Institutional Work: Taking Stock and Making it Matter
File(s)
Author(s)
Hampel, C
Lawrence, TE
Tracey, P
Type
Chapter
Abstract
In this chapter, we have two aims: to review the first decade of research on institutional work,
and to explore how the institutional work perspective can have a greater impact on institutions
“that matter”. We structure our review around the “what”, “who” and “how” of institutional
work to highlight key developments and identify problematic gaps. We find that scholarship in
this tradition has focused primarily on middle-range institutions with limited scope, relatively
homogenous actor networks, and the use of symbolic work. This has come at the expense of
research on large-scale institutions with cross-field impacts, heterogeneous actor networks, and
the use of material as well relational work. We argue it will be crucial to address these
shortcomings if we are to enable the institutional work perspective to become a practical and
impactful tool for addressing major social problems. This chapter encourages scholars to develop
research on institutional work to tackle the challenges surrounding the institutions that matter.
and to explore how the institutional work perspective can have a greater impact on institutions
“that matter”. We structure our review around the “what”, “who” and “how” of institutional
work to highlight key developments and identify problematic gaps. We find that scholarship in
this tradition has focused primarily on middle-range institutions with limited scope, relatively
homogenous actor networks, and the use of symbolic work. This has come at the expense of
research on large-scale institutions with cross-field impacts, heterogeneous actor networks, and
the use of material as well relational work. We argue it will be crucial to address these
shortcomings if we are to enable the institutional work perspective to become a practical and
impactful tool for addressing major social problems. This chapter encourages scholars to develop
research on institutional work to tackle the challenges surrounding the institutions that matter.
Editor(s)
Greenwood, R
Oliver, C
Lawrence, TB
Meyer, R
Date Issued
2017-06
Citation
SAGE Handbook of Organizational Institutionalism (2nd ed.)., 2017, pp.558-590
ISBN
9781529712117
Publisher
SAGE Publications Ltd
Start Page
558
End Page
590
Journal / Book Title
SAGE Handbook of Organizational Institutionalism (2nd ed.).
Copyright Statement
Copyright the authors
Article Number
21