Network marketing is a diverse and complex business architecture. Power and politics
play a large role in the network marketing business model and the road to success in network
marketing. The analysis evaluated the individual business organizations of the independent
network marketer. Power is the ability for the network marketer to influence outcomes.
Network marketers derive power from many the six bases of power. The network marketer’s
rank brings privileges, and benefits, but no formal power or authority. The lack of formal
authority is due to each network marketer being an independent business owner. Some power
is formal but most of the power for network marketers is informal and derived through expert
and information power. Network marketing as with any business comes with certain
organizational politics. Network marketers use power bases and politics to manage the
downline. Others aspects of power were discussed, as was reactions to politics, and
empowerment in network marketing. Network marketers develop empowerment through
providing information on the group’s performance and outcomes, rewards for contributions,
sincere desire for others to succeed, knowledge sharing, and allowing the downline the power
to make decisions that influence performance and procedures.