Historical institutionalism

Marrisa Joseph

Chapter 75 in Elgar Encyclopedia of Historical Organisation Studies, 2026, pp 269-272 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Historical institutionalism (HI) is a methodological approach that explores the temporal evolution of institutions, focusing on their origins, reproduction and transformation. HI investigates the interplay of formal structures, informal rules and societal behaviours, analysing their persistence and the conditions for change. Concepts central to HI include institutional theory and path dependency, which seeks to explain institutional stability alongside change. Critics suggest that HI could benefit from a stronger inclusion of the lived experiences of individuals through a more robust engagement with historical research methods. Yet, HI remains a valuable conceptual framework for understanding institutional resilience and transformation over time.

Keywords: Institutional Theory; Institutional Change; Path Dependency; Critical Junctures; Temporal Analysis; Historical Research Methods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035332922
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