The Power Gap: Is Sharing Or Accumulating Power The Answer?

Abstract

As organizations become more complex, executives and managers are often face3d with a gap between the amount of power necessary to complete tasks or make decisions and that granted by their positions. Combined with a sense of powerlessness among subordinates in many large organizations, executives are confronted with a dilemma of effectively responding to the power gap. This paper examines antecedents and consequences of two possible responses to this growing gap in organizational power and offers guidance on making the appropriate response.