This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hoffman, A. J. Articles by Ocasio, W. Search for Related Content

Not All Events Are Attended Equally: Toward a Middle-Range Theory of Industry Attention to External Events

Organizational Behavior Department, School of Management, Boston University, 595 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215
Department of Management and Organizations, Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University, 2001 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208
ahoffman{at}bu.edu
wocasio{at}nwu.edu

This paper builds on prior theory and research on attention and identity to examine whether and how industries publicly attend to external events. Events are critical triggers of institutional transformation and industry evolution. However, they must first become the focus of public attention to have this effect. We draw on a paired case comparison of media coverage of eight nonroutine events affecting the natural environment and the U.S. chemical industry. We employ both deductive and inductive analysis to develop a model and hypotheses to explain two research questions. First, what determines the initial public attention to an event? Second, when and why do certain events attain high and sustained levels of industry attention? A key inference is that whether an event receives industry-level attention depends on either outsiders holding the industry accountable for the event, or insiders' internal concerns with the industry image. We further infer that an event can be transformed into a critical issue for an industry, warranting sustained attention, if there is contestation with outsiders over the accountability for the event and its enactment, and internal contradictions and challenges to the industry's identity.

Key Words: Events; Attention; Identity; Institutions; Accountability; Environmental Protection

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Lampel, J. Shamsie, and Z. Shapira Experiencing the Improbable: Rare Events and Organizational Learning Organization Science, September 1, 2009; 20(5): 835 - 845. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. E. Beck and D. A. Plowman Experiencing Rare and Unusual Events Richly: The Role of Middle Managers in Animating and Guiding Organizational Interpretation Organization Science, September 1, 2009; 20(5): 909 - 924. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. Rerup Attentional Triangulation: Learning from Unexpected Rare Crises Organization Science, September 1, 2009; 20(5): 876 - 893. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. A. Hudson and G. A. Okhuysen Not with a Ten-Foot Pole: Core Stigma, Stigma Transfer, and Improbable Persistence of Men's Bathhouses Organization Science, January 1, 2009; 20(1): 134 - 153. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Ozcan and M. L. Overby A cognitive model of stock market reactions to multi-firm alliance announcements Strategic Organization, November 1, 2008; 6(4): 435 - 469. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C.-A. Tetrault Sirsly and K. Lamertz When Does a Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative Provide a First-Mover Advantage? Business Society, September 1, 2008; 47(3): 343 - 369. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. D. Pfarrer, K. G. Smith, K. M. Bartol, D. M. Khanin, and X. Zhang Coming Forward: The Effects of Social and Regulatory Forces on the Voluntary Restatement of Earnings Subsequent to Wrongdoing Organization Science, May 1, 2008; 19(3): 386 - 403. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. G. Pollock and R. Gulati Standing out from the crowd: the visibility-enhancing effects of IPO-related signals on alliance formation by entrepreneurial firms Strategic Organization, November 1, 2007; 5(4): 339 - 372. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. Etzion Research on Organizations and the Natural Environment, 1992-Present: A Review Journal of Management, August 1, 2007; 33(4): 637 - 664. [Abstract] [PDF]

				V. P. Rindova, A. P. Petkova, and S. Kotha Standing out: how new firms in emerging markets build reputation Strategic Organization, February 1, 2007; 5(1): 31 - 70. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. Bansal and J. Gao Building the Future by Looking to the Past: Examining Research Published on Organizations and Environment Organization Environment, December 1, 2006; 19(4): 458 - 478. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. Weber and M. A. Glynn Making Sense with Institutions: Context, Thought and Action in Karl Weick's Theory Organization Studies, November 1, 2006; 27(11): 1639 - 1660. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. Enrione, C. Mazza, and F. Zerboni Institutionalizing Codes of Governance American Behavioral Scientist, March 1, 2006; 49(7): 961 - 973. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Rhee and P. R. Haunschild The Liability of Good Reputation: A Study of Product Recalls in the U.S. Automobile Industry Organization Science, January 1, 2006; 17(1): 101 - 117. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. Hoffman Reconsidering the Role of the Practical Theorist: On (Re)connecting Theory to Practice in Organization Theory Strategic Organization, May 1, 2004; 2(2): 213 - 222. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. J. Hoffman Linking Social Systems Analysis To The Industrial Ecology Framework Organization Environment, March 1, 2003; 16(1): 66 - 86. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. A. Munir Being Different: How Normative and Cognitive Aspects of Institutional Environments Influence Technology Transfer Human Relations, December 1, 2002; 55(12): 1403 - 1428. [Abstract] [PDF]