“A rival antecedent explanation for the relationships in policy networks is perceived influence as explained by the Resource Dependency Theory (RDT). Perceived influence is defined as the believed ability to affect other actors’ behaviors or beliefs by effectively controlling resources (e.g., information, ability to make decisions, etc.) skillfully and will-fully. The RDT assumes that organizational affiliations neither control nor produce enough resources to survive; thus, they are forced to acquire additional resources from their external environment (see Pfeffer and Salancik 1978; Chisholm 1989). Most of these resources are controlled by influential organizations. This often forces actors into asymmetric relationships with more influential affiliations that control the resources-independent of belief similarities.”
(Weible, 2005: 462)
Weible, C. 2005. Beliefs and Perceived Influence in a Natural Resource Conflict: An Advocacy Coalition Approach to Policy Networks. Political Research Quarterly, Vol. 58, (3), pp. 461-475.
See also (probably) good old fashioned “Resource Mobilisation Theory” within Social Movement Theory…
marchudson.net 