Embracing community-centered approaches: Institutional logics and organizational responses in the U.S. museum field
In the dynamic landscape of the U.S. museum context, the last decade has witnessed a notable transformation, prominently characterized by the growing influence of community-centered approaches. This paradigm shift has introduced new complexities and demands, reshaping the dynamics of the field. However, existing research has largely focused on the interplay between professional and market logics, overlooking other influential institutional pressures. To bridge the research gap, the dissertation incorporates four empirical studies aimed at revealing institutional logics, examining their evolutionary trajectories, and analyzing organizational responses to transformative influences. Within the U.S. museum field, four distinct logics—professional, market, public, and community—emerge from the investigation. An exploration of professional discourse over the past decade reveals a declining trend in professional logic and a concurrent rise in community logic at the field level. A parallel pattern manifests at the organizational level, reflected in museum identities. While shifts in museums’ structural approaches align with overarching logic changes, the evidence remains preliminary, requiring further exploration to establish substantial trends. Together, these investigations offer tangible empirical insights into the intricacies of institutional complexity and shed light on how organizations respond within the dynamic landscape of the U.S. museum context. This collective body of work not only contributes to scholarly discussions on institutional theory but also serves as a valuable resource for understanding the evolving dynamics that characterize this crucial cultural sector.