Institutionalized practices become valued as ends in themselves, not just for results

Evidence

The two philosophies have thus become infused with value. They are cherished not only for their functional value – that is, their contribution to economic success – but also as ends in themselves, providing the organizations with a distinctive identity. Selznick (1957) addresses such institutionalization processes when discussing institutional integrity. Once characteristics of the organization have become institutionalized, it becomes a key managerial task to preserve these features in order to maintain institutional integrity. — Georg Schreyögg and Jörg Sydow, The Hidden Dynamics of Path Dependence, 516

Categorization

• DEEPTHINKING: Reframes lock-in as a form of self-definition: the practice is cherished for identity rather than utility, which explains why functional failure doesn’t dislodge it.
• DEFINE: Defines ‘infused with value’ and institutional integrity — the analytic hinge of the whole chapter.