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.