Abstract
D.Comm.
Organisations are complex, dynamic social systems comprised of numerous
interdependent and inter-related variables, and consequently they can be difficult to
understand. People join organisations to bring about a desired future. However, to
succeed, they must be able to predict the behaviour of those around them. Similarly,
they must make themselves predictable. Mutual predictability makes for successful
organisations.
Unstable and fast changing goals and technologies tend to cause anxiety, stress,
and overstrain in people. This tension appears as excessive politics, defending
one's privileges, or to simply spend more energy on life outside the organisation,
than on a career and work life.
The mere mention of politics inevitably invokes negative thoughts from most
organisational members. Politics in organisations seem to conjure up scheming
plots and conspirators preparing a plan to do someone "in" utilising other than
"pleasant" methods. And indeed there are times that this is the way politics are
played. Politics rather than being viewed negatively should be viewed as a positive
force within an organisation and effective managers will encourage politics, if played
fairly.
A certain amount of political behaviour appears in all organisations. Managers, who
do not understand the politics of their organisations, are at a disadvantage and will
find it difficult to get things done. Managers should recognise the inevitability of
organisational politics and attempt to use and manage it effectively.
This result of this research is an integrated perspective of the concepts, which
describe and explain organisational politics in order for managers to understand and
manage political behaviour in organisations.