Deinstitutionalization revisited

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer a new analysis and understanding the notion deinstitutionalization. Deinstitutionalization taken-for-granted practices as natural consequence ever-increasing entropy seems directly contradict major institutional thesis, namely, that over time isomorphic forces increase and, result, possibilities for deinstitutionalization decrease culminating in impossibility abandoning highly institutionalized fields. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual nature. Oliver’s 1992 on taken key text subject starting point building an alternative theory More broadly, organizational literature diffusion/adoption are reviewed synthesized. Findings authors argue have been overestimated revisited account vs isomorphism diffusing-but-not-institutionalized practices. A freedom choice between exists during pre-institutional stage but not when field already institutionalized. In contrast, institutionalized, immutable any sort functional political pressures they use persist even no technical value remains, thus basis dissatisfaction be paradox. Research limitations/implications By revisiting nature patterns deinstitutionalization, offers better classification how organizations adopt, maintain abandon ideas An important task reduce scope application make it more focused self-consistent. There is, however, still enough volume studies factors practices’ abandonment literature. authors, therefore, acknowledge needed further improve both former framework. Originality/value solution theoretical inconsistency by distinguishing truly currently popular (highly diffused non-institutionalized). It only latter norms progress allow replacing existing activities. can applied reevaluation, replacement with optimal while institutions these progress. Institutions logic convergence Finally, revisit traditional two-stage diffusion model explain possibility likelihood different stages institutionalization.