Summary of Chapter 10
Prepared by:
Joshua Adams
EDHE 6730, Fall 2008

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Bolman and Deal (1984) identified 4 major theoretical frameworks:
◦ Rational
◦ Human Resource
◦ Political
◦ Symbolic
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According to author, political model is most useful to student affairs professionals

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Political Model
◦ Institutions are constantly changing coalitions and subgroups
◦ Assumes power of members will determine outcome

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French & Raven (1959) identify 5 power bases people use:
◦ Coercive
 Ability to punish (dismissal, demotion)
◦ Reward
 Ability to give something of value (raise, promotion)
◦ Expertise
 Having specialized knowledge about a subject
◦ Referent
 Having affiliation with someone else in power (president’s chief of staff)
◦ Legitimate
 Authority of individuals in charge


Elements that contribute to political environments:
◦ Goal Diffusion
 Different goals may exist that will lead to different expectations among members
 Can contribute to power struggles among staff
◦ Uncertainty of Means or Technologies
 If goals differ there may be differences in where to allocate resources of the institution


Elements that contribute to political environments continued:
◦ Dual Control
 Many individuals hold control over certain aspects of the institution
 This can lead to confusion about decision making
◦ Structural Uniqueness
 Overlap and complexity often exist
 This can lead to different opinions and interests within the institution


Elements that contribute to political environments continued:
◦ Organizational Culture
 How an institution has developed over the years
 How an institution responds to different situations
◦ Limits on Leadership
 Decentralization of services makes limits more problematic
 All of the other elements contribute to strain on leadership within the institution


Suggestions for daily office work in a political environment:
◦ Become friends with the boss
 Develop a relationship based on mutual respect
 This individual can then become an ally in a time of need
◦ Understand your role
 Be clear about your expectations
 Be clear about your expectations of those around you


Suggestions for daily office work in a political environment:
◦ Know the issues of the institution
 Educate yourself on the current institutional issues
 Provide guidance for others on this issue
◦ Become competent in your field of work
 Attend continuing education for your specific area
 Have a goal of becoming an expert in your area


Suggestions for daily office work in a political environment:
◦ Remain visible on campus
 Aim to strike a balance between being visible and overexposed on campus
◦ Develop relationships with members of the institution
 Coalition building is important in a time of need


Suggestions for daily office work in a political environment:
◦ Understand your time constraints
 Try not to make “politics” the central focus of the job
◦ Learn how to manage conflicts
 Conflicts are inevitable
 Develop coalitions as well as personal competence in order to better deal with conflict


Suggestions for daily office work in a political environment:
◦ Pick your battles
 Only fight the battles you feel you can win
◦ Be consistent
 Integrity is hard to build if you are not consistent in your policies or actions
 Remain ethical at all times

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Staff Education
◦ Educating your staff to sensitive issues throughout the institution is imperative

Faculty
◦ A broad approach to working with faculty is necessary for all involved with student affairs
◦ Student affairs should utilize faculty members where appropriate during the planning phases
◦ Strong relationships with faculty should be encouraged



Communication
◦ Consistent communication throughout the organization is key
◦ Ideas include: newsletters, bulletin boards, emails, personal visits
Ethical Considerations
◦ An ethical approach to all situations should be sought
◦ Resources are available for student affairs practitioners