On Practice and Institution: Theorizing the Interface

The concepts of practice and institution are of longstanding importance across the social sciences, and this double-volume builds on the scholarship of Theodore Schatzki and Roger Friedland to map out new theoretical and empirical directions at the interface between the practice and institutional "logics" literatures in organizational sociology.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 264 pages
\n Publication date: 12 January 2021
\n Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited
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The concepts of practice and institution have held significant importance throughout the social sciences, spanning a long history of scholarly inquiry. In response to this, this double-volume emerges as a groundbreaking contribution, building directly upon the pioneering work of Theodore Schatzki and Roger Friedland. Its primary objective is to chart new theoretical and empirical directions at the intersection of the "practice and institutional logics" literatures in organizational sociology, effectively bridging these two perspectives.

Volume 70 of Research in the Sociology of Organizations takes center stage, dedicating its focus to theoretical development. Within this volume, Schatzki and Friedland present two major and complementary theoretical statements that delve into fundamental ontological issues. These statements serve as the foundation upon which their approaches to practice and institutions can be meaningfully interconnected.

The first theoretical statement, authored by Schatzki, delves into the concept of practice as a situated and relational process. He emphasizes the importance of understanding practice as embedded within specific contexts, shaped by the interplay between actors, technologies, and social structures. Schatzki argues that practice is not merely a tool or technique but rather a dynamic and fluid process that evolves over time and is deeply influenced by the broader social and cultural milieu.

In contrast, Friedland's theoretical statement focuses on institutions as social structures that shape and constrain practices. He explores the ways in which institutions establish norms, rules, and expectations that govern behavior within organizations. Friedland argues that institutions play a crucial role in reproducing and maintaining power relations, as well as in shaping the nature and trajectory of organizational change.

By integrating these two theoretical statements, the double-volume seeks to establish a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex interplay between practice and institutions in organizational settings. It offers a rich tapestry of insights that challenge traditional understandings of these concepts and pave the way for new research directions and theoretical frameworks.

The significance of this work lies in its ability to bridge the gap between the "practice" and "institutional" literatures in organizational sociology. Traditionally, these literatures have operated in separate domains, with each focusing on its specific perspective. However, by bringing these two perspectives together, the double-volume fosters a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics that shape organizations and their interactions with the broader social context.

Furthermore, the double-volume's theoretical development is complemented by a series of empirical studies that explore the practical implications of these theoretical statements. These studies provide valuable insights into the ways in which practices and institutions interact, and how they contribute to organizational outcomes and processes. By integrating theoretical insights with empirical evidence, the double-volume offers a holistic and empirically grounded perspective on the study of practice and institutions in organizational sociology.

In conclusion, the concepts of practice and institution have long been central to the study of social sciences. This double-volume, through its innovative theoretical and empirical approach, emerges as a groundbreaking contribution to the field. By bridging the "practice and institutional logics" literatures, it provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex interplay between these two critical components of organizational life. The volume's theoretical development is complemented by a series of empirical studies that offer valuable insights into the practical implications of these theoretical statements. As such, this double-volume is a must-read for scholars and researchers interested in the study of practice and institutions in organizational sociology.

\n Weight: 512g\n
Dimension: 161 x 238 x 21 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781800434134\n \n