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Resource Dependence Theory – How Well Does It Explain Behavior of Organizations?
Werner Nienhüser 1,*
Affiliation
Article Info
1 University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute of Human Resource Management, Department of Business Administration, Economics, Business Computing and Informatics, Universitätsstrasse 12, D – 45117 Essen
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This article evaluates to what extent Resource Dependence Theory (RDT) is able to explain organizational processes and structures. The evaluation criteria are the empirical corroboration of the theory, its information content and generality, but also how realistic the assumptions of the RDT are. The evaluation shows that the theory is empirically well confirmed. On the whole, Resource Dependence Theory significantly contributes to explaining behavior, structure, stability, and change of organizations.