The Sequence of Isomorphism—: The Temporal Diffusion Patterns of Quality Management in Higher Education Institutions and Hospitals

• Author: Moritz Ansmann,Markus Seyfried,Matthias Döring
• Published date: 01 January 2022
• Date: 01 January 2022
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/00953997211017137
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/00953997211017137

Administration & Society

2022, Vol. 54(1) 87 –116

© The Author(s) 2021

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DOI: 10.1177/00953997211017137

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Article

The Sequence of

Isomorphism—: The

Temporal Diffusion

Patterns of Quality

Management in Higher

Education Institutions

and Hospitals

Markus Seyfried1, Matthias Döring2,

and Moritz Ansmann3

Abstract

Isomorphism has been widely used to describe why trends penetrate entire

organizational fields. However, research so far has neglected the temporal

aspects of such diffusion processes and the organizational reasons underlying

the introduction of new management tools. We argue that during reform

waves, the reasons for adopting the new tools differ over time. Using

comparative data from two surveys on quality management in the field of

higher education and the health sector, we show that early adopters are

more likely to be motivated by instrumental reasons, while late adopters will

more likely be motivated by institutional reasons.

1University of Applied Sciences for Police and Public Administration, North Rhine-Westphalia,

Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany

2University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark

3University of Potsdam, Germany

Corresponding Author:

Markus Seyfried, Professor for Political Science and Governance, University of Applied

Sciences for Police and Public Administration, North Rhine-Westphalia, Nordrhein-Westfalen,

Abteilung Duisburg, Studienort Mülheim, Dümptener Straße 45, 45476 Mülheim an der Ruhr,

Germany.

Email: markus.seyfried@hspv.nrw.de

1017137AAS0010.1177/00953997211017137Administration & SocietySeyfried et al.

research-article2021

88 Administration & Society 54(1)

Keywords

isomorphism, quality management, hospitals, higher education institutions,

organization

Understanding the fundamental processes underlying the diffusion of innova-

tions has been a crucial aim of new institutional theories. Why do organiza-

tions within a specific organizational field adopt similar configurations? Why

do they tend to converge into similar organizations? The theory of isomor-

phism has introduced the crucial role of legitimacy in the organizational envi-

ronment (Boxenbaum & Jonsson, 2017; DiMaggio & Powell, 1983). Scholars

have determined different mechanisms and motivations, both functional and

dysfunctional, for the actual introduction of new instruments, such as man-

agement reforms (Beck & Walgenbach, 2005; Oliver, 1988; Willems & van

Dooren, 2011). However, the temporal aspect of this diffusion process within

an organizational field remains understudied so far.

One of the tools that has been introduced in many different organizations

is quality management (QM). In this study, we examine the temporal dynam-

ics of the diffusion process for the introduction of QM from a comparative

perspective. QM has spread across many different sectors all over the world.

Currently, there is a growing body of literature on various topics concerning

QM, mostly focusing on its effects (Cameron & Whetten, 1996; Seyfried &

Pohlenz, 2018) or impact (Bejan et al., 2015; Leiber, 2018; Makhoul, 2019).

However, particularly organizational researchers have shown that the implicit

assumptions about the impact of QM require careful scrutiny (Stensaker &

Leiber, 2015) due to several unintended consequences, such as formalization,

standardization, and resistance (Overberg, 2019; Worthington & Hodgson,

2005). Unsurprisingly, research on QM needs a broad evidence base starting

at the initial implementation phase. The starting point of the introduction of

those new management instruments, the underlying reasons, and temporal

dynamics may lay the foundations for their functionality or dysfunctionality.

Until now, the vast majority of all studies have investigated the introduc-

tion of organizational reforms from a sector-specific perspective. In contrast,

we provide a comparative approach considering the introduction of internal

QM in teaching and learning in higher education institutions (HEI) and hos-

pitals in Germany. Researchers have highlighted the particular relevance of

comparative studies for a better understanding of social phenomena (Bleiklie,

2014; Teichler, 1996). Here, we aim to follow the existing conceptions and

research on isomorphism and diffusion (DiMaggio & Powell, 1983; Kennedy

& Fiss, 2009; Tolbert & Zucker, 1983).