Organizational Learning Under Institutional Complexity: Evidence from Township Clusters in China

You, Shuyang; Zhou, Abby Jingzi; Zhou, Steven Shijin; Jia, Liangding; Wang, Chengqi

Abstract

Drawing from conceptualizations of organizational learning and institutional complexity, we advance the understanding of how the coexistence of multiple institutional logics in a community influences firms’ learning. Viewing communities where firms and local governments coexist as clusters, our analysis of 354 firms in 39 township clusters in China shows that government logic negatively moderates the positive effect of community logic on organizational learning; however, social connections between the community and local governments mitigate this negative effect. Modeling the relationship between the two logics in this manner extends prior conceptualizations of interfirm learning as a process of isomorphic diffusion of social norms and advances understanding of the role of institutions in organizational learning. This study also offers new insights for theoretical conversations on the compatibility and incompatibility of multiple institutional logics by demonstrating when logic multiplicity leads to conflicts and when it maintains harmony.

Citation

You, S., Zhou, A. J., Zhou, S. S., Jia, L., & Wang, C. (2021). Organizational Learning Under Institutional Complexity: Evidence from Township Clusters in China. Management and Organization Review, 17(4), 726-754. https://doi.org/10.1017/mor.2021.16

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 5, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jun 22, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Deposit Date: Jan 12, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 23, 2022
• Journal: Management and Organization Review
• Print ISSN: 1740-8776
• Electronic ISSN: 1740-8784
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 726-754
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/mor.2021.16
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5223756
• Publisher URL: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/management-and-organization-review/article/organizational-learning-under-institutional-complexity-evidence-from-township-clusters-in-china/CECFE4BCFC3962189313DC1FD6BF957E
• Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article:You, S., Zhou, A., Zhou, S., Jia, L., & Wang, C. (2021). Organizational Learning Under Institutional Complexity: Evidence from Township Clusters in China. Management and Organization Review, 1-29. doi:10.1017/mor.2021.16, which has been published in final form at https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/management-and-organization-review/article/organizational-learning-under-institutional-complexity-evidence-from-township-clusters-in-china/CECFE4BCFC3962189313DC1FD6BF957E This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.