Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 14/e

Causes and Consequences of Political Behavior

Now that we’ve discussed the constant presence of politicking in organizations, let’s discuss the causes and consequences of these behaviors.

Factors Contributing to Political Behavior

Not all groups or organizations are equally political. In some organizations, politicking is overt and rampant, while in others politics play a small role in influencing outcomes. What causes this variation? Research and observation have identified a number of factors that appear to encourage political behavior. Some are individual characteristics, derived from the qualities of the people the organization employs; others are a result of the organization’s culture or internal environment. Exhibit 13-3 illustrates how ...