In this chapter we provided quotes from Gray, Owen and Adams (2010) in which they discuss an apparent herding phenomenon that seems to be occurring in respect of the selection and use of particular theories. They state, ‘there has been a strange herding tendency, especially around legitimacy theory’, as well as stating that they ‘also have a sneaking feeling that institutional theory may be coming up fast as the next theory around which to herd’.

What do they mean by this apparent practice of ‘herding’, and what are some possible advantages and disadvantages that are related to this practice?

LO 1.6