Global organization: Rationalization and actorhood as dominant scripts

Abstract

One of the dominant features of the age of globalization is the rampant expansion of organization. In particular, formal, standardized, rationalized, and empowered forms of organization expand in many domains and locales. We discuss these features of organization, showing that hyper-rationalization and actorhood are main themes of organization across presumably distinct social sectors and national societies. We explain the ubiquity of such organizational forms in institutional terms, seeing the global culture of universalism, rationality, and empowered actorhood as supporting the diffusion of managerial roles and perspectives.

Citation

Drori, G.S., Meyer, J.W. and Hwang, H. (2009), "Global organization: Rationalization and actorhood as dominant scripts", Meyer, R.E., Sahlin, K., Ventresca, M.J. and Walgenbach, P. (Ed.) Institutions and Ideology (Research in the Sociology of Organizations, Vol. 27), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 17-43. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0733-558X(2009)0000027003