Scholars have long recognized how coalitions are critical for many social movements. This is especially evident in the labor movement, which has begun to seek external allies in the face of corporate attacks. Building on qualitative work linking coalition building to success, we seek to identify the mechanisms by which coalitions are able to exert leverage on targets. Specifically, we consider how coalitions allow unions to exert greater financial pressure by reducing the targeted company’s stock price. Our analysis of labor strikes suggests that intramovement partnerships, rather than those that go beyond the boundaries of the labor movement, are the most effective. Moreover, characteristics of the targeted firm, specifically its reputation and (in) ability to relocate, allow coalitions to exert greater pressure.
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