STRUCTURATION THEORY
INTRO
Structuration theory by Anthony Giddens explores how individuals' actions & societal structures influence each other, forming a two-way relationship is shaping society.
It highlights the interplay between people's actions & the larger social systems they're a part of.
ASSUMPTION
- Giddens suggests that every action creates something new & is shaped by the past.
- e.g A group leader's decision to use an anonymous ballot is influenced by past successful voting experiences using the same method.
- the past guides the rules & resources used in the current system
- Rules guide behavior but can also limit it
- some rules are more important than others, shaped by past success or failure
- Giddens suggests understanding rules requires knowing their history
- e.g Investigating the origins of a workplace rule might clarify its purpose & if it doesn't make sense, individuals might try to change it to suit their needs
- Power plays a significant role in organizational decisions
- Giddens sees power as the ability to achieve goals, present in all interactions between people
- rules often grant specific power to certain members based on an organization's history
- e.g Angela might have the power to call group meetings bcs of rule established in their history
CENTRAL CONCEPTS
- Agency & Reflexivity
- human actions shape our social world. It uses terms like "agency" (specific behaviors guided by rules) & "agent" (the person doing these behaviors)
e.g Students(agents) attend classes(agency) in a college setting where rules discate behaviors, such as raising hands in a large lecture to ask questions
Reflexivity means people can reflect on their actions & make changes if needed
- it involves understanding why behaviors were chosen
-e.g A student might explain not asking a question in class due to feeling overwhelmed
- Duality of structure
- in organizations, rules & resources guide decisions & actions in comm.
- when someone follows or changes a rule, it affects how that rule works in future interactions
- e.g At BCT, Tim decides to respect his colleagues by following a personal rule & consulting other managers before changing communication expectations
- this decision aligins with his goal & organizational protocal
- Social Integration
- involves how people communicate & form expectations. it's an ongoing process where members get to know each other & create expectations based on past interactions
- expectations fr behavior are set but can change as the group interact & develops
APPLICATION OF TIME & SPACE
- organizations within time & space. this idea, called time-space distanciation is crucial.
- it means that comm happens in real-time & specific locations
- e.g A conversation abt company layoffs between you & your supervisor in the parking lot after work reflects this theory's interest in how & where interactions occur
CLOSING
- ST by Giddens & others examines how people and resources interact in organizations & small groups
- although facing critism & Gidden's lack of response to some critiques, the theory's complexity doesn't mean rejection. it remains relevant fr those interested in understanding the rules & processes in organizational life.