Beyond human relations: exploring informal power and soft control in contemporary organizations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51247/st.v9iS2.813Keywords:
human relations, informal networks, organizational politics, soft power, bureaucracy, organizational authority, institutional stabilityAbstract
This study examined the role of human relations in shaping informal power, soft control, and decision-making processes within contemporary organizations. A qualitative descriptive–analytical approach was adopted, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews and participant observation, allowing for an in-depth understanding of subtle organizational dynamics. The findings revealed that informal networks, trust, and professional alliances significantly influenced employee behavior, access to information, and organizational decisions. While these mechanisms enhanced collaboration, flexibility, and knowledge sharing, they also generated hidden pressures and potential inequalities when left unregulated. In contrast, formal bureaucratic structures contributed to fairness, transparency, and protection against arbitrary influence. The study concluded that human relations should be understood not merely as managerial tools but as structural mechanisms of informal authority that coexist with formal systems. The interaction between informal influence, soft control, and bureaucracy plays a critical role in organizational stability and effectiveness.
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