Formalism in the institutionalization of university libraries
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Abstract
The great societal changes in the last three decades have had an impact on academic libraries, increasing their structural homogeneity, which can be an indication of isomorphic pressures. This article argues that the process of isomorphic changes is leading to formalistic practices that shape organizational
configurations. To support this argument, it analyzes the evolution of the institutional context of academic libraries, the progressive adaptation of organizational actions to such developments, and the nature of the interaction of social actors in the organizational field, including symbolic, cultural
and cognitive elements. The article presents a longitudinal study, based on data obtained from two researches from the 70s and the 80s, complemented by another empirical work conducted between 2000 and 2001. The findings suggest that those coercive homogeneous actions towards modernization, as
well as the disregard of local diversities and specificities, lead organizations to implement structural changes without a comprehensive and serious criticism, thus strengthening the formalistic character of structural changes in academic libraries. This situation alienates Brazilian academic libraries from
the real world.
configurations. To support this argument, it analyzes the evolution of the institutional context of academic libraries, the progressive adaptation of organizational actions to such developments, and the nature of the interaction of social actors in the organizational field, including symbolic, cultural
and cognitive elements. The article presents a longitudinal study, based on data obtained from two researches from the 70s and the 80s, complemented by another empirical work conducted between 2000 and 2001. The findings suggest that those coercive homogeneous actions towards modernization, as
well as the disregard of local diversities and specificities, lead organizations to implement structural changes without a comprehensive and serious criticism, thus strengthening the formalistic character of structural changes in academic libraries. This situation alienates Brazilian academic libraries from
the real world.
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How to Cite
Carvalho, C., & Goulart, S. (2003). Formalism in the institutionalization of university libraries. Brazilian Journal of Public Administration, 37(4), 921 a 938. Retrieved from https://periodicos.fgv.br/rap/article/view/6507
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