Predictors of the Effectiveness of Supervisory Social Power

Abstract

The objectives of this research are: (1) to examine the relative importance of ten superior's, subordinate's, and situational attributes as determinants of the effectiveness of six supervisory bases of social power in the Arabian Gulf region, and (2) to extend the validity of previous research findings regarding the determinants of supervisory social power. Data were collected from 255 middle management Arab personnel from a wide variety of organizations in the State of Kuwait. Results obtainedfrom factor analysis indicate that three processes of influence are available to the superiors of middle managers: reward-punishment, position-organization, and expert-referent processes of influence. The internalization-influence process identified by Kelman (1958) was not obtained largely due to cultural influences. In addition, multiple regression results indicate that the educational level of the subordinate has dominating negative effect on the three influence processes. Most of the other determinants have significant relationships with one or two influence processes, but several of these relationships are not in the expected direction. Implications of the findings for the exercise of power in the Arabian Gulf region's organizations are discussed.