FALLING OUT OF FAVOR: ILLEGITIMACY, SOCIAL CONTROL, AND THE PROCESS OF ORGANIZATIONAL STIGMATIZATION.

Drawing on individual- and organizational-level research, we define the construct of organizational stigma. We then integrate stigma theory with the organizational image, reputation, perception management, and labeling literatures to present a process model that describes the dynamic events and interactions that cause external organizational audience members to initiate and continue the process of organizational stigmatization. We conclude by discussing the reactions organizational-level stigmata produce and offer directions for future research.