Reflections on developments in institutional theory: Toward a relational approach

In this review article, we reflect upon recent developments in institutional theory with particular emphasis on first, how organizational fields have been conceived and second, on how action has been conceptualized and incorporated into institutional accounts. We show that progress has been made in regard to our understanding of field level processes and the role of institutional actors. However, we also identify a number of weaknesses and challenges, which we assess in the context of developing a relational approach to institutional analysis. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.