Best Method for Measurement of Power in an Organization

It is true that an individual gets power in various ways and for various reasons and uses them differently at different times. The degree of power enjoyed by each individual is different. Let’s know a method for the measurement of power in an organization.

When an individual or a group attempts to influence the decisions of others in the organization, he may fail or succeed or the degree of his success of failure may vary. It depends on behavior areas and their importance.

The extent of power that an individual possesses can be measured in different ways:

Ratio approach: It is one of the approaches suggested by Gold Hammer and Shills to measure the degree of power in an organization. They point out that eh ration of successful power acts to all of the attempted power acts may be calculated for each individual with the help of the formula:

                   EP = Extent of Power

                   NS = Number of Successful acts

                   NA = Number of Attempted acts

The ratio shall be calculated for each individual and be compared. The higher the ratio, the higher the extent of power.

Criteria Approach: Another approach is the criteria approach. Under this approach, some criteria should be chosen. There are two principal criteria:

  • The number of actions of any given person, in each of any number of selected types of behavior over which control is realized.
  • The number of persons so controlled. This method will give amounts for each power holder and by comparing the results. We can get their extent of power symbolically.
Method for Measurement of Power in an Organization
Method for Measurement of Power in an Organization

AP = NS x NB x NP

Where AP = Amount of power

NS = Number of successful acts of a person

NB = Number of selected behaviors, and

NP = Number of persons so controlled

This measurement of power will give an idea of power concentration or diffusion in an organization. If any person concentrates power because of fictional exclusiveness, it can be diffused by sharing of that rule with someone else.

Though the organization itself allocates the power, yet there are clashes over capturing of power within vested interests. As the size of the organization increases, there is also disinclination on the part of a vast majority of people towards, effective participation in organizational affairs.

Gradually those, who participate in the activities and energy successful, are able to control the organization. They start wielding power. Such persons like to remain in power by fair or foul means.

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