From the political perspective organizations are seen as an arena for power struggles. Coalitions with different interests and different values compete in an organization over scarce resources. Hence, conflict is a central dynamic and power is an important resource. Here the distribution of power between organizational actors is emphasized. Problems are seen as being the result of flaws in the power distribution.
Solutions thus involve the redistribution of power.
From the symbolic perspective organizations are seen as held together by peoples beliefs. What happens in an organization is not always the most important question. The meaning of an event can be at least as important. The world which we live in is filled with uncertainty and ambiguity, therefore people interpret and give meaning to the world. Symbols give meaning and reduce uncertainty.