Prestige

Prestige is defined as a favorable standing or recognition based on previous merit and reputation. Prestige is often a component in an organization’s reputation and role among its peers. Organizational prestige is also sometimes referred to as a construed external image or perceived external prestige. It is a vital external concept for an organization’s reputation. External opinions are able to influence internal attitudes to help build a sense of community and affection for an organization. This positive attribution can help an organization achieve its goals better. This entry first covers the historical roots of the concept of prestige and the role of attributes and associations in an organization’s prestige. It then discusses the outcomes of prestige and the relationship between prestige and reputation.