Multiple Institutional Logics in Inter-Institutional Temporary Organizations: A Study of the 21st Century Hospital

Sofia Pemsel, Jonas Söderlund

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperResearchpeer-review

Abstract

The idea of multiple institutional logics currently draws more and more attention as many organizational actors are forced to operate in ever more complex, temporary and vivid collaborations. We draw on findings from a unique case study of a temporary organization that carried the responsibility for the planning and construction of a new super hospital in the capital of Sweden. Our empirical data demonstrates the important role institutional logics contribute with in understanding logics behind actions as well as emerging conflicts in practice throughout the project process. The paper identifies four distinct response strategies the project actors relied upon to deal with the multiplicity of logics: total integration, partial decoupling, avoidance, and surfing. We discuss how these response strategies were used, in what situations, and what effects they had on the organization. The paper contributes to the literature on institutional logics and stresses the becoming nature of institutional logics in the context of a large and complex temporary organization with participants from different organizational fields.
Original languageEnglish
Publication date2015
Number of pages41
Publication statusPublished - 2015
EventThe Academy of Management Annual Meeting 2015: Opening Governance - Vancouver, Canada
Duration: 7 Aug 201511 Aug 2015
Conference number: 75
http://aom.org/annualmeeting/

Conference

ConferenceThe Academy of Management Annual Meeting 2015
Number75
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityVancouver
Period07/08/201511/08/2015
Internet address

Keywords

  • Multiple-institutional logics
  • Practice
  • Temporary organization
  • Process

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