Abstract:
Organisational politics plays a large role in how most organisations
function and develop. Thus, organisational politics is an unavoidable factor at the
workplace, and has so many influences on the affairs and behaviour of employees
in an organisation. It is in recognition of these facts that an effort was made in this
research to find out the causes, prevention and management of organisational
politics in Cape Coast Polytechnic. The target population for the study consisted
of employees (teaching and non-teaching staff) of the Cape Coast Polytechnic.
Stratified random sampling method was used in selecting both the teaching and
non-teaching staff. Questionnaires as well as structured interviews were used to
gather data from respondents. Statistical tools used to analyse the data included
frequencies, percentages, means and T-tests. The findings revealed that unclear
job descriptions, power struggle, favouritism, competition and inadequate
information were responsible for organisational politics in Cape Coast
Polytechnic. It was concluded that organisational politics, if not managed
appropriately could create a hostile organisational environment which would
hamper the growth of the organisation. It was therefore recommended that both
Management and employees set aside their personal interests and go along with
the mission and vision of the organisation for the achievement of stated goals.
