UNDERSTANDING INSTITUTIONAL THEORY FROM A SOCIOLOGICAL POINT OF VIEW: A TEXT FOR BEGINNERS

Abstract

This theoretical essay aims to elucidate the essential elements, levels of analysis and
possibilities of studies that the organizational institutionalism brings to the studies of
organizations despite its theoretical tradition. To this end, the standard variables of the
respective theory are described, such as the concept of institution; situated agency; process of
institutionalization; concept of legitimacy; degrees of isomorphism; notion of organizational
field; concept of organization; institutional change; institutional entrepreneurship; and
institutional logics. Secondly, it is intended to reveal enactment and embeddedness of
institutional ideals and practices. To achieve these objectives, a scope review was conducted,
through which were collected national and international articles, published in the period from
2010 to 2019, which addressed the institutional perspective of analysis. In all, 282 articles were
used to enable understanding the essential elements considered for this study. In addition it was
possible to providing a general overview of what is being studied in the area.