The Role of Organizational Politics in Performance Appraisal Process

Organizational politics is an important determinant in the pay systems based on performance evaluation as both supervisors and subordinates have a possibility to affect the results of the appraisal process. Sometimes supervisors might be tempted to manipulate ratings in order to influence the behavior of their subordinates or even to affect their own position in the organization. The main characteristics of organization politics are the readiness of people to use power in their efforts to influence others and secure their own interests or, alternatively, avoid negative outcomes within the organization. Organization politics is usually described as a self-serving behavior which seeks to achieve self-interests, advantages and benefits at the expense of others.