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

  1. 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
  1. 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
  1. 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

  1. 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
  1. 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
  1. 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.