16 November 2024
Recent research by University of Edinburgh researchers Duncan Chapple, Neil Pollock and Luciana D'Adderio examines how organizations respond to multiple industry rankings. Their paper "Conforming or Transforming? How Organizations Respond to Multiple Rankings" reveals that firms no longer simply conform to rankings but develop sophisticated response strategies.
The research identifies key mechanisms organizations use:
- Fostering specialized expertise in analyst relations
- Creating sustained interactions with analysts
- Mapping analyst influence systematically
- Building new distinctions between rankers
Organizations can navigate between different rankings, choosing which to prioritize. Some even work to reshape ranking criteria or influence the broader analyst ecosystem. This represents a shift from defensive reactions to proactive engagement with rankings.