The objectives of this thesis are to provide a political understanding of business management, and to present a Political Management Framework (FRAMEWORK) as a tool for analysis. Results are based on an in-depth analysis of literature, and a case study which provides the opportunity for an extended consideration of particular events; crucial to understanding the politics that influence change in an organisation. The significance of the FRAMEWORK lies in its potential as a tool for better management, by linking theory with practice. Three levels of organizational politics are identified: * Level 1 ~ Primary, where political actions are direct/immediate, * Level 2 ~ Integration, with consensus political actions, and * Level 3 ~ Enviro, where political actions are based on values. The case study is assessed in these terms, showing that when politics exist at the primary level, there is no effect on attitudes or beliefs of individuals, but at the integration level, management and action strategies are open to questioning and learning. The highest level - Enviro - is where politics challenge embedded social and political traditions of the organization, and here the greatest changes can occur to better the firm and the environment as a whole. As politics are inevitable in any endeavour, managers must have a tool that enables them to use politics for the benefit of the organisation rather than, counter-productively, fearing and avoiding politics. The FRAMEWORK provides a structure that helps identify, explain and transform the political processes in, and around, organisations to the benefit of the firm. It enables managers to classify political situations in their organisations, and to then decide how to use these situations, or transform them, into political situations to strengthen the organisation.