Year: 2006
Type: article
Abstract: In this study, I address the general research question, "What are the conditions under which stakeholders will take action against an organization?" I respond to this question by acknowledging that a stakeholder is likely to act when it is motivated to do so: accordingly I adopt two of the most well-established motivation theories, equity theory and expectancy theory, based on which I develop a framework for understanding when a stakeholder is likely to take action against the focal organization (FO). I assert that stakeholders are likely to take action against the FO when they perceive underreward inequity in their relationship with the FO, and when they have high expectancies that they can successfully take action in order to remedy that inequity. To test hypotheses derived from this framework I develop an experiment wherein subjects peruse two vignettes, each concerning a specific stakeholder-FO relationship, and respond to various questions concerning the likelihood that they would engage in various actions. Results provide support for the idea that both stakeholder perceptions of the degree of equity (or inequity) in their relationship with the FO and their expectancies that they can successfully engage in action that will result in valued outcomes affect stakeholders' propensities to take action against the FO. Other results indicate that overrewarded stakeholders may be more likely than others to engage in behaviors that help the FO. Results concerning the impact of equity sensitivity on stakeholder propensities to engage in action either detrimental to or supportive of the FO were mixed.
Author: Sefa Hayibor
Language: English
Subfield: Strategy and Management
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W182539075