The Viewpoint from Sociology of Knowledge on Organizations

Characteristics of the Sociological New Institutionalism

Abstract

So far, many organization theories have analyzed organizational forms in terms of the technical function. This analytical attention is seen both in closed system models and in open system models. In contrast, The sociological new institutionalism in organization theories insists that organizations constitute their forms under the influence of the widespread belief about them, rather than their technical functions. The institutional isomorphic process is observed in a variety of organizational fields.
The new institutionalism hasn't emerged without reference to any earlier theory of organizations. In focusing on the institutional environments, the new institutionalism has been affected by Selznick's organization theory or old institutionalism. But, these institutionalism differ in the view on the operation of the environments. For, while the new institutionalism depends on sociology of knowledge, the old institutionalism depends on functional theory. These general sociological theories differ in the view on social realities.
The new Institutionalism has focused on how institutionalized forms diffuse or are reproduced. In order to analyze the overall process of institutionalizing, this theory needs to be incorporated by March's theory of organizational learning process.