University Isomorphism, Globalization of Western Science and The prospects of local Knowledge Systems

Abstract

While institutional theory suggests that organizations in a field shall exhibit isomorphic tendencies over time, the question of how institutions may change has recently emerged as an important research issue. Following recent theoretical work, this paper discusses a specific aspect of this general problem – how identities change at the institutional level. Drawing on insights from network theory and work on organizational identity, the paper addresses the question of how social capital of organizations affects their ability to change identity at the institutional level. This question is discussed in the context of changes in the field of global science, and the implications of these changes on knowledge systems of non-western communities and societies. While there is some evidence of the usefulness of incorporating these local knowledge systems in the fields of global science, isomorphic forces at the global level are likely to preclude any such possibility. Specific research questions are posed to address the nature and role of organizational identities and social capital of universities in instigating institutional change of global science at the level of identities by incorporating local knowledge systems.