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The Double-Edge of Organizational Legitimation

Ashforth, Blake E., Gibbs, Barrie W.·1990·Organization Science

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Abstract

Organizations require legitimacy to attract constituents' support Legitimacy, however, is always problematic. Thus, organizations frequently pursue legitimacy through a variety of substantive and symbolic practices. But legitimacy is a social judgment that is ultimately accorded the organization by its constituents. Organizations that pursue this judgement run the risk of “protesting too much”–of being perceived as precisely the opposite, manipulative and illegitimate. Such organizations include (1) the clumsy actor, perceived as unethical, heavy-handed, or insensitive, (2) the nervous actor, perceived as dogmatic, intolerant, or evasive, and (3) the overacting actor, perceived to overstate claims to legitimacy or overreact to faults. The analysis suggests that attempts to increase legitimacy may trigger a series of vicious circles which ultimately decrease legitimacy.

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Authors: Ashforth, B. E., & Gibbs, B. W.
Affiliations: Concordia University (CA)
Simon Fraser University (CA)
ORCID: Ashforth, Blake E.
Venue: Organization Science
Publisher: Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)
Published: 1990-05
Volume: 1
Issue: 2
Pages: 177-194
ISSN: 1047-7039 (ISSN-L)
1526-5455
DOI: 10.1287/orsc.1.2.177
OpenAlex: W2087107032
Cited by: 2,228
References: 65
Citations by year: 2026: 139 · 2025: 143 · 2024: 118 · 2023: 119 · 2022: 122 · 2021: 139 · 2020: 137 · 2019: 114 · 2018: 122 · 2017: 101 · 2016: 88 · 2015: 116 · 2014: 133 · 2013: 98 · 2012: 80
FWCI: 8.21
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Organization Science (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Management and Organizational Studies
Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Organizational Strategy and Culture
Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Corporate Identity and Reputation
Keywords: organizational legitimacy, legitimation strategies, symbolic legitimacy, substantive legitimacy, perceived manipulation

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The Double-Edge of Organizational Legitimation

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