When do employees manipulate? Investigating the interplay of power value, political will, and hierarchy

Abstract This study examines a moderated mediation model to explore how the power value of an individual influences the use of manipulation tactics, and how hierarchy and political will of employees interact to influence this relationship. Data were collected from the employees of a public sector organization in India. Structural equation modeling has been used to explore the mediation and moderated mediation relationships between variables. The results of the study indicate that political will mediates the relationship between power value and the use of manipulation tactics, and hierarchy increases the use of manipulation tactics by strengthening the effect of political will on the use of manipulation tactics. The study elaborates upon the role of hierarchy in the process, thereby paving the way for a better understanding of leadership in the context of organizational politics. This study also calls for a fine-tuning of the organizational structure to make it more welcoming toward the political will and power values of the employees. This study also contributes to value studies and organizational psychology literature by explaining moderated mediation mechanisms through which power value and political will affect employees’ use of manipulation tactics.