Phönix aus der Asche

Abstract

AbstractIn our phenomenon-driven study we address mutual influences between a focal organiza-tion and its organizational environment. We draw on concepts and insights of new institu-tional theory as well as on the results of an extensive ethnographic field study of the Sie-mens corruption scandal from 2006 to 2008. We find that this event not only resulted in considerable consequences for Siemens, but also culminated in a reevaluation of the phe-nomenon of corporate corruption with regard to its regulative, normative, and cultural-cognitive dimensions. It is therefore particularly suitable to analyze the various effects of institutional change on a focal organization like Siemens. Due to the momentum this scan-dal generated as well as due to the importance of Siemens, our case also makes it possible to analyze action patterns through which the focal company attempted to shape institutional change processes in its organizational environment subsequent to the scandal. According to our comprehension that change can only be assessed meaningfully from a process perspective, we reconstruct the development of the institutional context of the phenomenon corruption as well as its effects on the focal company as a sequence of events. We do so by proposing a model which conceptualizes events as a nexus between organizations and their organizational environment.KeywordsEreignisse;Organisation;Umwelt;Institutionentheorie;Institutioneller Wandel;Korruption