Organization Structure as Ideology

Abstract

This article uses an institutional framework to study how state socialist ideology influenced organization structure, governance modes, and administrative practices in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR). An in-depth analysis of one organization, the Staatliche Porzellan Manufaktur Meissen (Meissen) was undertaken, employing qualitative field research methods. Our study shows how state socialism, as a complete institutional environment, imposes structures and practices on organizations. The methods that Meissen employed to buffer its technical core against the demands of the institutional environment are explored. Administrative practices' role in rationalizing and legitimating state ideology are highlighted; we further show that those structures and practices most influenced by state ideology were the first ones to be discarded when the regime was overthrown.