Ongoing Institutional Changes Research Articles

Organization Theory in Turbulent Times: The Traces of Foucault's Ethics

Criticisms of postmodernism are examined in the context of social theory and its sub-field, organization theory. Criticisms centre on claims that postmodern organization theorists are preoccupied with indeterminancy of meaning, linguistic relativism and the `minutiae' of everyday life; and further, that Foucault-inspired postmodern organization theorists reject culture, history, and reason, and have little to offer in terms of ethics, action and change. We contest these criticisms as they apply to organizational analyses. The criticisms miss key elements of postmodern contributions to organization theory. We identify several fruitful seams, particularly in Foucault's later works, that contribute to a valuable ethos for postmodern organization theory. This article subjects this ethos to the same level of deconstruction to which it subjects its opponents. We argue that Foucault's insights on ethical action relate to institutional bases of discourses, and the effects of disciplinary knowledge on subjects. We link these insights to Bauman's `postmodern ethics' and to Sennett's research on the effects of `flexible capitalism', corporate restructuring, and ongoing institutional changes. Such connections bring a kind of analysis to organization studies that enables us to practically reassess our structures of recognition that constitute subjectivity and identity at work.

Market based instruments for environmental policymaking in Latin America and the Caribbean: lessons from eleven countries

This article summarizes a comprehensive series of country studies in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), addressing experiences with market based instruments (MBIs) and command and control (CAC) approaches. First, MBIs can be an important means for introducing some added efficiency to existing CAC mechanisms. The scope of the MBIs must, however, match the institutional capacity to implement them. MBI approaches that introduce gradual and flexible reforms are therefore more likely to be consistent with ongoing institutional changes. Second, while the revenue collection task of MBIs is often highlighted, there is a strong need to channel revenues to local authorities to assist in building institutional capacity. Finally, international donor agencies are most prone to recommend OECD solutions with little regard to institutional issues. Moreover, most of the information flow regarding MBIs has been of a 'north-south' variety, whereas increased information sharing in a 'south-south' dialog would benefit all parties.

A Small Country in Europe's Integration. Generalizing the Political Economy of the Danish Case

This book makes a valuable, analytical contribution to recent debates on the ongoing institutional changes occurring within the European Union. It provides a comprehensive and diverse insight into a variety of areas, including in-depth studies of fiscal, monetary and voting issues, to help elucidate the current period of transitional change.

WATER ALLOCATION IN A CHANGING CLIMATE: INSTITUTIONS AND ADAPTATION

Global warming may profoundly affect temporal and spatial distributions of surface water availability. While climate modelers cannot yet predict regional hydrologic changes with confidence, it is appropriate to begin examining the likely effects of water allocation institutions on society's adaptability to prospective climate change. Such institutions include basic systems of water law, specific statutes, systems of administration and enforcement, and social norms regarding acceptable water-use practices. Both climate and the changing nature of demands on the resource have affected the development and evolution of water allocation institutions in the United States. Water laws and administrative arrangements, for example, have adapted to changing circumstances, but the process of adaptation can be costly and subject to conflict. Analysis of past and ongoing institutional change is used to identify factors that may have a bearing on the costliness of adaptation to the uncertain impacts of global warming on water availability and water demands. Several elements are identified that should be incorporated in the design of future water policies to reduce the potential for disputes and resource degradation that might otherwise result if climate change alters regional hydrology.

From Philanthropy to Paternalism in the Noda Soy Sauce Industry: Pre-Corporate and Corporate Charity in Japan

Students of Japanese business development have long debated the question of what has been called “community-centered entrepreneurship.” Most often, the debate has involved two groups: one which has contended that Japanese businessmen put the public interest ahead of personal gain, and another which has argued that profits from private enterprise were so large that public interests could be served without imperiling private profits. In this article Professor Fruin examines the concept of community-centered entrepreneurship in terms of the Noda soy sauce industry as it evolved from the period of entrepreneurial capitalism of the nineteenth century to the managerial capitalism of the twentieth. While analyzing this important early industry in Japan within the context of ongoing institutional and ideological change, Fruin not only offers substantial evidence to support one side of the controversy surrounding community-centered entrepreneurship, but also draws some interesting parallels between the philanthropic endeavors of Japanese businessmen and their counterparts in the West during this era.