AUTHORITY & POWER

AUTHORITY & POWER


“Authority in an organization is the right in a position to exercise discretion in making decisions affecting others” Heinz Weihrich & Harold Koontz

Authority is the power gained by position.

It is essential for the managers to have authority if they are to get tasks accomplished by their subordinates, Authority relationships ensure cooperative action and facilitate the achievement of organizational goals by stating each employee’s responsibility. Formal authority is the power derived from the formal position defined by the organization. Employees can use the power only within prescribed limits.

Power is the ability of individuals or groups to induce or influence the beliefs or actions of other persons and groups. E.g., Union Leaders have power not the authority.

Types of Power

1. Legitimate Power: Power enjoyed by the supervisor when a subordinate acknowledges his right to exert influence within certain limits.

2. Expert Power: Power derived from the expertise of a person or a group.

3. Referent Power: The desire of the influencee to identity with or imitate the influencer.

4. Reward Power: Ability to the influencer to reward the influencee for performing a task well.

5. Coercive Power: Influencer’s ability to punish the influencee for failing to perform a task.

Difference between Authority and Power

AUTHORITY POWER
Authority is the right to do something Power is the ability to do something
Authority is the legitimate power given by an organization to a member holding a position Power requires no formal position
Authority is derived only through position Power is derived from many sources
Authority is a narrow term and is major source of power Power is a broader concept that creates action when authority fails