Performing Legitimacy

"Larsen is advancing a cultural approach to organizational legitimacy in contrast to neo-institutional approaches. As a coherent piece of work, it is a major achievement that can be expected to be discussed internationally, especially since it raises issues of general importance, theoretically and politically." (Karin Widerberg, Professor of Sociology, University of Oslo, Norway) "This is an important and most original contribution to the field of comparative cultural sociology. Larsen convincingly adopts a pluralist approach to theory and his empirical research generates very significant insights. This book should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in the field." (Jean-Pascal Daloz, CNRS Research Professor, University of Strasbourg, France)

This book is an investigation of the cultural work involved in the social process of achieving and maintaining legitimacy as a not-for-profit arts or media organization in the twenty-first century.This book is an investigation of the cultural work involved in the social process of achieving and maintaining legitimacy as a not-for-profit arts or media organization in the twenty-first century. Within this work, Larsen advances an approach to studying organizational legitimacy, emanating from within cultural sociology. More specifically, he analyzes the legitimation work done in public service broadcasters in the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.