Voluntary Ceding of Control: Why Do People Join?

In addition to costs of time and money, joining an organization involves costs of conformity - a giving up of a certain amount of control over one's own actions. The paper is in exploration of why this is a widespread choice. As an alternative to a cost/benefit type of analysis, social empowerment is proposed. Voluntary organizations, being a type of formal institution, are viewed as instruments which members can use for power, status and control.