Institutional theory : the cultural construction of organizations, states, and identities

Over the past three decades, Meyer, Jepperson, and colleagues have contributed to the development of one of the leading approaches in social theory, by analyzing the cultural frameworks that have shaped modern organizations, states, and identities. Bringing together key articles and new reflections, this volume collects the essential theoretical ideas of 'sociological neoinstitutionalism.' It clarifies the core ideas and situates them within social theory writ large. Among other topics, the authors discuss the changing nature of the “actors” that have operated within contemporary social structure. The book concludes with the evolving frameworks that have structured social activity in the post–World War II period of 'embedded liberalism,' in the more recent neoliberal period, and in an emergent post-liberal period that appears to be a radical departure. Over The Past Three Decades Meyer And Jepperson Have Contributed To The Development Of One Of The Leading Approaches In Social Theory, By Analysing The Cultural Frameworks That Have Shaped Modern Organizations, States, And Identities. Bringing Together Key Articles And New Reflections, This Volume Is The First Of Its Kind To Comprehensively Collect The Essential Theoretical Ideas Of 'sociological Neo-institutionalism'. It Clarifies The Core Ideas Of Institutional Theory, And Situates These Ideas Within Social Theory Writ Large. The Authors Also Discuss The Changing Nature Of The 'actors' That Have Operated Within Contemporary Social Structure. The Book Concludes With The Evolving Frameworks That Have Structured Social Activity In The Last Three Historical Periods: In The Post-wwii Period Of 'embedded Liberalism,' In The More Recent Neoliberal Period, And In An Emergent Post-liberal Period That Appears To Be A Radical Departure. "The "sociological neo-institutionalism" of this volume is a creature of, reaction to, and interpreter of society in the post-war period. The line of thought developed in the 1970s. It emphasizes the way that the "actors" of contemporary society-often taken for granted in both common discourse and (unfortunately) social theory-can usefully be seen as constructions of an evolving rationalistic and individualistic culture"-- Provided by publisher Over the past three decades, Meyer and Jepperson have contributed to the development of one of the leading approaches in social theory, by analysing the cultural frameworks that have shaped modern organizations, states, and identities. For the first time, this volume collects the essential theoretical ideas of 'sociological neo-institutionalism.'