Theorization as institutional work: The dynamics of roles and practices
Abstract
This study unpacks the construct of theorization – the process by which organizational ideas become delocalized and abstracted into theoretical models to support their diffusion across time and space. We adopt an institutional work lens to analyse the key components of theorization in contexts where institutional work is in transition from changing institutions to maintaining them. We build on a longitudinal inductive study of theorization by the Fair Labor Association – a private regulatory initiative that created and then enforced a code of conduct for working conditions in apparel factories. Our study reveals that when institutional work shifts from changing to maintaining an institutional arrangement of corporate social responsibility, there is a key change in how the Fair Labor Association theorizes roles and practices related to this arrangement. We observe that theorization on key practices largely remains intact, whereas the roles of different actors are theorized in a dramatically different manner. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the work involved in the aftermath of radical change by demonstrating the relative plasticity of roles over the rigidity of practices.
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Biographies
Sébastien Mena is a Lecturer in Management at Cass Business School, City University London, UK. His research interests lie in institutional change and stability in the interactions between business and society, related to topics such as corporate responsibility, corporate governance and sustainability. Sébastien’s research has been published in journals such as Academy of Management Review, Business Ethics Quarterly and Journal of Management Studies. [Email: [email protected]]
Roy Suddaby is a Professor and Winspear Chair in Management at the Peter B Gustavson School of Business, University of Victoria, Canada and Research Professor at Newcastle University Business School, Newcastle University, UK. His research focuses on processes of organizational and societal change. His research has been published in journals such as Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management Review, Administrative Science Quarterly and Journal of Management Studies. [Email: [email protected]]
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Article first published online: May 22, 2016
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