Reconsidering the ‘Symmetry’ Between Institutionalization and Professionalization: The Case of Corporate Social Responsibility Managers

Risi, David; Wickert, Christopher (2017). Reconsidering the ‘Symmetry’ Between Institutionalization and Professionalization: The Case of Corporate Social Responsibility Managers Journal of Management Studies, 54(5), pp. 613-646. Wiley 10.1111/joms.12244

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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.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	Business School > Institute for Innovation and Strategic Entrepreneurship Business School > Institute for Sustainable Business
Name:	Risi, David0000-0003-1652-8806 and Wickert, Christopher
ISSN:	00222380
Publisher:	Wiley
Language:	English
Submitter:	David Risi
Date Deposited:	07 Oct 2020 12:54
Last Modified:	18 Jul 2023 21:46
Publisher DOI:	10.1111/joms.12244
Additional Information:	This article (Accepted version) may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	corporate social responsibility (CSR), CSR managers, institutionalization,organizational professionals, professionalization
ARBOR DOI:	10.24451/arbor.12998
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/12998