Purpose
This theoretical review paper lays foundation to improve the understanding of the impact of institutions on individuals’ work experiences and how individual actions impact organizations that maintain a values foundation. This paper extends understanding of the impact of values imposed on employees by institutions and how individuals utilize values to shape organizations over time.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper explores the current state of values and institutional theory research to develop a framework for studying values-based actions in organizations. First, I review the existing literature on values, exploring how values operate at the organizational and individual level, and the action-oriented, dialogic basis of values-in-use. Second, I investigate the connection between values and institutional theory, leading to a discussion of the processes by which values actions could impact institutional structures. Finally, I introduce dialogic processes of organizational maintenance and change using the framework of institutional work. This leads to propositions for further research to explore the role of individual values actions in maintaining institutions and the nature of such actions.
Originality/value
This work extends theories of values and institutional work, synthesizes literature on culture and institutional theory, and leads towards propositions for pragmatic actions during times of institutional change. The goal of this exploration is to further support understandings of ways to engage organization members in continuous change.
Keywords
Values, values actions, institutional work, culture
