Is there any social constructivist-institutionalist divide? Unpacking social mechanisms affecting representational roles among EU decision-makers

Whereas a constructivist turn has occurred in recent international relations theory, a institutionalist turn has occurred in organization theories of the 1980s and 1990s. Social constructivism and organization theory exhibit important similarities as regards the basic underlying social mechanisms. Consequently, one rationale for comparing these two strands of argument rests on the observation that (i) some of the underlying social mechanisms are nearly identical, and (ii) they address the same dependent variables, i.e. identity formation and role enactment. The central question raised is how cognitive and integrative mechanisms may account for the role and identity perceptions evoked by government officials. Moreover, the frame of reference for the current discussion is national government officials participating on Commission expert committees and Council working parties. Building on survey and interview data, the current study shows that officials attending Commission expert committees tend to evoke expert roles more strongly than officials attending Council working parties. Moreover, supranational allegiances are enacted strongly among officials devoting a great deal of time and energy towards participating on these committees.