This study builds on structural elaboration theory by developing a model to explain the adoption of board structures that appear to conform to the prevailing institutional logic, but that in fact contradict it. We test our theory with the case of CEO-only board structures, a formal increase in...

In this paper, we explore the extent to which firms targeted by consumer boycotts strategically react to defend their public image by making prosocial claims: announcements of the firm's engagement in activities that demonstrate its commitment to socially acceptable norms and values. We argue...

While prior work shows that a firm's market performance affects its directors' loyalty, little is known about how a firm's social values and perceived social responsibility affect directors' willingness to serve. In this project, we shed light on this question by exploring how social movement...

Research suggests firms can reduce stakeholder contention (e.g., lawsuits, protests) by collaborating with threatening stakeholders. We propose that by tapping into stakeholder networks and identities, collaborations also produce ripple effects beyond the firm’s partner to attenuate contention...

This commentary reflects on how the themes in the Journal of Organization Design have evolved along with the field of organization design itself. Using topic modeling of abstracts, I assess the key topics or themes in the Journal of Organization Design and compare them to themes underlying...

We live, it is said, in a second Gilded Age, in which politics is dominated by corporate power and elite business interests. But how does corporate money flow into politics? This Article provides an original empirical analysis of when and why corporations engage in particular forms of political...

For those who are struggling with a difficult experience and who seek the support of others, it is a common assumption that others who have been through the experience in the past will be more understanding. To the contrary, the current research found that participants who had previously endured...

This paper explores whether and how social activists’ challenges affect the willingness of politicians’ willingness to associate with targeted firms. We offer the first systematic study of the effect of public protest on corporate political activity, using a unique database that allows us to...