Ogl 481 Political Frame

OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:
PCA-Political Frame Worksheet

Worksheet Objectives:
1. Describe the political frame
2. Apply the political frame to your personal case situation
Complete the following making sure to support your ideas and cite from the textbook and other
course materials per APA guidelines. After the peer review, you have a chance to update this and
format for your Electronic Portfolio due in Module 6.
1) Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role.
Southwest airlines was founded on the fundamentals of affordable airfare and short flight
times. Since their founding they have stuck to these founding principles. Offering only
short haul flights, basic aircrafts, and only two seat options: economy and low fare.
However, the new generation of fliers are emerging and many people in Southwest’s
management sector believe they should adjust their approach for the transitioning
generation. Should Southwest stick to their founding principles, or conform to the new
generations' higher technological and seat standards?
2) Describe how the politics of the organization influenced the situation.
Similar to any business the airline industry is greatly impacted by regulations and
restrictions set by government officials and legislation. Because hundreds of lives are at
stake with every flight. Southwest is specifically regulated by its own branch of
government, the Federal Aviation Authority. This means there are additional regulators
controlling the aircraft. As well as, the people maneuvering and manufacturing the
aircraft. There are also regulations on the amount of environmental impact each aircraft is
omitting.
Because of the regulations set by multiple departments of the government. It is safe to say
the airline industry is greatly impacted by politics. This is because the people who are
elected create the laws that airlines must follow. This is especially coming to light with
emission regulations and gas use. Internal politics are also influenced by these
regulations. Southwest management sets high standards for their employees and
especially for their aircraft manufacturers. These internal politics are the driving force in
ensuring the safety of their flights and the wellbeing of their employees. The internal
politics also drive the airline personnel to ensure the regulations are met and
documentation is constructed on each flight.
3) Recommend how you would use organizational politics for an alternative course
of action regarding your case.
The internal politics are the driving force for the manufacturing of Southwest airlines. In
order for the airlines to instill more advanced technological features the models must first
pass approval from upper management and stakeholders. This approval is also dependent
on the emission use monitored by the government, and the regulations created inside the
company. Because of this, the aircraft can only upgrade the technology and seat room
options if it passess approval by the internal regulators of the company or if changes are
made in internal regulations.
These internal regulations, although somewhat derived from government regulation. Are
created primarily by internal politics and by company stakeholders. Because of this, if the
company wanted to create a more technologically advanced aircraft they would need
approval from within the company. Which would consist of majority rule from
stakeholders, management intervention, and consultation with manufacturers.
4) Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned
about this frame.
After learning about the internal and external regulation which allows the construction of
new aircraft. I would recommend Southwest to continue with the basic lowfair aircraft
they currently employ. These aircraft, although simplistic in nature, ensure that flight
costs are kept low for their customers. After all, these low haul options and affordable
flights are what originally drew customers to choose Southwest.
According to the textbook Reframing Organizations by Lee Bolman, “The same factors
that spawn politics inside organizations also create political dynamics within and between
ecosystems'' (Bolmain 2021). This statement shows the correlation between the laws the
government implements and the internal policies Southwest management instills. In order
for new aircraft to pass safety, environmental, and regulatory standards they must appear
to internal and external policy. This is usually a lengthy and expensive process. Because
of this, I believe it is in Southwest's best interest to continue the flight options they
currently develop.
Reference
Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2021). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership
(7th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass

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OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:

PCA-Political Frame Worksheet

1) Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role.

2) Describe how the politics of the organization influenced the situation.

(7th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass

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