Institutional theories of innovation
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Perkmann, Markus
Phillips, nelson
Type
Chapter
Abstract
While institutional theory is sometimes drawn on by innovation scholars, the authors believe it has much more potential than has thus far been recognized. This chapter focuses on the usefulness of institutional theory as a theoretical lens through which innovation scholars can examine the effects of context on innovation. Institutional theory highlights the importance of social structure in shaping innovation and refocuses attention beyond the innovation process itself to the institutional context in which innovation occurs. More specifically, four topics are discussed. First, how institutions enable and constrain innovation. Second, the important role of institutions in the acceptance, diffusion, and hold-up of innovation. Third, how new organizational forms and hybrid organizations enable innovation. Finally, the insights that can be drawn from another closely related form of institutional theory that has been developed in economics, commonly referred to as ‘institutional economics.’
Editor(s)
Sorensen, Olav
Thornton, Patricia
Date Issued
2025-04-21
Citation
Handbook of Sociology of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 2025, pp.111-130
ISBN
9783111085722
3111085724
Publisher
De Gruyter
Start Page
111
End Page
130
Journal / Book Title
Handbook of Sociology of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Copyright Statement
© 2025 De Gruyter Brill. All rights reserved.
Identifier
https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=4HlVEQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA111&dq=info:t_mnesPDsdkJ:scholar.google.com&ots=GtgBWg2xDG&sig=vcojnaCZPYuzlnm7y_SinsJ3sVg
Article Number
7
Date Publish Online
2025-04-21