You stab my back, I'll stab yours: Management experience and perceptions oforganization political behaviour

摘要

This paper reports the findings of a survey of 250 British managers, exploringtheir experience and perceptions of organization politics. Political behaviourappeared to be common. Most managers viewed political behaviour as ethical andnecessary, and aspects of organizational effectiveness, change, resourcing andreputation were attributed to political tactics, although 80% had no training inthis area. Tactics experienced frequently included networking, using 'keyplayers' to support initiatives, making friends with power brokers, bending therules, and self-promotion. Tactics experienced as rare, but not unknown,included misinformation, spreading rumours, and keeping 'dirt files' forblackmail. A consistent pattern of responses concerning willingness to engage inpolitics, the need to act ruthlessly and the appropriateness of reciprocity whenfaced with political behaviour implies an attitude of 'you stab my back, I'llstab yours'. Findings are discussed using an'antecedents–behaviours–consequences' framework of perceived organizationpolitics to guide resea