From micro level actions to deinstitutionalisation: the case of asbestos in France

This study explores the deinstitutionalisation of asbestos in France from 1970 to 1997. While many institutional studies emphasize the role of external jolts or crisis to explain change and disruption, we focus the analysis on the succession of actions achieved by different individuals and organizations over a long period. In addition to this, we observe the macro-evolution of the regulative, normative and cognitive dimensions underlying the use of asbestos. Exploring the interaction between the macro and the micro levels, we attempt to identify some characteristics of actions which have the strongest potential of institutional disruption. Our findings illustrate that neutral actors play a very important role in this process. Besides, institutional efforts at a micro level are captured in momentums which have more impact on institutions. Centrality in the field does not appear as a significant factor of deinstitutionalisation and we show also that iterative-agency based actions also contribute to deinstitutionalization process.