Institutional Voids and Organization Studies: Towards an epistemological rupture. Issue 10 (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bothello, Joel; Nason, Robert S.; Schnyder, Gerhard
• Is Part Of: Organization studies. Volume 40:Issue 10(2019)
• Page Start: 1499
• Page End: 1512
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: conceptual stretching -- epistemological rupture -- institutional voids; Organizational sociology -- Periodicals; Organizational behavior -- Periodicals; Organization -- Periodicals; 302.35
• DOI: 10.1177/0170840618819037
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0170-8406

Abstract

In this essay, we critique the usage of the term 'institutional void' to characterize non-Western contexts in organizational studies. We explore how 'conceptual stretching' of institutional voids – specifically, the theoretical and geographic expansion of the concept – has led not only to poor construct clarity, but also pejorative labelling of non-Western countries. We argue that research using this term perpetuates an ethnocentric bias by deifying market development and overlooking the richness and power of informal and non-market institutions in shaping local economic activity. We call for an 'epistemological rupture' to decolonize organizational scholarship in non-Western settings and facilitate contextually grounded research approaches that allow for more indigenous theorization.