Made to Fit: How Practices Vary as They Diffuse

Academy of Management Review, January 1, 2010; 35 (1)

72 Pages Posted: 6 Sep 2014

See all articles by Shaz Ansari

Shaz Ansari

University of Cambridge - Judge Business School; Erasmus University, Rotterdam (EUR)

Peer C. Fiss

University of Southern California - Management and Organization Department

Edward J. Zajac

Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Business

Date Written: September 5, 2014

Abstract

We extend research on the diffusion of corporate practices by providing a framework for studying practice variation during diffusion processes. Specifically, we theorize how population-level mechanisms of diffusion link with organizational-level mechanisms of implementation that lead to the adaptation of practices. We also identify technical, cultural, and political elements of fit (or misfit) between diffusing practices and adopters and analyze how the process of attaining fit across these elements can trigger different patterns of adaptation.

Suggested Citation

Ansari, Shahzad (S and Fiss, Peer C. and Zajac, Edward J., Made to Fit: How Practices Vary as They Diffuse (September 5, 2014). Academy of Management Review, January 1, 2010; 35 (1) , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2492118

Shahzad (S Ansari (Contact Author)

University of Cambridge - Judge Business School ( email )

Trumpington Street
Cambridge, CB2 1AG
United Kingdom

Erasmus University, Rotterdam (EUR) ( email )

P.O. Box 1738
Room T08-21
3000 DR Rotterdam, 3000 DR
Netherlands

Peer C. Fiss

University of Southern California - Management and Organization Department ( email )

Bridge Hall 306
Los Angeles, CA California 90089
United States
213 821 1471 (Phone)
213 740 3582 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www-rcf.usc.edu/~fiss/

Edward J. Zajac

Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Business ( email )

2001 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208
United States

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