Isomorphism (sociology)
Encyclopedia
- For other uses of isomorphism, see isomorphism (disambiguation)Isomorphism (disambiguation)Etymology: iso- + -morphism From Ancient Greek: -morphism: the state of having a specified shape or formIsomorphism may refer to:...
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In sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
, an isomorphism is a similarity of the processes or structure of one organization
Organization
An organization is a social group which distributes tasks for a collective goal. The word itself is derived from the Greek word organon, itself derived from the better-known word ergon - as we know `organ` - and it means a compartment for a particular job.There are a variety of legal types of...
to those of another, be it the result of imitation
Imitation
Imitation is an advanced behavior whereby an individual observes and replicates another's. The word can be applied in many contexts, ranging from animal training to international politics.-Anthropology and social sciences:...
or independent development under similar constraints. There are three main types of isomorphism: normative, coercive and mimetic
Mimetic isomorphism
Mimetic isomorphism in organization theory refers to the tendency of an organization to imitate another organization's structure because of the belief that the structure of the latter organization is beneficial...
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The concept of isomorphism was primarily developed by Paul DiMaggio
Paul DiMaggio
Paul Joseph DiMaggio is an American educator, and professor of sociology at Princeton University since 1992.-Career:...
and Walter Powell
Walter W. Powell
Walter W. Powell , born 1951, is a contemporary American sociologist. Powell is Professor of Education, Sociology, Organizational Behavior, Management Science and Engineering, and Communication at Stanford University and the Stanford University School of Education since 1999 and is known for his...
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Literature
- DiMaggio, P.J., & Powell, W.W. (1983). "The Iron Cage Revisited: Institutional Isomorphism and Collective Rationality in Organizational Fields." American Sociological Review, 48(2), 147-160.