Relational Strategies Of Resilience: Underground Journals In The Soviet Union (1956-1990)

Abstract

To reinforce the concept of resilience, we develop a processual-relational approach with three key dimensions: time, absorption-adaptation and (relational) strategies. We explore the use of relational strategies by actors to pursue simultaneously imperatives of stability and adaptation, while managing tensions between them. Our research context is underground (“samizdat”) journals in the Soviet Union, where a community of practice emerged in the 1960’s to organize self-publication. Resilience is the dynamic capability to withstand repressive pressure by the state through enduring operations. Our dataset catalogs 304 journals founded between 1956 and 1986. The results of Cox and ERGM regressions enable the identification of three relational strategies. Reliability, manifested as a strong tendency for thematic homophily and scarcity in ties between politically oriented and non-political journals. Redundancy, displayed in the positive effect of publishing in more than one location on the probability of endurance. Reactivity transpires in a large network of editors, shifting responsibilities across it in response to security threats. By analyzing the relational duality of resilience and providing a methodological template, we promote the broader use of the concept in organization studies.