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Dialogue and distributed agency in institutional transmission

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  • Whittle, Andrea
  • Suhomlinova, Olga
  • Mueller, Frank

Abstract

In this paper we contribute to the body of work on agency and institutional transmission by proposing two new concepts: distributed agency and dialogue. Distributed agency is a companion concept to that of ‘institutional entrepreneurship’. Whilst institutional entrepreneurship emphasizes the deliberate institution-building by a select few, distributed agency highlights the emergent institution-building that involves any and every organizational member. In turn, dialogue supplements the models of institutional diffusion by drawing attention to the situated interactions between the ‘champions’ and the ‘recipients’ of institutional innovations, to the frictions that accompany institutional transmission, and to the deviations that emerge from those interactions. We use these concepts to analyze the micro-discursive processes during a crucial event in the institutionalization of a new organizational template in a UK public–private partnership. We found that the implementation hinged upon enabling the audience (i.e. the employees expected to apply the template in their work) to act as agents (hence, distributed agency) by engaging in a dialogue that sought to define the audience's identity vis-à-vis coercive pressures, articulate and address its interests, and recognize its rights to modify the template to suit the local circumstances.

Suggested Citation

  • Whittle, Andrea & Suhomlinova, Olga & Mueller, Frank, 2011. "Dialogue and distributed agency in institutional transmission," Journal of Management & Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 17(4), pages 548-569, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jomorg:v:17:y:2011:i:04:p:548-569_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Reindersma, Thomas & Fabbricotti, Isabelle & Ahaus, Kees & Bangma, Chris & Sülz, Sandra, 2024. "Inciting maintenance: Tiered institutional work during value-based payment reform in oncology," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 347(C).
    2. Andrews, Matt & Pritchett, Lant & Woolcock, Michael, 2013. "Escaping Capability Traps Through Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA)," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 234-244.
    3. Andrews, Matt & Pritchett, Lant & Woolcock, Michael, 2013. "Escaping Capability Traps Through Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA)," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 234-244.
    4. Katsutoshi Fushimi, 2022. "Perceived Home and Host Country Institutional Environment Pressures by Bilateral Development Cooperation Agency's Constituents," Working Papers 228, JICA Research Institute.
    5. Vänninen, Irene & Pereira-Querol, Marco & Engeström, Yrjö, 2015. "Generating transformative agency among horticultural producers: An activity-theoretical approach to transforming Integrated Pest Management," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 38-49.
    6. repec:unu:wpaper:wp2012-64 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Lehmann, Julian & Weber, Florian & Waldkirch, Matthias & Graf-Vlachy, Lorenz & König, Andreas, 2022. "Institutional work battles in the sharing economy: Unveiling actors and discursive strategies in media discourse," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).

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