Microfoundations of Media Organizations

This paper explores the microfoundations of media within organizational research. While prior studies tend to treat the media as a singular actor, we argue that differences in editorial stance, resource allocation, and political bias shape firm coverage and legitimacy perceptions. Using a case study of PayPal's response to North Carolina's “Bathroom Bill,” we illustrate how the New York Times (NYT) and Wall Street Journal (WSJ) diverged in framing and prominence of coverage. These findings underscore the need for multi-level analyses of media–firm relationships and raise theoretical questions about media heterogeneities. We conclude by outlining future research opportunities.