Escape from the Iron Cage? Organizational Change and Isomorphic Pressures in the Public Sector

被引:223
作者
Ashworth, Rachel [1 ]
Boyne, George [1 ]
Delbridge, Rick [1 ]
机构
[1] Cardiff Univ, Cardiff, Wales
基金
英国工程与自然科学研究理事会; 英国经济与社会研究理事会;
关键词
STRATEGY CONTENT; FORMAL-STRUCTURE; PERFORMANCE; MANAGEMENT; RESPONSIVENESS; TRANSFORMATION; DIFFUSION; REFORM; FIELD;
D O I
10.1093/jopart/mum038
中图分类号
D0 [政治学、政治理论];
学科分类号
030201 [政治学理论];
摘要
Institutional theory suggests that organizations pursue legitimacy by conforming to isomorphic pressures in their environment. We extend previous research on institutional theory by distinguishing between two definitions of conformity (compliance and convergence) and by taking a comprehensive view of the organizational characteristics that might be subject to isomorphic pressures. This framework is applied to change between 2001 and 2004 in the internal characteristics of 101 public organizations in England. We find substantial evidence of compliance but more limited support for convergence. Furthermore, the impact of isomorphic pressures was stronger on organizational strategies and culture than on structures and processes. Thus, the relevance of institutional theory to change in the public sector depends on the definition of conformity that is used and the organizational characteristics that are examined.
引用
收藏
页码:165 / 187
页数:23
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