Power and Political Behaviors in Organizations: A New Frontier for Research on Male/Female Differences

Abstract

Over the last decade, women have been making significant progress in terms of entry and progression in the world of work. In the United states, over 40% of the work force is female, and compared to 1970, the number of women in managerial and professional capacities has risen from 13% to 17%.¹ That women can and want to contribute in the work force is no longer an issue. Despite such progress, women still have not made significant inroads into the upper levels of organizations--into positions of power and influence. Thus, a major problem facing qualified women today is how to gain access to power structures in the organization which employs them. Having a good job is no longer a sufficient entry to these positions; women also must have the same opportunity as men to advance to their highest potential. The acquisition of power and the use of power and political behaviors become essential ingredients in this endeavor.