organizations, and other research organizations. In these organizations, providing high quality products,
consistently meeting high standards (for example, for quality, production quantity, and so on), finding
creative solutions, inventing innovative technologies, and discovering new breakthroughs will determine
the extent to which the organization succeeds.
Affiliation Images
The affiliation motive is a concern for establishing, maintaining, and restoring close personal, emotional
relationships with others. Affiliation images are those which express positive or friendly feelings toward
others and express sadness about being separated from others or having relationships disrupted. They
also include engaging in nurturing acts.
Affiliation imagery is related to success in service-oriented organizations. Service-oriented
organizations must establish and maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including
customers, employees, unions, suppliers, government and regulatory agencies, lawmakers, and the
general public. Illustrative examples of vision statements emphasizing affiliation images include the
following (with the images underlined):
We are here to provide a quality service to visitors to our lake. We must also ensure that our natural
resources and facilities are provided ample protection….We must be concerned about each other…
…[W]e must be courteous in dealing with our neighbors and public visitors since were are public
servants…
…[W]e are a customer oriented organization. We must keep not only the Government’s best interest in
mind but also our customer’s best interest.
Additional organizations for which affiliation images may be important include organizations that
depend on one or more stakeholders. Examples include organizations that are highly dependent on
unions (e.g., auto manufacturers, airlines), the public (e.g., charitable or nonprofit organizations), and
legislative or regulatory agencies (e.g., utilities, healthcare organizations, and some government
agencies). Of course, all organizations depend on customers, suppliers, and employees. However, for
certain organizations, success will depend heavily on having high customer satisfaction, effective
relationships with suppliers, and high morale among employees.
Power Images
The power motive is a concern with strong, vigorous action that affects others, actions that have an
emotional impact on others, and actions that are meant to build one’s reputation and status. Power
images reflect strong, forceful actions that impact or attempt to impact on other people or the world at
large. Images of control and regulation are considered to be power images. Giving help or support that
is not explicitly requested is also considered to be a power image because the intent is not to provide
assistance but rather to influence.
The power motive is especially important for entrepreneurial organizations. Entrepreneurs must
convince others of the viability of their ideas. They must influence customers’ perceptions to develop an
image or reputation. Illustrative examples of vision statements emphasizing power imagery include the
following, with power images shown underlined: