Chapters 1 through 3 have provided a good basis for identifying, describing, and, to some small extent, explaining unusual routines. So far the analysis has primarily applied extensions of Singer's crazy systems perspective. However, both the phenomenon and the explanations are much more complex and subtle, and require the application of multiple theories, primarily from organizational and communication research.

The purpose of this chapter, then, is to further elaborate the conceptualization of URs, with the ultimate goal of developing it as an analytic tool and diagnostic. The first section summarizes five central theoretical approaches that form the basis for the case analysis in the following two chapters – systems theory, sensemaking theory, diffusion of innovation theory, socio-technical systems theory, and, especially relevant to our topic, organizational routines theory. The next section outlines a working model of URs with levels of analysis. The concluding section presents five general propositions about the creation of and change in URs, which the case study in Chapter 5 explores.

Five foundational theories for a preliminary model of unusual routines

Systems theory

Systems theory is not really a single theory, but several approaches with related sets of principles. Of relevance to our discussion of URs is general systems theory, social/open systems theory, and cybernetic systems theory.