'Give It Back, George': Network Dynamics in the Philanthropic Field. Issue 3 (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maclean, Mairi; Harvey, Charles
• Other Names: Clegg Stewart guest-editor.; Josserand Emmanuel guest-editor.; Mehra Ajay guest-editor.; Pitsis Tyrone S. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Organization studies. Volume 37:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 399
• Page End: 423
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: agency -- elite actors -- field of power -- network dynamics -- philanthropy -- social movements -- social networks; Organizational sociology -- Periodicals; Organizational behavior -- Periodicals; Organization -- Periodicals; 302.35
• DOI: 10.1177/0170840615613368
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0170-8406

Abstract

This paper assumes a network dynamics perspective to explore the charitable sector campaign known as 'Give it Back, George', which overturned a threatening tax change announced in the UK Budget 2012. We consider network activity from diverse viewpoints. Collaboration by disparate players enhanced the campaign's legitimacy, high-status actors with a tertius iungens strategic orientation eschewing the limelight while others took centre stage. While extant research has shown how lower-status actors may profit from the networks of prominent individuals, we demonstrate that the reverse may apply. We suggest that elite actors who activate ties and bring together disconnected others are often less visible than apparent dominant actors. Social movements are not always reformist but may be deployed by elite incumbents to preserve the status quo. The story we narrate here is therefore less concerned with field transformation than with field preservation at the elite level when faced with threatening change.