Relations, Routines, and Forms: A Theory of Organizational Social Structure

• In Event: 413 - Section on Organizations, Occupations and Work Refereed Roundtable Session. Table 01. Culture and Organizations
  In Refereed Roundtable 100min: Table 09. Institutions and Organizational Forms

Abstract

This paper addresses a shortcoming in theories of organizational forms; namely, that none of the major theories in use today are generalizable across cultures and resource niches. Relational Models Theory, which explicates four universal models of human interaction, is used to augment extant organizational theory to correct this weakness. Processes and outcomes from neoinstitutional theory and social network analysis are considered in light of Relational Models Theory. The general perspective employed throughout is predicated on organizational microfoundations and the social construction of networks and institutional logics. Future research is addressed, and empirical examples are incorporated from multiple organizational science perspectives.

Author

• Joshua R Bruce, Duke University