Compliance

Compliance Definition

Compliance refers to the act of adhering to established orders or expectations within an organisation, which can be secured through various means of organisational power. Sociological analysis, particularly drawing on Amitai Etzioni’s work, categorises these methods of securing compliance into three distinct types of power employed by organisations: coercive, remunerative (or utilitarian), and normative (or identitive). These power structures are intrinsically linked to the involvement levels of members, which can be classified as alienative, calculative, or moral, creating a complex interplay that influences organisational effectiveness.

Etzioni’s Typology of Compliance Means

Amitai Etzioni identified three means by which organisations can secure compliance from their members, based on the type of power they wield:
* Coercive Power: This form relies on the application or threat of physical sanctions to enforce adherence to organisational orders.
* Remunerative (or Utilitarian) Power: This power is based on controlling material resources and rewards, such as salaries or other benefits, which members desire.
* Normative (or Identitive) Power: This involves the manipulation of symbolic rewards and deprivations to secure loyalty and adherence through the management of prestige or affections.

The Link Between Power and Involvement

Etzioni further argued that these modes of power correspond to three kinds of involvement exhibited by members: alienative, calculative, and moral. These involvements represent a spectrum ranging from negative feelings to positive engagement. When cross-classified, the relationship between the dominant power system and member involvement reveals a nine-fold typology of compliance relationships, highlighting areas where congruence is lacking; for instance, an organisation structured around symbolic power may function poorly if calculative involvement becomes the standard among staff.

Application in Organisations

The application of these power types varies across different institutional settings: prison regimes typically rely on coercive power, business organisations utilise remunerative power, and collegiate organisations generally employ normative power.