In the present text, an institution is understood to be an (observable) pattern of collective action, justified by a corresponding social norm. By this definition, an institution emerges slowly, although it may be helped or hindered by various specific acts. From this perspective, an...

This text begins with a brief summary of problems resulting from the traditional framing of the term “organizations”. It ignores organizing without organizations, organizing between organizations, and the fact that organizations can be obstacles to organizing. The text continues with the...

This text focuses on the wealth of insight that Tarde has to offer organization theory. It revolves around three pairs of concepts: –imitation and invention, identity and alterity, custom and fashion, illustrating their relevance for understanding organizing by relating them to a study of big...

Although waste prevention is considered the best possible option in the European waste-hierarchy model, it is not always clear what is meant by “waste prevention”. This chapter presents three cases of waste prevention, selected to illustrate the variety of these practices: a waste-management...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze common emplotments of interpretations of the financial crisis of 2007-2010. Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a text analysis. Findings – The paper finds that the same “strong plots” are commonly used to explain financial...

Purpose – This paper aims to explore accounting across time and space via novels. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses distant readings. Findings – The paper reveals peculiarities and commonalities of the work of Certified Public Accountants 70 years ago and now. Originality/value...

The role of stories in organizing has traditionally been examined within the context of specific organizations, communities of practice, or social worlds. The study reported here describes the establishment in West Sweden of a centre for developing methods that allow for the recognition of prior...