How social movements foster organizational change: A cross-case analysis of #metoo in hospitals

Research on social influences on organizations is mostly focused on the paradigm that social movements as an organizational approach have a high level on structures and resources to influence such organisations. However, research on how social movements of a fluid and non-hierarchical nature foster organizational change is rare due to the fact that measuring the influence and the success of a social movement is difficult. This qualitative research aims at giving an insight into how the #metoo movement with a low degree of organisation fostered change in university hospitals which have a high degree of structure and hierarchy. Hereby, the focus is set on how internal discussions, perceptions, behaviour and processes are impacted. The results of the study are a starting point for research on interactions and reactions of highly structured and complex organisations to network-like and fluid movements and can serve as an example and basis for future investigation on social movements and organizational change.