Relations between reflexivity and institutional work

A case study in a public organisation

Bibliographic Data

ID9889198
AuthorsTiina Tuominen (0000-0002-5458-1600, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume78
Issue8
Pages1030-1060
Publication date2025-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHuman Relations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0018-7267 • E-ISSN: 1741-282X
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00187267241290637
OpenAlexW4404062652
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited57

Reflexivity is often considered a prerequisite for institutional work. However, the relationship between reflexivity and institutional work has rarely been examined rigorously in empirical research, and there is a lack of consensus on when and how reflexivity motivates such efforts. This study aims to address this gap by reviewing existing operationalisations of reflexivity and exploring how different forms of reflexivity impacted employees’ engagement in institutional work in a public organisation undergoing institutional change. The empirical results revealed seven distinct patterns of reflexivity and institutional work, indicating that variations across three dimensions of reflexive evaluation – scope, openness and relationality – contributed to decisions about whether and how to engage in institutional work. The results also demonstrated that reflexivity is profoundly grounded in individuals’ concerns and shaped by their work and professional histories. These findings suggest that researchers and practitioners must develop a deeper understanding of the multidimensional nature of reflexivity in order to foster meaningful employee contributions to institutional processes

Epistemology · Political science · Public relations · Reflexivity · Social science · Sociology · Work (physics · Critical Realism in Sociology · Management and Organizational Studies · Psychology · Public Policy and Administration Research

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access