'Power is a central feature of all workplace interactions'. With reference to the work of Foucault, critically discuss this view.

Introduction.

An system is a consciously coordinated social entity, with a relatively identifiable boundary, that functions on a relatively uninterrupted basis to achieve a common goal or set of goals. (Robbins, 1990 p 4).

Definitions of organizations as advocated by Robbins are by no means in short supply. A passing(prenominal) glance of any textbook which includes the eye-catching words Management or Organization Theory will paint a similar picture - that of the organization as a system which is functionally effective if it achieves goals formally outlined through rational decision-making (Clegg and Hardy, 1999 p 1).

This mainstream, dominant view of organizations and organizational activity is firmly rooted in the functionalist paradigm as it is premised on assumptions concerning the unitary and orderly nature of organizations (Clegg and Handy, 1999 p 1).

Mainstream writers who, to a greater extent often than non occupy the functionalist paradigm tend to embodiment organizations as normatively integrated systems, thus ignoring political tensions; and as a holistic entity, thus overlooking organizational sub-units, interest groups and coalitions.

This cosy pick up that is developed of organizations as cooperative social systems, however, inhibits the development of a political perspective (Bacharach, 1978) and as a consequence, the orthodox consensus (Atkinson, 1971) within focussing literature adopts an apolitical view of organizations.

Organizations, however are not the rational, harmonious entities that have long been celebrated in managerial theory (Bacharach and Lawler, 1980). Rather, they can be viewed as political systems, as instruments of domination (Morgan, 1997), as arenas in which provide, politics and control are the games to be contend by the organizations members - in short, organizations can be viewed as Evil Empires (IROB, 2000) - orgainsations conceptualized as arenas of conflicting interests and values constituted through a power struggle.

As Reed points out: Power remains the most overused and to the lowest degree understood concept in...

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