Abstract
Despite the recent increase in power elite analysis, ,little systematic work has been undertaken on the ideologies of American big businessmen. Much that has been done has mistakenly taken the views of key association spokesmen as representing all big businessmen. We are critical of the role-strain thesis of Frances X. Sutton et al. (The American Business Creed) as an explanation of ideological development and offer instead, a Marx-Mannheim sociology of knowledge approach. A total of 474 speeches from top officials in eleven industries were content analyzed and compared for ideological and attitudinal similarities and differences in areas of business orientation and public policy. The findings point to variations in the big business world which can be explained partly by the firms' institutional and market positions. Nonetheless these differences exist within a broad-based corporate unity based on an acceptance of capitalist prerogatives.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
