This article explores the possibilities of integrating elements from institutional theory with discourse theory in the context of Library and Information Science (LIS), specifically in relation to an ongoing study of the Swedish national policies for adult education and film. It is maintained that both discourse theory and some approaches within institutional theory share a social constructionist epistemology. As the work by Talja and Fairclough demonstrates, ideas of social institutions are inherent in discourse theory. However, this article suggests that some approaches to institutional theory, especially those represented by March and Olsen, could enrich and improve the analytical value of the concept ofinstitution in discourse analysis. Further, the view on social interest and power relations proposed by Powell and DiMaggio (institutional theory), and Fairclough (discourse theory), represent an approach to social analysis that reintroduces a critical perspective to social analysis that is lost in some conceptions of social constructionism. This article suggests that this approach is justified in LIS and cultural policy analysis.
Föreliggande rapport bygger på såväl en utvärdering som en omvärldsanalys av Nordiska kulturfonden. Utvärderingsperioden sträcker sig från 1996 till 2007. I praktiken har undersökningen både varit tillbakablickande och framåtblickande. Arbetet har i stor utsträckning utgått från ett måluppfyllelseperspektiv, och genomfördes under perioden februari till oktober 2008. Omvärldsanalysen består dels av ett historiskt avsnitt, och dels av en kartläggning av aktuella trender i Fondens politiska kontext. Rapportens utvärderande del fokuserar på tre aspekter av fondens verksamhet: Fondens fördelningsprofil, arbetsformer och en studie av ett urval brukare.
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to respond to an earlier article in the Journal of Documentation: The Cult of the “I”. Design/methodology/approach – The method is a form of critical response. Findings – Numerous problems regarding the The Cult of the “I” article are discussed. Originality/value – This paper puts forward views about the iSchools Movement