Abstract

The aim of this article is to illustrate the importance, for social theory, of the little known notion of multipositionality, redefined as mobility among institutional positions. Multipositionality is the contemporary occupation by an individual of top positions in at least two different institutions, not necessary in the industrial domain. Multipositionality therefore extends the notion of interlocking and is a dimension of power concentration complementarily to notorious horizontal and vertical mobility. Multipositionality is the common denominator of some logics of power: stagnation of élites, conflict of interest, ubiquity (by trusted men in key positions that the individual can't occupy simultaneously) and interlocking itself. The analysis of multipositional members composing the Board of Directors of the eleven Italian firms appearing in «Fortune » "Global 500" (2010) exemplifies the utility of the notion's empirical application. The analysis, contributing to élite studies on power dynamics and reproduction via an essentially qualitative approach shows also, because of its specific context, some characteristics of this important segment of Italian capitalism.