PUBLIC-INTEREST GROUP ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND THEORIES OF GROUP MOBILIZATION

The bulk of the literature on group mobilization focuses on why indivi duals join groups and virtually ignores the group leader (entrepreneur ). Thus, we argue that there is a gap in the literature on group devel opment: while entrepreneurs are critical in the process of group mobil ization, little is known about what they do and why and how they do it . Studies of group mobilization continue to focus on group supporters- the patrons and members who provide groups with the resources they nee d. We take a different approach. We examine the process of group mobil ization from the perspective of the entrepreneur. Utilizing data from a survey of public interest group founders we test the effectiveness o f three theories of group formation. Our analysis leads to four basic conclusions: (1) We should reject any strong version of Jack Walker's argument about the importance of patrons in group mobilization. While many public interest groups do form at the behest of patrons, most do not. (2) Most public interest groups form because aggressive, independ ent entrepreneurs form them. The large number of groups which cannot t race their origins to patrons or disturbances attests to the importanc e of entrepreneurs in group formation. (3) Many public interest group founders form groups in response to specific and easily identifiable e vents or series of events. Disturbances may not spur individuals to jo in groups, but they play an important role in stimulating entrepreneur ial activity. (4) The ''free-rider'' problem is not operative for most groups ''just starting out.'' Our data suggest that individuals-espec ially entrepreneurs and their friends-are the driving force behind pub lic interest group formation.