Revisiting the scope and suggesting novel domains of institutional theory in the public administration research

Abstract

In this conceptual paper, we aim to revisit key research themes in contemporary organizational institutionalism and by doing this, redirect attention of scholars in public administration towards the most promising domains of application of institutional theory. We propose to shift attention from enabling and power-induced framing of institutional theory towards understanding it as a theory that helps recognize and analyse institutional pressures, constraints and inertia that influence administrative reforms and other organizational change attempts in public organizations. We sharpen the focus of institutional theory, specify the boundaries of institutional explanations by analysing questions that lie beyond institutional theory domain of application and suggest most promising research directions. Thus, we warn against unnecessary inflation of the scope of a theoretical apparatus and “explaining” how actors create, change and disrupt institutions and propose how institutional theory can be applied to predict the patterns of success or failure of changes in the public sector.

Research promotion strategies to enhance research productivity in Tanzanian higher educational institutions

“…We have taken institutional theory as the underpinning theory for developing a better understanding of how a better environment for research can be created and enhanced at the institutional level. The study derives understanding from various works on institutional theory including Scott (2004), Suddaby (2010) and Willmott (2015) and more recently Aksom and Vakulenko (2023) for scholarly productivity. The theory indicates how institutions shape organisations and individuals' behaviour within them.…”

“…It provides a valuable framework for analysing how HEIs, for example, are influenced by institutional pressures, norms and expectations, which can be especially relevant when studying research promotion and productivity in the context of higher education. The need was established to revisit institutional theory and accordingly the scholars proposed to shift attention from enabling and power‐induced framing of institutional theory towards understanding it as a theory that helps recognise and analyse institutional pressures, constraints and inertia that influence administrative reforms and other organisational change (Aksom & Vakulenko, 2023).…”

“…The study addresses the call for research of Quitoras and Abuso (2021) on how to promote research in Tanzania. Furthermore, as a response to the future research avenue (Aksom & Vakulenko, 2023) regarding extension of knowledge on institutional theory, we contribute to institutional theory in the following ways: the framework shows how strategies once institutionalised influence research productivity, how institutionally infused strategic practices are implemented taking care of contextual adoption and local deviations, and institutional influence on HEIs.…”