Acquiring organizational legitimacy through illegitimate actions: a marriage of institutional and impression management theories

Article Abstract:

This article links institutional impression management perspectives in a process model of how controversial and possibly unlawful actions of members of organizations can lead to endorsement and support from key constituencies. This model is grounded in interview, archival, and observational data concerning eight illegitimate actions attibuted to members of two social movement organizations. We found that institutional conformity and decoupling illegitimate activities from legitimate structures facilitate spokespersons' efforts to use impression management tactics that shifted attention away from controversial actions and toward the socially desirable goals endorsed by broader constituencies. As a result, these organizations used publicity generated by illegitimate actions to obtain endorsement and support from those constituencies. We discuss the implications of the model for other kinds of organizations and derive testable propositions. We also consideer implications for institutional and impression management theories. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Models, Social movements, Institution management, AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, Earth First!

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Isomorphism and external support in conflicting institutional environments: a study of drug abuse treatment units

Article Abstract:

Using institutional theory, we developed predictions about organizational units that moved from an environment making consistent demands to one making conflicting demands. Many community mental health centers have diversified into drug abuse treatment. The units providing those services face conflicting demands from the traditional mental health sector and the new drug abuse treatment sector about which clients to serve, how to assess their problems, and who should provide treatment. We propose that in response to such demands these units will adopt apparently conflicting practices. Also, isomorphism with the traditional sector will be positively associated with external support from parent mental health centers and other actors in the mental health sector. Results generally support those predictions. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Management, Community psychiatric services, Community mental health services, Organizational behavior, Public institutions, Drug treatment centers

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Functions of parting ceremonies in dying organizations

Article Abstract:

A study of 11 parting ceremonies, held as a result of the demise of six different organizations, indicated that these ceremonies provide necessary outlets for emotional expression and sources for support and explanation. They also provided management with the opportunity to influence a number of functions that assist in controlling the organizational demise, including: employee motivation, information dissemination, shareholder acquiescence and guilt abatement.

Psychological aspects, Social aspects, Planning, Business enterprises, Rites, ceremonies and celebrations, Business failures, Unemployed workers, Rituals, Rites and ceremonies

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