Empire-building

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In political science, empire-building refers to the tendency of countries and nations to acquire resources, land, and economic influence outside of their borders in order to expand their size, power, and wealth.

In business, empire-building is demonstrated when an individual or small group attempts to gain control over key projects and initiatives in order to maximize their job security and promotability. Project leadership hoards potential credit and prestige the project can produce. Because this approach prevents other people in the organization from contributing in a meaningful manner, and alternative or competing projects to address the project's goals are destroyed regardless of their merit, the company suffers as a whole, the projects fail, and the goals of the project are achieved only partially, inadequately, or not at all. This sort of behaviour is supposed to be stopped by upper management, but is nevertheless very common.

In an organization, empire-building can also be demonstrated when an individual or small group eagerly and proactively suggests and pursues functions, activities or projects that are of questionable value, in an effort to enhance their legitimacy and future value. Pursuit of these activities is initially done at little or no marginal cost, but later the activities are used to justify increased resource allocation, being part of the organizational status quo, and thus the individual or group's overall command of resources, and influence, increases.

Practice of enlarging sphere of authority: the practice of attempting to acquire greater power and authority within an organization, especially by adding extra staff or subordinates.