Something old

How exciting for psychologist Chiara Amati of Napier University to have “established” that managers engage in political behaviour (your report, 10 January). In the world of organisational behaviour research, however, this is yesterday’s news to the extent of being several decades old.

Political behaviour is an intrinsic feature of managerial work, and there is a substantial body of literature to support this view. It may come as a surprise to Ms Amati, however, that this sort of behaviour is evident in non-managerial roles as well. I am of course, smiling very nicely at her as I write this.

Dr Barbara Paterson

Ravelston Park

Edinburgh