ABSTRACT
Theoretical speculations on the sources and exercise of power in organizational decision making are represented in abundance in the various texts which may be loosely classified as addressing the sociology of power. 2
Much of the literature remains speculative and largely theoretical, for little evidence is offered in support to show how such power is manifested and ex ercised, although there are some notable exceptions in the areas of both organization theory and industrial relations. Pettigrew (1985), for example, illustrates the interconnectness of content, context, and process with respect to various exercises of power within Imperial Chemical Industries, while Batstone, Ferner, and Terry (1983) present an analysis of power through an experiment in industrial democracy on the Board of the Post Office. Both studies attempt to account for the manifestation of power and to show its exercise against the backcloth of specific organizations.
