ABSTRACT
The concept of power, and understanding its implications within organizations, has long been of interest to the academic, consultancy and business communities. Understanding how power can be gained, applied, and retained, together with its impacts, is critical knowledge for the aspiring chief executive. Clearly the application - use and abuse - of power within organizations is rarely a straightforward affair and not only restricted to the higher echelons of the board. It manifests itself at all levels of the organization, both within and between functions, by individuals, and within and between groups. Therefore, anything that disrupts the balance of power should expect a turbulent ride. In addition, with the shift to the Information Age, employees are recognizing that information can provide them with a source of power and, if manipulated carefully enough, can be used to get their own way. Given that the success of an information systems project depends on having the correct information on which to base the requirements, it soon becomes clear that if people manipulate information for their own ends, the project can end up producing little of any value for the organization.
