“Office Politics” can be defined as using real OR perceived power and control to get what you want – be it tangible (a raise, corner office, etc.) or intangible (a promotion, visibility, influence over others) sometimes at the expense of others. This definition brings home the fact that office politics is inevitable.

What organization doesn’t have a hierarchy of some type? What company does not have managers, supervisors, presidents, CEOs, etc. that exert some authority? 90 percent of our newsletter recipients and other respondents to a survey about the subject admitted to being aware of office politics in their organization. Many of them also admitted that they knew of conflicts in the organization caused by office politics.

4 Common Causes of Negative Office Politics
1. Scarcity of Resources
Not enough resources to go around and everyone wants to get “their share”. This often causes back-stabbing and manipulation at varying degrees.

2. Extremely Competitive Work Environment
Performance not only based on production, skill or ability but mainly on “winning” from an individual perspective, not an organizational one. Often work relationships are sabotaged and rampant burnout occurs due to the high level of competition.

https://theupdates.net/common-causes-of-office-politics/