Collaborative Research: The Impact of Legitimacy by Endorsement on Coalition Formation in Power Structures

本研究整合了社会学的两大理论研究视角--网络交换理论和合法性理论，研究了强势权力结构中背书合法性对联盟形成的影响。从网络交换理论（NET），实验已经完成，以表明，高功率的中央演员获得最大的利益，在交换和低功率的外围设备得到最小的回报。这项研究的问题是，低权力行为者是否会采取行动，形成联盟，反对对他们行使的权力，如果是这样，有什么效果。合法性理论（LT）认为，群体成员更有可能采取集体合法化的行动。当应用到交换网络过程中，LT意味着低功率的行为者更有可能发起联盟活动，实际上形成联盟，并采取有效的行动时，联盟的形成已经合法化。目前的实验将研究认可合法性的影响。在语言教学中，认同是指低权力行动者对社会情境中的行动者、地位或角色、行为以及联系行动者、角色和行为的规则等各种因素的认可或支持。在本实验研究中，受试者将分两部分完成一系列的谈判和交流。在第一部分中，主体独立地协商交换。没有人有机会组成一个联盟。 NET和LT的联合应用意味着受试者最有可能发起联盟的形成，并在高背书治疗中实际形成联盟，而在低背书条件下最不可能这样做，控制条件介于两者之间。预计联盟将更加稳定（即，成员不太可能背叛），并且在高背书条件下更有效，而在低背书条件下最不稳定且最不有效。一个联盟的有效性是通过其在抗衡力量方面的成功程度来衡量的。两个结构的设计允许观察联盟的形成，稳定性和有效性的大小影响，并允许测试20多个额外的理论预测。更广泛的影响集体行动的理论提供了一个相当悲观的前景集体行动。然而，集体行动确实取得了成功，而且当它们成功时，这种理论往往是沉默的。他们有时会因为合法性的影响而成功吗？这项研究将回答这个问题。这项研究将通过将其联盟设计添加到位于南卡罗来纳州大学的网络实验室（weblab.moore.sc.edu）来加强社会学的基础设施。像所有的网络实验室设计一样，美国或其他地方的任何地方的研究人员都可以访问这些设计。南加州大学实验室有助于研究型学习，提供使用网络实验室的本科生和研究生课程。本研究中使用的设计将大大提高该课程的工作。南加州大学实验室还增强了学生研究人员的多样性。目前，大多数学生研究人员是女性，在一个典型的年份，20%的学生研究人员是非洲裔美国人。

SES-0456064David WillerUniversity of South CarolinaSES-0455926Henry WalkerUniversity of ArizonaThis research integrates two major sociological theoretical research perspectives-Network Exchange Theory and Legitimacy Theory-to study the effects of legitimacy by endorsement on coalition formation in strong power structures. From Network Exchange Theory (NET), experiments have been completed to show that high-power central actors reap maximal benefits at exchange and low-power peripherals get minimal rewards. At issue for this research is whether low power actors will act to form coalitions and oppose the power exercised over them and, if so, with what effectiveness. Legitimacy Theory (LT) argues that group members are more likely to take actions that are collectively legitimized. When applied to exchange network processes, LT implies that low power actors are more likely to initiate coalition activity, to actually form coalitions, and to act effectively in them when coalition formation has been legitimized. The current experiments will study the effects of legitimacy by endorsement. In LT, endorsement refers to the approval or support that low power actors give to various elements of social situations including actors, positions or roles, behaviors and the rules that link actors, roles and behaviors. In this experimental study, subjects will complete a series of negotiations and exchanges in two-part. In Part 1, subjects negotiate exchanges independently. No one is given the opportunity to form a coalition. Joint application of NET and LT implies that subjects are most likely to initiate coalition formation and to actually form coalitions in the High Endorsement treatment and least likely to do so in the Low Endorsement condition with the control condition falling between. Coalitions are expected to be more stable (i.e., members are less likely to defect) and more effective in the High Endorsement condition and least stable and least effective in the Low Endorsement condition. A coalition's effectiveness is measured by the extent of its success in countervailing power. The two-structure design permits observation of size effects on coalition formation, stability and effectiveness, and permits tests of more than 20 additional theoretical predictions.BROADER IMPACTThe theory of collective action offers a quite gloomy picture for the prospects of acting collectively. Nevertheless, collective actions do succeed and, when they do, often that theory is silent. Do they succeed at times because of the effects of legitimacy? This research will answer that question. The research will enhance sociology's infrastructure by adding its coalition designs to the Web-Lab housed at the University of South Carolina (weblab.moore.sc.edu). Like all Web-Lab designs, researchers at any location in the U.S. or elsewhere will be able to access these. The USC laboratory contributes to research-based learning, offering undergraduate and graduate classes using the Web-Lab. Designs used in this research will importantly enhance that course work. The USC laboratory also enhances diversity among student researchers. Currently, the majority of student researchers are women and, in a typical year, 20% of student researchers are African-American.