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Activists and Incumbents Structuring Change : The Interplay of Agency, Culture, and Networks in Field Evolution

Author

Listed:
  • Jakomijn van Wijk

    (Maastricht University [Maastricht])

  • Wouter Stam

    (HKUST - Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

  • Tom Elfring

    (VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam [Amsterdam])

  • Charlene Zietsma

    (York University [Toronto])

  • Frank den Hond

    (Hanken School of Economics - Hanken School of Economics, VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam [Amsterdam])

Abstract

We examine organizational field change instigated by activists. Contrary to existing views emphasizing incumbent resistance, we suggest that collaboration between incumbents and challenger movements may emerge when a movement's cultural and relational fabric becomes moderately structured, creating threats and market opportunities but remaining permeable to external influence. We also elucidate how lead incumbents' attempts at movement cooptation may be deflected through distributed brokerage. The resulting confluence of cultural and relational "structuration" between movement and field accelerates the pace but dilutes the radicalness of institutional innovation, ensuring ongoing, incremental field change. Overall, this article contributes to the emergent literature on field dynamics by uncovering the evolution and outcomes of collaborative work at the intersection of social movements and incumbent fields.

Suggested Citation

  • Jakomijn van Wijk & Wouter Stam & Tom Elfring & Charlene Zietsma & Frank den Hond, 2013. "Activists and Incumbents Structuring Change : The Interplay of Agency, Culture, and Networks in Field Evolution," Post-Print hal-04850411, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04850411
    DOI: 10.5465/amj.2008.0355
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    Cited by:

    1. Şiir Kılkış & Anders Bjørn & Xuemei Bai & Jianguo Liu & Gail Whiteman & Beatrice Crona & Lauren Seaby Andersen & Syezlin Hasan & Varsha Vijay & Oscar Sabag, 2025. "City–company collaboration towards aligned science-based target setting," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 54-65, January.

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