Institutions and individuals: Interaction and evolution

G.M. Hodgson

doi:10.1177/0170840607067832

Institutions and individuals: Interaction and evolution

G.M. Hodgson

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

198 Citations (Scopus)

228 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The conceptualization of the relation between individual and structure is central to social science. After making some key definitions, this paper overviews some recent developments in the social theory of structure and agency, and makes a novel addition, based on a concept of habit derived from pragmatism and Veblenian institutional economics. Processes of habituation provide a mechanism of ‘reconstitutive downward causation’ where institutional circumstances may affect individual preferences. Finally, special characteristics of organizations are discussed, endorsing an evolutionary analytical approach that combines insights from both evolutionary economics and organization science.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	95-116
Number of pages	22
Journal	Organization Studies
Volume	28
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840607067832
Publication status	Published - 2007

Keywords

downward causation
methodological individualism

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AB - The conceptualization of the relation between individual and structure is central to social science. After making some key definitions, this paper overviews some recent developments in the social theory of structure and agency, and makes a novel addition, based on a concept of habit derived from pragmatism and Veblenian institutional economics. Processes of habituation provide a mechanism of ‘reconstitutive downward causation’ where institutional circumstances may affect individual preferences. Finally, special characteristics of organizations are discussed, endorsing an evolutionary analytical approach that combines insights from both evolutionary economics and organization science.

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Institutions and individuals: Interaction and evolution

Abstract

Keywords

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