Question: French and Raven (1958) determined five forms of power. What are they and what form of power could be possessed by an IT professional?

Expert answer

The five forms of power that French and Raven identified are legitimate, coercive, reward, informative, and expert. An IT professional could possess expert power by having a deep understanding of the technology they are working with and the ability to use that knowledge to influence the decisions of others. An IT manager could have coercive power by threatening to withhold pay or bonuses if employees do not comply with their demands. A manager could also have reward power, which they could use to incentivize employees by offering them rewards for meeting certain targets or goals.

Informative power is a less common form of power, but it can be just as influential. This type of power comes from having information that others do not have access to and using it to influence their decisions. For example, an IT professional who has inside information about a new product release could use this knowledge to persuade other employees to purchase the product. Finally, legitimate power is a form of authority that comes from holding a position of power within an organization. An IT manager who has been with the company for many years and has a lot of experience in the field could have this type of power.

The five forms of power can be used in different ways, but they all ultimately aim to influence the decisions of others. When used correctly, these forms of power can be incredibly effective in getting employees to comply with demands or achieve goals. However, it is important to use them sparingly and only when absolutely necessary, as too much power can lead to resentment and resistance from employees.