Imprinting

Mazhar Islam

Chapter 85 in Elgar Encyclopedia of Historical Organisation Studies, 2026, pp 314-316 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Imprinting refers to the process by which formative historical conditions leave lasting effects on organisations and individuals. In historical organisation studies (HOS), the concept is used to explore how founding environments, early-life conditions and critical junctures shape long-term trajectories of individuals, organisations or institutions. By emphasising temporality and path dependence, imprinting offers a framework for understanding how historical conditions persist across time. This entry defines imprinting, outlines its theoretical development and methodological relevance and illustrates its application through the case of entrepreneurship among free people of colour in antebellum New Orleans.

Keywords: Imprinting; Historical organisation studies; Path dependence; Temporality; Institutional theory; Entrepreneurship (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035332922
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