Reconsidering the ‘symmetry’ between institutionalization and professionalization : the case of corporate social responsibility managers

Risi, David; Wickert, Christopher

doi:10.1111/joms.12244

Publication type:	Article in scientific journal
Type of review:	Peer review (publication)
Title:	Reconsidering the ‘symmetry’ between institutionalization and professionalization : the case of corporate social responsibility managers
Authors:	Risi, David Wickert, Christopher
DOI:	10.1111/joms.12244
Published in:	Journal of Management Studies
Volume(Issue):	54
Issue:	5
Page(s):	613
Pages to:	646
Issue Date:	2017
Publisher / Ed. Institution:	Wiley
ISSN:	0022-2380
Language:	English
Subject (DDC):	658.4: Executive Management
Abstract:	The assumption of a mutually supportive, ‘symmetric’ relationship between institutionalization and professionalization is central to the institutionalist perspective on professional work. Our inductive qualitative study of corporate social responsibility (CSR) managers in multinational corporations (MNCs) prompts to rethink the validity of this assumption. We show that as the institutionalization of CSR advances and consolidates, CSR managers are pushed to the organizational periphery. This indicates that the relationship between professionalization and institutionalization can be ‘asymmetric’ under certain conditions. To advance the study of this asymmetry, we develop a conceptual framework and a set of corresponding propositions that explain why some groups are able to advance their professionalization projects, while others cannot. Our study makes three main contributions to the literature: First, we explicate under which conditions the relationship between institutionalization and professionalization is more likely asymmetric than symmetric. Second, our explanation of the shifting organizational positions of different professional groups allows for further delineating occupational from organizational professionals. Third, we contribute to the CSR literature by examining the dynamic yet ambiguous role of CSR managers as driving forces behind the implementation of CSR.
URI:	https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/11159
Fulltext version:	Published version
License (according to publishing contract):	Licence according to publishing contract
Departement:	School of Management and Law
Appears in collections:	Publikationen School of Management and Law

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Risi, D., & Wickert, C. (2017). Reconsidering the ‘symmetry’ between institutionalization and professionalization : the case of corporate social responsibility managers. Journal of Management Studies, 54(5), 613–646. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12244

Risi, D. and Wickert, C. (2017) ‘Reconsidering the ‘symmetry’ between institutionalization and professionalization : the case of corporate social responsibility managers’, Journal of Management Studies, 54(5), pp. 613–646. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12244.

D. Risi and C. Wickert, “Reconsidering the ‘symmetry’ between institutionalization and professionalization : the case of corporate social responsibility managers,” Journal of Management Studies, vol. 54, no. 5, pp. 613–646, 2017, doi: 10.1111/joms.12244.

RISI, David und Christopher WICKERT, 2017. Reconsidering the ‘symmetry’ between institutionalization and professionalization : the case of corporate social responsibility managers. Journal of Management Studies. 2017. Bd. 54, Nr. 5, S. 613–646. DOI 10.1111/joms.12244

Risi, David, and Christopher Wickert. 2017. “Reconsidering the ‘Symmetry’ between Institutionalization and Professionalization : The Case of Corporate Social Responsibility Managers.” Journal of Management Studies 54 (5): 613–46. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12244.

Risi, David, and Christopher Wickert. “Reconsidering the ‘Symmetry’ between Institutionalization and Professionalization : The Case of Corporate Social Responsibility Managers.” Journal of Management Studies, vol. 54, no. 5, 2017, pp. 613–46, https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12244.