Planning for Change: Determinants of Innovation in U.S. National Unions

Abstract

Although it is commonly argued that unions need to innovate to grow and achieve success, little is known about the characteristics of unions that facilitate or hinder innovation. The authors of this study develop a model of union innovation and test it using data collected from many sources, including a 1990 survey of 275 officials and staff members from 111 American national unions. The results suggest that certain union characteristics, such as environmental monitoring (systematic monitoring by the union of developments that could affect it) and rationalization (good structuring and management of administrative activities), are positively associated with innovative behavior. In addition, a positive relationship exists between innovation and the heterogeneity of a union's members.