I work in a soul-crushing family-owned business which I have been with for over 9 years. Over the course of my tenure here I've worked toward effectively making work easier and cheaper for the company. Unfortunately, my higher-ups don't see the department as an important role since we don't generate money. As a manager, I have no authority to make any technical-related decisions without first getting approval from various parties. Even when an in-person discussion is done and everyone is on the same page if the majority of the company doesn't like the plan it gets rolled back. It puts me in a position where I cannot effectively govern the technical side putting us behind of modern standards. I'm writing this to vent as my manager requested the rules and responsibilities of my department which I created and submitted on time as requested. Only to be told that they still weren't sure what role of the department plays within the company. You would imagine that after this much time, an office manager and someone I work closely with would know at least to some degree. My position has become stagnant to where I'm being underpaid and basically zapped of my overall drive. I've been slowly looking for a way out but haven't been able to find another employer. I keep telling myself I will find something new, but until then I slowly continue to stop caring here.