AN APPRECIATION OF SOCIAL-CONTEXT - ONE LEGACY OF SALANCIK,GERALD

This essay presents one view of the contributions the late Gerald Sala ncik made in his published work. Tracing themes in his work that begin with Salancik's early training and publications in journalism, the es say focuses on his constant attention to the social context of individ ual and organizational motivation and action. It shows the centrality of social context and influence in such diverse work as his studies on priming effects, commitment, power, resource dependence, justificatio n, decision making, social information processing, grammars of organiz ational action, the external control of individuals and organizations, and institutional effects on cesarean childbirth and organ transplant ation policies in hospitals. Common elements in his published work are his careful observations, attention to telling details, and his const ant questioning of accepted ''truths.'' What survives this questioning is a deepened respect for the power of social context.