Mandatory Readings:
- Wijnberg, Nachoem M., "Innovation and Organization: Value and Competition in Selection Systems," Organization Studies 25 (8): 1413-1433 (2004).
- Podolny, Joel M., "A Status-Based Model of Market Competition," American Journal of Sociology 98 (4): 829-872 (1993).
- Elsbach, K. D. and R. M. Kramer, "Members' Responses to Organizational Identity Threats: Encountering and Countering the Business Week Rankings," Administrative Science Quarterly 41 (3): 442-476 (1996).
Question:
Consider how your chosen company (Thread Harvest - online fashion) might 'game the rankings' to achieve its objectives. Rather than saying 'we are 273th in the world when it comes to combatting poverty' they might say 'we are the best company when it comes to combatting poverty in Australia'. What would the strategic effects be of using rankings in such a manner?
In your assessment make use of the concepts of value in the eyes of the relevant selectors (Wijnberg, 2004), status effects (Podolny, 1993) and 'category tactics' (Elsbach and Kramer, 1996).
The answer to the question has to be about 350-400 words with around 3-4 references.