Social innovation and institutional work: the role of community organizations in the evolution of social policies in Quebec

Abstract

In Quebec, the participation of community organizations in the development of social policies at the provincial level since the 1970s is a well-known and well documented empirical reality. Using the notion of institutional work as developed by sociological institutionalism, we demonstrate how actors from the third sector have been able to play an active role in the institutionalization of some of their practices, thus accomplishing work towards the creation of institutions. Basing ourselves on three case studies on innovative practices in the health and social services (the Carpe Diem approach, the autonomous management of medication, and community support for social housing), we highlight two forms of institutional work exercised by these actors: the constitution of normative networks, which favors the change of policy norms in a given field, and the construction of identities, which conditions collective action.