Legitimacy of public organizations through time: Communicating the case of the 43 disappeared students in mexico

Abstract

Literature on organization theory has long argued that organizations’ communication has an impact on their legitimacy, which is necessary for their survival. Nonetheless, studies focus on private organizations rather than public ones. This article examines how legitimacy is constructed by communicating through time. Using a mixed-method content-analysis, the paper focuses on the press releases of the Mexican Office of the Prosecutor concerning the 2014 disappearance of 43 students in Ayotiznapa. Findings indicate that, in order to pursue legitimacy, the organization uses mostly rationalization and authorization strategies, whereas normalization and moralization strategies are seldom used. Unlike private organizations, the legal system and the nature of the public service provided are relevant for public organizations, and these influence the strategies used to communicate for legitimacy. The article concludes by discussing implications for theory and practice.