In order to apply these insights to a SMT context, we introduce the concept of “social movement ecosystems”. Here, we draw on the work of Lei and Slocum (2005), who develop the concept of “industry ecosystems” as a way of analysing the implications of different industry contexts for the strategies of firms. Lei and Slocum (2005) are among a growing number of management and organization theorists to draw on the ecosystems concept and related notions such as (co-) evolution in their research (Murmann, 2003; Peltoniemi, 2006). In much of this work the ecosystems concept serves to draw attention to the similarities between ecological and economic or social systems (Peltoniemi, 2006). From this perspective, processes of adaptation and evolution characteristic of ecological systems can also be found in other systems. In this view, an ecosystem is a dynamic structure characterized by ongoing change (Lei and Slocum, 2005; Peltoniemi, 2006).
Pekarek, A. and Gahan, P. 2008. From Resource Mobilization to Strategic Capacity: Reconceptualizing Resources and Capabilities in Social Movement Theory. Work & Employment Rights Research Centre, Monash University. Research Report 07/08 September 2008
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