Extending Meta-Organization Theory: A resource-flow perspective

Abstract

Meta-organization theory has shied away from a systematic consideration of the complexities and consequences of resource acquisition patterns, instead assuming member organizations furnish the resources their associations require. The theory reflects empirical enquiry, which has focused primarily on the most visible form of resources, the association’s finance budget and staffing. This paper develops a conceptual framework to show the wider range of ways in which meta-organizations acquire resources and presents a resource-flow perspective. We utilize insights from resource dependency theory to specify two dimensions of resource flow. The first addresses the source of resources, distinguishing those acquired from the meta-organization’s membership from those acquired from external interests. The second concerns whether the meta-organization secures control over the use and allocation of acquired resources, or not. We identify four resource flows utilizing these two dimensions: member resourcing, associational resourcing, contributed resourcing and generated resourcing, and discuss how each resource flow relates to meta-organizational activity, highlighting when a particular flow can be expected. The resource-flow perspective allows us to adapt existing typologies to define a conceptual space onto which variations among meta-organizations can be mapped. This space focuses on the expected level of resource engagement of members in the meta-organization and the extent of resource contribution from interests in the meta-organization’s environment. Finally, we discuss areas for development of the resource-flow perspective and its potential to support future research.