Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1972

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Clare, Donald A.

Abstract

Trade and professional associations exist to benefit their members and the industry or profession they represent. In such organizations, one of the major problems is to keep the activities and policies of the association open to scrutiny by an input from the members. Two forces work against the easy solution of this problem: membership apathy and the development of rule by oligarchy. This thesis focuses on the functions and structures of trade and professional associations; on the characteristics of their members and leaders; and on the question of rule by oligarchy. The many functions performed by these associations, along with the complex structural constraints under which they operate are shown to have an affect upon their management. Member attitudes are explored and trends on critical issues compared over a six year period. The nature and role of association leaders are examined. Finally, the crucial problem of the emergence of oligarchical rule (rule by the few) is examined through the use of survey data relating to such things as member participation; leadership succession and access to leadership roles.

Extent

54 p.

Comments

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1972.|College of Business|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (M.B.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1972.

Identifier

FADT13508

Format

pdf

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