Achieving Routine in Organizational Change

Abstract

We preconceived that uncertainty and the need to discover new framing concepts would frequently face school decision-makers trying to significantly alter their domain. In contrast, however, we found that familiar administrative mechanisms were used to channel consideration of a major decision—that of the computerization of the curriculum. These familiar administrative mechanisms were used in combination with inspired use of language to reinforce the routine frame. Thus, for organizational participants, the very routineness symbolized the unexceptional nature of a change that might otherwise have aroused considerably more attention.