The Influences of Institutional Logics Dynamics on Organizational History: the Case of Veiling Holambra Cooperative

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to analyze the influ ences of institutional logics dynamics on the decisions about structural changes adopted by an ag ricultural cooperative. The literature review was based on the concept of institutional lo gics and on some peculiarities of the administration of cooperative organizations. We arg ue that these organizations are hybrids and, as such, report to institutional complexity ad opting practices and beliefs consistent with characteristics of more than one institutional logi c. In this sense, we draw upon an empirical study, based on a qualitative case study and oral h istory at Veiling Holambra Cooperative. The field work relied on semi structured interviews , non-participant observations and document analysis. Thus it was possible to identify in the history of the cooperative, from 1948 to 2011, elements that relate to different ins titutional logics. The paper reinforces logics as non- excludent and contributes for a better unde rstanding of the hybridism phenomenon in organizations. Furthermore, it provides conditions for organizations to revaluate the apparent contradiction between practices with a social purpo se and market oriented practices.

Keywords

• organizational institutionalism
• institutional lo gics
• cooperatives
• hybridism