Factors causing political behavior

Factors causing political behavior

Research has indicated a number of factors, which can contribute to political behavior. Some of these factors are individual and derived from the unique qualities of the employees in the organization and others are derived from the organization’s internal culture or environment.

a) Individual factors

A few prominent individual factors are examined here.

i)        Need for power and high expectations of success – Some managers who are status and ego driven often resort to politics to gain access to power corridors. They use the power for their personal growth and pleasures. Some managers, who are in-charge of teams or units, may also engage in politics to safeguard their positions and have more benefits for their units.

ii)        Machiavellianism – Machiavellians are people who use dishonesty and opportunism in interpersonal relations and manipulate others for their own purpose. Such Machiavellists also have a skeptical view of the nature of other people and do not care for conventional morality.

iii)        Locus of control – Locus of control refers to the extent to which individuals believe that they can control events that affect them. Individuals with a high internal locus of control believe that events result primarily from their own behavior and actions. Those with a high external locus of control believe that powerful others, fate, or chance primarily determine events. Those with a high internal locus of control have better control of their behavior, tend to exhibit more political behaviors, and are more likely to attempt to influence other people than those with a high external (or low internal respectively) locus of control. Those with a high internal locus of control are more likely to assume that their efforts will be successful. They are more active in seeking information and knowledge concerning their situation.

(b) Organizational factors

Organizational factors also influence the politicking in organizations. These are as follows.

i)        Reallocation of resources – when organizations downsize the changes many stimulate conflict and politicking to have advantage in allocation.

ii)        Advancement or promotion – people resort to politics for quickly getting advancement

iii)        or promotion in their careers

iv)        Low trust – A low trust within the organization can increase political behavior, which can become illegitimate also.

v)        Role ambiguity – When there is confusion in the scope and functions, employees resort to politicking to have a favorable situation.