Power concepts research paper example

Comparing and contrasting the concepts of power over or power with

The concepts of power over and power with define the relationship and decision making models used in organizations. The difference in the two concepts is usually with respect to the relationship that exists between the various parties involved in the decision making process of a given organization and in a given situation. The power over concept involves dominance in decision making wherein a powerful individual in the organization, such as a nurse manager, exercises a controlling and instrumental orientation during decision making (Burkhardt and Nathaniel, 2008). For example, a healthcare organization may be required to make decision regarding thepurchase of healthcare equipment aimed at improving patient care. The concept of power over will be realized if the manager dominates the decision making process such that he decides on the equipment to be purchased without involving other relevant parties, such as nurses, in the organization.
On the other hand, the concept of power with involves the inclusion of relevant parties in the decision making process such that the decision making process is collaborative and decision making power is shared among the relevant parties (Burkhardt and Nathaniel, 2008). The ideology behind shared power acknowledges the values of dialogue, interaction, cooperation and positive relationships during decision making instead of relying on power conceptions. For example, the manager in the aforementioned example can involve all the relevant parties, especially nurses, to decide on the most important patient care equipment that should be purchased including its specifications and capacity. Therefore, I am on the opinion that the concept of power with is more consistent with nursing than the concept of power over because the concept of power with would ensure that correct and valid decisions are made when all the relevant parties are involved.
Burkhardt, M.A. & Nathaniel, A.K. (2008). Ethics and Issues in Contemporary Nursing, 3rd Edition, Albany, NY: Delmar