Individual Factors

 Researchers have identified certain personality traits, needs, and other factors that are likely to be related to political behavior.

• Employees who are high self-monitor, possess an internal locus of control, and have a high need for power are more likely to engage in political behavior.
• The high self-monitor is more sensitive to social cues and is more likely to be skilled in political behavior than the low self-monitor.
• Individuals with an internal locus of control are more prone to take a proactive stance and attempt to manipulate situations in their favor.
• The Machiavellian personality is comfortable using politics as a means to further his/her self- interest.

      An individual’s investment in the organization’s perceived alternatives and expectations of success will influence the ten  dency to pursue illegitimate means of political action.

• The more that a person has invested and the more a person has to lose, the less likely he/she is to use illegitimate means.
• The more alternative job opportunities an individual has, a prominent reputation, or influential contacts outside the organization, the more likely he/she will risk illegitimate political actions.
• A low expectation of success in using illegitimate means diminishes the probability of its use.