Influence of Culture, Politics, and Power on Individual and Team Behaviour

This report discusses the impact of culture, politics, and power on individual and team behaviour in an organization. It explores the different types of power, the influence of politics on productivity, and the role of culture in shaping individual and team behaviour. The report also applies content and process theories of motivation to develop effective teams. The case study of Google UK Ltd. is used to illustrate these concepts.

Organisational
Behaviour

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
PART 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Influence of culture, politics and power on individual and team behaviour.........................3
P2 Apply content and process theories for motivating team and individual to develop effective
team.............................................................................................................................................5
REFLECTION.................................................................................................................................7
PART 2............................................................................................................................................8
P3 Effective and ineffective teams..............................................................................................8
P4 Application of concepts and philosophies of organisational behaviour within an
organisation ..............................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................11
REFRENCES.................................................................................................................................13
Books and Journal.....................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Organisational Behaviour is the study of individuals and group working in an
organisation. It is important to understand the employees and then formulate the strategies that
motivated employees. The employees that are motivated work with dedication and help to
achieve goals and objectives of the organisation. The report is based on Google UK ltd. which
offers advertising programs and web based search engine that includes different options such as
image, web, directory, and news searches (Alblas, Wijsman and Noort, 2019). The company has
its headquarters in London and was founded in 2000. The report is based on the impact of power,
politics and culture on organization. It is important to motivate the employees so different
theories are mentioned to motivate the employees. Difference between effective team and
ineffective team is also mentioned in the report. Various organizational behavior theories and
discussed.
PART 1
P1 Influence of culture, politics and power on individual and team behaviour.
Employees are the one that work for the organisation and it is vital to understand the
behaviour of employees. There is direct impact of power, culture and politics on the employees.
The impact is discussed below:
Influence of power
Power is the ability to influence others. It plays a important role in an organisation and on
the behaviour of individual and team. The various type of power in relation Google UK ltd. Are
as follows:
Coercive power: This power is derived out of threat. Under this employees work due to
threat of loosing something. In relation to Google UK ltd. This power is used in condition when
employees are not working. They are punished for not completing the task on time.
Reward Power: It is use of motivation that is rewards, perks etc to make the employees
work. The seniors take care that the employees are rewarded for there performance. In respect to
Google UK ltd. The leader monitor the performance of employees and reward them for their
outstanding work (Barbaranelli and et.al., 2019).

Legitimate power: The power of leader is due to the position held by the person. The
decision-making is in the hand of leader. In Google UK ltd. The decisions are taken by higher
authority.
Referent power: The leader has created a position that all the employees follow the
decisions. It is due to follower's respect, identification, or admiration with the leader.
Expert power: This states that advise from expert is taken to influence the employees. In
relation to Google UK ltd. They take advise in case of requirement as it helps to take better
decisions.
Influence of politics
Politics in an organization demotivate the employees. The impact of Politics on
individual and team is discussed below:
Decrease in Productivity: As there is direct impact of politics on employees. The
productivity of employees decrease due to demotivate faced by them (Shah, Anwar and Irani,
2017). In relation to Google UK ltd. They maintain good environment so that employees can
work effectively.
Spoliation of working surround: As the employees feel demotivated there are chances
of conflicts among them. That hampers the working relation and give rise to spoliation in
working environment.
Change in rational cognition of worker: There is lack of positivism in workplace due to
politics. Employees are unable to work with dedication and are not motivated. All this creates
imbalance in the organization and employees working.
Influence of culture
All the employees come from diverse locations and work in an organization. The culture
of that company influence them to work. It directly impacts the individual and teams of the
organization. Handy's Culture Model is used to explain it further:
Power Culture: It is vital to give power in hands of those that have ability to influence
the team and individuals that working in the organization. In respect to Google UK ltd. The
power is given in those hands that make decision-making effectively. This culture creates
positivism in the organization and employees work according to the decisions taken by the
people in power.

Role Culture: The role of team and that of individual should be assigned. It is important
to assign the duty as per the capacity of the employees (Cek and Eyupoglu, 2020). In Google UK
ltd. The role of employees is stated in advance that helps them to achieve the goals and
objectives on time.
Task Culture: It is vital to assign tasks and targets to the team. So that they can work as
per the objectives and make efforts to accomplish them. In Google UK ltd. The tasks are
assigned to teams and they are motivated to accomplish those in time.
Impact of culture, power and politics on individual and team
Basis Individual behaviour and
performance
Team behaviour and
performance
Power The person in power has
ability to influence the
individual to work for the
benefit of organisation.
Herein, the team members are
motivated to work and the
leader assigns the task
accordingly.
Culture It is important to create a
culture where all the
individuals can work freely
and are respected.
If the teams are provided good
working culture they are able
to work effectively and
efficiently (Ahmad and et.al.,
2018).
Politics Politics create a negative
impact on the individuals that
are working in organisation.
The performance of team
declines because of politics in
the organisation.
P2 Apply content and process theories for motivating team and individual to develop effective
team.
Motivation is a process that helps an individual to perform better and achieve the goals
and objectives that are set by the organization. The two types of motivation in respect to Google
UK ltd. Are discussed below:
Intrinsic motivation: Motivation that comes from internal factors is called intrinsic
motivation. In relation to Google UK Ltd. All the employees are motivated and provided positive

working environment that helps them to achieve the goals and objectives on time (Hackett and
et.al., 2018).
Extrinsic motivation: This is the motivation that comers from external factors. Google
UK Ltd. Give rewards and other benefits to motivate he employees. These factors have direct
impact on the performance of employees.
Content Theory
The content theory shows the system that motivates people. It is subset of motivational
theory.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs
This theory states that after fulfilling one need another need arises. The different level of
motivation ion relation to Google UK Ltd. Are as follows:
Physiological Need: The basic needs of the employees come under Physiological Needs.
The salary paid to employees by Google UK Ltd. Satisfies the basic needs of the employees.
Safety need: This need arise after basic need is fulfilled (Eissa and et.al., 2019). In
relation to Google UK Ltd. The company provides insurance facility to all its employees so that
they feel safe.
Social need: This is the third need in hierarchy and the focus in on belongingness. The
employees want a environment where they can work effectively in teams.
Self-esteem: Self esteem need means that demand for high self respect by an employee.
In Google UK Ltd. The employees are provided high job position that motivates them (Akram
and et.al., 2017).
Self Actualisation: This is highest spot in Maslow's Pyramid and this points shows that
employee has achieved full potential as an individual.
Process theory
This explains the behaviour of employees and how they can be motivated to work in an
organisation.
Vroom expectancy theory
The three factors under this theory are explained below in context to Google UK ltd.
 Expectancy is the expectation of employees. The employees of Google UK ltd. Are
motivated and being rewarded for their performance (Odor, 2018).

 Instrumentality: It measures the efforts made by the employees. It is important to
monitor the efforts of employees and then motivate them further.
 Valence means the rewards that are related with result and behaviour. In respect to
Google UK ltd. Basic needs of employees are identified and strategies are formulated to
fulfil them.
Growth Theory
As the name suggests the focus is on growth of organisation by motivating the
employees. Herein, the goals and objectives are stated in advance so that the employees can
accomplish them. The theory in relation to Google UK ltd. Is explained below:
Self-sufficiency: In this employees work with fill potential and make efforts to achieve
the goals and objectives on time (Al-Kurdi, El-Haddadeh and Eldabi, 2020). Google UK ltd.
Provides training and development so that the employees can become self reliant.
Goal commitment: When the goal is decided in advance and employees know their
target, they get motivation to accomplish the goals. Attitude of being committed towards goal
make the employees motivated. In relation to Google UK ltd. The employees are assigned task in
advance so that they can accomplish them in time.
REFLECTION
After participating in discussion forum related to the concepts and theories of
organisational behaviour I come to know about the importance of employees in an organisation.
It is vital to know the theories that motivate the employees. I analysed that power should be in
the hand of higher authority that have power to influence the employees. Along with that the
person in power should not take undue advantage of the power and should treat all the employees
equally. As employees are the one hat are responsible for production so it is vital to understand
them and provide them the environment in which they can work effectively. Culture of the
organisation is the values, belief's that are shared by the organisation. It shapes the perception of
employees. I learned that all the employees get direct impact from the culture. The better the
culture of an organisation it is beneficial for the employees. It was analysed that employees come
from different backgrounds and come together and work in the organisation. The culture should
be adjusting so that all the employees can coordinate and work together. It is not an easy task to
work in team. If the employees do not know each other and there is no coordination among them.
Team work needs coordination so it can be analysed that culture of the organisation influences

the working of team. Politics creates a negative impact on the employees that are working in the
organisation.
I analysed that the individuals and teams get demotivated due to politics. This should be
ensured that all the employees are treated equally and provided equal opportunities. I analysed
that politics, power and culture has direct impact on the employees of the organisation. I got to
know that motivation is important factor that helps employees to achieve goals and targets.
Different employees have different needs and it is important to satisfy those needs. Also the
needs are in hierarchy. It is important to satisfy first need and then next need arise. Also first of
all it is important to motivate them by fulfilling there needs as that makes all the employees
achieve the goal and objectives of the company. I also analysed that there are two types of
motivation one comers from internal factors and another from external factors. Organisation that
are successful understand the employees and formulate various strategies that motivate the
employees so that all the tasks are completed in time. The employees should be given and
assigned work according to their capacity so that they can compete that. I also learnt that it is
important to provide good working environment to employees so that they can achieve the tasks
on time.
PART 2
P3 Effective and ineffective teams
To be working as a team requires lots of efforts to be put up on by its members. Their
efficiency to work defines whether such team is considered as effective or ineffective. A group
of individuals should unite in regard to common goals having same vision with a sense of
motivation. Google UK Ltd. has been established since 2003 which is devoted towards people by
helping them with their problems based on internet. So for the organisation to achieve a common
goal it is required by team to execute their tasks to bring their vision in to life (Fernando and
Bandara, 2020). Therefore, for a team it is mandatory to develop focus, eliminate inequality,
avoid errors and negativity and provide quality results. In this respect, the team can be
segregated in the given parts:
Projects teams : It has a responsibility to deliver the outline as per the assigned project
plan. In a project team every member has a separate task to be performed in a singular project.
Therefore, Google UK Ltd. is required to delegate team projects to its employees in such a

manner which must define their role and responsibilities. This way they will be able to work
efficiently.
Virtual teams : It is also known as geographically divided team. Here people are
engaged in common tasks from across the separate locations whose dependent on e-
communication involving e-mail, video-conferencing, etc. In this context, Google UK Ltd. has
set up various virtual teams in order to eliminate ineffectiveness by promoting effectiveness
through emerging different skills of varying people working across the globe for the organisation
(Riyadi, 2020).
Self-Managed teams : These teams are independent and self organised set of employees.
They require no supervision in regard to their responsibility as well as accountability for
providing a service. Google UK Ltd. is focusing on development of such groups in order to
increase its efficiency, boosting growth and ultimately ends with huge profits. This way an
organisation can work more effectively without any doubts and confusions in the overall
directions assigned.
Operational teams : This team is mostly concerned about the consumer's needs &
satisfaction. It is important for an organisation to take care of the happiness and level of
satisfaction of consumers in regard to the organisation's products and services (Isfahani and
Rezaei, 2017). Therefore, Google UK Ltd. is devoted towards its customer satisfaction in order
to maintain goodwill in the eyes of public.
Tuckman Theory of team development
This is highly supported theory which was evolved in 1965 by Sir Bruce Tuckman. He
concluded that a team should handle its project through initial stage till the level of completion is
achieved (Benlahcenea and Meddourb, 2020). He further divided his theory into five phases
which are forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning.

This single yet effective model explains the manner in which groups may operate. This model
helps to provide training to individuals being part of a team (Shaaban, 2018). The respective
model offers high level understanding to know the stages at which an individual should perform
at its full potential.
P4 Application of concepts and philosophies of organisational behaviour within an organisation
There are various philosophies as well as concepts which are put forward by various
psychologists. These theories studies the ongoing effect of the styles of leadership adopted by the
leaders in order to achieve the level of efficiency. Therefore , some of the famous theories are
discussed below:
Path goal Theory
This theory of leadership was initially evolved by Martin Evans and later by Robert
House, which is basically based upon how a leader should choose a behavior which will be exact
suited to employees requirement. Here leaders are required to guide employees through a path in
order to achieve a goal (Khan, Memon and Ramayah, 2018). The main principle factor of this
theory is leader's relevant behaviour towards its employees. Google UK Ltd. is working in such a
manner which is dedicated towards selection of best suited leadership style being opted by its
active leaders becoming the motivators of employees of the organisation. Leaders here are aimed
to motivate and guide employees in a right manner to achieve a level of performance. It has been
a job of a leader to direct its employees as well as workplace for attainment of a target.

The path goal theory is known for selection of ideal leadership style according to the prevailing
situation of a workplace. In this regard, path goal theory studies various leadership styles.
Direction based leadership : Here a leader is required to conclude what is actually to
be done and how assigned tasks needs to be carried forward as well as in which manner tasks
should be completed before the given deadline . Google UK Ltd. has been providing appropriate
direction to its employees in order to achieve the best results. Therefore, in this style a leader
should evaluate a situation in an appropriate manner where most convenient solutions can be
drawn.
Supporting Leadership : Here, it is evaluated that an employees requires an ample of
attention and support in order to carry out the given functions of its job . Google UK Ltd.
defines its role as a system of friendliness as well as motivator by providing the required support
to workplace.
Achievement Oriented Leadership : Here leader is ambitious for the set out goals .
Therefore, Google UK Ltd. is working in order to motivate employees through implementing the

standards which will reflect employees full potentials. In this way, organisation will earn long
term profits.
Contingency Theory: Here leaders are required to adopt right balance in the relevant
factors of becoming an effective leader. Therefore, Google UK Ltd. knows that it has to deal
with the prevailing contingencies in order to achieve the higher level of achievement. So it is
committed to deliver the best suited products and services to its customers at every stage. It has
been always ready to meet the requirements of consumers for maintaining its goodwill in the
industry (Peter and Chima, 2018). It is therefore, believed to outgrow the level of comfort which
will be beneficial in the times to deal with the contingencies.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that understanding the individuals working in an organisation is
foremost task. Organisational Behaviour is a study related to the behaviour of employees. This
helps to formulate the strategies that motivate employees to work and achieve the goals and
objectives of the organisation. The report is based on Google UK Ltd. And the role of power,
culture and politics on the team and individual working in the organisation. There is discussion
related to motivational theories in the organisation. Also it is important to understand the
difference between effective and ineffective team. Various theories of organisational behaviour
are mentioned that help to understand the behaviour of employees.

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