Abstracts
Abstract
This paper examines the mechanisms underlying the institutionalization process of soft-regulations in the field of business schools, where international accreditation agencies are perceived as dictating the standards. The study examines the discursive and monitoring mechanisms used by the EFMD to promote EQUIS accreditation since its creation. Combining a critical discourse analysis of accreditation guidebooks and interviews with EQUIS regulators, our findings illustrate and build on the institutionalization curve proposed by Lawrence et al. (2001). Contributing to research about the convergence of business schools’ practices, we offer a perspective into the characteristics of institutional actors’ legitimacy strategies underpinning the institutionalization process.
Keywords:
- Soft-regulations,
- international accreditation,
- institutionalization,
- legitimacy,
- business schools
Résumé
Cet article étudie les mécanismes qui sous-tendent le processus d’institutionnalisation des soft-regulations dans le champ des écoles de commerce où les accréditations internationales sont perçues comme dictant les standards. Notre étude analyse les mécanismes du discours et de contrôle utilisés par EFMD pour promouvoir l’accréditation EQUIS depuis sa création. A l’appui d’une analyse du discours critique approfondie des guides d’accréditation et des entretiens avec les membres institutionnels, notre étude complète les travaux de Lawrence et al. (2001), fournit une perspective détaillée des stratégies de légitimité des acteurs institutionnels et nuance le rôle des organismes d’accréditation dans le processus d’institutionnalisation.
Mots-clés :
- Soft-regulations,
- accréditations internationales,
- institutionnalisation,
- légitimité,
- écoles de commerce
Resumen
Este artículo investiga los mecanismos subyacentes al proceso de institucionalización de soft-regulations en las escuelas de negocios donde se considera que las acreditaciones internacionales dictan las normas. El estudio analiza los mecanismos discursivos y de control utilizados por EFMD para promover la acreditación EQUIS desde sus inicios. Combinando un análisis crítico profundo del discurso de las guías de acreditación y entrevistas con miembros institucionales, nuestro estudio complementa el trabajo de Lawrence et al. (2001), ofrece una perspectiva detallada de las estrategias de legitimidad de los actores institucionales y matiza el papel de los organismos de acreditación en el proceso de institucionalización.
Palabras clave:
- Soft-regulations,
- acreditaciones internacionales,
- institucionalización,
- legitimación,
- escuela de negocio
Appendices
Bibliography
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