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Organizational and Leadership Status *
Author(s) -
Edwards John N.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
sociological inquiry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.446
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1475-682X
pISSN - 0038-0245
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-682x.1969.tb00939.x
Subject(s) - prestige , rank (graph theory) , sociology , voluntary association , selection (genetic algorithm) , aggregate (composite) , public relations , social psychology , political science , psychology , law , computer science , philosophy , linguistics , materials science , mathematics , combinatorics , artificial intelligence , composite material
Sociological research on voluntary associations seldom has dealt with the characteristics of these organizations as emergent properties. Generally associational elements are conceived of as mere configurations of aggregate member qualities. Thus, the status accorded voluntary groups at any given time is thought to be the sum total of member and leader prestige. Although a high correlation exists between organizational rank and leader‐member status, the relationship remains unexplained. Focusing on three organizational properties as determinants of associational rank, a tentative explanation is offered. It is maintained that as organizations mature their emergent properties become crucial considerations in the selection of their leaders, one consideration being who will best symbolize the organizations' rank in the community.