Why managerial decisions have anything to do with power and politics? (PDF)

Essay from the year 2002 in the subject Leadership and Human Resource Management - Miscellaneous, grade: 2,0, Lancaster University, language: English, abstract: The following paper examines different theories on managerial decision-making and how this process is related to power and politics. Initially, the unitary approach is presented. The first decision-making model considered, is the rational model, focusing on the behavioural perspective. It is followed by the administrative model by March and Simon, criticizing the rational model and taking a realistic view, encompassing bounded rationality. The garbage can model developed by Cohen, March and Olsen is more a description of organizations confronted with various problems. Problems, choices and solutions are uncoupled, mixed and then satisfactory solutions are found. The second approach, called pluralist approach is exemplified by the political model evoked by Cyert and March. The existence of power is being seen as a source of influence, having strong impacts. In addition, different sources of power are examined and Lukes' three power dimensions are described, including his radical view on power. The theories mentioned are supported by distinct examples. [...]