Bases of Power Within a Company: Apple Incorporated

Gena Baker-Smith

Phoenix University

Abstract

This paper will outline and describe the bases of power within an organization. I will point out which powers are formal and ones that are personal. The five types of power are coercive, legitimate, referent, reward, and expert. These “Bases of Power” have been used since they were established in 1959 by two sociologists. There will also be a summary as to how these different types of powers are communicated within a company/organization. In Apple Incorporation, I am sure all five of the types of powers are present within the company. I hope to present you the reader of this paper how they are communicated throughout the company.

When one thinks of power they think about having the ability to change things or the way people think or act. Some of these changes can be positive and some can be negative depending on the person and the situation at hand (Merchant 2010). In 1959, American sociologists John French and Bertram Raven established “The Bases of Power” that exist within companies (Merchant 2010). The five types of powers are legitimate, coercive, referent, reward, and expert; some of these are formal and others are personal (Merchant, 2010).
According to referenceforbusiness.com, the bases of power are methods that managers and leaders of an organization utilize to influence their employees. Also stated on referenceforbusiness.com authority must be a factor when considering the concepts of the different types of powers. David Knights and Darren McCabe explained, “Power should be understood to be a condition of social relations. Thus, it is erroneous to ask who has power. Instead, it is necessary to explore how power is exercised” (Victor & Turner, n.d.). In order to be a successful leader of an organization, one must use one or more of these