chapter 7
Institutional theory and organizational culture
Institutional theory has become prominent in management research (Powell & DiMaggio, 1991), developing its own take on strategic change (Hinings & Greenwood, 1988). It urges us to consider the regular interaction patterns on which an organization relies to function and exist. It also brings the underlying expectations and interpretations into focus of those who are involved in these interactions. It therefore points at social structure and organizational culture (Schein, 1992). On the whole, the focus is less on people and more on the interactions in which they are engaged, and on the social structure to which they are subjected. The basic premise in institutional theory is that people ...
