Institutional Entrepreneurs and Structural Holes in New Field Emergence - Comparative Case Study of Cholesterol-Lowering Functional Foods and Nanotechnology in Finland

This paper extends the emerging body of literature on institutional entrepreneurship by introducing the concept of structural holes to investigate new field emergence. We argue that during field emergence individuals and organizations hold different roles as bridge builders over structural holes between previously unconnected fields and actors. Such pioneers of new fields may draw from their existing network positions and influence the emerging field level institutions. By drawing from a comparative case study of cholesterol-lowering functional foods and nanotechnology in Finland, we provide rich insights into the characteristics of such actors, their bridging attempts and the outcome of eventual field emergence. The research provides interesting implications for further development of institutional theory as well as for practitioners working in emerging fields.

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