Toward a theory of institutional analysis
Name
MIT-EL-78-020-04816176.pdf
Size
2.55 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
bbaedd633f5b0d29ee43a17d4c598db7
Author(s)
Nutt-Powell, Thomas E.
Date Issued
April 1978
Publisher
MIT Energy Laboratory
Series/Report no.
MIT-EL
78-020
Abstract
This paper provides the basic analytic framework for institutional analysis with particular reference to the acceptance of innovations. A theory of institutions is developed, then assessed in light of various
theories of organizations. It is posited that there are six types of institutional entities -- formal and informal organizations, members, persons, collectivities and social orders. Institutions are characterized
by function, activity and role. Institutional action consists of exchanges for which the critical datum is information. Such exchanges occur within an institutional arena. Innovation forces institutional action
by disrupting existing social meaning. Based on this theory a methodology is developed which enables study of innovation acceptance in various institutional arenas. The methodology involves several steps:
(1) Determine study sector and purpose; (2) Preliminary sector exploration;
(3) Construct hypothesized institutional arena; (4) Identify perturbation
prompter; (5) Devise specific research design; (6) Monitor perturbation;
(7) Analyze institutional arena.
Subjects
Organization
Social change.
Technological innovations |x Social aspects.
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