Citation:
David A. Buchanan, You stab my back, I'll stab yours: Management experience and
perceptions of organization political behaviour, British Journal of Management,
Volume 19, Number 1, March 2008, Pages 49-64
Abstract:
This paper reports the findings of a survey of 250 British managers, exploring
their experience and perceptions of organization politics. Political behaviour
appeared to be common. Most managers viewed political behaviour as ethical and
necessary, and aspects of organizational effectiveness, change, resourcing and
reputation were attributed to political tactics, although 80% had no training in
this area. Tactics experienced frequently included networking, using 'key
players' to support initiatives, making friends with power brokers, bending the
rules, and self-promotion. Tactics experienced as rare, but not unknown,
included misinformation, spreading rumours, and keeping 'dirt files' for
blackmail. A consistent pattern of responses concerning willingness to engage in
politics, the need to act ruthlessly and the appropriateness of reciprocity when
faced with political behaviour implies an attitude of 'you stab my back, I'll
stab yours'. Findings are discussed using an
'antecedents–behaviours–consequences' framework of perceived organization
politics to guide resea