The Role of Individuals in the Response to Institutional Complexity
This study examines how individuals cope with institutional complexity in their everyday work. The empirical setting includes a qualitative study of multiple information technology best practices frameworks. It shows that individuals perform three activities in dealing with institutional complexity in their day-to-day work. First, they are involved in (1) a sensemaking activity which consists in translating logic into organizational language and formalizing it. Secondly, (2) they perform an interpretation of the centrality and incompatibility and a comparison of logics. Finally, (3) the implementation of the logics ensures their effective application. Individuals, equipped with creativity, can alter, modify and tinker organizational practices.