4.6.6 Manipulation and Co-optation
Manipulation refers to covert influence attempts. Twisting and distorting facts to make them appear more attractive, withholding undesirable information, and creating rumours to get employees to accept a change are all examples of manipulation. If corporate management threatens to close down a particular manufacturing plant if its employees fail to accept an across-the-board pay cut, and if the threat is actually untrue, management is being manipulative.
Co-optation, however, is a form of both manipulation and participation. It seeks to buy off the leaders of a resistance group by giving them a key role in the change decision. The leaders' advice is sought, not to seek a better decision, but to get their endorsement. ...
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