Toward a virtual politicking model

Virtual politicking is the use of email to support organizational politics. Surprisingly, despite the proliferation of email, its role in enabling political maneuvering is just starting to be acknowledged by managers and information systems practitioners. The Virtual Politicking Model detailed in this article synthesizes data from a series of real-life incidents in which email was used for political manipulation within and between organizations. The discussion illustrates the impact that email can have on life at work, alerting managers and practitioners to both its promise and its dangers.