Re-theorizing the ‘structure–agency’ relationship: Figurational theory, organizational change and the Gaelic Athletic Association

Abstract

This article illustrates how the figurational sociology associated with Norbert Elias provides an alternative theoretical framework for explaining the relationship between, 'individualorganization-society' and organizational change, and in so doing transverses what is conceived as a false dichotomy between structure and agency. Through an historical case study of the Gaelic Athletic Association in Ireland, the 'individual-organization-society' relationship is conceptualized as overlapping figurations and organizational change is explained as figurational dynamics-the shifting social interdependencies between the individuals and groups comprising an organization, between that organization and other organizations, between social groups on a higher level of integration and competition. In tandem with this, the article illustrates how changes in the sources of power and identity are connected with these figurational dynamics.Different theoretical explanations of change are underpinned by specific conceptualizations of the individual-organization-society relationship, or the different manifestations of this relationship, namely structure-agency or individual-society, within organization theory. Indeed, Reed (2005)

Hired to be fired? Being a coach in Danish professional football

“…As stated in the introduction, this study applies a combination of Norbert Elias’s game models, 12 in which power is a key component, and the concept of trust within organisations. 13 Elias’s approach has been applied to analyse organisational change 20–22 and specifically within a sports management context. Hanstad, 23 for instance, explored the process of organisational change within the International Ski Federation in relation to the issue of doping and used game models to analyse the roles of different people and organisations in this change process.…”

Trying to fit in – Upper secondary school students’ negotiation processes between sports culture and youth culture

“…The analysis shows that student life at this school comprises different figurative contexts. Connolly and Dolan (2012) state that figurations can overlap because members of one figuration often also belong to other figurative contexts. The sports students explain how sport doesn’t always fit in to the life they live in upper secondary school.…”

“…The sports students find security in the ‘we’ identity constructed by their own class as it supports the ‘I’ identity that would otherwise fall out of the realm of the their constructed ideal of youth culture that targets partying and alcohol. Connolly and Dolan (2012: 493) explain how the emotional charge generated by the ‘we’ identity, in combination with the specific power structure of the organization, can impact integration processes. This same charge also acts on exclusion processes in youth culture at the school.…”

Documents and detachment in the figurational sociology of sport

“…The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of methods in gurational sociology. We do this by interrogating the methods used in our recent analyses of the development of various aspects of sport under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA, established 1884) in Ireland (Dolan and Connolly, 2009, Connolly and Dolan, 2010, Dolan and Connolly, 2014, Connolly and Dolan, 2011, Connolly and Dolan, 2013a, Connolly and Dolan, 2013b, Connolly and Dolan, 2012. We have focussed on the sports of hurling and Gaelic football, both standardised and codi ed in the late nineteenth century, though an ancient indigenous pedigree is often claimed for hurling in particular.…”