Homogeneity in community-based rape prevention programs: Empirical evidence of institutional isomorphism

✍ Scribed by Stephanie M. Townsend; Rebecca Campbell

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2007
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 164 KB
• Volume: 35
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0090-4392
• DOI: 10.1002/jcop.20153

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

This study examined the practices of 24 community‐based rape prevention programs. Although these programs were geographically dispersed throughout one state, they were remarkably similar in their approach to rape prevention programming. DiMaggio and Powell's (1991) theory of institutional isomorphism was used to explain the underlying causes of the homogeneity among the programs. Qualitative data indicate that the mimetic, normative, and coercive contextual factors pushed the programs into homogeneity. Implications for community psychology and organizational theory will be discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.