Abstract
The theory of organizational niches may provide important bridging concepts upon which an integrated theory of interest groups might be developed. After discussing Hutchinson's (1957) n-dimensional niche concept, we develop several hypotheses about the reliance of interest organizations on multiple resource dimensions. These are tested with survey data on interest group leaders in the American states. On the basis of preliminary evidence of niche partitioning, we conclude that internal resource dimensions - exclusive access to members and finances - may be more critical than securing exclusive access to officials in a balkanized policy process in defining viable interest group niches. We conclude by outlining a research agenda using niche theory.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 91-111 |
| Number of pages | 21 |
| Journal | Journal of Politics |
| Volume | 58 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 1996 |
Fingerprint
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Sociology and Political Science
Cite this
}
A niche theory of interest representation. / Gray, Virginia; Lowery, David Lynn.
In: Journal of Politics, Vol. 58, No. 1, 01.01.1996, p. 91-111.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
TY - JOUR
T1 - A niche theory of interest representation
AU - Gray, Virginia
AU - Lowery, David Lynn
PY - 1996/1/1
Y1 - 1996/1/1
N2 - The theory of organizational niches may provide important bridging concepts upon which an integrated theory of interest groups might be developed. After discussing Hutchinson's (1957) n-dimensional niche concept, we develop several hypotheses about the reliance of interest organizations on multiple resource dimensions. These are tested with survey data on interest group leaders in the American states. On the basis of preliminary evidence of niche partitioning, we conclude that internal resource dimensions - exclusive access to members and finances - may be more critical than securing exclusive access to officials in a balkanized policy process in defining viable interest group niches. We conclude by outlining a research agenda using niche theory.
AB - The theory of organizational niches may provide important bridging concepts upon which an integrated theory of interest groups might be developed. After discussing Hutchinson's (1957) n-dimensional niche concept, we develop several hypotheses about the reliance of interest organizations on multiple resource dimensions. These are tested with survey data on interest group leaders in the American states. On the basis of preliminary evidence of niche partitioning, we conclude that internal resource dimensions - exclusive access to members and finances - may be more critical than securing exclusive access to officials in a balkanized policy process in defining viable interest group niches. We conclude by outlining a research agenda using niche theory.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0030079272&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0030079272&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2307/2960350
DO - 10.2307/2960350
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:0030079272
VL - 58
SP - 91
EP - 111
JO - Journal of Politics
JF - Journal of Politics
SN - 0022-3816
IS - 1
ER -