Expert Power In Industrial Relations

INTRODUCTION

Industrial relations mean relationship between managing and workmen in a unit or an industry. In its wider association, it means the association and practice of multi-pronged relationships between workers and management, unions and workers, and the unions and management in an industry. Industrial relations are that part of management which is alarmed with the manpower of the enterprise. Four main parties who actively linked with any industrial relations system are the workers, the management, the organization of workers and management and the state but the scope of industrial relations cannot merely be confined to common labor-management relations or employer-employee relations. It is a comprehensive and total concept embracing the sum total of relationship

Expert power is derived from possessing knowledge or expertise in a particular area. Such people highly valued by organizations for their problem solving skills. People who have expert power perform critical tasks and are therefore deemed indispensable. The opinions, idea and decisions of people with expert power are held in high regard by other employees and hence greatly influence their actions. Possessions of expert power are normally a stepping stone to other sources of power such as legitimate power. For example, a person who holds expert power can be promoted to senior management, thereby giving him legitimate power.

Referent power is derived from the interpersonal relationships that a person cultivated with other people in the organization. People possess reference power when other respects and like them. Referent power arises from charisma, as the charisma people influences other via the admiration, respect and trusts other have for her. Referent power also derived from personal connection that a person has with key people in the organization’s hierarchy, such as the CEO. It is the perception of the personal relationships that she has that generates her power over