Exploring performativity in institutional work: towards a strong process framework

Performative takes on institutional work have emphasized constant recreation efforts (Bjerregaard & Jonasson, 2014), sensemaking in a pluralistic manner (Boxenbaum & Strandgaard Pedersen, 2009), and translation (Latour, 1986). These socio-cognitive, inter-individual approaches tend to represent the social richness of institutional work processes (Czarniawska, 2009). To push a performative understanding of institutional work, a non-representationalist view is desirable in the spirit of strong process theorizing (Langley & Tsoukas, 2010). Early attempts have introduced problem solving (Sminia, 2011) and politics (Beunza & Ferraro, 2019) but remain virtually silent on how these approaches interplay along the process of institutionalization. The objective of this conceptual paper is therefore to further interpret institutional performative work as a process of problem-solving-cum-politics. We distinguish four processes pertaining to the ordering of action: decision making, developing meaning, dealing with practicality, and institutionalization. Institutional work concerns the dynamic relationship between these processes as modes of problematizing/ solutioning. We then explore the politics of the four processes and their relationships and arrive at a strong process model for conducting research on institutionalization.