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

南卡罗来纳大学大卫·威勒大学亚利桑那州亨利·沃克大学本研究整合了两个主要的社会学理论研究视角--网络交换理论和合法性理论--研究强权结构中背书合法性对联盟形成的影响。从网络交换理论(Net)出发，实验表明，高功率中心参与者在交换中获得最大利益，而低功率外围设备获得最小回报。这项研究的问题是，低权力行为者是否会采取行动组成联盟，并反对对他们行使的权力，如果是这样的话，效果如何。合法性理论认为，群体成员更有可能采取集体合法化的行动。当应用于交换网络过程时，LT意味着低权力行为者更有可能发起联盟活动，实际上形成联盟，并在联盟形成已经合法化时在其中有效地行动。目前的实验将研究背书对合法性的影响。在翻译中，认可是指低权力行为者对社会情境中各种因素的认可或支持，包括行为者、角色或角色、行为以及连接行为者、角色和行为的规则。在这项实验研究中，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，受试者独立协商交流。没有人有机会组建联合政府。NET和LT的联合应用意味着，在高认可条件下，受试者最有可能发起联盟形成并实际形成联盟，而在控制条件介于两者之间的低认可条件下，受试者最不可能这样做。联盟预计会更稳定(即成员不太可能叛逃)，在高支持率条件下更有效，在低支持率条件下最不稳定和最低效率。联盟的有效性是以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形成、稳定性和有效性的规模效应，并允许测试20多个额外的理论预测。BROADER IMPACT集体行动理论为集体行动的前景提供了相当黯淡的图景。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南卡罗来纳大学的网络实验室(weblab.moore.sc.edu)来增强社会学的基础设施。像所有的网络实验室设计一样，美国或其他地方的研究人员都可以访问这些网站。南加州大学的实验室致力于研究性学习，利用网络实验室提供本科生和研究生课程。这项研究中使用的设计将重要地加强这门课程的工作。南加州大学的实验室还加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，在典型的一年中，20%的学生研究人员是非裔美国人。

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.