The “Voice of Industry”: Why management researchers should pay more attention to trade associations
File(s)
Author(s)
Phillips, NW
Rajwani, T
Lawton, T
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Trade associations work to influence regulation, government policy, and public opinion on behalf of the collective needs and objectives of their members. They also serve as agents for disseminating and exchanging information within industries, and often act as informal regulators by setting voluntary standards of behavior for industry members. Yet, despite the obvious importance of trade associations for firms, industries and societies, management and organization researchers have devoted surprisingly little attention to understanding them. In this essay, we argue that researchers must develop a deeper understanding of their purpose, sources of influence, and impact on companies, industries and society. We go on to discuss three examples of areas of management research – institutional theory, collective identity and nonmarket strategy – where we believe trade associations are of particular relevance and where existing theoretical perspectives remain limited without an explicit consideration of these important organizations.
Date Issued
2015-06-17
Date Acceptance
2015-02-16
Citation
Strategic Organization, 2015, 13 (3), pp.224-232
ISSN
1741-315X
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Start Page
224
End Page
232
Journal / Book Title
Strategic Organization
Volume
13
Issue
3
Publication Status
Published