Legitimacy has long been studied either at the individual or collective level, but recent research highlights the need to integrate these perspectives. In the Journal of Management Studies, Patrick Haack, Jost Sieweke, and Mike Pfarrer explore the often-overlooked interplay between propriety (individual legitimacy beliefs) and validity (collective legitimacy judgments), as well as the critical role of consensus—agreement among evaluators—in shaping legitimacy. Using data from the 2008 global financial crisis, the study reveals that high validity can mask underlying dissent (low consensus), which becomes exposed during shocks, triggering reevaluations of legitimacy. This dynamic, the authors argue, can transform a “spiral of silence” into a “spiral of empowerment,” as suppressed dissent emerges and reshapes legitimacy. By addressing limitations in theory and offering a novel empirical approach, the study provides fresh insights into how legitimacy is constructed, challenged, and redefined in times of crisis.
Reference
Haack, P., Sieweke, J., & Pfarrer, M. (2025). Unveiling Propriety, Validity, and Consensus: A Multilevel Examination of Legitimacy Following the Global Financial Crisis. Journal of Management Studies, 0, 1-43. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.13196