Johnson, Jr., Bob L. (1998). Resource dependence theory: A political economy model of organizations. International Encyclopedia of Public Policy and Administration. Jay Shafritz, Editor in Chief. New York: Henry Holt Company. Volume 4: pp. 1969-1974.

Resource dependence theory is a theory of organization(s) that seeks to explain organizational and inter-organizational behavior in terms of those critical resources which an organization must have in order to survive and function. As an open-systems theory, the resource dependence argument suggests that a given organization will respond to and become dependent on those organizations or entities in its environment that control resources which are both critical to its operations and over which it has limited control. Such dependence makes the external constraint and control of organizational behavior possible as asymmetrical exchange and power relations are created between organizations. In an attempt to maximize organizational autonomy, organizational leaders use a variety of strategies to manage these external constraints and dependencies. Resource dependence theory thus has as its focus the following: resources; the flow or exchange of resources between organizations; dependencies and power differentials created as a result of unequal resource exchange; the constraining effects dependence has on organizational action; and the efforts by organizational leaders to manage dependence. With its emphasis on resource exchange, resource dependence represents a political economy model of organizational and inter-organizational behavior. This paper examines the history, logic, defining concepts and uses of resource dependency theory as applied to individuals and social collectives.