Inside Isomorphism: How Art Market Organizations First Arrived in China

• In Event: 245 - Regular Session. Organizations: Determinants of Diffusion

Abstract

How do isomorphic processes unfold across the boundaries of an organizational field and onto an emerging embryonic field? What does cross-border isomorphism look like? This article analyzes how the two main organizational forms of contemporary art markets - commercial galleries and auction houses – first emerged in mainland China in the 1990s. It does so on the basis of archival materials and interviews with art market participants. It shows that where embryonic fields are concerned the isomorphic process is not passive or smooth, but rather requires entrepreneurial effort. The concepts of isomorphism and institutional entrepreneur, which tend to be juxtaposed, can be reconciled. Moreover, copying foreign organizational models to a new field does not necessarily confer legitimacy, while international legitimacy and competition with foreign actors is at this stage irrelevant. Instead, legitimacy needs to be constructed. The article highlights the differences and similarities between how these processes unfolded for the two organizational forms.

Author

• Svetlana Kharchenkova, University of Amsterdam