Organizational and environmental sociology have much to contribute to understanding the relationships
between environmental movement organizations (ESMOs), corporations, and the state.
Resource dependence and new institutional theory offer understandings of how interorganizational
relationships are formed and the expected impacts of those relationships. Environmental sociology
provides us with a critical understanding of the broader institutional context of the power relationship
between social movements, the state, and corporations under capitalism. Future investigations
should examine what kinds of relationship between ESMOs and the state/corporations lead to cooptation.
The adjudication of whether cooperative partnerships are cooptation or not must be assessed
using both organizational and environmental impact measures (when appropriate). Longitudinal
studies of organizations with data on tie formations and dissolutions along with organizational characteristics
before and after can provide insight into the impacts of interorganizational relationships.
Hoffman (2006a) has begun this undertaking by examining interlocking boards of nonprofit environmental
organizations, environmental organization Web site links to corporations, organizational
activities and resulting perceptions about the environmental legitimacy of these organizations.