Guest Editors’ Introduction

Abstract

In this introductory article to the Special Issue we make a case for the study of 'field-configuring events' (FCEs). We begin with a discussion of the nature and character of FCEs. We next situate the study of FCEs in the context of ongoing research addressing the growth and evolution of institutional, organizational, and professional fields. We follow this with an overview of the relationship between FCEs and the evolution of fields, paying particular attention to how FCEs link field evolution at the macro level with individual action at the micro level. We then examine the unique methodological advantages that the study of FCEs offers to researchers who are interested in studying dynamic field processes. We conclude with a summary of the five papers that make up this Special Issue.

Field or Fields? Building the Scaffolding for Cumulation of Research on Institutional Fields

“…By contrast, institutional drift (Oliver, 1992) focuses more on the gradual changes in institutions that occur as performance slips and meanings shift over time (see for example, Zilber, 2002). Institutional entrepreneurship , diffusion (Kennedy & Fiss, 2009;Lounsbury, 2001;Purdy & Gray, 2009), and the influence of field-configuring events (Garud, 2008;Lampel & Meyer, 2008), which provide a context for interaction between hitherto unconnected parties (Glynn, 2008), have all been implicated in endogenous change processes. Indeed, by emphasizing issue fields, what might otherwise be seen as exogenous (e.g., activist pressure) becomes endogenous, as new actors enter issue fields when they engage with exchange field members to pressure for change on a particular issue.…”

Mobility and Professional Networks in Academia: An Exploration of the Obligations of Presence

“…His presence gives authority to a meeting and increases the likelihood that the gathering will be of importance (Lampel and Meyer 2008 …”

Design actions with resilient local communities: Goals, drivers and tools

“…This "climate" is nurture by several soft factors which include, for example, an attractive residential environment, tolerance and alternative lifestyles, a lively cultural scene, and the presence of meeting places for business and leisure purposes where the flow of knowledge and information takes place (Musterd et al, 2007). Other theories, such as Field-configuring events (Lampel and Meyer, 2008;Sedini, 2011), stress the capacity of recurrent practices, activities and events are able to influence and prorogate the consolidation of economies even not directly connected with business but which have economic fallbacks in terms of facilitation and empowerment. Usually, policies, which try to give a new image of a city (even a fake one), are organized by short term and task oriented projects.…”