Question

Rosabeth Ross Kanter

Rosabeth Moss Kanter has written extensively on the subject of change management. Kanter's management theory provides a framework that you may use to improve your organization's efficiency.

- Kanter's theory suggests that the way an organization operates is an integral component in how employees derive their attitudes and behaviors.  

- The Moss Kanter theory proposes that employees exhibit different behaviors based upon whether certain structural supports were in place. The following precepts sum up the Management Theory of Rosabeth Moss Kanter:

1. Kanter's theory states power is derived from formal and informal sources.

2. Staff requires access to resources to meet organizational goals according to Rosabeth Kanter.

3. Increase staff knowledge and skills and Rosabeth Moss Kanter believes they will be more productive.

1. Why is this theory important?

2. Does this theory apply to any organizations or leaders today?  

• Use examples of companies and / or leaders that utilize or represent the principles/philosophies influenced by the theorist.

Answer 1

This theory is critical because it highlights the interaction between a leader and their subordinates and how their empowerment creates the necessary factors that provide the company with the aspect of productivity, especially of the workforce. It gives the nature of power derived based on the quality of the interaction of the leader and how the path they choose creates the necessary outlook for their functions as well as the outcome of their actions over the individuals they govern. It also provides the understanding that increasing the capabilities of the workforce would allow them to be more productive, and therefore, it represents one of the significant functions of leadership.

Yes, this theory is still applicable to the business landscape today. The method has a direct understanding of servant leadership model where the leader’s primary responsibility is to help enable their subordinates to achieve their desired goal by working on their skills and capabilities to obtain the necessary outlook.

The most prominent and most visible example for the above can be considered to be Zappos, a company that empowers its employees to think beyond the traditional box, essentially allowing them a better overall consideration to perform their task in the best possible approach burning positive organizational performance, productivity and innovation to their structure and function.