Missed the last two classes. Not a good thing. Still, I’m here today.Bounded rationality is the idea that people are unable to act in a wholly rational manner. That is, decisions are always influenced by irrational factors; even when you are capable of knowing what the rationally correct decision is, you may make a different decision for various reasons.
Discussion today is starting with power.
Successful power users
- Have a high need for social power
- Approach relationships with a communal orientation
- Focus on the needs and intersts of others
- Demonstrate a belief in the authority system they operate in.
Sources of organizational power:
- Control of critical resources
- Control of strategic contingencies – activities that other groups need to complete their tasks.
Organizational Power can be divided into several categories
- Coercive Power – ability to punish or intimidate
- Utilitarian Power – ability to mete out rewards and benefits
- Normative Power – Ability to control or influence membership in groups
Power can be defined as the number of people who will inconvenience themselves on your behalf compared to the number of people you will inconvenience yourself for. If people will wait in line to talk to you, you have power over them.
Second half of the class in on leadership. See Easley’s class.