what are the implications of social influence for individuals and or organizations?

Answer 1

I assume you mean the implications for economic behavior because you asked in this topic. Economic theory assumes that people maximize their utility or well being with given preferences under the limitation of income constraints, and that more is better. The underlying premise is that market transactions are voluntary on all sides, that is people are honest. It is social influence that makes most people honest and allow markets to work. Social influence also play a large part in determining preferences, and even cause people to behave altruistically, that is to have other peoples welfare in their utility function.