Figure 2. Structuration theory (adapted from Giddens35)
The study of the organization of social systems involves examining the
ways in which these systems, which are based on the activities of actors
and exist within specific temporal and spatial contexts, are produced,
and perpetuated through the interactions of these actors. Social
systems, which are shaped by interprofessional interactions, behaviors,
and discourses, are interrelated with the social structures that
surround them. In turn, social structures are founded on human
activities and routines. Structuration theory offers a means of
understanding how social structures both enable and restrict human
action, and how social order is not solely determined by external
factors but is actively created and sustained by individuals35,36.
The structurationist approach allows us to investigate the dynamic
interactions between social and organizational structures, actors’
actions, and transformation processes. It promotes macro-social
reflection on organization by considering not only individual action,
but also collective dynamics. The theory adopts a multi-level approach,
encompassing actors, organizations, and environments, and recognizes the
recursive nature of these levels. Furthermore, the structurationist
approach enables us to appreciate the dynamic and processual nature of
organizational transformations37.