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Power in Top Management Teams: Dimensions, Measurement, and Validation
Abstract
Top managers' power plays a key role in strategic decision making. However, although numerous scholars have recognized its importance, very few have attempted to measure the phenomenon. In this article, I present a set of dimensions measuring top managers' power and suggest a measurement methodology to facilitate empirical inquiry. Data from a group of 1,763 top managers in three industries were used to assess the validity and reliability of the power dimensions in three studies. Results demonstrate strong support for the proposed power dimensions.
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“In the past, management theories emphasized managers' domain expertise, which granted them expert power and status in their organizations (Finkelstein, 1992).”
From Artificial Intelligence and Management: The Automation–Augmentation Paradox (2021) · cites this paper as Finkelstein, 1992
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Metadata
- Authors
- Finkelstein, S.
- Affiliations
- University of Southern California (US)
- Corresponding author
- Finkelstein, S.
- ORCID
- Finkelstein, S.
- Venue
- Academy of Management Journal
- Publisher
- Academy of Management
- Published
- 1992-08-01
- Volume
- 35
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 505-538
- ISSN
- 0001-4273 (ISSN-L)
- 1948-0989
- OpenAlex
- W2168930496
- Cited by
- 2,389
- References
- 102
- Citations by year
- 2026: 112 · 2025: 147 · 2024: 153 · 2023: 170 · 2022: 144 · 2021: 144 · 2020: 142 · 2019: 124 · 2018: 117 · 2017: 100 · 2016: 104 · 2015: 109 · 2014: 97 · 2013: 84 · 2012: 87
- FWCI
- 54.45
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Academy of Management Journal (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social Power and Status Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Team Dynamics and Performance
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender Diversity and Inequality
- Keywords
- top management teams, managerial power, power measurement, strategic decision-making, measurement validity, reliability statistics, top managers
- MeSH terms
- Workforce, Administrative Personnel, Commerce, Data Collection, Decision Making, Organizational, Humans, Institutional Management Teams, Leadership, Power, Psychological, United States
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