Power, Influence, and Diversity in Organizations

This article summarizes literatures on power, status, and influence in sociology’s group processes tradition and applies them to issues of diversity in organizations. Power—defined as the ability to impose one’s will even against resistance from others—results primarily from position in a social structure. Influence—defined as compelling behavior change without threat of punishment or promise of reward—results largely from the respect and esteem in which one is held by others. Research identifies status as a foundation of influence differences in groups and indicates that members of disadvantaged status groups, such as women and minorities, will have decreased influence and face challenges in acquiring and using power. The literature also suggests solutions to these challenges, including self-presentation strategies of group motivation and institutional arrangements that support women and minority group members in powerful leadership positions.