Rosabeth Moss Kanter argues that power and powerlessness within a corporation determine the careers and self-images of all employees, including managers, professionals, executives, secretaries, and women seeking advancement. She examines how the corporate structure itself shapes individual experiences and opportunities, particularly for women. The book analyzes how these corporate power dynamics influence personal development and professional trajectories within the business world. A new afterward in the revised edition reviews changes in corporate power structures and related attitudes in the 1990s.
Key concepts
- Corporate power — The distribution of authority and influence within a business organization.
- Powerlessness — The state of lacking authority and influence within a corporate environment.
- Careers — The progression and development of individuals within their professional roles.
- Self-images — Individuals' perceptions of themselves as shaped by their experiences and positions.