Exploring Institutional Logics in Digital Transformation
Keywords:
Digital transformation, institutional logics, organizational changeAbstract
This study aimed to explore how multiple institutional logics shape and interact with digital transformation processes within organizational contexts in Tehran. This qualitative research employed a descriptive-interpretive design using semi-structured interviews with 19 participants from public and private organizations in Tehran who were actively engaged in digital transformation initiatives. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, and data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using NVivo software. The analysis focused on identifying recurring patterns of institutional behavior, actor narratives, and meaning systems associated with digital transformation. Four main institutional logics—professionalism, bureaucratic/state, market-oriented, and cultural-symbolic—were used as sensitizing constructs during coding and theme development. The results revealed that each institutional logic influenced digital transformation through specific norms, expectations, and structural pressures. Professionalism emphasized ethical conduct, expertise, and identity preservation, often leading to resistance toward automation. Bureaucratic logic prioritized procedural accountability, formal communication, and regulatory compliance, frequently limiting agility and innovation. Market-oriented logic emphasized customer-centricity, performance metrics, and rapid adaptability, while symbolic-cultural logic involved identity reframing, storytelling, and ritualized legitimacy practices. Participants reported frequent tension between logics, resulting in hybrid strategies to reconcile conflicting demands. These findings align with prior studies emphasizing institutional multiplicity and actor agency in shaping digital practices. Digital transformation is not merely a technological or operational change but an institutional process shaped by competing and coexisting logics. Understanding how actors interpret and navigate these logics is essential for designing context-sensitive transformation strategies. This study contributes to institutional theory by demonstrating how hybrid institutional configurations emerge in response to digital disruption, particularly in complex urban settings.
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