The present study examined the effects of institutional pressures on homeland security preparedness among law enforcement agencies in Illinois. The data come from the Illinois Homeland Security Survey (IHSS). Specifically, the study employed three theories to explain homeland security preparedness: contingency theory, resource dependence theory, and institutional theory. We hypothesized that institutional pressures will lead to isomorphism as agencies attempt to conform to institutional expectations about appropriate activities in a homeland security era. To evaluate these theories and their impact on homeland security practices, the authors used confirmatory factor analysis. The IHSS data lend strong support to the application of organizational theory as a lens through which homeland security preparedness can be understood. Institutional pressures, such as professional and government publications, training, professional associations, and the actions of peer agencies, significantly influenced municipal and county agencies in Illinois. Funding, while often thought important to encourage preparedness, was not a significant predictor. The results of this analysis advance our understanding of homeland security preparedness via institutional theory by suggesting that the larger environment is salient.

PurposeStudies of police organizations typically involve examining predictors consistent with structural contingency theory while comparatively fewer have examined the applicability of institutional theory. The purpose of the current study is to examine the influence of institutional factors on the elaboration of organizational structure, specifically the incorporation of a crime analysis unit into a police organization's structure.Design/methodology/approachData were obtained using a 2002 mail survey of law enforcement agencies focusing on the crime analysis function and environmental factors influencing the organization of that function. Additional information complementing the survey data was obtained through telephone interviews with representatives from 12 of the surveyed departments.FindingsMultivariate results show that, consistent with contingency theory, size is an important predictor of structural elaboration. Analyses and interview responses suggest that institutional factors, particularly accreditation standards, may play some role in shaping organizational structures.Research limitations/implicationsThe survey was returned by 160 agencies for a response rate of 56 percent but analyses were based on relatively small samples of 67‐77 agencies. Telephone interviews were conducted using a purposive, non‐probability sampling method.Practical implicationsThe results of this exploratory study provide insight into factors contributing to the adoption of structures and strategies in policing.Originality/valueThe research is one of only a small number of studies in policing to explicitly test propositions derived from institutional theory, particularly the concept of institutional isomorphism.

Though homeland security has been the focus of ample rhetoric since the 9/11 attacks, empirical accounts of actual innovations in local american policing have been lacking. This study considers the measurement of homeland security innovations within small municipal departments in the state of Illinois. Using survey data, the analysis examines perceptions of risk, engagement in preparatory measures, and perceptions of response capacities within these small agencies. The analysis also considers whether innovation and associated issues are influenced by being located in the Chicago metropolitan area, an urban county, or a rural county. Results suggest limited differences across these regions, with most differences likely emerging due to variation in respondent's proximity to larger peer agencies. The results are discussed within the context of extant literature on policing in small agencies and rural communities.

PurposeInstitutional theory shows promise as a viable framework for understanding police organization structures and activities but difficulties in measuring its core concepts make testing problematic. In order to advance the application of institutional theory in policing, this paper's aim is to develop a measurement model of institutional pressures derived from DiMaggio and Powell's discussion of institutional isomorphism.Design/methodology/approachFirst and second‐order confirmatory factor analyses are performed on secondary data originally collected in a 1997 national survey of law enforcement agencies about their approach to community policing.FindingsThe results showed a refined model of institutional processes including three constructs – professionalization, publications, and mimesis. A construct indicated by funding measures does not seem to be consistent with other institutional pressures.Research limitations/implicationsThe research made use of available data and existing measures not explicitly constructed for the purpose of theory testing. Nevertheless, the results appear to be consistent with institutional theory.Originality/valueThe model provides a framework for future testing of institutional theory in policing and avenues for the development of additional indicators.