The case for an inhabited institutionalism in organizational research: interaction, coupling, and change reconsidered

摘要: This paper makes the case for an inhabited institutionalism by pondering questions that continue to vex institutional theory: How can we account local activity, agency, and change without reverting a focus on individual actors—the very kinds of actors theory was designed critique? is possible in context constructs interests sets conditions such action? Efforts deal with these inserting various forms individual, purposive into frameworks have created inconsistencies threaten overall coherence move it farther from its sociological roots. To provide alternative answers, turn growing line work “inhabited” institutions. Our exegesis this literature has two goals. The first goal shift away individuals nested imagery towards social interaction coupling configurations. opens new avenues research helps identify spaces—both conceptual empirical—and supra-individual processes facilitate change. important theoretical implications: incorporating alters theory, our second specify analytic framework research, institutionalism. Inhabited meso-approach examining recursive relationships among institutions, interactions, organizations. It provides novel sociologically consistent means dealing issues agency change, agenda reinvigorate reunite organizational sociology theory.