Power in Organizations
Toward a Critical Theory
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9213461 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Donald E Comstock (Washington State University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1982 |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 139-162 |
| Publication date | 1982-04-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The Pacific Sociological Review (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0030-8919 • E-ISSN: 2330-0736 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.2307/1388721 |
| OpenAlex | W2801076303 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
| References cited | 29 |
Recent studies of intraorganizational power are based on models of interpersonal exchange. Because of the limitations of exchange theory, these studies give us static descriptions of power relations and provide little understanding of the historical processes that determine the distribution of power. Recent phenomenological approaches are similarly limited to describing members' understandings, values, and motives. An alternative approach for studying power as political process is derived from critical theory. This approach assumes that the power distributions we observe are the consequence of a dialectic between historically changing power structures and collective understandings, values, and motives. Fundamental changes in power relations occur as a result of the unintended consequences of political action. These lead to contradictions between social structures and understandings which encourage the formation of new understandings and new power structures. The critical approach retains the concepts of human intentionality and choice while recognizing the constraints of socially preformed structures and understandings
Action (physics) · Critical theory · Dialectic · Epistemology · Intentionality · Interpersonal communication · Political science · Politics · Power (physics) · Social exchange theory · Social science · Sociology · Accounting and Organizational Management · Law · Management and Organizational Studies · Management Theory and Practice · Psychology · Social Psychology
Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology
The restructuring of social and political theory
Work and Authority in Industry
Social Theory and Political Practice (RLE Social Theory)
Sociology, Phenomenology and Marxian Analysis
Power-Dependence Relations
Studies in Social and Political Theory (RLE Social Theory)
Exchange and Power in Social Life
Organizational Design
Power, Rule, and Domination
Toward a Rational Society
Exchange and power in social life
Social Theory and Social Structure
Rational Choice and Social Exchange
Toward A Macrosociology of Power
The Theory of Organizations
Social Theory and Political Practice
Information Control as a Power Resource
Organizational Structure, Environment and Performance
| Unique citing works | 4 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,1 |
| Citation span | 1987 - 2026 (40) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |