The Use of Power and Authority in Decision Making Process: A Cross Cultural Perspective
Srilalitha Sagi
Dr. Srilalitha Sagi, Asst. Prof., Gitam School of International Business, Gitam University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Manuscript received on March 15, 2015. | Revised Manuscript received on March 29, 2015. | Manuscript published on April 15, 2015. | PP: 12-14 | Volume-1 Issue-7, April 2015. | Retrieval Number: G0056041715
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© The Authors. Published By: Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Abstract: This paper aims to understand the use of power and authority in decision making process across cultures. It gives an account of Steven Luke’s three faces of power and French and Raven’s types and bases of power. The knowledge about the use of power to make decision/s is an important component of cross cultural research. The dimensions of culture proposed by Geert Hofstede are discussed in the paper for understanding the cross cultural perspectives. The models of decision making, the role of culture in problem solving and its influence on the management style has been considered for the discussion. Even though the use power and authority receives criticism for its connection with politics in organizations and society at large it still ranks high in importance as it serves an important role in the process of decision making. The use of power and authority in a cross cultural perspective varies from country to country and it calls for an in depth understanding to succeed in the international business.
Keywords: Power and Authority, Decision Making, Cross Cultural Management, Organizational Culture.