Based on inspiration from organization theory,
Whitley emphasizes two important dimensions according to which reputational organizations can be
characterized: the degree of mutual dependence among
the researchers of the field and the degree of task
uncertainty. The degree of mutual dependence has two
aspects: (1) functional dependence has a technical
character and concerns the degree to which a researcher
is dependent upon the use of other researchers’ results
and procedures to construct knowledge claims which
are regarded as useful contributions. (2) Strategic
dependence has a political character and refers to the
extent to which a researcher has to convince colleagues
of the importance of the centrality of particular
concerns and research strategies to obtain a high
reputation among them (Whitley, 2000, p. 88). The
degree of task uncertainty also has two aspects: (1)
technical task uncertainty refers to the extent to which
work techniques produce visible and replicable results
that are interpreted in an agreed way (p. 121). (2)
Strategic task uncertainty refers to the degree of
agreement concerning research priorities and the
relevance of research results (p. 123).