Embedded agency in institutional theory: Problem or paradox?

Lok, Jaco and Willmott, Hugh ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1321-7041 2019. Embedded agency in institutional theory: Problem or paradox? Academy of Management Review 44 (2) , pp. 470-471. 10.5465/amr.2017.0571

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Abstract

In “Beyond Constraining and Enabling: Toward New Microfoundations in Institutional Theory” Professor Cardinale (2018) seeks to expose and correct “shortcomings” (p.133) in institutional theory’s conceptualization of structure, agency and their relationship. To this end, he theorizes the “different mechanism[s] through which actors are embedded in structure” (p.134). We agree that institutional theory’s microfoundations merit theoretical attention and development. However, we question the premise that the issue of agency in institutional theory is adequately, or even plausibly, formulated as one of “embeddedness”. We also challenge the relevance of Professor Cardinale’s engagement of Husserl to help solve what we argue to be a phantom problem central to his theory.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Business (Including Economics)
Publisher:	Academy of Management
ISSN:	0363-7425
Last Modified:	25 Oct 2022 13:41
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/120503

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