Latest / Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: The Debate
A Debate about Neutralizing Reform: The Mechanics of Institutional Absorption
This research explores the concept of institutional absorption, a process where organizations hire external change agents only to inadvertently neutralize their influence through embedded cultural and political forces. The research argues that structural gravity and misaligned reward systems often force reformers to conform to the status quo, leading to professional burnout and organizational stagnation. To prevent this, institutions must go beyond symbolic hiring by granting leaders actual resource control and fostering environments of psychological safety. Success depends on building…
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