
are impressive and greatly appreciated by the college because they have combined in-depth
knowledge of business and education.
The next level of power is referent power, and the chancellor holds it. Most
administrators, faculty, and staff view her as a great leader and role model for WCC. She is
admired by many of her direct reports and has a great deal of influence on the people who report
to her. They seem to be honored when she asks them to participate or contribute to an event or
project her office oversees. Many vice-chancellors have coercive power. They are known for
forcing their directors to accept and execute any changes they make within the departments of
the various campuses. They abuse their power more than anyone else in the organization. This is
why some directors have a great deal of rebellion and hatred from their faculty and staff.
The presidents of WCC have reward power. Often they will reward their direct reports for
meeting their quotas and executing innovative plans and projects for the department. They feel
they are benefiting from the departments’ success on their campuses. Therefore, they choose to
give back to their employees so they will be motivated to continue working to make their
department shine. The directors of the campuses have legitimate power. They implement rewards
and punishments for their employees based on the department’s employees’ performance. Their
role is not permanent, and they can easily be replaced or demoted.
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POLITICAL ANALYSIS
4
Access to Information
At Wiki Community College, the chancellor has control over the daily operation of the
college. The goals and agenda of the college are controlled and distributed by the chancellor. She
has the authority to hire at-will personnel, develop a qualified administrative organization, and
implement and oversee academic fund-raisers. The chancellor prepares and approves the
curriculum and appoints campus committees throughout the different campuses. She has access
to information regarding her administration, faculty, staff, and students. She is knowledgeable of
all policies and procedures of the college. Having access to all information gives the chancellor
expert power because of the in-depth knowledge. She understands that having this type of
unlimited access can harm the college if not appropriately handled.
The chancellor is the gatekeeper of WCC. As an effective leader, she exhibits qualities
that helps in dealing with the uncertainties that may arise within the college. The chancellor’s
strategic plan is designed to ensure the overall academic success of the college is demonstrated.
Power Coalitions and Alliances
According to Bolman and Deal (2021), “
This political view of organization might seem
strange in light of traditional assumptions of control from the top. Yet the same dynamics of
conflict, coalitions, and power are found at every level of human affairs” (p. 194). Although
WCC is top-heavy, and it appears it controls every aspect of the affairs encountered daily, it is an
organization with a coalition of community partners and alliances throughout the world of
community colleges. WCC works hard to ensure its coalitions and alliances are working together
to promote programs and opportunities that will help the community despite any differences they
may encounter as they are collaborating.
POLITICAL ANALYSIS
5
Upward Influence
The different departments of WCC have influenced the betterment of the college. A
strong department such as the special population department is capable of influencing others
within the college to come forward and support the efforts being made to impact the community
as a whole. The department that ran the special population program influenced outside
organizations to collaborate and assist them in developing similar programs within their special
populations on their campuses. This brought attention to the department and influenced WCC to
allow the special population department to interact with other facilities with the same population
to create a positive outcome of educational success, just as WCC has done.
.
POLITICAL ANALYSIS
6
References
Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2021).
Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership
.
John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.
http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/liberty/detail.action?docID=6715211
Elias, S. (2008). Fifty years of influence in the workplace: The evolution of the French and
Raven power taxonomy.
Journal of Management History
,
14
(3), 267–283.
http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1108/17511340810880634
Van Vliet, V. (2021, January 23).
Five forms of power by French & Raven, a leadership theory |
ToolsHero
.
https://web.archive.org/web/20210123172717/https://www.toolshero.com/leadership/five
-forms-of-power-french-raven/
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