1. Sociology 219: Institutional Theories: Cultural / Phenomenological Approaches Class 2: Foundational Work in Organizations Copyright © 2009 by Evan Schofer

2. Announcements Assignment #1 handed out No class next week Start on readings for following week… Talks –ICSW Today: Steve Boutcher: Dissertation work on “pro bono” work in large law firms 1:00pm, SSPB 4206

3. Agenda Preview of upcoming readings Marianne’s presentation on Williamson / transaction costs Discussion of Meyer/Rowan, DiMaggio and Powell Break Discussion of Jepperson, others…

4. Readings Jepperson, Ronald L. 2002. “The Development and Application of Sociological Neoinstitutionalism.” Pp. 229-266 in New Directions in Contemporary Sociological Theory, edited by Joseph Berger & Morris Zelditch, Jr. Rowman & Littlefield. BIG overview article. Reviews the main themes of the phenomenological tradition. Lots of big ideas. Meyer, John W. 1988. “Society Without Culture: A Nineteenth Century Legacy.” Pp. 193-201 in Rethinking the Nineteenth Century, edited by Francisco Ramirez. New York: Greenwood Press. Reflects on conceptualizations of modernity as ‘rational’ and no longer rooted in culture (as opposed to things studied by Anthro).

5. Readings Berger, Peter L. 1963. Invitation to Sociology: A Humanistic Perspective. Garden City, NY: Anchor Books. *Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann. 1966. The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge. Garden City, New York: Anchor Books. A foundational treatment of “social construction” Former = shorter, less good. But, easier to read.

6. Mini-Presentation Williamson, O. 1981. “The Economics of Organization: The Transaction Cost Approach.” American Journal of Sociology, 87.

7. Background: Organization Theory Issue: What determines the “formal structure” of organizations? –Traditional research was functionalist in character Assumed that form reflected technical needs, adapted to be efficient –What Jepperson and Meyer refer to as “realist” perspectives (together with views emphasizing power) Implication: given the varied goals/activities of organizations, they should differ in structure a lot… –Question: How did Meyer/Rowan & DiMaggio/Powell depart from this?