| This study had the objective of answering two research questions: (1) what are the critical factors that contribute to making the library powerful in the parent organization? and (2) how and why do technology-based projects and services affect the power of the library in its parent organization? To answer these questions case studies were conducted in four medical libraries which were participants in the Integrated Advanced Integrated Management Systems Program of the National Library of Medicine. The theoretical basis for the study was drawn from studies on power in organizations at the structural, behavioral and individual levels of analysis.;The study revealed two dimensions of power which were important for the libraries studied: processual power and institutional power. Processual power was manifested through the implementation of innovative projects, the expansion of the products and services of the library, episodes of enacted influence, and by setting trends at the parent organization. Institutional power was defined by factors such as visibility, credibility, and organizational support. The major factors in the development of these dimensions of power were individual characteristics of the leader and strategies adopted by the leader. Leadership characteristics which had a predominant impact on power were vision, inhibited power motive, linguistic abilities, and cognitive complexity. Behavioral strategies relevant for power were gathering and providing information, and a focus on the organizational needs. In addition to behavioral tactics, other tactics that built on structural factors contributed to increase processual and institutional power. These were the formation of work coalitions, incorporation of technical units, and obtaining external funds. The implementation of technology-based projects and services was a major manifestation of processual power and also impacted institutional power. In addition to that, technological factors motivated the leaders to acquire power, facilitated the implementation of strategies used for power acquisition, and reinforced existing power.;Other dimensions of power, perceptual, budget, positional and participative power, were limited by structural factors and were only marginally affected by technology-based projects and services.;A model of power which integrates all the dimensions and sources of power is proposed. |
